Page 56 of Winter Nights at the Bay Bookshop
Justin hadn’t responded to his dressing-down by the time I went to bed and, when I arrived at work on Sunday morning, I checked my phone to find a grovelling message sent in the early hours.
From Justin
I’m really sorry about your birthday, kiddo. I genuinely hadn’t registered and I know that makes me a bad dad. I’ll make it up to you. I still need to see you. Do you take a lunch break?
I shook my head at thebad dadcomment. He could claim thebadpart with bells on but, as far as I was concerned, he wasn’t my dad and I objected to him using the term. I decided to let it go – that and the use ofkiddoonce more despite my request not to call me that. I wanted to start the day feeling calm instead of incensed.
To Justin
Not on a Sunday. If you really need to see me, it’ll have to be after work tomorrow. Busy day ahead so I won’t be picking up any more messages today
* * *
The bookshop was busy but nothing like it had been yesterday and, thankfully, all the customers were pleasant. During the afternoon a woman I’d place in her late thirties asked if I could help her choose a creative writing book.
‘It’s for my sister,’ she said as I led her up the stairs. ‘She’s been talking about writing a book for years and she’s got this brilliant idea but hasn’t written a single word because she says she has no idea where to even start. I thought if I bought her a book about the basics it might incentivise her to crack on with it.’
We stopped in front of the creative writing section on level three. ‘As you can see, there’s quite a selection and we can get hold of others. The ones on this shelf are about specific aspects of craft so I’d suggest they’re more advanced, but the ones here are the overviews and a great starting point for a new writer.’
I recognised the rabbit-in-headlights look so I plucked three different books from the shelf and talked her through the differences. Seeing her look more relaxed, I left her to browse.
On the landing, I took my phone out to check what time it was and was surprised to see five missed calls from Cassie.
‘Everything okay?’ I asked, calling her immediately.
‘Jared’s mum collapsed earlier and she’s been rushed to hospital.’
‘Oh, my God! What happened?’
‘We don’t know. She was out with a friend, said she felt dizzy and next moment she keeled over and hit her head. I’m not going to be able to do Christmas tonight. Jared’s dad’s visiting an old friend in Luton and he’s getting an earlier train home but it’ll be hours before he makes it back so Jared’s with Lesley now. I’d have asked my mum to babysit but she’s away too. I’m so sorry to let you down.’
‘Gosh, Cassie, don’t worry about the shop.’
‘I thought about bringing the kids with me but it’d probably take longer with them than it would if you’re on your own. I could manage one night during the week instead.’
‘Honestly, Cassie, you focus on Lesley, Ronnie and your family. I’ll sort Christmas. If you need the day off tomorrow, just shout. Send them all my love and keep me posted.’
As we said goodbye, the creative writing customer appeared with two books and smiled at me. ‘I’ll have these, please.’
‘Good choices. Let’s hope they give your sister the kickstart she needs.’
When she’d gone, I looked around the shop, trying to decide what to do about Cassie not coming tonight. Putting up and decorating the tree was too big a job for during shop hours as boxes of bookish tree ornaments strewn everywhere were a trip hazard. Creating the Christmas window was too big and messy too so it definitely needed to be an after-hours job. Cassie had enough on with her approaching wedding so I wouldn’t want to impose on her one evening during the week and, besides, I was psyched up to do it tonight. I’d updated last year’s Christmas playlist with this year’s festive releases and I was ready to embrace Christmas. But I’d be here until past midnight if I tried to do it alone. There was really only one person I could ask and the thought of it set off the butterflies in my stomach.
To Lars
Please forgive the intrusion on a Sunday but I was hoping to go full-on Christmas tonight with Cassie’s help. She’s had a family emergency so it’s just me. Is there any chance you’re free, even if just for an hour or two, to help me out after we close? I will, of course, pay you overtime
From Lars
I’ll be there at closing time on one condition – that you don’t pay me. I’m doing this as a favour to a friend. I won’t come otherwise
My heart leapt at his kindness.
To Lars
Can we compromise with me paying you in pizza?
From Lars
