Page 21 of Storm in a Teacup
“Josie’s Music Shop.”
Linny and I exit the shop, careful of said ghost, and walk the way to Josie’s shop. Josie and my mum were good mates in childhood, more so acquaintances now. But Josie was always around when I was growing up, so she’s still in my life even if she’s less so in my mum’s. It’s been a while since I’ve seen her, so I’m anticipating a tight hug and a light knock on the head.
The door jingles as we enter, causing her to look up with a scowl. “Well, look who the cat dragged in. Didn’t see you at your soft opening the other night.” She’s sporting a red scarf in her hair and a tan, floor-length dress.
I lift my chin and say, “I was hiding in the kitchen.”
“Never known you to be one to hide from a party.”
I raise my shoulders, attempting nonchalance. “Aye, well, people change.” I grab Linny by the arm and pull her in front ofme. “I’m here so you can tell her I’m nice.”
Linny waves awkwardly. “Hi. Nice to meet you. I’m Linny.”
Josie gets up, walking around the counter. “Nice to meet you, too. Linny, huh? Now, are you Carolyn Jenkins’s niece?”
Linny’s surprised. “I am.”
“Hmm, she’s a fun one.” She fixes her attention on me, holding her arms wide. “Come here then, you wee shite.”
I move easily into her embrace, murmuring, “Hi, Josie.” I pull away, fingers finding a tub of guitar picks that I rummage through absently.
Josie turns her focus back to Linny. “So, you need me to tell you Ben is nice? He’ll be nice to you, pet.”
I pull away from the guitar picks as I request, “Tell her I’m safe, too.” I wander a bit, my fingers brushing over a red electric guitar hung on the wall.
Josie glances at me out of the corner of her eye. “He’ll keep you safe. Won’t do anything to harm you. I won’t make promises about what he’ll do to himself, though. Not sure I ever saw him without a broken bone when he was wee.”
I beam proudly, shoving my hands in my pockets to keep them to myself. “I was adventurous.”
Josie puts her hands on her hips. “Still are, love. Is that all you needed me for?”
“Yes, Josie.” I wander back to where Linny stands by the front door.
She points a finger at me. “I expect another visit soon. Next one a bit longer, yeah?”
“Aye, of course.”
“Alright, off you pop.”
I swivel Linny and myself out of the shop. “She loves me,” I confide, “but she sure does love to kick me out of the shop.”
“Is it because you mess with her things?”
“Yes.” I keep pace beside her. “So, what do you say? Can I come to London with you?”
She crosses her arms as we walk. “I feel like that’s a really bad idea. It would be weird for me to bring my platonic male friend, whom I hardly know—despite his glowing reference. What are we going to do, pretend you’re my boyfriend?”
We pause before crossing the road. “We don’t have to put any labels on it, but if someone calls me your boyfriend or you my girlfriend, we won’t deny it.”
She chews her lip and says again, “This is a really bad idea.”
CHAPTER SIX
Linny
This is a really bad idea. A foolish one. But here we are. On a train to London. Me and Ben Pyeon. A man I hardly know. I know him well enough to have coffee or a drink with him, sure. But to go to London and share a hotel room with him? No. Not at all.
Too late. We’re already in England. We’ll be in London soon enough.
