Chapter 16
The morning was a whirlwind of activity. Bea’s Book Wagon seemed to be one of the star attractions and it had seen a steady stream of customers all ooohing and ahhhing at the interior and commenting on the innovative use of the horsebox.
‘Bea! I can’t believe it! I just can’t believe it,’ said Charlotte, as she brought her two young daughters, Melody and Hazel, over to the makeshift desk – a clever pull-down square of wood on hinges Nathan had designed – to pay for the books they had chosen.
‘Charlotte!’ said Bea, her face breaking into a wide grin. ‘You like it, then?’
‘Like it? I don’t even recognize it! You’ve done an amazing job.’
‘Thanks. It was a team effort, though, Nathan and Jess helped out. I couldn’t have done it without them,’ said Bea.
‘I’m just so glad it’s all worked out, it’s all I’ve heard people talking about all morning: “Have you seen the new bookshop?” You’re the talk of the village.’
‘Am I? Well, that’s lovely to hear.’
‘Now, girls, what books have you chosen?’ Charlotte asked her daughters.
‘Room on the Broom,’ said Melody, handing Bea her book.
‘Good choice,’ said Bea, ‘it’s one of my favourites.’
Melody beamed at her.
‘What about you, Hazel?’ asked Charlotte.
‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid,’ said Hazel, holding her book up proudly.
‘I love those books!’ said Bea. ‘They’re so funny, aren’t they?’
‘Yes!’ agreed Hazel. ‘I’ve been reading them at school.’
‘Have you?’ asked Bea. ‘Well, it’ll be good to have your own copy at home, won’t it?’
‘Yes!’ said Hazel, nodding.
‘That’s ￡14.98, please,’ said Bea, holding up the card machine for Charlotte.
‘Thanks, Bea,’ said Charlotte, tapping her card. ‘We’d best get on, I’ve promised the girls one of Tori’s cupcakes,’ said Charlotte.
‘Oooh, how lovely. Enjoy!’ said Bea.
‘Excuse me? Is it okay to bring dogs inside?’ asked a woman holding the lead of a very excitable black and white Border Collie, while peering into the wagon.
‘Yes, of course,’ said Bea. ‘She’s a total cutie, what’s her name?’
‘Scout,’ she replied, as the dog held out a paw for Bea to shake. ‘And I’m Rose. I’m a friend of Tori’s—’
‘Oh, of course! Tori’s mentioned you. You live at Harper Farm with Jake, don’t you?’
‘That’s right! I’ve been dying to see the book wagon. Tori’s been telling me all about it.’
‘She’s been great, she’s helped so much, I’m very lucky.’
‘Tori’s a star. I’m after a favour actually…’
‘Oh, okay. Happy to help if I can.’
‘I’m a teacher at Blossom Heath Primary, and I was wondering if you might bring the book wagon for a visit one day? The kids would love it and—’
‘Yes, of course!’
‘Excellent, that’s great news! We don’t have a bookshop or library here, and we’ve only got a limited supply of books at the school, so it’d be lovely for the kids to have a bit more choice and try something new.
Perhaps if you came late one afternoon, the children could have a look around and then, if you hang on after school finishes, their parents could pay for any books they want when they come to collect them? ’
‘That sounds brilliant, I’d love to!’
‘Maybe we could think about making it a regular thing, once a month or something?’
‘Absolutely.’
‘Thanks, Bea. I’ll be in touch, get a date booked in?’
‘Perfect.’
‘While I’m here, have you got a copy of the new Paige Toon novel?’
‘I do, let me grab it for you.’
‘I’ve been dying to read it!’
‘I know, it’s on my Tbr list, too. She’s great, isn’t she?’
‘Oh, I love her, I’ve read all her books.’
‘Me too,’ said Bea, ‘she’s such a great storyteller. That’s ￡8.99, please.’
Rose tapped her card on the machine, but the transaction didn’t go through.
‘That’s weird,’ said Bea, twitching her nose. ‘Maybe you need to insert it?’
‘Sure, I’ve probably just tapped too many times today,’ Rose laughed, inserting her card into the reader and entering her PIN.
‘Hmmmm, it still hasn’t worked. I’m so sorry about this,’ said Bea.
‘Need a hand?’ asked Nathan, strolling towards the book wagon.
‘Nate! Am I glad to see you!’ said Bea, ‘the card machine’s stopped working.’
‘Hmmmmm… not really my area of expertise. You can take cash, though, right?’
‘Erm… yeah.’
‘I’ve got cash on me, Bea,’ said Rose, handing over a ten-pound note. As Bea counted out her change and slipped a free bookmark in the paper bag before handing the parcel over, she spotted Beth out of the corner of her eye, staring intently at the framed quote posters on the wall.
‘Hey, Beth,’ said Bea. ‘I’m so glad you popped in, I’ve got a favour to ask you.’
‘Okay…’
‘I’ve had this idea for a book speed-dating event, and I was wondering if I could host it at the pub?’
‘Book speed-dating? What on earth’s that when it’s at home?’ Beth asked, eyebrows raised.
‘It’s kind of like normal speed dating, but rather than matching people, I’ll be trying to match readers to their perfect book.’
‘Sounds interesting,’ said Beth, ‘You’d have to run it on a mid-week night, but it would be a good way to draw in more customers when we’re quieter, anyway. I’ll run it past Pete first, but you’ll do all the organizing, yes?’
