Chapter 29
Kazz was more than a little surprised to see a customer waiting outside the bookshop when she opened up the next morning.
‘I won’t keep you a moment,’ she said, hurrying inside to switch the lights on and disable the alarm.
She hastily took off her coat, and dumped it and her bag in the storeroom, then dashed onto the shop floor.
‘Did you have a nice Christmas?’ she asked, recognising the elderly gent as the man who had been told off by his wife for buying more books. She hoped he wasn’t here to offer her any for sale. She might want to keep the bookshop going, but whether she would be able to was a different matter entirely – it would depend on whether the former pet shop was still available and whether she would be able to afford the rent. And to add to her worries, she’d not had a single customer yesterday, which didn’t bode well for the viability of her little business. Ideally, she needed longer than the two weeks she had left on the lease before she committed herself to another.
Both Stevie and Leanne had told her that the period between Christmas and New Year wasn’t brilliant for business, and the only reason that Edie’s wedding shop was open was because she was frantically finishing the alterations on the dresses of those brides who had decided to get married on New Year’s Eve, or New Year’s Day in the case of one particular couple.
So yes, Kazz would like to give it longer, but she couldn’t.
It was a dilemma she had been fretting over since she had opened her eyes this morning.
She hadn’t said anything to Saul, who looked as exhausted as she felt, bless him, and she’d sent him off to the farm with a coffee and a kiss. She had left her mum and Vince tucking into tea and toast, and she hadn’t said anything to them either.
The elderly gentleman was wandering around the shelves, stroking the books lovingly, and her heart was gladdened to see someone who loved old books as much as she did. Mind you, most people who entered her shop had a love of books, but this old chap seemed to love them more than most, she thought, as she saw him pick one up and sniff it before carefully returning it to the shelf.
‘In answer to your question…’ he began to say, strolling over to the counter where Kazz was making sure the card machine was working, in the hope he might buy something. ‘I did have a nice Christmas, thank you. However, I’ve since heard some disturbing news.’
‘I am sorry,’ she said. ‘I hope it wasn’t too upsetting?’ Poor chap, he did look rather cheesed off.
He placed both hands flat on the counter and leant towards her, his expression serious. ‘I heard the bookshop is to close.’
To her credit, Kazz didn’t flinch. The speed at which gossip travelled around the village was no longer a surprise. She’d have been more shocked if he hadn’t known.
She said, ‘I know I asked you to give me a call after Christmas, but when I said that, I honestly didn’t expect it to close.’
‘Why are you closing, if you don’t mind me asking?’
‘I only had a short-term lease, so…’ Kazz trailed off. She hated disappointing people, but there was no point in giving him false hope that she would be able to take some books off his hands. ‘Have you tried any of the bookshops in Hay-on-Wye?’ she asked. ‘If you haven’t, it may be worth giving them a go.’
‘Did you try to renew the lease?’ His eyes searched her face.
She blinked. He was being rather forward, wasn’t he? ‘Um, no.’
‘Did you want to?’
‘Yes?’
‘Is that a question or a statement?’
‘A statement. I did – I do – want to renew it, or extend it, or whatever the correct terminology is.’
‘Why didn’t you?’
Why all the questions , Kazz wanted to retort, but she didn’t want to offend him. He was only being curious. Nosey was a better description, but considering the number of people who were aware that she had intended to keep the bookshop open but had left it too late, he would probably know soon enough. She was surprised he didn’t know already.
‘The gossip drums not working this morning?’ she quipped.
His expression didn’t change and, realising her flippancy wasn’t to his liking, she explained, ‘I left it too late. I’d planned on contacting the owner after Christmas, when I had a better idea of… Never mind.’ She didn’t want to discuss the bookshop’s financial situation with a chap who’d just walked in off the street, no matter how nice he seemed, or tell him that she had dropped the ball and hadn’t realised that she should have contacted the landlord before then. ‘Someone got in before me,’ she ended.
‘So I understand. Lipsticks and whatnot.’
‘That’s right.’
‘I would prefer it to remain a bookshop, myself,’ he said.
‘As would I!’ Kazz’s reply was heartfelt. Even if it hadn’t been her business, she would take books over skincare any day. She said, ‘Look, this probably won’t come to anything, but there’s an empty shop up the street that the bookshop might be able to relocate to. I stress might because I haven’t looked into it yet. So, if you want to hang on for a couple of weeks, I might be able to buy some of your books from you then.’
