Chapter 38
38
‘Coco, could we borrow you for a minute?’ Jaques from the writing group asks. I dust my hands on my jeans after moving a stack of books that never seem to get any attention because they’re stuffed into a dark corner of the bookshop. I’m rotating stock as much as I can to give each book a chance to find a new home. It’s working well so far, unearthing all these gems that have remained hidden for so long.
‘Sure, what’s up?’ I follow him upstairs to the writing group, which Valérie insisted we continue to use as her daughter would have been tickled to know people were enjoying her space, especially other aspiring writers.
The group sit around a long table, notebooks and laptops in front.
‘We’ve been chatting about next stages. A few of us have finished manuscripts that we’d love a trained eye to go over for us, give some editorial feedback and the like. Valérie told us you recently owned a boutique publishing house where you were editorial director, so we wondered if you might consider our proposal… ’
Valérie!
‘What proposal is that?’
‘We were hoping you’d be amenable to reading our work for a fee and helping us on the path to publication.’
‘That’s really lovely of you to consider me but…’ Before I think of all the systems I don’t have in place, I stop myself. Isn’t this actually perfect? Editorial projects I can do when I’m not working in the bookshop? ‘I would love to. Let’s discuss.’
After we’ve chatted about the details and what they should expect, I go downstairs with a spring in my step. Freelancing, could that be a way to keep my hand in without the pressure of running a business? And so I can continue to work in the bookshop, whose future I have big plans for, including hosting an upcoming summer series of author events.
At the bottom of the stairs, I slip and fall into the back of a man. ‘Ooof!’
It’s Henri. Of course.
‘Throwing yourself at me again, Coco?’
I shake my head. ‘Can you blame me? How else am I supposed to get your attention? We’ve missed you around here.’
‘Really?’
‘Really.’
‘I’ve been writing.’
‘So I hear. It’s going well then?’
‘Really well. Thanks to you.’
‘Well, it’s easy to give advice when you don’t have to follow it yourself.’
‘You always shrug these compliments off, but I’m not the only one who’s remarked on the way in which you’ve fixed certain situations.’ And made others worse , but I bite down on that particular sentiment.
‘I do appreciate the praise, trust me. And good news from me too. I’ve just landed three manuscript appraisals from the writers upstairs.’
‘Congratulations. So freelance it is?’ While we’re chatting amiably, it still doesn’t feel right, like we’re missing that spark we once shared, or that things are still a little delicate between us.
‘Looks that way.’
‘Will you stay at the bookshop?’
I grin. ‘I’ll stay as long as Valérie will have me.’ And I mean it. The bookshop has some hold over me, magical or not. I don’t overthink it, it just is. It’s a book utopia and I enjoy every minute; well, almost. I don’t especially like the dust, but there’s not much I can do about that.
‘You’re going to need an office here then?’
I raise a brow. ‘What, like you? We can sit side by side and share notes. That’s if you’re coming back?’
‘You’re not having my chair.’
‘Wouldn’t dream of it.’
‘Then it’s a possibility.’
‘Lucky me.’
‘Likewise.’ I’m sure we’re almost flirting but I don’t read too much into it. If we’re meant to be, the bookshop will work its charms or Valérie will drag us kicking and screaming down the aisle to our fantasy wedding; one or the other.
‘See you at book club tomorrow then?’
‘ Oui.’
He leaves with a backwards wave. Maybe his absence hasn’t been just because of me. Maybe a change of scene helped with his writer’s block. I hope it’s that at any rate.
I go to the bar to share my good news with Valérie but she’s got that faraway look in her eyes that can only mean one thing. ‘ Don’t even start.’
Agnes is propped up on a stool drinking a glass of water.
‘It’s fait accompli.’
‘Uh-huh. How are you, Agnes?’
‘I’m well, Coco. In fact, I’m better than I’ve been in quite some time. Would you like to know why?’
‘I’d like nothing more.’
‘See over there?’ I turn to where she’s pointing. By the ornate gold door are a few boxes and a suitcase.
‘You left your husband?’
She grins. ‘Should have done it years ago. Dullest man alive. I’m moving in with Valérie.’
‘And just what mischief will you two get up to?’
‘Plenty, I expect. If only this blasted doctor would agree.’
‘Everything in moderation,’ Valérie says.
‘See? She’s already a bad influence.’
They’re going to be good for each other, roommates who need a friend in this new season of their lives.
‘And my manuscript, Coco. No rush but did you manage to read it?’
‘I did. I read it and I loved it. You have quite the gift for punchy dialogue. I’ll send you my notes soon. And I’ll give you some advice of publishers to try.’
She frowns. ‘Can’t you be my publisher?’
‘Well, no, I…’ What’s stopping me from expanding into a petit publisher who only handles passion projects like Agnes’s book? ‘We can definitely look at that, if you’re sure you don’t want to try a bigger publisher first?’
‘I’m sure. I trust you and I want you to handle it all. I’m not expecting worldwide fame, I’m just happy to have a hobby that’ll keep me occupied. The rest is just icing on the top.’