Page 15 of Bea's Book Wagon
‘It’s my pleasure, you’re helping us out. Mum’s been wanting to work less hours for ages.’
‘I’d better phone Charlotte and tell her I’ll be taking the horsebox, then.’
‘No time like the present,’ said Tori. ‘You make the call, and I’ll get us another round,’ she said. ‘Same again?’
‘Ooh, yes, please! Although two’s my limit tonight – who knows what else I’ll buy on eBay if I have one too many.’
‘Ha! Good one!’ laughed Tori as she headed for the bar.
As Bea swigged down the last of her negroni, she felt happier than she had in months. Between buying the horsebox and landing a job at the Cosy Cat, she was going to be doing something with her life, finally. And she knew, deep down in the pit of her stomach, that after all the failed interviews and dreadful temp jobs, she was going to make it work – and that was huge.
* * *
‘You’re kidding,’ said Jess, when Bea called her that evening. ‘I can’t believe you’re going to be working at the Cosy Cat. Oh, Bea, I’m so happy for you!’
‘I’m so thankful you hooked me up with Tori in the first place. I hoped she’d give me some advice, but I never expected to get a job out of it!’
‘I’m just so pleased she can give you a bit of a helping hand. It’s perfect and it gives you loads of time to work on the horsebox.’
‘I spoke to Charlotte as soon as I left Tori’s and confirmed the transaction. Nate’s going to take me over there tomorrow to pick it up.’
‘It’s really happening!’
‘I know, I can’t quite believe it!’
‘Are you excited?’
‘Excited, terrified, overwhelmed… I’ve got all the feels.’
‘I bet. It’s all good though, Bea. And if you need me to lend a hand with a paintbrush, just shout.’
‘Thanks, I will! I’m planning to make a start at the weekend after my shift at the library. My mind’s literally buzzing with to-do lists and ideas.’
‘Mobile bookshop owner, barista, librarian – I’m so proud of you, Bea!’
‘Thank you!’
‘Have you told Archie about it yet? What does he make of it all? I’m assuming he knows you’ve quit your job?’
‘I don’t think so. He’s coming over tomorrow as well, so I’ll fill him in then. I’m hoping I can rope him and his mates in to help if I need it—’
‘Ooooh, tell him to bring Seb along, he’s hot.’
‘Jess!’
‘What? He is!’
‘Honestly!’
‘Well, it sounds like everything’s coming together nicely.’
‘I just hope I haven’t missed something fundamental that could ruin it all…’
‘Course not, everything’s going to be great!’ said Jess, reassuringly. ‘You’re bound to feel a bit nervous, it’s only natural.’
‘You’re right,’ said Bea, nodding in agreement. ‘I’m just overthinking things, that’s all. It’s going to be wonderful.’ And, as the words left her mouth, Bea knew that she really did believe them.
CHAPTER 5
