Chapter 5
Bea walked up the steps to the library on Saturday morning, ready for her monthly shift with a smile on her face.
She really did love this place. She could hear the chatter of excited voices coming from the children’s section; the toddler Rhymetime class was underway and the kids were singing along to ‘Hickory Dickory Dock’.
‘Bea, hi!’ said Matt, the manager, spotting her as she walked through the doors. He was the nicest boss to work for. Nothing like Brendan…
‘Hiya,’ said Bea brightly, stashing her handbag under the counter.
‘How’s things?’
‘Good, thanks. It’s been a hectic week.’
‘So I’ve heard. Carol’s been telling me all about your plans for a mobile bookshop – I think it’s a wonderful idea!’
‘You do?’
‘Oh, absolutely. The mobile library barely meets demand, and we don’t even have a bookshop around here. I can’t wait to see it! You’ll have to let me know when you’ve booked your first event – I’ll be there!’
‘Thanks, Matt.’
‘I’ve got some paperwork to catch up with,’ said Matt, ‘so just shout if you need me. I’ll be in my office.’
‘Will do.’
‘Hang on, looks like you’ve got a customer,’ said Matt, pausing, then nodding towards an elderly gentleman wearing an immaculate tweed jacket, heading for the desk.
‘I’ll just get these returns back on the shelves while you see to him,’ he said, picking up the nearest stack of books and heading for the non-fiction section.
‘Can I help?’ Bea asked the man as he approached.
‘Please. I’m trying to find a book, but for the life of me I can’t remember the title,’ he explained. ‘I thought I’d written it down, but I’ll be damned if I can find the piece of paper,’ he said, patting down his pockets.
‘No problem, do you know the author?’
‘Erm…’ he said, shaking his head. ‘Afraid not. Goodness, what must you think of me? I’m not usually so disorganized.’
‘Don’t worry, we’ll figure it out. Can you remember what it’s about?’
‘Ah! That I can do,’ said the man brightly. ‘It’s a crime novel, been on television, not the regular channels, one of those other things…’
‘Streaming channels? Netflix? Prime?’
‘Prime, that’s the one!’ he said, clicking his fingers. ‘I saw a bit of it at my son’s, and thought I’d try the book. I’ve always preferred books to TV.’
‘Me too,’ Bea agreed, feeling a strong affinity with the man. ‘Do you remember any of the actors or characters?’
‘Erm… now you’re asking,’ he said, shaking his head. ‘Big fella… huge,’ he said, arms outstretched. ‘I remember my son saying he looked like a wrestler?’
‘Ah, I think I know who you mean,’ said Bea. She pulled out her phone and tapped away. ‘Is this him?’ she asked, holding up a picture of Alan Ritchson as Jack Reacher.
‘That’s the chap!’ the man replied, delightedly.
‘You’re in luck,’ said Bea, beaming at him. ‘It’s a series by Lee Child. There are twenty-eight books in all, so you’re spoilt for choice.’
‘Twenty-eight!’ replied the man, eyes wide. ‘Goodness, I’m not sure I can commit to that many!’
‘Why don’t you start with book one and take it from there?’
‘It’s as good a place as any.’
‘Take a seat,’ said Bea, aware he was leaning more heavily on his walking cane, ‘I’ll find it for you.’
‘Thank you, my dear,’ he said, lowering himself into the chair by the desk. ‘And call me Arthur,’ he continued, handing her his library card.
‘Nice to meet you, Arthur, I’m Beatrice, but everyone calls me Bea,’ she said, warmly. ‘I’m one of the volunteers here.
‘Back in a jiffy,’ she said, heading towards the crime fiction section.
She quickly found the book she was searching for: Killing Floor.
‘Here we are,’ she said, making her way back to Arthur. ‘Book number one.’
‘Excellent,’ said Arthur, heaving himself up from his seat.
‘Now, let me just check this out for you,’ said Bea, scanning his library card into the system. ‘There, all done,’ she said, passing the book across the desk.
‘Thank you, Bea,’ said Arthur, tucking it into his shopping bag. ‘One down, twenty-seven to go, eh?’
‘Exactly,’ Bea chuckled. ‘I hope you enjoy it.’
‘Oh, I’m sure I will. And thank you for your help.’
‘It’s my pleasure,’ said Bea.
‘Next time, I’ll be sure to know what I’m looking for before I arrive.’
‘Don’t worry, that’s what I’m here for.’
‘See you next time, Bea,’ said Arthur, making his way towards the door.
‘I’ll have book two ready and waiting,’ she called after him as he threw her a wave of thanks. And, as Bea picked up a stack of books to return to the shelves, she knew her talent for finding exactly the right book, with very little to go on, was a skill she could put to good use in the bookshop.
Bea spent the afternoon after her shift back at home, going through the boxes of books she had accumulated over the years.
She was short of space in her parents’ box room, and most of her books were either packed away or stacked up in corners, which was such a shame as she had limited editions she’d love to have out on display.
‘Bea!’ Carol called up the stairs. ‘Archie’s here!’
