Chapter 38
Mr Pritchard got back to her and they arranged a meeting at the shop for Thursday, which Bea took as a good sign.
Phoebe, Nathan and Bea met up again to discuss the logistics of how running a shop together might work, just in case Mr Pritchard had changed his mind, and they agreed it made sense for Bea to take care of the day-to-day running of the business, with half the space dedicated to book stock, while Nathan and Phoebe would share the other half for wine and cheese.
Phoebe and Nathan would each pay a quarter of the monthly rent and Bea would pay the remaining fifty per cent.
One thing Phoebe and Nathan wouldn’t negotiate on was the shop’s name.
‘But it wouldn’t be just a bookshop anymore, we need a name that reflects all three of our businesses,’ Bea had protested.
‘Absolutely not,’ Nathan had replied. ‘This was your idea, it’s still your bookshop Bea, it would just sell cheese and wine as well.’
‘Exactly,’ Phoebe had agreed. ‘It’s Bea’s Bookshop, or we’re both out.’
On Thursday morning, Mr Pritchard pulled open the door of the old Pink Ribbon with a sheepish smile.
‘Here we are again, eh, Bea?’ he said.
‘Yes, thanks for seeing me. You said to contact you if my circumstances changed,’ she said quickly.
‘Well, I’ve raised some extra cash, so I could pay six months’ rent in advance now.
I know it’s not the same as buying the building outright, but I’d be working with two other local businesses: Three Acre Cheeses and Cherrydown Vineyard.
We’d stock books, wine and cheese, you see, and I think we could create something really special here, a place for the community to—’
‘Let me stop you there,’ he said, holding up a hand.
Oh God, she was wasting her time, wasn’t she? There was nothing she could say to change his mind. What was she thinking?
‘I’ve rejected the offer from EliteHaven Homes.’
‘What?’ replied Bea, her eyes wide with shock.
‘My wife made her views on the matter very clear. The lease is yours if you want it. I’ve got the paperwork here ready for you to sign,’ he said, tapping his fingers on a folder resting on the counter.
‘Sorry,’ she said, shaking her head. ‘Did you say the shop’s mine?’
‘I did, yes,’ said Mr Pritchard, beaming as he took a pen from his top pocket and handed it to her.
‘Gosh,’ was all Bea could say in response.
‘Now, if you’d like to sign here,’ said Malcolm, pointing to a dotted line on the bottom of page six, ‘and here,’ he repeated, turning to the final page of the contract.
Bea leafed through the lengthy document; it was a lot to take in.
‘Do you mind if I take this home, give it a proper read through?’ Bea asked. ‘I’m sure everything’s in order, but I’d like to share it with Nathan and Phoebe before I sign, if that’s okay?’
‘Of course, take your time, there’s no rush. Pop it back to me when you’re ready. And if you’ve got any questions, just ask, you know how to contact me.’
‘Brilliant, thanks,’ said Bea, shoving the contract into her bag.
‘I want you to rest assured, though, Bea. I won’t be going back on my word this time, the shop’s officially yours,’ he said, holding out a hand for her to shake. ‘Congratulations!’
‘Thank you,’ said Bea, relief flooding through her.
It was official. Bea’s Bookshop was about to become a reality and there was only one person she wanted to run to and tell: Nathan.
Nathan. It had always been Nathan – how had she not realized it before?
It seemed so obvious to her now. She’d been telling herself for months they were just friends, that there was nothing more to it than that; she loved him like a friend, that was all.
But that wasn’t true. She knew if she was being honest with herself, the signs had been there all along, ever since she came back from London.
That day at the fête when they’d been locked in the wagon reminiscing about their first date, their first kiss.
The way his eyes crinkled when he laughed, the feelings that had stirred when her skin touched his, the way that, no matter how down, depressed or hopeless she felt, he could always make her laugh.
It was the little things, but those little things were everything.
She realized now that she’d been scared to admit it to herself, frightened that he wouldn’t feel the same.
What if she told him how she truly felt and he rejected her?
How could their friendship recover from that?
Could it recover from that? And how would she be able to deal with the pain of not being with him?
‘Hello, love,’ said Maggie, as Bea barged into Harrison’s. ‘Everything all right? You look—’
‘No. Yes. Sorry. I just wondered if Jess was here?’ Bea asked, her face flushed.
‘Jess? Yes, she’s out the back,’ said Maggie, with a worried look on her face.
‘Bea! How’d it go?’ Jess asked, running out of the store room.
‘How’d what go?’ Bea asked, pressing the heel of her hand into her temple.
‘Er… at the shop? With Mr Pritchard?’ Jess laughed.
‘Oh, yeah, good, the shop’s mine,’ Bea said, distractedly.
‘Oh, that’s brilliant news, I’m so happy for you,’ said Jess, a smile lighting up her face.
‘Yeah, thanks, Jess, me too,’ Bea agreed.
