Page 61 of Bea's Book Wagon
‘Fair point,’ she conceded. ‘You’re right, though, someone will be along soon. I might as well restock the shelves, there’s more boxes in the corner.’
‘Good idea,’ said Nathan, heaving a box on to the makeshift desk and rummaging inside.
‘I can’t even remember what’s in here, to be honest,’ said Bea, reaching into the box, her hand brushing against his rough fingers.
Her heart thudded against her ribs. Nathan looked up and something flashed in his eyes. Bea had seen that look a thousand times before, but not for years.
‘Look, Pride and Prejudice!’ she said, attempting to disperse the electricity that was crackling in the air around them.
‘Austen. One of your favourites,’ Nathan replied, his eyes crinkling at the sides as he smiled.
‘Do you remember when I took you to see that film?’ she laughed.
‘Yes! Pride and Prejudice and Zombies!’
‘Jeez, it was awful.’
‘Hey, I thought it was okay, actually.’
‘You were drooling over Lily James for most of it, I’m surprised you even—’
‘Actually,’ he interrupted. ‘I spent most of the time trying to work up the courage to put my arm around you…’
‘Oh,’ said Bea, her eyes widening in surprise. ‘Yeah, I remember, I think it was the first time we—’
‘Kissed.’
She paused before replying,
‘As first kisses go, it was pretty good,’ she said, smiling at the memory.
‘It was,’ Nathan agreed, his eyes firmly fixed on hers.
‘Well, you certainly took your time about it,’ Bea said. ‘I was waiting all night for you to make a move,’ she continued, turning her attention back to the box of books. ‘I thought I was going to have to take matters into my own hands.’
‘Oh, really?’ he said, tipping his head to one side.
‘Absolutely! And then Duncan Jones from Year Twelve ruined it all by chucking a box of popcorn over us!’
‘Bastard!’ Nathan laughed.
‘Total bastard!’ she agreed. ‘What else is in here?’ she asked, turning a book over in her hands to show Nathan the cover.
‘Lady Chatterley’s Lover. Isn’t this supposed to be a bit… spicy?’ he said, raising his eyebrows. ‘Wasn’t it banned?’
‘Uh-huh. It’s definitely a five chili rating. Super spicy.’
Bang! There was a thud on the wagon door.
‘Bea? Are you okay in there?’ Archie’s voice called from outside.
‘The door’s stuck!’ said Bea. ‘The handle won’t budge.’ Archie rattled the lever from outside and the door miraculously swung open.
‘You were saying?’ said Archie, grinning widely.
‘What the—’ said Bea.
‘Seems fine now,’ said Archie, waggling the handle up and down. ‘Are you sure you two just didn’t want some alone time?’ he teased.
