4. Chapter 4
Ruby burst onto the cobbled high street, almost mowing down a little old lady in the process.
‘Steady on there, dear!’ said the woman, clutching Ruby’s arm - though whether it was to steady Ruby or herself was up for debate.
‘I’m so sorry!’ puffed Ruby, bringing her hand to her heart as though she might be able to calm both its erratic fluttering and the deep ache that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere.
‘No harm done,’ said the woman, peering closely at her. ‘Well, well, well, if it isn’t our very own Ruby!’
Ruby straightened up and took a better look at her victim’s face. ‘Mrs Barker!’ she said, recognition dawning… and noting with relief that this time it came with a warm bloom of affection rather than horror.
‘The one and only!’ said the woman, her face creasing like a paper bag as she grinned at Ruby. ‘I have to say, I can’t wait for your event. Got my ticket the minute they came out!’
‘Oh!’ said Ruby, not sure what else to say to say. ‘Erm… thank you. That’s nice.’
She’d had plenty of time to get used to the fact that people were reading her book. Of course they were… after all, it was a bestseller that had already sold over a million copies. Still, she’d somehow managed to convince herself that no one in Crumbleton would be interested. Ruby knew it was ridiculous – but it had been the only way she’d managed to stay vaguely sane about the whole thing.
A sudden swoop of nerves hit her square in the chest. People in Crumbleton had been reading her book!
Somehow, speaking to huge crowds all over the world had been manageable, because they were mostly faceless - a bunch of strangers she could put on an act for. There was no chance she was going to be able to pull off the same thing here though, was there? The majority of people in Crumbleton had known her all her life.
What had she let herself in for?! She should have put her foot down and never agreed to come back – especially not as part of her book tour!
‘Ruby?’ said Mrs Barker, frowning at her in concern. ‘Are you quite alright, dear?’
Ruby nodded quickly, doing her best to act as normal as possible and swallow down her panic.
‘I just took the steps a bit too fast, that’s all,’ she said, forcing a smile onto her face. It wasn’t a total lie – though she’d keep the real reason she’d just pelted up the steps like a hyperactive gazelle to herself. ‘I guess I’m just a bit out of practice!’
‘Ah well, you’ll get the hang of it again before you know it!’ said the old woman, patting her hand. ‘Now then, I’ll let you go. Your mum will never forgive me if I keep you gossiping before she’s had the chance to see you!’
Ruby just smiled and nodded, though she doubted her parents had even clocked that she was due back today. She had no doubt they’d be pleased to see her – they always were – but there was never any urgency or excitement around it.
A sudden wave of guilt threatened to take her out at the knees at the thought. She was lucky to have such wonderful parents. It wasn’t a big deal that they tended to be preoccupied, was it?! She knew they loved her. Deep down.
Ruby took a deep breath as she watched Mrs Barker continue her slow trek up the hill. She was feeling more than a little bit off-balance – like she was a huge sack of emotions ready to burst at the seams. As much as she was looking forward to seeing her parents, she could really do with getting her head screwed back on first. They might be dithery, but they weren’t stupid – they’d know something was up – and then she’d be in for the Spanish Inquisition!
‘Hi Ruby!’ came a cheerful voice from across the narrow, cobbled street. ‘Long time, no see!’
She raised her hand to wave, half in a daze, only to spot her old primary school caretaker smiling at her.
‘Loved your book!’ came a female voice from her side of the street.
‘Oh - hi!’ said Ruby, blinking at Grace, the mother of an old school friend. ‘Erm… thanks!’
‘I’ll be there to get it signed!’ she said with a bright smile. ‘Good to have you home!’
Ruby smiled and nodded on autopilot, feeling her eyes grow wide. This was going to get overwhelming… and fast. She needed to get off the high street and gather her wits about her before she was tempted to do another - very public - runner.
‘Gotta nip up to the bookshop to say hi!’ she said.
‘Of course,’ said Grace, wiggling her eyebrows. ‘Bet you can’t wait!’
‘Erm… right?’ said Ruby, frowning slightly. What on earth did she mean by that?! ‘See you…?’
Grace nodded, giving her a friendly wave as she headed off down the hill.
Well, at least her spur-of-the-moment excuse had made Ruby’s mind up as to her first stop. She was going to have to visit the bookshop now, whether she wanted to or not. Still, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to nip in and let Reuben know she’d arrived in town.
Hoisting her bag more securely onto her shoulder, Ruby turned her steps uphill, nodding and smiling at various people as she went. The sun always brought people to Crumbleton - and today was no exception. Several of the shops had their doors propped open to make the most of the early summer sunshine.
This was Crumbleton at its very best… and an overwhelming wave of love for the old place took Ruby by surprise. Even after six years away, it was all just so familiar - from the crooked buildings clinging higgledy-piggledy to the hill, to the ankle-breaking but picturesque cobbles beneath her feet. Every single inch of this town was steeped in memories… and not all of them were bad, no matter what she’d been telling herself all these years.