‘Okay, I’ll be down in a sec,’ she shouted, putting a rather well-thumbed copy of The Time Traveller’s Wife back in the nearest box.
‘Hiya, Sis,’ said Archie, ‘off out tonight?’ he said, eyeing her faded denim dungarees.
‘Not in these,’ Bea laughed.
‘I’m meeting Freddie and Josh at The George in a bit if you fancy it?’ he said, dunking a biscuit into his tea.
‘Not tonight, Arch, I’m going through some books, seeing what I’ve got—’
‘You could do with a clear out, you’ve got hundreds stashed away up there,’ said Carol.
‘Who said anything about a clear out? I’m doing a stock take, that’s all,’ said Bea, defensively.
‘Mum’s been telling me about your horsebox idea. Sounds pretty cool,’ he said, slurping his tea.
‘I’m glad you think so, as I’m hoping I can borrow your car to tow it?’ Bea asked. ‘Just until I get myself sorted,’ she added quickly.
‘Sure,’ Archie agreed.
‘Cheers, Arch. What’s been going on with you, anyway? It’s been a while,’ Bea asked.
‘I’m having a bit of a nightmare, actually, I was just telling Mum. Seb’s moving out, so I need to find a new tenant asap as I can’t afford the mortgage on my own.’
‘He never was very reliable, that one,’ said Carol.
‘I know, I know, and thanks again for bailing me out all those times. I can’t have the room empty, though, and I don’t know anyone who wants to move in with a stranger,’ said Archie.
‘What about Josh or Freddie?’ asked Carol.
‘They’d be awful to live with. Josh is so untidy and Freddie’s constantly hungover. Honestly, Arch, it would be carnage,’ said Bea, shaking her head.
‘True. I’ll have to put an ad on Rightmove or something,’ said Archie.
‘What about me?’ suggested Bea suddenly, her mind whirring.
‘What about you?’ asked Archie, looking confused.
‘How would you feel about me moving in?’ asked Bea.
‘You?’ Archie blinked. ‘Move in with me? In Blossom Heath?’
‘Why not?’ said Bea, shrugging.
‘Erm, you don’t have a job, for one thing. How are you gonna pay the rent?’ asked Archie.
‘Tori’s offered me a job at the Cosy Cat,’ said Bea. ‘Just while I’m getting the business up and running.’
‘Has she?’ said Archie, surprised.
‘Yes, and I’ll be able to afford the same rent I pay to Mum and Dad, which can go towards your mortgage. I need to start getting myself sorted, Arch. Be a grown up. And moving out again would be a step in the right direction.’
‘Us? Live together, though?’ said Archie, blowing out a breath. ‘I don’t know, wouldn’t it be weird?’
‘Why? We’ve lived together most of our lives and at least you know I’m tidier than Josh, even with my boxes of books everywhere,’ said Bea grinning at him.
‘True,’ said Archie, thoughtfully.
‘You’d have more space than you’ve got here too,’ said Carol, ‘Archie’s spare room is twice the size of our box room.’
‘Are you trying to get rid of me?’ said Bea in faux outrage.
‘No, of course not,’ said Carol. ‘But I know you want your independence again.’
‘I’ll miss your cooking, though, Mum,’ said Bea, turning to look at Archie. ‘What do you reckon, then? Can I move in?’
‘As long as you can meet the rent. I can’t afford to sub you, Bea,’ said Archie, seriously.
‘I will,’ said Bea, solemnly. ‘And I’ll give you my staff discount at the Cosy Cat.’
‘Go on, then,’ said Archie, grinning. ‘You’re on!’
‘Yes! I promise you won’t regret it,’ said Bea, throwing her arms around him. ‘Oooh, I’ll be walking distance from Jess.’
‘And Nathan,’ said Carol, pointedly. ‘You’ll be able to see more of him, too.’
‘He’s helping me with the refurb of the horsebox actually—’
‘You know I always hoped the two of you might get back together one day,’ Carol cut in, her eyebrows flicking upwards.
‘We dated at school, Mum, we were just kids,’ said Bea, shaking her head.
‘He’s such a lovely boy, though—’
‘Mum! We’re just friends, that’s all,’ said Bea, folding her arms.
‘Yeah, Bea,’ said Archie with a sly smile, ‘it’d be great if you two—’
‘You can pack that in,’ said Bea, sharply, ‘unless you want to start discussing your love life… who was it Jess saw you out with last weekend?’
‘Point taken,’ said Archie, clearing his throat.
‘Anyway, when’s Seb moving out?’ asked Bea, keen to change the subject.
‘Friday,’ said Archie.
‘So, I could move in next weekend?’ said Bea.
‘If you like,’ said Archie, noncommittally.
‘How wonderful! This calls for a celebration,’ squealed Carol, turning to the fridge. ‘I’m sure I’ve got some fizz in here somewhere.’
‘Looks like I’ve got a new housemate, then,’ said Archie with a smile.
‘Looks like you have,’ Bea agreed. ‘Who’d have thought?’
‘Now, Bea,’ said Carol, popping the cork on a bottle of Cava, her eyes glinting mischievously, ‘why don’t you tell me who Jess saw Archie with…’