Page 7 of Bea's Book Wagon
‘Try and get my money back, obviously. The seller’s in Blossom Heath… Millcroft Stables.’
‘No way!’ said Jess, ‘that’s Charlotte’s place.’
‘Who’s Charlotte?’
‘She’s lovely. Comes in the shop all the time. I used to go riding at her stables when I was a kid.’
‘Do you think she’ll give me my money back?’
Jess paused before answering.
‘Maybe, but…’
‘What?’
‘What if it’s not actually a bad idea?’
‘Spending my life savings on a wreck of a horsebox – yeah that sounds like a genius plan,’ said Bea, her voice laced with sarcasm.
‘But what if it’s a sign, Bea? You’ve always wanted your own bookshop.’
‘But I don’t know anything about running a business, it was just a drunk, spur-of-the-moment idea—’
‘And sometimes those are the best kind!’
‘I don’t know, Jess…’
‘The stables are literally just down the road, Bea, that can’t be a coincidence—’
‘So, what, you think it’s all part of some grand plan that the universe has for me?’
‘Yes? Maybe? Oh, I don’t know… but manifesting is a real thing, loads of people are into it.’
‘I’m not sure drunk-buying a horsebox is the same thing.’
‘All I’m saying is, why don’t we go and have a look. Talk to Charlotte. You might regret it if you don’t.’
‘But where would I even keep a horsebox, let alone refurbish it? It looks like it needs tons of work; I wouldn’t know where to start. And I’ll need to buy stock too, I don’t even own a car to tow it either.’
‘Hmmmmm…’ said Jess, thoughtfully. ‘Who do I know that’s good with their hands and has tons of storage space, acres of it in fact… Nathan!’
Nathan Chambers was Bea’s childhood boyfriend. They’d met at secondary school and dated right through to the final year of sixth form. He lived and worked at Three Acre Farm on the outskirts of Blossom Heath. He’d been her Dawsey Adams, a farmer with a poetic soul, just like in The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. She’d thought they’d be together forever, but life had other plans.
‘Jess, no,’ said Bea.
‘I’m sure he’d be happy to help, he’s a good friend and you’ve been hanging out loads since you got back from London.’
‘Don’t you dare, Jess.’
‘Too late, I’ve already sent him a text.’
‘Jess!’ Bea shrieked, as she heard the ping of Jess’s phone.
‘He said yes! We’ve just got to let him know when to meet us at Charlotte’s.’
‘Oh, for fuck’s sake, Jess!’
‘You email Charlotte and find out if we can go over there today.’
