Page 112 of Bea's Book Wagon
‘No, there are two flats: Anya’s and the one on the top floor. Anya said the lease is coming up for renewal on that one too. Why?’ she asked, confused at Lochlan’s sudden interest in the building.
‘So the whole building’s potentially empty?’ he asked.
‘Well, maybe, but I’m only interested in the shop, obviously.’
‘Yeah, sure. Makes sense. What do you need two flats for?’
‘Well, exactly. Like I said, I’m not sure if I can make it work, but I’m going to try,’ said Bea, hoping for his support. ‘What do you think?’
He paused before answering.
‘I think you should go for it!’
‘Really?’ said Bea, relief flooding through her. She realized that his opinion mattered to her.
‘Absolutely. This time next year you could have shops all over the country!’
‘I’ll settle for just one in Blossom Heath,’ Bea laughed. ‘You don’t think I’m crazy then?’
‘No way! You’re ambitious, Bea, it’s an attractive quality,’ he said, huskily. ‘God, I can’t wait to see you,’ he groaned. ‘Remind me when your trip is?’
‘In three weeks, but you’re back before then, right?’
‘Yes, the weekend after next and then I’m driving you back to London with me, yes?’
‘Yes, and I promise I won’t cancel this time,’ Bea laughed.
‘I should think not,’ he teased, but Bea detected a harsh edge to his tone.
‘Okay, well, I’ll speak to you soon, take care,’ she replied, feeling a little unsettled by his words.
‘You too,’ he muttered, before hanging up.
Bea couldn’t pinpoint exactly what it was, but something about their conversation hadn’t felt right, somehow. Lochlan had seemed more interested in the building being vacant than her idea of opening a bookshop, and she couldn’t help but feel that Nathan would have reacted differently.
But there was no point comparing the two. Lochlan was the man she was seeing and Nathan was just a friend, wasn’t he?
CHAPTER 33
Bea practically skipped back to the car after her meeting with the small business advisor at the bank. She was doing it, really doing it! She had wasted no time in getting in touch with Mr Pritchard and expressing her interest in the shop. Malcolm, as he’d told her to call him, had been every bit as lovely as Anya had described. He was thrilled with the idea of the Pink Ribbon becoming a bookshop, and was happy to keep the rent fixed at the same price Anya was paying. Bea would have to pay the first two months in advance, plus a security deposit, but, he assured her, he’d be happy to draw up the paperwork as soon as she had her finances in place. So, as long as the bank agreed her loan application, the shop was as good as hers.
Mrs Watson, the branch manager of the Barclays in Hastings, had talked Bea through the paperwork she needed to complete and confirmed that, if successful, it was likely she would have an agreement in principle by the end of the week. As Bea climbed into the car, her phone began vibrating and she smiled when she saw it was Jess calling.
‘So, how did it go?’ she asked, as soon as Bea had accepted the call.
‘Good, I think. I’ve submitted the application and they reckon I should have the offer within a few days.’ Bea grinned.
‘That’s bloody brilliant news,’ squealed Jess. ‘When can you move in?’
‘Well, I need to have the money, first, before the landlord will draw up the paperwork, so it’s not going to happen overnight.’
‘God, I can’t wait! Are you going to start telling people?’
‘Well, I’ve already told you, Mum and Dad, Archie, Tori, oh, and I’m telling Nathan tonight before the awards thing.’
‘Oh yeah, I’d forgotten about that. I really hope he wins.’
‘Me too. It feels like there’s a lot going right now for all of us really. I can’t believe it’s only a few months since I was stuck in that shitty temp job.’
