Page 90 of Bea's Book Wagon
Where was Mrs Connolly when you needed her?
The queue seemed never-ending, not that Bea was complaining; as soon as one group of parents left, they were replaced by another, then the children started appearing once the school bell sounded.
‘Bea! How’s it going?’ Rose asked, squeezing into the trailer. ‘All okay?’
‘Yeah, good thanks,’ said Bea, handing over a cuddly Hungry Caterpillar to a delighted child.
‘Sorry, I meant to escape from class in time to meet you, but things got hectic,’ Rose explained. ‘I’ll be outside, but if you need me, just shout.’
‘Will do,’ said Bea, as she moved on to serving another customer.
‘This bookshop is just adorable,’ said a woman, handing her a stack of books to scan. ‘I may have gone a little overboard,’ she continued, sheepishly, ‘but Tilly wanted one of almost everything!’
‘Sounds like you’ve got a real bookworm on your hands,’ said Bea, smiling at the little girl who was clutching her mum’s hand tightly.
‘Oh, absolutely! Tilly loves reading. I’m Tasha, by the way,’ said Tasha, tapping her card to pay. ‘I work at Pashley Manor. We’re having a garden party in September – it’s invitation only, but there’s going to be stalls selling local produce, arts and crafts, that kind of thing. Your wagon would fit in perfectly. Would you be interested?’
‘Oh, yes, please, that sounds amazing! I’m trying to book in as many local events as possible,’ said Bea, grinning broadly.
‘Here’s my card,’ said Tasha, handing Bea a cream, embossed business card. ‘My email’s on there – drop me a line and I’ll send you a booking form.’
‘Thank you!’ said Bea, handing Tasha’s purchases across. ‘I’ll do it as soon as I’m home.’
‘Great,’ said Tasha. ‘I’ll see you soon, then.’
‘See you!’ said Bea, tucking Tasha’s card safely into her back pocket. ‘And thanks!’
A pitch at Pashley Manor’s garden party could really help put Bea’s Book Wagon on the map. It was exactly the kind of break Bea was hoping for, she just never expected it to come from a visit to the local primary school.
CHAPTER 25
How? How had she forgotten something so important? Bea realized as soon as she’d woken up the next morning that the thirteenth was the date of Nathan’s big night, and she’d promised to be his plus one.
‘I’m an idiot,’ she groaned, burying her face into the pillow. Lochlan had sent the hotel reservation details through to her and her stay was booked and paid for.
‘Oh, God,’ she moaned, massaging her temples. Whatever she did, she was going to upset either Lochlan or Nathan.
‘What are you going to do?’ asked Jess, as Bea explained her cock-up over coffee that morning.
‘I don’t know,’ Bea groaned, her head in her hands.
‘Flip a coin?’ Jess suggested half-heartedly. ‘Whatever you do, you’re going to have to let one of them down.’
‘I know,’ said Bea, an uncomfortable, nauseous feeling rising in her stomach. ‘But who?’
‘The trip to London to see Lochlan does sound amazing… but Nate has done a lot for you recently,’ Jess reminded Bea. ‘Do you really want to let him down for a guy you barely know? If things with Lochlan don’t work out, you might regret—’
‘That’s kinda the point, though,’ said Bea. ‘It’s such early days with Lochlan, I really don’t want to mess it up.’
‘So, go to London. Nate will understand.’
‘Do you think?’ Bea asked.
‘Sure,’ Jess nodded. ‘Listen, I could offer to go to the awards thing in your place, that might soften the blow a bit. At least he won’t be alone?’
‘Ooooh, would you?’ Bea asked, relieved to have a get-out strategy.
‘Yeah, no problem.’
