Page 109 of Bea's Book Wagon
‘I know, I can’t quite believe it,’ replied Tori, exhaling.
‘I wonder who’ll take over the shop?’
‘Hmmm… I don’t know, but I bet it’ll go pretty quickly. There’s not been a vacant lease come up for a few years. I think the last time was actually when Simon and Anya opened the Pink Ribbon, and that’s got to be five years ago now.’
‘What was there before?’ Bea asked, curiosity getting the better of her.
‘Erm… let me think,’ said Tori, drumming her fingers on the counter. ‘Oh, it was an old-fashioned haberdashery store, you know the ones. Mum used to get name tags and new buttons for my school uniform from there. Then Mrs Simpson, the old lady who ran it, retired, and there was no one else to carry it on, so the lease came up. She’d been there donkey’s years, I think, since before I was born.’
‘I guess we’ll just have to wait and see…’ said Bea, an idea starting to form in her mind.
* * *
Bea couldn’t stop thinking about the Pink Ribbon. It was still early days for Bea’s Book Wagon, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was an opportunity here for her. She’d only just got the wagon back on the road, but the business was thriving. The online store was already turning a profit and she’d had loads of sign-ups for her subscription boxes, but… a shop? There was so much more to consider: rent, utilities, taxes, fitting it out… it was much more involved than a mobile bookshop, so much more of a risk. And then there was the question of cost. Refurbing the wagon the first time had wiped out her savings and she hadn’t been able to afford to fix it herself after the accident. No, it was just a silly pipe dream, there was no way she could take on such a huge commitment, not yet anyway. But…
Tori had told her shops rarely became available in the village. If she didn’t go for it now then she might not get another opportunity. Maybe she could get a small business loan, find a backer? A Kickstarter campaign even? Surely it couldn’t hurt to just make some enquiries? Find out how much the rent was and if she’d have to pay a deposit? What were the business rates? She was due to go to an antique sale in Rye with Arthur that afternoon, so maybe she could pick his brains, see what he thought of her idea. It couldn’t hurt.
* * *
Bea knocked on Arthur’s bright red front door just after lunch and smiled at his dark grey trousers and matching waistcoat, despite the heat of the warm July day.
‘Beatrice!’ he said, beaming at her. ‘Right on time!’ he said.
‘I’m so looking forward to this!’ said Bea, taking his arm as they walked down the steps from his house. ‘I’ve never been to a proper auction before.’
‘You’re in for a treat!’ Arthur replied, leaning heavily on his walking stick. ‘There’s no buzz quite like it. Even after all my years in the business, I still get as excited as a child on Christmas Eve!’
‘I wonder what treasures we’ll find?’ she asked.
‘That’s exactly the point, you never know. It could be a colossal waste of time or we could find a hidden gem,’ said Arthur. ‘I’m sure we’ll find some books, though, there always are some.’
‘I hope so,’ Bea replied, excitement fizzing in her stomach at the prospect.
* * *
When they arrived at Atkins Auction House, Bea couldn’t believe just how many antiques there were under one roof.
‘Here,’ said Arthur, picking up a copy of the auction catalogue and handing it to her. ‘This will give us a detailed description of every lot. Mark out anything you fancy and we’ll track it down and take a look. Why don’t we start with a wander first, though? See what catches our eye?’
‘Good idea,’ Bea agreed, heading straight for some boxes of books she’d spotted in the far corner.
‘Lot number thirty-two,’ said Arthur, examining the catalogue. ‘Assorted books. Fiction. Sold as seen. There’s not much to go on there.’
‘So, is that all four boxes?’ Bea asked, crouching down to rummage through the books on top of each box. ‘They’re not in great condition…’
‘Yes, looks like all four boxes make up a single lot,’ Aruthur confirmed. ‘See anything you like?’
‘Not sure,’ said Bea, as a woman pushed past her. ‘There’s too many here to see properly, but it could be worth a punt? There are some eighties editions of Dickens and Hardy, which could be interesting.’
‘But not worth much, I wouldn’t have thought. The guide price is between twenty and fifty pounds if you want to risk it?’
‘I think I might,’ said Bea, standing up, her knees creaking. ‘As long as I break even. And I’m desperate to bid on something,’ she giggled. ‘What about you? Have you seen anything you like?’
‘There’s a 1920s umbrella stand that would be perfect for my walking sticks. I’ll give it a go, see if it’s my lucky day,’ said Arthur, his eyes twinkling.
‘Oooh, looks like they’re getting ready to start, I’ll find us some good seats,’ said Bea, heading to the rows of plastic chairs that were starting to fill up.
‘You go ahead, my dear, I’m right behind you.’
