Page 7 of The Cornish Cream Tea Bookshop
‘How did your first day go?’ Meredith asked. ‘Everything good with Thea?’
‘It was a great first day,’ Ollie said, aware that Meredith and Thea were close. ‘I’m brimming with ideas already.’
‘I’m so glad!’ Meredith smiled. ‘Thea’s so proud of the bookshop, and she’s really receptive to new ideas, especially from people with different backgrounds to her. She came from the library, but you’ve been a bookseller.’
‘I hope I can live up to her expectations,’ Ollie said. ‘And with that in mind, I’ve got the first meeting of our book club on Friday. Do either of you fancy it?’
‘Friday as in three days away?’ Adrian asked.
‘That’s right. Six thirty at the bookshop. Bring a book you’d love to talk about, drink some wine, have a chat. It’s going to be super informal.’
‘I’ll have to check with Tillie. We might have a do to go to.’
‘I think Finn and I are free,’ Meredith said. ‘Can I get back to you?’
‘Of course. I’d love you to be there, to be a title trailblazer, but if not you can come to the next one.’
Meredith laughed. ‘A title trailblazer, I love that.’ She turned to the nearest shelf, rotating candles so that their names were facing outwards, as Adrian went back to his office. ‘How did you get on with Becky?’
Ollie shrugged. ‘She seems more reserved than Thea, but I’ve got time to win her over, if that’s what I need to do.’
‘I don’t know her very well,’ Meredith admitted, ‘but it sounds like she’s had a tough time recently. She split up with her husband not that long ago, and she’s got three young children.’
‘God. That sounds really hard. Maybe author events and Christmas pageants aren’t her focus at the moment.’
Meredith shook her head. ‘She does work at A New Chapter, though. She can’t be cynical about everything Christmassy or, if she is, she’s going to have to hide it well.’
‘Speaking from experience?’ Ollie grinned when Meredith gave her a sheepish nod. ‘I know some people who have made it their life goal to be cynical about absolutely everything.’
‘Things must have been very different in London,’ Meredith said. ‘I imagine this all feels a bit alien to you.’
‘Green space and endless skies, the gentle hum of the waves, peace and quiet?’ Ollie raised her eyebrows.
Meredith smiled. ‘I’m not saying you were trapped in London, just that moving here must have been a big decision.’
‘It’s a complete lifestyle change,’ Ollie admitted. ‘But a great one, so far. It’s as if I’ve suddenly got space to breathe and think, to plan things properly instead of spending my life working or commuting, or out at events. My senses aren’t on constant overload, and I guess you don’t notice it when you’re immersed in it, but now, being away from London, the difference is startling.’
‘Finn has said much the same.’
‘So you’ve heard it before, the hackneyed scenario, all this “move to the countryside, change your life,” stuff, but I suppose it’s become a cliché because so many people have done it, and it works.’ She chewed her lip, felt the stickiness of the red lip gloss she had put on that morning. ‘I don’t mind being a sheep, as long as people don’t think I’ve come here believing I’m superior because I’m from London.’ Shethought of Becky’s earlier accusation. ‘I don’t want to be a dickish sheep.’
Meredith laughed, her eyes kindling with warmth. ‘Nobody thinks you’re a dickish sheep.’
‘Debatable,’ Ollie said with a grin.
‘And surely,’ Meredith went on, ‘when it comes to running successful book events, youdoknow best. That’s the whole point.’
‘I want to be part of the team.’ Ollie picked up a holly sprig and rubbed her thumb against a waxy leaf. ‘I’m even more excited than I thought I would be.’
‘That’s a good sign,’ Meredith said. ‘Are you going to be in Cornwall for Christmas?’
Ollie nodded, then gave Meredith an apologetic look and put the holly back in the hamper. ‘The barn will look gorgeous decked out with baubles and lights. I feel giddy about having so much space to fill – I’ll have to get a huge tree.’
‘Are your family coming, then? That must be lovely, having the chance to host in your new home.’
Ollie smiled, not wanting to admit that the decorations would most definitely outnumber the people. Melissa was firmly ensconced in Portugal with Tiago, her parents were planning one of their yearly cruises, and, other than Guy, there was nobody else she knew well enough that they would abandon their family plans and come all the way to Cornwall for the festive holidays.
‘What are you doing now?’ Meredith asked, as if she sensed her discomfort and wanted to change the subject.
