Page 16 of Bea's Book Wagon
Bea walked up the steps to the library on Saturday morning, ready for her monthly shift with a smile on her face. She really did love this place. She could hear the chatter of excited voices coming from the children’s section; the toddler Rhymetime class was underway and the kids were singing along to ‘Hickory Dickory Dock’.
‘Bea, hi!’ said Matt, the manager, spotting her as she walked through the doors. He was the nicest boss to work for. Nothing like Brendan…
‘Hiya,’ said Bea brightly, stashing her handbag under the counter.
‘How’s things?’
‘Good, thanks. It’s been a hectic week.’
‘So I’ve heard. Carol’s been telling me all about your plans for a mobile bookshop – I think it’s a wonderful idea!’
‘You do?’
‘Oh, absolutely. The mobile library barely meets demand, and we don’t even have a bookshop around here. I can’t wait to see it! You’ll have to let me know when you’ve booked your first event – I’ll be there!’
‘Thanks, Matt.’
‘I’ve got some paperwork to catch up with,’ said Matt, ‘so just shout if you need me. I’ll be in my office.’
‘Will do.’
‘Hang on, looks like you’ve got a customer,’ said Matt, pausing, then nodding towards an elderly gentleman wearing an immaculate tweed jacket, heading for the desk. ‘I’ll just get these returns back on the shelves while you see to him,’ he said, picking up the nearest stack of books and heading for the non-fiction section.
‘Can I help?’ Bea asked the man as he approached.
‘Please. I’m trying to find a book, but for the life of me I can’t remember the title,’ he explained. ‘I thought I’d written it down, but I’ll be damned if I can find the piece of paper,’ he said, patting down his pockets.
‘No problem, do you know the author?’
‘Erm…’ he said, shaking his head. ‘Afraid not. Goodness, what must you think of me? I’m not usually so disorganized.’
‘Don’t worry, we’ll figure it out. Can you remember what it’s about?’
‘Ah! That I can do,’ said the man brightly. ‘It’s a crime novel, been on television, not the regular channels, one of those other things…’
‘Streaming channels? Netflix? Amazon Prime?’
‘Prime, that’s the one!’ he said, clicking his fingers. ‘I saw a bit of it at my son’s, and thought I’d try the book. I’ve always preferred books to TV.’
‘Me too,’ Bea agreed, feeling a strong affinity with the man. ‘Do you remember any of the actors or characters?’
‘Erm… now you’re asking,’ he said, shaking his head. ‘Big fella… huge,’ he said, arms outstretched. ‘I remember my son saying he looked like a wrestler?’
‘Ah, I think I know who you mean,’ said Bea. She pulled out her phone and tapped away. ‘Is this him?’ she asked, holding up a picture of Alan Ritchson as Jack Reacher.
‘That’s the chap!’ the man replied, delightedly.
‘You’re in luck,’ said Bea, beaming at him. ‘It’s a series by Lee Child. There are twenty-eight books in all, so you’re spoilt for choice.’
‘Twenty-eight!’ replied the man, eyes wide. ‘Goodness, I’m not sure I can commit to that many!’
‘Why don’t you start with book one and take it from there?’
‘It’s as good a place as any.’
‘Take a seat,’ said Bea, aware he was leaning more heavily on his walking cane, ‘I’ll find it for you.’
‘Thank you, my dear,’ he said, lowering himself into the chair by the desk. ‘And call me Arthur,’ he continued, handing her his library card.