‘So… why do you look so miserable?’ Jess asked, her eyes searching Bea’s face.
‘Can we talk? In private?’ Bea asked, looking sadder than Jess thought she’d ever seen her.
‘Of course, we’ll go upstairs,’ said Jess.
‘So, what’s wrong?’ Jess asked, as soon as they were sat in the living room in the flat above the shop.
‘Okay…’ said Bea, taking a deep breath. ‘The shop’s mine, I’ve got the lease and everything, but I realized the only person I wanted to tell was… Nathan.’
‘Well, that makes sense, he’s going to be involved in the shop too…’ Jess trailed off. ‘Hang on,’ she said, realization dawning. ‘That’s not the reason, is it?’
‘No,’ said Bea, shaking her head. ‘The thing is, Jess… well, I think I might have feelings for Nathan,’ she blurted out quickly. There. She’d finally said it out loud.
‘Course you do!’ said Jess, grinning. ‘I mean, it’s bloody obvious.’
‘You mean, you knew?’ said Bea, ‘but how could you? Even I didn’t know until about ten minutes ago—’
‘Well, it’s been pretty obvious for ages: you’re into him, he’s into you,’ said Jess, crossing her legs. ‘It’s perfect.’
‘He’s into me?’ Bea stammered. ‘Jess, are you sure?’
‘Course! I’m telling you, he’s got feelings for you too, Bea. I promise.’
‘God!’ said Bea, sitting back in her chair.
‘It was a relief when you finally dumped Lochlan, I was beginning to think you’d never see what he was really like, to be honest.’
‘But why didn’t you say anything, Jess? If it was obvious he wasn’t right for me?’
‘You had to figure it out for yourself, Bea, you were so wrapped up in him, but I knew you’d get there eventually.’
‘So, what do I do now? Tell Nathan how I feel? Just like that?’ Bea asked, panic rising in her chest. ‘I’m not sure I can just blurt it out. We’re such great friends, I don’t want to risk losing him.’
‘Yes, but,’ said Jess, taking her hand, ‘if you don’t try you’ll never know.’
‘True,’ Bea whispered.
‘While we’re admitting things…’ said Jess, chewing her bottom lip. ‘I’ve got something to tell you, too.’
‘What?’ Bea asked.
‘Well, Archie and I have been on a few dates. It’s not that serious, but, well, I do kinda like him…’ Jess admitted.
‘I knew it!’ said Bea. ‘I did wonder if there was something going on, but Nathan convinced me I’d got it wrong.’
‘Well, you were spot on. He persuaded me to read Firestarter after your book speed-dating thing and then we watched the film together, and things kind of went from there.’
‘But you hate horror?’ said Bea, laughing at the thought of Jess hiding behind a cushion watching the Stephen King classic with her brother.
‘Turns out, not when I’m watching it with Archie. Horror is pretty cool, actually. You’re not annoyed, are you?’
‘Annoyed? Course not, why would I be? I think it’s brilliant news! I’m happy for you both.’
‘Thanks, Bea,’ said Jess, hugging her friend tightly. ‘So, are you going to talk to Nate?’
‘I guess I have to really, don’t I?’ Bea nodded. ‘It feels bloody terrifying though.’
‘Well, no one said it was going to be easy, did they?’
‘No, I guess not,’ said Bea, squeezing Jess’s hand. ‘I suppose I just have to hope you’re right, otherwise I don’t know what I’m going to do.’
When Bea pulled up at Three Acre Farm, she was fizzing with nerves. Sue was hanging washing on the line in the September sunshine and she waved when she saw Bea jump out of the car.
‘Hey, Sue!’ called Bea. ‘Is Nathan about?’
‘Sorry, love, you’ve just missed him,’ replied Sue.
‘Ah, okay. Do you know where he is?’ Bea asked.
‘No, sorry, he’s on a date! You should have seen him, all suited and booted,’ said Sue fondly, proud of the man her son had become. ‘Off somewhere fancy for lunch, I think.’
‘On a date?’ Bea repeated, blinking.
‘Yes, with Cece. I think you met her at that awards thing in Brighton. Lovely young lady she is, and so pretty.’
Cece? The drop dead gorgeous Cece from the Chamber of Commerce?
‘Oh, right,’ said Bea, her heart breaking into a thousand tiny pieces. ‘Do you know when he’ll be back?’
‘Your guess is as good as mine. Do you want me to tell him you’re looking for him?’
‘No, don’t bother,’ said Bea, her tone sharper than she’d intended.
‘You okay, love?’ Sue asked, taken aback.
‘Yeah, I’m fine, sorry. I’ve got to go,’ said Bea, climbing back into her car. ‘Take care,’ she called, gripping the steering wheel tightly and pulling out of the yard.
Bea couldn’t stop her hands from shaking as she drove home. After everything, she’d left it too late… Nathan was seeing Cece and there was nothing she could do about it.