The Bookshop of Second Chances Jackie Fraser (ebook reader macos .txt) 📖

come and pick me up? That seems like it might be inconvenient for you. Anyway, I don’t plan on doing it again. I can’t believe I did it today. Who forgets they have their car with them? I’m an idiot.’

I pick up my tea and sit down in the armchair. My hands are still cold, and I’m strangely weary.

He clears his throat. ‘What were you fighting with Edward about?’

‘Oh, just… I’d rather not talk about it. If you don’t mind. It’s not important.’

He crosses his legs, and then uncrosses them. He seems uncomfortable, which is unusual, he’s one of those supremely ‘at home’ people who always fits in with his surroundings. I assume that’s something they teach you at expensive schools.

He puts his cup down on the coffee table. ‘Are you and he… I know you said before that you weren’t, um… but…’

Ah, okay, he’s unnerved by a personal question. ‘Are we what?’ He can ask me if he wants to know. I’m not going to do the work for him. Anyway, I can’t see why he’s still interested, not really.

He shifts again, leaning back against the cushions. ‘Er. People seem to think that–’

‘People?’

‘It’s a small town, Thea, people talk.’

‘And people are still talking about me and Edward? You’d think they’d have better things to worry about.’

‘I know it’s none of my business.’ He reaches for his tea again. ‘But my brother’s a shit.’

‘Mm. I can see why you’d think that,’ I agree. ‘But I’ve heard the same thing about you.’

‘From him? Well.’ He clears his throat again and continues. ‘I just… I’d hate to think you might be involved with someone who–’

‘I’m not sleeping with your brother,’ I say. I’m not sure whether he believes me or not.

‘People are bound to talk, aren’t they? He’s not known for’ – his mouth twists – ‘behaving appropriately. And when you work with someone, just the two of you, and–’

‘You needn’t concern yourself. Our relationship, such as it is, or was, is entirely platonic.’

‘So what were you fighting about?’

I consider. I suppose everyone will know soon enough. There were people in the shop, after all, and if I’m not there anymore, people will ask where I am.

‘He sacked me.’ I drink my tea, calmly.

‘He sacked you?’

‘Mm.’

‘But what on earth for?’ He’s astounded by this, staring at me.

‘I’m not entirely sure,’ I say, mendaciously. ‘He told me months ago that he doesn’t usually employ women. I suppose it was that. I was quite annoyed. So we had a fight.’

‘And – are you still sacked?’

I nod.

‘What an idiot. So you… What will you do? Do you – I do beg your pardon for asking – will that be awkward? I mean financially?’

I laugh. ‘He wasn’t paying me an enormous fortune. It will make me focus, I suppose. Time I decided whether I’m going to stay up here or go back to Sussex. I suppose I should go home. Don’t worry,’ I add, ‘if I decide to sell the Lodge, I’ll let you know.’

‘Oh, well. Thank you. But you can stay, can’t you? There are other places you could work. There are even other bookshops,’ he says. ‘Wigtown’s full of them. If you want to work in a bookshop. Although surely that’s not making full use of your abilities.’

Is that a compliment? I suppose it is. I finish my tea. ‘I haven’t decided what I want to do. It was never the plan to stay. So, we shall see. I do like it here, so I might keep the house and let it.’ I turn to look at him. ‘I know that’s not what you want to hear.’

He makes an impatient gesture. ‘You must do as you wish – you’re under no obligation to sell.’

‘No, that’s true.’ I sigh. ‘Anyway, I don’t know. We’ll see.’ I stand up. I want him to leave, and he’s finished his tea. I’m hoping that manners will bring him to his feet. Which they do.

‘I’ll leave you to it,’ he says. ‘Make sure you keep warm. And if you need someone to take you to collect your car, just give me a ring. I’d be happy to help.’

‘Oh, that’s very kind. Thanks. And thanks for the lift and the tea and everything,’ I say as I lead him out into the hall. I open the front door and shiver, wrapping my arms round myself. There’s a cold wind and the rain throws itself against the front of the building.

‘Oh, you’re absolutely welcome, no need to thank me. Right then.’

I think he’s about to kiss my cheek, but I put my hand out for him to shake instead, which he does.

‘Goodbye,’ I say, and close the door as he’s getting into the car. I hear the roar of the engine as he drives away, and go back to the sitting room, which is now deliciously cosy.

Twenty-One

After Charles leaves, I’m not sure what to do. I sit and stare at the fire. It’s a miserably grey day and it’s dark, even in my sitting room, which is such a lovely bright space when the sun shines.

I can’t believe I’ve allowed myself to get to a place where someone new can hurt me like this. What the hell was I thinking? Imagining I was making a home, somewhere I could be happy? Stupid. Thinking I’d made friends here? People are curious about new residents in a small town, but that doesn’t make them your friends. Probably none of them are my friends. After all, why would they be? If the person I’ve been spending most of my time with doesn’t even like me… You can’t blame him though, can you? I’m not interesting or worthwhile. I’m just a stupid middle-aged woman whose husband left her for someone else, and that’s probably not surprising either.

Not entirely sure why you’d kiss someone you don’t like. Maybe he finds weeping women a turn-on, although that doesn’t seem likely. Then again, he’s just spent God knows how long sleeping with