Chapter 34
Bea woke up the next morning with a ferocious hangover. Pulling off her eye mask, she reached for the glass of water on her bedside table and drank thirstily, draining the glass in seconds.
What a night.
She’d slept fitfully, replaying those moments with Nathan over and over again: the slow dance, their bodies pressed up close, desire coursing through her veins, their lips moments away from touching.
If the music hadn’t stopped, who knows what would have happened? Would they have kissed? Did she, somewhere deep, deep down, want to kiss Nathan?
Her thoughts then turned to Lochlan. She tried to imagine his face if he found out what had happened. But did anything actually happen?
God, she was confused. She needed to clear her head and work out how she felt. And if she was going to do anything about it.
Nathan sat at the kitchen table staring at his award, a mug of coffee in his hands, thinking about Bea. She’d looked incredible last night. He’d almost managed to forget she was with Lochlan when they were dancing; he’d almost kissed her. But how would that have turned out?
She’d have been horrified, and the last thing he wanted was to jeopardize their friendship. She meant far too much to him to risk losing her.
But he couldn’t stop thinking about her. The more time they spent together, the more he realized that his feelings towards her had changed.
He loved her.
There was no point denying it, to himself at least. He’d wanted to tell her last night, as he was sure she’d felt the spark between them, too, but today, when they’d driven back to Brighton to collect her car, she’d acted like it hadn’t happened, and he could see that she wasn’t interested in him at all, not like that.
He’d just have to try to move on.
‘Any news from the bank yet?’ Tori asked, as another busy shift at the Cosy Cat drew to a close.
‘Nope, not yet,’ replied Bea, shaking her head. ‘The lady said it could take anywhere from a week to ten working days. Waiting’s the worst, though. You should see how many times I’m checking my email.’
‘Believe me, I get it. I remember waiting to hear from the council about this place. I was so busy making plans for the cats to arrive, but everything was dependent on whether I got a yes from them first. It was agonizing.’
‘I won’t leave you in the lurch, though, if I do get the loan,’ Bea said, quickly. ‘You’ve been so good to me, and I’ll stay here until you find someone else.’
‘Don’t you worry about that,’ said Tori, waving a hand. ‘Mum’s happy to step up temporarily, and I’m sure we’ll find a replacement soon enough. It won’t be the same as having you here, though, we’ll miss you.’
‘Well, if the bookshop does go ahead, I’ll only be across the green, so I’ll be in every day for coffee… lunch… snacks. You’ll see more of me than you do now!’
‘I’ll hold you to that,’ Tori chuckled.
‘Sorry to interrupt,’ said Violet, who had just finished eating the last scone from a cream tea she was sharing with Jean. ‘Can I settle up? It’s my turn to treat Jean.’
‘Of course!’ said Tori, ringing up their bill. ‘I hope everything was okay?’
‘Delicious as always,’ said Jean, joining Violet at the counter. ‘Although, I don’t think I’ll be needing any dinner this evening,’ she said, patting her stomach.
‘You know, it’s been lovely seeing you two in here together so regularly, you didn’t used to—’
‘Get on?’ ventured Violet.
‘Oh, gosh, no, I didn’t mean that,’ said Tori, her cheeks colouring.
Bea could tell Tori thought she’d well and truly put her foot in it.
‘You’re absolutely right, my dear. Violet and I have history. It’s common knowledge, you may as well say as much,’ said Jean, matter-of-factly.
‘It’s all her doing,’ said Violet, pointing in Bea’s direction.
‘My doing? What on earth did I do?’ Bea muttered, confused.
‘It’s that book club of yours,’ said Violet. ‘Turns out Jean and I are both huge Kate Fisher fans.’
‘And that’s not all we’ve got in common,’ said Jean. ‘Is it?’
‘No, it isn’t. Baking, gardening, jigsaws – the list is endless,’ Violet explained.
‘We just had to get past our differences to see how similar we both are, and we have Book Club to thank for that,’ Jean nodded. ‘Same time next week, Violet?’
‘Absolutely,’ Violet agreed, putting away her purse as the two friends headed for the door.
‘Bye then, ladies, see you next week!’ Tori called after them.
‘Well, I didn’t see that coming, did you?’ said Bea, flopping down in the nearest chair.
‘No, absolutely not,’ Tori agreed. ‘Never in a million years would I have put those two together.’
‘Just shows you, doesn’t it?’ Bea continued. ‘If it hadn’t been for a shared love of books, they might never have resolved their differences and become friends.’
‘That’s very true! I’m glad they’re getting along, it’s just a shame they didn’t realize it years ago,’ said Tori, wiping down the counter. ‘Anyway, isn’t it next weekend that you’ll be away with Lochlan?’
‘Yeah, I can’t wait,’ said Bea, her pulse rising at the mention of his name.
‘That necklace he got for your birthday was stunning.’
‘I know—’
‘Oh, to be young and in love.’
‘Hang on, no one said anything about being in love yet,’ Bea insisted, wondering why that word bothered her so much.
‘Okay, okay, sorry,’ Tori laughed. ‘Just getting ahead of myself. I didn’t mean anything by it.’
‘Wait – did you hear that?’ Bea asked.