‘Oh, yes, definitely,’ said Bea, nodding vigorously. ‘All you’ll need to do is serve the drinks, I’ll sort everything else out.’
‘Sounds good, love. Let me check with Pete and we’ll get a date in the diary.’
‘Excellent! Thanks, Beth.’
Bea was taking cash and offering her bank details to anyone who was happy to pay via transfer, when Nathan jogged back to the wagon.
‘Tony’s sorted it!’ he said.
‘Seriously?’ said Bea. ‘What was wrong with it?’
‘Your Bluetooth had disconnected. He said he’ll show you how to reconnect once his queue dies down,’ said Nathan, ‘in case it happens again.’
‘God, Jess was right about him, his queue never gets any shorter, does it?’
‘Ah, Tony’s Tex Mex is legendary, I’ll get you some later. You haven’t lived until you’ve tried his chicken enchiladas.’
‘Ooooh, sounds delish.’
The next time Bea glanced at her watch, it was almost two, and she couldn’t quite believe how much stock she’d sold. Good job she still had boxes of books stacked up in Archie’s garage; it looked like she’d be needing to use them all far faster than she’d anticipated.
‘How’s it going?’ asked Nathan, stepping inside the wagon, the door swinging shut behind him with a bang.
‘Can you open it?’ asked Bea. ‘I don’t want people to think I’m closed.’
‘Sure,’ said Nathan, turning the handle. Nothing happened. The lever remained firmly in position. ‘Shit,’ he muttered.
‘What’s wrong?’
‘The handle’s stuck.’
‘Here, let me try, it can be a bit temperamental,’ said Bea, twisting and jiggling the lever. It still wouldn’t budge. ‘Damn! It’s jammed.’
‘Let me have another go,’ said Nathan, as Bea stepped aside. He yanked the handle down with force, shouldering the door at the same time.
Nothing.
‘No, no, no, no,’ Bea wailed. ‘This can’t be happening.’
‘It’ll be okay. We’ll call Archie, he can take the handle off from outside.’
‘Good idea,’ said Bea, grabbing her phone. ‘I don’t believe it,’ she groaned. ‘There’s no signal. What about you?’ she asked.
Nathan patted down his pockets.
‘I think I’ve left mine in the truck. Sorry,’ he said, grimacing.
‘Great,’ she huffed, banging hard on the door yelling, ‘Hello? We’re stuck in here! Hello?’ in the hope that someone would hear her.
‘Don’t panic,’ Nathan shrugged. ‘Someone will come along in a minute and open it from the outside. It’ll be fine.’
‘You go to the gym, can’t you just rip the handle off?’ she suggested.
‘I know I’m in good shape, but I’m not actually the Incredible Hulk,’ he teased, flexing his biceps.
‘Fair point,’ she conceded. ‘You’re right, though, someone will be along soon. I might as well restock the shelves, there’s more boxes in the corner.’
‘Good idea,’ said Nathan, heaving a box on to the makeshift desk and rummaging inside.
‘I can’t even remember what’s in here, to be honest,’ said Bea, reaching into the box, her hand brushing against his rough fingers.
Her heart thudded against her ribs. Nathan looked up and something flashed in his eyes. Bea had seen that look a thousand times before, but not for years.
‘Look, Pride and Prejudice!’ she said, attempting to disperse the electricity that was crackling in the air around them.
‘Austen. One of your favourites,’ Nathan replied, his eyes crinkling at the sides as he smiled.
‘Do you remember when I took you to see that film?’ she laughed.
‘Yes! Pride and Prejudice and Zombies!’
‘Jeez, it was awful.’
‘Hey, I thought it was okay, actually.’
‘You were drooling over Lily James for most of it, I’m surprised you even—’
‘Actually,’ he interrupted. ‘I spent most of the time trying to work up the courage to put my arm around you…’
‘Oh,’ said Bea, her eyes widening in surprise. ‘Yeah, I remember, I think it was the first time we—’
‘Kissed.’
She paused before replying,
‘As first kisses go, it was pretty good,’ she said, smiling at the memory.
‘It was,’ Nathan agreed, his eyes firmly fixed on hers.
‘Well, you certainly took your time about it,’ Bea said. ‘I was waiting all night for you to make a move,’ she continued, turning her attention back to the box of books. ‘I thought I was going to have to take matters into my own hands.’
‘Oh, really?’ he said, tipping his head to one side.
‘Absolutely! And then Duncan Jones from Year Twelve ruined it all by chucking a box of popcorn over us!’
‘Bastard!’ Nathan laughed.
‘Total bastard!’ she agreed. ‘What else is in here?’ she asked, turning a book over in her hands to show Nathan the cover.
‘Lady Chatterley’s Lover. Isn’t this supposed to be a bit… spicy?’ he said, raising his eyebrows. ‘Wasn’t it banned?’
‘Uh-huh. It’s definitely a five chili rating. Super spicy.’
Bang! There was a thud on the wagon door.
‘Bea? Are you okay in there?’ Archie’s voice called from outside.
‘The door’s stuck!’ said Bea. ‘The handle won’t budge.’ Archie rattled the lever from outside and the door miraculously swung open.
‘You were saying?’ said Archie, grinning widely.
‘What the—’ said Bea.