Ruby wandered past the bridal shop, stealing a glance at the window display as she went. She’d wager her next royalty cheque that the mannequin was still wearing the same dress as the last time she’d strolled through town. The pastel interior beyond looked sweet and inviting, and a row of tiaras on a white, antique armoire glittered in the sunshine as she strolled on by.
Next came the bakery, and the scent of warm cinnamon and allspice teased her nose. Ruby’s stomach instantly started to growl, and a grin crept onto her face. She’d always joked with her parents that the bakery pumped the scent onto the high street day and night - just to ensure a steady stream of customers. It was practically impossible to resist! Perhaps she’d nip in before she headed home and grab them all a bun… but right now, she was going to see Reuben.
Ruby had her fingers crossed that setting foot inside the old bookshop might help her feel less anxious about her impending signing. After all, Crumbleton Bookshop was more than familiar to her. Hell, she’d spent every moment she could in there as a kid… and every penny of her pocket money had been used to fatten up Reuben’s till!
The glossy, dark green paintwork with its gorgeous gold lettering appeared ahead of her, and she felt like she was looking at a long-lost friend. The double-fronted shop had an old-school charm about it, much like Reuben himself - and she was glad to see that it hadn’t changed a jot while she’d been away.
Ruby paused to admire the first window. Reuben had gone to town with a romance display to rival that of any of the big London stores. Hell - this wouldn’t look out of place on the most curated of social media profiles. Dozens of bright books with their illustrated covers were framed by a stunning array of fresh flowers. Ruby smiled – this was classic Crumbleton at work. The business community was tight-knit, and the little florist at the top of town had clearly teamed up with Reuben to work some magic in the bookshop.
Mooching over to take a look at the second window display, Ruby pulled a face. This one was just as skilfully dressed, but she couldn’t say she liked the fact that the centrepiece was an awful, life-sized cut-out of herself.
‘Urgh, why?!’ she murmured, only just reining in the temptation to stick her tongue out at it. These blasted things had been haunting her every move during the tour. There had even been one in the window of the small-town bookshop she’d visited in Australia.
The idea of facing a full-sized photograph of herself had never sat well with Ruby, but it was made about a million times worse by the fact that she couldn’t stand the photograph. The shoot had been set up by her marketing team, and she’d hated every second of it. Bobbi and Ben had insisted on a full, heavy face of make-up and that - combined with the bright blond highlights they’d talked her into – meant that it didn’t really look anything like her. Especially as she’d had a hairdresser in Paris return her hair to something resembling its natural colour since then!
Ruby sighed and turned away from the awful thing to give the door a tug. It didn’t budge.
‘Back in five minutes!’ she muttered, noticing a little card stuck to the glass with blu-tac. ‘Great!’
Well… in that case, she’d just have to go to the café. She really wasn’t ready to face her mum and dad yet, and she could really do with a hit of Mabel’s industrial-strength coffee right now.
Heading back down the hill again, Ruby hurried past the bakery and the bridal shop, and then all but jogged towards the door of the gorgeous, cream-fronted café. Its curved, glass windows twinkled at her, and the sound of the tinkling bell announcing her arrival made Ruby feel like she was hurtling back in time.
The moment she stepped inside, the scent of coffee and bacon sandwiches assaulted her senses. Ruby felt her shoulders relax. Now this was a dose of familiarity she could deal with.
There wasn’t anyone behind the counter, but the place was pretty busy. Ruby’s eyes darted around the little tables out of pure habit - checking to see if anyone was waiting to be served. She might not have worked in Crumbleton Café for years - but tell that to her instincts!
‘If it isn’t my best-ever waitress!’
Ruby swung around only to find Mabel Leonard scurrying towards her from the kitchen.
‘Mabel!’ she cried, a genuine smile splitting her face as her old boss stopped right in front of her, beaming.
‘Good to see you, Ruby. It’s been too long!’
Ruby nodded. She might not have wanted to come back to Crumbleton - but when it came to the café and Mabel… she was inclined to agree. It had been too long.
‘It’s lovely to see you,’ said Ruby, grabbing Mabel’s hand and giving it a squeeze as she glanced around again. ‘The place looks great… but… are you on your own?’
Mabel rolled her eyes and nodded. ‘The new girl didn’t turn up,’ she sighed. ‘They don’t make staff like they used to,’ she added, shooting a wink at Ruby.
Ruby grinned. She’d always been a favourite with Mabel. In fact, when her edits got particularly tough, she’d fantasised about being back in Crumbleton Café - working for pocket money, coffee and leftover cake.
‘I’m a bit behind with this lot,’ muttered Mabel, nodding at the busy café, ‘but I’m sure you remember how to use the machine if you want to help yourself to a coffee.’
‘Sure you don’t mind?’ said Ruby.
‘Sure?’ laughed Mabel, ‘you’d be doing me a favour, girl. I’ll be right with you as soon as I’ve finished off the order for table four.’
‘Okay,’ laughed Ruby, following her behind the counter.
‘Oh, and while you’re at it, could you take some cutlery over to them for me?’ called Mabel before disappearing back through to the kitchen.