Page 120 of Bea's Book Wagon
‘As I said, you’ve had a shock and you’re entitled to feel upset… betrayed. But don’t let it linger. Take a beat, move on, and when you do open your bookshop – and I’ve no doubt you will – let me know. I’ve got good contacts in the industry: editors, authors, agents, movers and shakers, people who owe me a favour. I’ll get them all down here for the launch and do a signing event for you.’
‘Really?’ Bea asked, surprised. ‘I thought you didn’t do public appearances?’
‘I don’t, but I’ll make an exception for you,’ said Katerina, patting Bea’s shoulder. ‘I’m very fond of you, Bea.’
‘Wow, gosh, I don’t know what to say, but thanks,’ said Bea, ‘that would be amazing!’
‘Now, I really must go, I’m on a deadline,’ Katerina said, getting to her feet.
‘How’s the word count going?’ Bea asked, curiosity getting the better of her.
‘Good. Better than good, actually. Strange as it sounds, being here has helped me find my mojo again.’
‘That’s brilliant news!’ said Bea, smiling.
‘Well, my editor certainly thinks so! Now, what’s your plan? You can’t sit here moping all day.’
‘No, I know,’ Bea agreed. ‘My courage always rises at every attempt—’
‘To intimidate me,’ said Katerina, finishing the quote from Pride & Prejudice.
‘I need to talk to Lochlan,’ Bea said.
‘You give him hell,’ said Katerina.
‘Oh, don’t you worry,’ Bea replied. ‘I intend to.’
* * *
Bea didn’t even know if Lochlan was back from London yet, as she pulled up outside his house less than half an hour later. But she couldn’t wait, she had to find out what the hell he had done. Part of her was hoping that it was all just a misunderstanding and there was an innocent explanation for how EliteHaven Homes had found out about the Pink Ribbon, but she knew, deep down, there wasn’t.
She jabbed her finger on the gate buzzer with force.
‘Hello?’ he answered.
‘It’s me,’ said Bea, her voice flat and emotionless.
‘Bea!’ he replied, sounding genuinely pleased she was there. The entrance gate creaked open, and, as Bea pulled up at his front door, she saw him leaning casually in the doorway, seemingly without a care in the world. That is, until he saw the look of thunder on her face.
‘Hey, what’s up?’ he asked.
‘What’s up?’ Bea shouted, furious. ‘I’ve just been to sign the lease on the shop.’
‘Ah,’ he said, his usual confidence slipping. ‘So, you know, then?’
‘Yeah, I know,’ she mimicked his tone. ‘I know you’ve gone behind my back and offered the landlord cash.’
‘It’s just business, babe,’ he shot back, stepping towards her.
‘Just business?’ she said, recoiling. ‘And don’t you fucking dare call me “babe”, you fucking arsehole.’
‘Hey, calm down, Bea, this has got nothing to do with… us’, he continued, ‘it doesn’t change things.’
‘Are you insane? It changes everything.’
‘It’s just a shop. There’ll be others,’ he scoffed.
‘It isn’t just a shop, Lochlan. It’s my dream and you’ve just… trampled all over it.’ She couldn’t believe he was gaslighting her like this.
