Chapter 5 #2
“I couldn’t ask you to do that,” Carrie said.
“You’re not, she’s offering!” one of the women said, laughing.
“It’s fine. I can just watch TV or whatever,” Layla said. “I don’t have any plans.”
“Would your dad be all right with that?” Carrie asked.
“I think so,” said Layla. “I can go check.”
“All right, thank you,” said Carrie. She was feeling bewildered as there was another knock on the door. More cheerful women, including Nat and Sam from the holiday club, armed with alcohol and food, were invited in.
“I’ll go upstairs and get Poppy in the bath,” said Carrie.
“See you soon!” chorused the women.
“You must bring your daughter down to meet us before she goes to bed,” said Jo. “Mary’s shown us photos — she looks adorable.”
“I will,” Carrie assured her.
Carrie returned to Poppy, smiling at how welcoming and friendly the book club members were. And what about Layla so sweetly offering to watch Poppy for her?
Poppy, wearing her panda bear pyjamas, came downstairs shyly after her bath to be introduced.
She was made a huge fuss of and was soon tucking in to a plate of food and being treated like the star of the show, while her disorientated mother attempted to come to terms with the hijacking of her planned evening, albeit by such lovely women.
The book club attendees had brought out chairs which Carrie had seen stacked in the stock room and delicious smelling refreshments were lined up along the shop’s counter. It looked like quite the party.
Layla had returned with reassurances that her dad was more than happy for her to spend the evening next door.
“When do we start the book club part of the meeting?” Carrie asked after everyone had been cheerfully eating, drinking and chatting for a good half an hour.
The women laughed. “We learned long ago that there was no point to us even attempting to talk about the book until we’ve got all the gossip out of the way first,” said Nat who was sitting next to Carrie. “Though,” she continued, checking her watch, “we should probably get started soon.”
Carrie looked over to where Poppy was talking with Layla. Layla caught her eye. “Shall I take Poppy upstairs now?” she said.
“I want to stay here,” said Poppy. “I want to talk about the book.”
“It’s a grown-up book, Pumpkin,” explained Carrie.
“I was hoping you’d show me your books upstairs . . .” Layla said. “Maybe I could read you one before it’s time for bed.”
Technically it was already time for Poppy to go to bed, but Carrie suspected pointing this out wouldn’t go down too well. “You can stay up until eight thirty,” she said to her daughter.
Poppy’s eyes widened.
“Come on, Poppy. We don’t want to hang around down here and listen to them talking about a boring grown-up book, do we?” Layla held out her hand to the little girl.
Poppy took it with a big smile.
“I’ll be up to tuck you in in a little while,” Carrie promised.
Poppy led Layla upstairs, chatting all the way about her favourite books.
“What a sweet girl,” said Nat. “How lovely of her to look after Poppy.”
“She is,” agreed Carrie, still wondering what on earth could have possessed Layla, who seemed so quiet, kind and thoughtful, to have considered stealing earlier.
* * *
Carrie had great fun at the book club getting to know everyone, especially Lucy who was so friendly.
Carrie was really pleased that she’d happened to have read the book, purely because she’d heard so much hype about it that it had felt silly not to.
She’d never been to a book club before and was fairly sure that most of them weren’t as relaxed as this one.
The women voted for a different book each month, always a romance, and they ordered copies through the shop to support it.
It was a sweet idea and got more locals using the shop.
Were there any other events that would drive in more local custom she wondered?
What a lovely thank you it would be to her aunt if she brought in some new business . . .
At half eight, Carrie went upstairs and found Poppy all tucked up in bed waiting for her. Layla had read her lots of The Enchanted Wood but Poppy promised to tell her mum everything that had happened over breakfast the next morning.
Carrie gave Poppy a kiss goodnight and came back into the sitting room.
“I’m very impressed that you got her so chilled and ready for bed. I thought she’d be begging to stay up for hours yet.”
“I think she’s pretty sleepy,” said Layla.
“Are you completely sure you don’t mind staying until the book club’s over?” Carrie checked.
“Of course not. Is it OK if I read something from here?” Layla asked.
“Absolutely, and thank you so much,” Carrie said. “There’s tea and coffee and hot chocolate in the cupboard above the kettle if you’d like some.”
“Awesome, thanks,” said Layla, scanning the bookshelves.
Carrie returned to the book club, sitting down next to Lucy.
“Your coffee shop looks lovely. I’m looking forward to trying it out properly soon,” Carrie said. “Your pains au chocolat were absolutely delicious!” She was quite sure she’d mentioned those already but they truly had been. It had been so kind of Lucy.
“Thank you. It’s definitely been a labour of love.”
