Page 38 of Bea's Book Wagon
‘Not yet,’ he said, shaking his head. ‘Like I said, I don’t have a great deal of time.’
‘Well, we can definitely fix that,’ said Bea, beaming at him. ‘Come into the library next time I’m working, I can help you join and set you up on BorrowBox. You’ll be hooked on audiobooks in no time.’
‘Your oysters,’ said a waiter, placing a giant platter on the table in front of them. They looked… disgusting.
‘So, what you do,’ said Lochlan, picking one up, ‘is loosen it from the shell with your fork, like this,’ he continued, giving it a wiggle, ‘then slurp it, but don’t forget to chew. Like this,’ he said, throwing back his head and chewing several times before swallowing. ‘Delicious.’
‘Okay,’ said Bea, plucking an oyster from the platter, trying not to retch at the smell.
Why did it look like a giant bogey?
‘That’s it,’ Lochlan said, encouragingly. ‘Now just chew and swallow.’
‘Right, yes,’ said Bea, sucking in a deep breath.
Three, two, one… she threw back her head and in it went. Why was it so damn chewy?
It tasted disgusting, unimaginably disgusting. She was going to bring it straight back up, she knew it. She reached for her martini, downing the remainder of it in one.
‘And? Aren’t they delicious?’ Lochlan asked, keenly.
‘Delicious, yeah,’ she lied. ‘Very… fresh.’
‘I knew you’d love them,’ said Lochlan, beaming at her from across the table.
‘I just need to go and powder my nose,’ said Bea, grabbing her clutch bag. There was no way on earth she could eat another one.
‘I’ll save you some.’
‘I don’t want to spoil my main,’ she said, almost too quickly. ‘Honestly, you finish them.’
‘If you’re sure?’
‘Oh, I am,’ she said, standing up.
As she made her way through to the back of the restaurant, Bea realized that, no matter how hot Lochlan looked, she’d happily stay in the bathroom all night if it meant she didn’t have to eat another oyster.
CHAPTER 11
The Apple Tree was packed when Bea, Jess, Archie and Nathan arrived after a hard day working on the wagon. Bea had to force her way through the crowds to get served at the bar.
‘Three pints of cider and a double whisky, please, Beth,’ said Bea, pulling out her purse when it was finally her turn.
‘Coming right up,’ said Beth, pulling the first pint. ‘So, how are you? Settling in?’
‘Yeah, good, thanks. I really like it here, everyone’s been so welcoming.’
‘That’s Blossom Heath for you. I’ve been hearing all about your book wagon; it’s the talk of the village, you know.’
‘It is?’ said Bea, her eyes wide in amazement.
‘Yeah, Maggie’s been filling us in. A mobile bookshop? What a treat! I’d much rather buy from an actual person than online.’
‘Oh, me too! What do you usually read?’
‘I’m a true crime fan, the grislier the better. Can’t get enough of the stuff.’
‘Really?’ said Bea, surprised. ‘I’m not sure I’d have guessed that, and I’m usually good at figuring out—’
