Page 41 of The Secret Christmas Bookshop
‘Anyway. Back toJane Eyre.’ Sophie took her notebook out of her bag, opening it on the list she’d written. ‘This is where I’ve got to.’
‘Blimey.’ Ermin rubbed his forehead. ‘This looks serious. Let me go and get another round in. Same again?’
‘Yes please,’ Sophie and Fiona chorused as they leant over the notebook.
‘Annie is a serial killer fiend?’ Fiona said when Sophie had told her everything she’d found out – who she thought wasn’t in the frame and who was still a possibility.
Sophie laughed. ‘Is that what you’re taking from this?’
‘It’s surprising, that’s all. But you’re right, she’s an unlikely culprit.’
Everyone, according to Fiona and Ermin, was an unlikely culprit, and Sophie felt as though she hadn’t moved from square one. She started scoring neat lines through all the names.
‘What’s this, then?’ said a voice behind her. ‘Festival planning?’
Sophie turned and smiled at Jason Brass, who tonight had swapped his ice-cream parlour for the pub. His dark hair was impeccably styled, his cheeks were rosy, and he was holding a full pint glass. He and his husband, Simon, were kind and fair, and Sophie was lucky to have them as her landlords. Still, if Jason got wind of her mystery, she could kiss goodbye to her stealth approach.
‘That’s right.’ She casually leaned her arm over the page. ‘How are you, Jason?’
‘All good.’ He rocked back on his heels. ‘I was thinking of doing baked Alaska for the festival. Wintry flavours – cranberry and cinnamon, mince pie, that kind of thing. I reckon something a bit different will go down a treat.’
‘That sounds delicious. Let me speak to Harry, and we’ll pop by and see you.’
‘Harry Anderly.’ Jason shook his head. ‘Bit hypocritical, helping out with the festival when he’s the one who’s fucked it up.’
Sophie shrugged. ‘The oak tree is really fragile, apparently, so—’
‘The oak tree has been there for hundreds of years. It’ll take more than a few fairy lights and some music to fell it. His dad always encouraged use of the green, but Harry’s the opposite.’
‘You’ve known him a long time?’ Sophie asked.
‘Yup,’ Jason said. ‘He was quiet at school, friendly whenever I spoke to him, but I wasn’t surprised he went off to London as soon as he could. There was something about him – a kind of restlessness, like he knew he could achieve big things as long as he wasn’t here. I’m more surprised that he’s come back.’
‘Maybe now Sophie’s teamed up with him, he’ll reveal his inner workings,’ Fiona suggested.
‘He’s not a grandfather clock,’ Ermin said with a chuckle.
‘Best leave you to it.’ Jason raised his pint and sauntered to his table, joining a man and two women Sophie didn’t recognize. Simon would be busy in Batter Days, and she wondered how much they got to see of each other when their businesses had such contrasting opening hours.
‘The coast is clear,’ Fiona said in a loud whisper, pulling the notebook towards her and tapping the edge of the page. ‘WhataboutHarry?’
‘Are we talking about the festival now?’ Sophie tucked her hair behind her ears.
‘I’m talking aboutJane Eyre.’
The pub door opened, admitting an Arctic blast that slunk menacingly around the room.
‘Harry didn’t send meJane Eyre,’ Sophie scoffed, as the door banged closed. She remembered how naturally he’d responded when she’d mentioned the title to him; there’d been no hint of guilt or embarrassment.
‘Harry’s dad owned the bookshop in town,’ Fiona said. ‘That place was full of weird and wonderful editions. He didn’t just buy in new stock, but had little corners full of hidden gems, pockets of gilt-edged hardbacks, folio editionsfrom decades ago. If anyone could get their hands on a book like that, it’s Harry.’
Sophie pictured his study, his shelves full of modern paperbacks and hardbacks. There had been a mix of genres, but nothing that looked old: no sets of leatherbound books with matching spines and debossed lettering.
‘No way did he send it,’ she reiterated, then sipped her wine.
‘You’re right.’ Fiona sighed. ‘A man like that isn’t capable of giving someone such a thoughtful gift.’
Sophie bristled. ‘I only said that because I didn’t know him at all when it turned up on my counter. I still don’t know him that well, but I think it’s harsh to say he isn’t capable of being thoughtful.’
