Page 56 of Bea's Book Wagon
Bea wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry. Having an audience was doing nothing for her confidence.
‘Watch out, watch out!’ yelled a woman, as a stocky yellow Labrador ran behind the trailer.
‘Sorry,’ Bea shouted. ‘Maybe keep your dog on a lead when you see someone reversing,’ she cursed under her breath.
‘Bea?’ said a strikingly good-looking man with dark, curly hair who was striding towards her. ‘Tori sent me, she thought you could do with a hand.’
‘No, I’ve got this, but thanks,’ said Bea, determined not to give up. If she was going to be taking the wagon all over Sussex, she absolutely had to master parking it.
‘Let me help?’ he repeated.
‘Okay, that would be great, thank you,’ said Bea, gratefully. ‘You must be Leo? Tori’s boyfriend?’
‘That’s right,’ he said, beaming at her. Bea had heard all about him from Jess, but this was the first time they’d met.
‘Okay, straighten up and when I give you the signal, turn the steering wheel to the right as hard as you can,’ he said.
‘Got it,’ she said, lining the wagon up for another attempt. As she kicked into reverse, Leo waved, and she turned the wheel full-lock to the right.
‘That’s it,’ he shouted. ‘Now just keep coming back,’ he said, arms aloft. ‘A little bit more, you’ve got loads of room. That’s it, you’re in!’
‘Thank God!’ said Bea, feeling triumphant, as she checked her mirrors and hopped out of the car. ‘Thanks, Leo. I was getting in a right mess.’
‘No worries. Are you okay unhitching?’
‘Absolutely. It would have been easier coming in the other way, but the woman with the clipboard wouldn’t let me. Apparently I’d be “breaking health and safety rules”,’ she scowled, putting air quotes around the words.
‘Ah, that’ll be Violet Davenport. She’s a bit of a busybody.’
‘You don’t say?’ Bea laughed. ‘Thanks for the help, though.’
‘Anytime. Tori said she’ll be over soon. She’s dying to see your book wagon. It looks ace by the way.’
‘Thanks, Leo.’
* * *
Bea unhitched the wagon from the car and, when she went inside, she was pleased to see that all the books had remained on their shelves. She unpacked the crate with the lamps, plants and other knick-knacks she’d accumulated, and added the finishing touches, ready to open. As she switched on the fairy lights, she heard footsteps coming up the ramp behind her.
‘Wow, Bea, this is awesome!’ said Tori, looking around. ‘I never expected it to be so…’
‘Jaw-droppingly gorgeous?’
‘Well, exactly,’ Tori laughed. ‘I can’t believe it used to be a horsebox. Honestly, you’d never know, it feels like a real bookshop.’
‘Really? You think so?’
‘Yes! Smaller, obviously, but it’s a bit of a Tardis, isn’t it? There’s way more space than you’d think. Oh, is that a reading nook? Cute!’ said Tori, pointing towards the beanbag.
‘Yes, there’s only enough room for a few kids really, but I’ve got some deckchairs to put outside for grown-ups.’
‘What a great idea! Ooooh, I love these bookmarks,’ said Tori, picking up one decorated with cats. ‘Obviously, I’m buying this immediately.’
‘Thanks! That makes you my first customer!’
‘I’m honoured!’
‘It’ll give me a chance to try out the card machine, too,’ said Bea, grabbing it from the box. ‘Okay, so that’s £2.99,’ she said, inputting the amount. Tori tapped her card and the transaction was complete.