‘What?’
‘I’ve got an email,’ said Bea, thrusting her hands into her pockets to find her phone. ‘It’s from the bank,’ she whispered, holding the phone at arm’s length. ‘You look.’
‘You got it!’ squeaked Tori, opening the message and scanning the confirmation.
‘Oh. My. God,’ said Bea. ‘I’ve got the loan!’ the colour draining from her face.
‘Yes, you got the loan!’ Tori repeated, pulling Bea into a hug. ‘Congratulations! I’m so pleased for you!’
‘I can’t believe it,’ murmured Bea, before she burst into tears.
It took several days for the news to sink in that Bea’s Bookshop was going to become a reality.
Once she had stopped crying, Bea had called Mr Pritchard, who was having the contracts drawn up and was going to meet her at the shop first thing on Saturday to sign the paperwork.
She wouldn’t officially get the keys for another couple of weeks as the lease still belonged to Simon and Anya, and, although they had already left for Scotland, they had some remaining stock to clear out.
But once the papers were signed, Bea could finally start making plans.
News about the new bookshop had spread throughout the village, and everywhere Bea went people stopped to tell her how much they were looking forward to opening day. Lochlan sent the biggest bunch of flowers she had ever seen with a card that read, I knew you could do it, Congrats! xx.
And despite not seeing him since the morning after the awards, Nathan sent a cheese hamper with extra bags of walnuts that somehow meant even more than the flowers.
More personal. More thoughtful. More Nathan.
Mr Pritchard was already at the shop waiting for her when Bea arrived early on Saturday morning to sign the paperwork.
‘Morning, Mr Pritchard,’ she said, swinging open the door, the bell tinkling above her head.
‘Ah, Bea, you’re here,’ he said, sounding different in real life. Anxious, nervous, worried. Not as he had on the phone at all.
‘Is everything okay?’ Bea asked, frowning as he started pacing backwards and forwards across the shop floor.
‘I’m afraid there’s no easy way to say this…’ He drew in a long, deep breath. ‘I’ve had a cash offer for the shop and both the flats that’s too good to turn down.’
‘What? But… I don’t understand, we’ve got an agreement,’ she said, shaking her head.
‘Well, technically, we haven’t, not until the paperwork is signed,’ he explained, unable to look her in the eye.
‘But… but, I’ve got the bank loan, it’s all agreed, and the paperwork is here, I’ll just sign it now. Please, Malcolm, we had a deal,’ she pleaded, picking up the lease agreement that was on the counter.
‘No, no, that’s not—’ said Mr Pritchard, making a grab for it.
‘Hang on, is this the cash buyer?’ she said, staring at the name on the contract.
EliteHaven Homes.
She shook her head. ‘Is this them? A developer is buying the whole building? My boyfriend’s firm is buying it?’
‘Oh, erm, I don’t know about that,’ said Mr Pritchard, stumbling over his words. ‘But, yes, EliteHaven Homes have made the offer and I’ve accepted.’
‘But, what about the bookshop?’ said Bea, reeling.
‘I know, I know,’ said Mr Prichard, looking at the floor. ‘And believe me, I feel awful. I’ve got no idea how they even knew the building was available, I hadn’t advertised it, and as far as I was aware you were the only person who knew the leases were up for renewal.’
Bea’s stomach hit the floor.
She thought she might be sick and placed a hand on the counter to steady herself.
She knew exactly how EliteHaven Homes had known the shop was available. Because she had told Lochlan.
‘Are you okay?’ Mr Prichard asked, genuine concern etched on his face.
‘I… I… I’m not sure,’ said Bea. She felt like she’d been hit by a truck.
There must be some kind of explanation. There’s no way Lochlan would have done this to her, surely? It was too awful to contemplate that he’d used the information she’d shared with him to steal her dream from under her nose.
‘And there’s nothing… nothing I can say to change your mind?’ she murmured, tears stinging the back of her eyes.
‘I don’t think so,’ Malcolm said, shaking his head. ‘Unless you can match their cash offer?’
‘What if I increased my rent? Could I have it then?’ she asked, and she could hear the desperation in her voice.
‘Is that an option? Could you do that?’ Mr Pritchard asked.
‘No,’ she whispered, hanging her head. ‘No, I—I don’t have that kind of money.’
‘Then I’m afraid there’s nothing to be done,’ he said, apologetically. ‘If your situation changes, then do let me know. It’s not a done deal with the developer until the deeds are transferred, so never say never,’ he said, trying to soften the blow.
They were hollow words, she knew that.
‘Right, yes…’ replied Bea, despondently. She knew there was no way she’d be able to compete with Lochlan’s cash offer, whatever it was.
‘And for what it’s worth, I’m sorry, Bea. That’s why I wanted to keep our appointment. I wanted to tell you in person, not over the phone,’ he said, shuffling his feet. ‘I felt I owed you that much at least.’
‘It’s fine,’ said Bea, quietly.
It absolutely wasn’t fine. It was far from fine. But what else could she say?
‘I appreciate you telling me face to face.’
As Mr Pritchard locked up the shop behind them, Bea was focused on just one thing: Lochlan had betrayed her, and she had to know why.