“Are you from around here?” Carrie asked. “Your accent . . .”
“Oh, no. I moved here to open the café just over a year ago now.”
“You look busy whenever I’ve walked past.”
“The nice weather helps. Winter when the tourists aren’t around is much more challenging.” Lucy let out a sigh. “I’m just trying to make the most of the summer months and hope that carries me through. Running your own business is definitely not for the faint-hearted it turns out.”
* * *
By the time they were wrapping up over an hour later, Carrie’s cheeks were hurting from laughing so much.
They all posed for a selfie for the shop’s Instagram account, which Carrie hadn’t even known existed but apparently Seren was in charge of, before she helped to tidy up and let them out with lots of promises to join them again next month when they’d be chatting about an Emily Henry book.
Carrie had promised to put the orders in for everyone’s copies the next morning.
Layla was reading on the sofa when Carrie went upstairs.
“Is she asleep?”
“Haven’t heard a peep,” said Layla proudly.
“That’s fantastic! Thank you again,” said Carrie. “I’d like to give you something for your time.” She got her purse out of her handbag and took out a twenty-pound note which she held out to Layla. “Please,” she said. “You really helped me out tonight.”
“You don’t need to pay me,” said Layla. “I was happy to hang out with Poppy. She’s really cute. Plus, I used to love The Enchanted Wood when Dad read it to me. It was nice to read it again. And I liked being able to help you after you helped me earlier.”
“OK,” said Carrie. “Well, I really appreciate it. I don’t often get to do grown-up stuff in the evenings, and I’ve always wanted to try a book club.”
She nodded towards the book in Layla’s hand. “Did you enjoy it?”
Layla nodded and held up the book up show Carrie the cover. It was Jane Eyre.
“Is it your first time reading it?”
“Yes. She had a really rough childhood.”
“Oh, there’s a lot more tragedy to come,” warned Carrie.
“I’m going to be doing English Literature for A level at college in September,” said Layla.
“That’s awesome. I wanted to, but was scared of the guy who taught it. He had a big beard and could be pretty fierce. I did history instead.”
Layla laughed. “I’m doing history too, and maths. If I’ve passed my GCSEs. I get the results in about a month.”
“Nice choices,” said Carrie. “I bet you’ve done really well.”
“Hopefully. I think English will be my favourite subject.”
Carrie looked Layla up and down and made a decision. “Would you be interested in working in the bookshop on Saturdays? We’re looking for someone, and I think you’d be great.”
“Really?” Layla’s face lit up. “I would love that!”
“Absolutely, you’d be brilliant. You’d better check with your dad first though. Why don’t I give you my mobile number? You can message me what you decide.”
“Sure, thanks,” Layla said, putting Carrie’s number in her phone. “I can’t believe how cool this is.” With the number added, Layla began collecting her stuff together. “Is it OK if I borrow Jane Eyre? I was really getting into it.”
“Of course,” Carrie said.
They went down into the shop and as Carrie unlocked the door once again, she said, “I’m so glad you popped by to speak to me. I’ll see you soon.”
Carrie watched as Layla walked the few steps to the shop next door and waved before letting herself in.
Carrie returned to the flat and peeped in at Poppy, who was absolutely fast asleep and looked so cosy and comfy.
She went down to the kitchen and put the kettle on, still smiling about her unexpectedly fun evening.
Everyone had been so lovely and welcoming.
There’d been so much laughter and it had been wonderful to hear everyone speaking so fondly about her aunt.
She hoped she was having a wonderful time on her holiday and quickly sent her a text message letting her know how well the evening had gone.
Carrie made herself a camomile tea which she drank while reading before getting ready for bed.
She was pleased she’d thought to offer Layla a job.
Not only did it mean she and Poppy would be able to have the weekends free, but it saved her from having to advertise and interview people, and she genuinely believed Layla would be a perfect fit.
And perhaps it would be a good experience for the teen.
Maybe she should be concerned having met Layla when she was attempting to shoplift, but, no, she truly felt Layla could be trusted.
And Carrie considered herself a good judge of character.
Except where men were concerned. Well, one man, Tony, at least.
Her phone dinged from her bedroom as she was brushing her teeth. She checked it and her heart skipped a beat when she read the text message on her screen.
Layla’s had a great evening and would love to accept the Saturday job. Thank you for giving her the opportunity. Michael.
Carrie couldn’t help but hope that this would mean she’d see more of Michael.
Even if the memory of him trying to rescue her bra continued to make her cringe.
Who would have thought she’d end up hiring the daughter of the quiet teenage boy she’d wondered about when visiting her aunt and uncle so many years ago?
Carrie grinned as she typed back. Brilliant. She starts Saturday at 10 a.m.!