Page 108 of Bea's Book Wagon
CHAPTER 31
It took Bea days to get over the shock of seeing the wagon fully restored, but there was one person she owed a debt of gratitude to more than most: Nathan. It had been his idea to rope everyone into helping, he’d co-ordinated the whole thing and had been at the centre of all it, and she hadn’t been able to stop thinking about it. To stop thinking about him.
They were just friends, she knew that, and, anyway, she was with Lochlan now. Any confusing feelings that she had for Nathan were simply driven by a sense of nostalgia, nothing more. Things had been over between them for years, and she was fine with that. More than fine.
The Cherrydown fête had gone well. Luckily, Jess and Archie had gone with her, and she’d needed their help more than she’d realized. Lifting and carting stock around was a challenge while her ribs were healing, and Matt and Harry had surprised her by turning up to give them a much needed lunchbreak. They had all mucked in to help her set up and pack away and, by the time she made it back home, she was exhausted.
Exhausted, but elated.
The bookshop had been as much of a hit in Cherrydown as it had in Blossom Heath, and she was back doing what she loved. She had confirmed a date for her first book club in Cherrydown, too, as well as regular visits to Cherrydown and Appleton primary schools. It felt like those dark clouds that had descended in the days after her accident had finally lifted.
‘Bea!’ said Tori, as she returned to the Cosy Cat for her first shift since the accident. ‘It’s great to have you back! How are you feeling?’
‘Good, thanks,’ Bea replied, ‘I really missed this place.’
‘Aw, that’s good to hear,’ said Tori.
‘So, what’s been going on?’ Bea asked, tying a Cosy Cat apron around her waist.
‘Well, Amos and Treacle have both gone off to new homes, so we’ve got a couple of new additions from Izzy,’ said Tori, scooping up a ginger cat that was circling her legs meowing loudly. ‘This little fella is Gizmo.’
‘Aw, hello, Gizmo,’ said Bea, stroking him gently.
‘And that’s Ginny, asleep on the windowsill,’ said Tori, nodding towards a small, black cat who was snoring loudly. ‘But other than that, it’s just same old same old. Oops, here’s Anya, right on time,’ continued Tori, popping Gizmo back down on the floor.
‘Hi, Anya!’ Bea said brightly, before noticing Anya’s tear-streaked face. ‘Oh my god, what’s wrong? What’s happened?’
‘It’s my Mum. She’s had a fall,’ said Anya. ‘It sounds like she’s going to be okay, but we’re definitely going to have to move back to Scotland now.’
‘Oh, Anya,’ said Bea, resting a hand on her arm, ‘I’m so sorry.’
‘I just don’t want Mum to be on her own anymore,’ said Anya, in a quiet voice. ‘It’s as simple as that.’
‘I’m so sorry, that’s tough,’ said Tori.
‘Is there anything we can do to help? If you need someone to mind the shop for a while—’ asked Bea.
‘Thanks, that’s kind of you, but no. We’ve made the decision,’ said Anya. ‘We’re going to shut the shop permanently at the end of this week and head straight back to Scotland at the weekend. Mum still lives in our family home; it’s huge, so we can move in with her.’
‘It sounds like you’re doing the right thing, but I’m sure that doesn’t make it any easier,’ said Tori. ‘Let me get you a coffee. What do you fancy?’
‘Something sweet, thanks’ said Anya.
‘I’m going to really miss you, you and Simon have been so kind to me since I moved back here,’ said Bea. ‘And I’ll miss the shop, too.’
‘Thanks, Bea. Maybe we can find another shop to open in Scotland. But I’m gutted to be leaving Blossom Heath, I love it here,’ sniffed Anya.
‘There you go, one vanilla latte,’ said Tori, handing Anya a takeaway cup and brown paper bag. ‘And a couple of cinnamon buns, on me.’
‘Oh, thanks, Tori,’ said Anya, ‘that’s really kind of you.’
‘And if there’s anything we can do to help, just shout, okay?’ said Tori.
‘Actually, there is something…’ said Anya. ‘Could you spread the word that we’re having a closing down sale?’ she continued wryly, heading for the door. ‘Starting today.’
* * *
‘God, that’s such a shame,’ said Bea, once Anya had left.
