Page 126 of Bea's Book Wagon
‘But it wouldn’t be just a bookshop anymore, we need a name that reflects all three of our businesses,’ Bea had protested.
‘Absolutely not,’ Nathan had replied. ‘This was your idea, it’s still your bookshop Bea, it would just sell cheese and wine as well.’
‘Exactly,’ Phoebe had agreed. ‘It’s Bea’s Bookshop, or we’re both out.’
* * *
On Thursday morning, Mr Pritchard pulled open the door of the old Pink Ribbon with a sheepish smile.
‘Here we are again, eh, Bea?’ he said.
‘Yes, thanks for seeing me. You said to contact you if my circumstances changed,’ she said quickly. ‘Well, I’ve raised some extra cash, so I could pay six months’ rent in advance now. I know it’s not the same as buying the building outright, but I’d be working with two other local businesses: Three Acre Cheeses and Cherrydown Vineyard. We’d stock books, wine and cheese, you see, and I think we could create something really special here, a place for the community to—’
‘Let me stop you there,’ he said, holding up a hand.
Oh God, she was wasting her time, wasn’t she? There was nothing she could say to change his mind. What was she thinking?
‘I’ve rejected the offer from EliteHaven Homes.’
‘What?’ replied Bea, her eyes wide with shock.
‘My wife made her views on the matter very clear. The lease is yours if you want it. I’ve got the paperwork here ready for you to sign,’ he said, tapping his fingers on a folder resting on the counter.
‘Sorry,’ she said, shaking her head. ‘Did you say the shop’s mine?’
‘I did, yes,’ said Mr Pritchard, beaming as he took a pen from his top pocket and handed it to her.
‘Gosh,’ was all Bea could say in response.
‘Now, if you’d like to sign here,’ said Malcolm, pointing to a dotted line on the bottom of page six, ‘and here,’ he repeated, turning to the final page of the contract.
Bea leafed through the lengthy document; it was a lot to take in.
‘Do you mind if I take this home, give it a proper read through?’ Bea asked. ‘I’m sure everything’s in order, but I’d like to share it with Nathan and Phoebe before I sign, if that’s okay?’
‘Of course, take your time, there’s no rush. Pop it back to me when you’re ready. And if you’ve got any questions, just ask, you know how to contact me.’
‘Brilliant, thanks,’ said Bea, shoving the contract into her bag.
‘I want you to rest assured, though, Bea. I won’t be going back on my word this time, the shop’s officially yours,’ he said, holding out a hand for her to shake. ‘Congratulations!’
‘Thank you,’ said Bea, relief flooding through her.
It was official. Bea’s Bookshop was about to become a reality and there was only one person she wanted to run to and tell: Nathan.
* * *
Nathan. It had always been Nathan – how had she not realized it before? It seemed so obvious to her now. She’d been telling herself for months they were just friends, that there was nothing more to it than that; she loved him like a friend, that was all. But that wasn’t true. She knew if she was being honest with herself, the signs had been there all along, ever since she came back from London. That day at the fête when they’d been locked in the wagon reminiscing about their first date, their first kiss. The way his eyes crinkled when he laughed, the feelings that had stirred when her skin touched his, the way that, no matter how down, depressed or hopeless she felt, he could always make her laugh. It was the little things, but those little things were everything.
She realized now that she’d been scared to admit it to herself, frightened that he wouldn’t feel the same. What if she told him how she truly felt and he rejected her? How could their friendship recover from that? Could it recover from that? And how would she be able to deal with the pain of not being with him?
‘Hello, love,’ said Maggie, as Bea barged into Harrison’s. ‘Everything all right? You look—’
‘No. Yes. Sorry. I just wondered if Jess was here?’ Bea asked, her face flushed.
‘Jess? Yes, she’s out the back,’ said Maggie, with a worried look on her face.
‘Bea! How’d it go?’ Jess asked, running out of the store room.