At that, his eyes lit up and a smile spread across his lined face.
Not wanting to give him false hope, Kazz hastened to add, ‘I’m not promising anything. Even if I do relocate, I can’t guarantee I will buy any books from you. I’ll have to see them first.’
‘You will.’ The old chap sounded confident.
Kazz thought it best not to argue. It would all come out in the wash, as her grandad used to say. ‘Why don’t you give me a call in a couple of weeks?’ she suggested. ‘I’ll have a better idea of what’s happening by then.’
The old gent straightened up. He had yet to take his eyes off her and the intensity of his gaze was making her feel uncomfortable.
‘I don’t think we’ve been introduced,’ he said, holding out his right hand. ‘My name is Ralph Booker.’
Kazz took it, wondering why it sounded familiar. Then it came to her. That was the name on the lease agreement she had signed.
Ralph Booker owned this property!
Saul couldn’t make head nor tail of what Kazz was trying to tell him. She was shrieking down the phone, gabbling so fast that he couldn’t catch more than a word here and there.
‘Kazz? Kazz! Calm down. I’m on my way.’ Abandoning the tractor he was working on, he ran towards the yard.
‘Where’s the fire?’ his dad yelled, as Saul wrenched the Land Rover’s door open and flung himself into the driver’s seat.
‘Kazz needs me,’ he called back.
‘Should I come with you?’
‘It’s OK. I think it’s good news.’ He hoped it was, but it had been difficult to tell.
Saul made it to the high street in record time, parked up and raced inside the shop, skidding to a halt when he saw Kazz and an elderly gentleman calmly sitting in the wingback chairs and drinking tea. The old chap’s face was familiar, but Saul couldn’t think of his name.
‘What the—’ he began, running a hand through his hair.
Kazz got to her feet and walked towards him, and he assumed she was about to give him a hug, but she stopped a few paces short.
‘Were you in the middle of something?’ she asked, staring pointedly at his oil-covered hands.
‘Yes, I was. What’s wrong?’
‘Nothing.’
‘Nothing?’ he repeated in confusion.
‘Everything is right ,’ she said.
Saul puffed out his cheeks, then shrugged. ‘I don’t follow.’
Kazz tilted her head in the old chap’s direction. ‘This is Ralph Booker,’ she said.
That was it! Mr Booker. ‘I know. He lives in Langstone Lane.’
‘That’s right.’ Mr Booker beamed at him.
Saul was becoming increasingly confused by the second, and it must have shown on his face.
‘Do you know who owns this building?’ Kazz asked. She was beaming too.
Saul said, ‘I don’t, but I think you’re about to tell me.’
‘Mr Booker.’
‘He does?’
‘It looks like there’s something the Tanglewood gossip waggon doesn’t know,’ Kazz said.
Mr Booker spoke. ‘I haven’t broadcast it, if that’s what you mean. And call me Ralph. It’s silly to call me Mr Booker when we will be working together.’
Saul stared at him, baffled, then turned his attention back to Kazz. ‘You’re going to have to explain.’
‘Mr – Ralph – hasn’t signed the lease over to Rosy Glow yet. He says if I want to renew it, I can. He loves books, you see,’ she added, as though that explained everything.
Saul stepped towards the Chesterfield chair, and Kazz let out a shriek. ‘Don’t sit there! You’re covered in oil.’
So he was. He leant against the counter instead, and wished he had a stiff drink. Had he fallen down a rabbit hole and hadn’t noticed?
‘Go on,’ he urged cautiously, wondering what other surprises she might have in store for him.
‘Ralph came into the shop this morning. He had already been in once before, scoping it out.’ She smiled indulgently at the old fellow. ‘And he liked what he saw, so he wanted to ask me why I wasn’t renewing the lease. When I explained, he told me that due to it being Christmas and the office being shut, his solicitor hadn’t drawn up the new contract for Rosy Glow yet, so nothing has been signed.’
‘Hang on, wouldn’t the letting agent do that?’ Saul asked.
‘Normally, yes, but I’ve always preferred my solicitor to do it,’ Ralph explained.
‘That’s lucky,’ Saul said.
‘Not lucky. Prudent,’ Ralph argued. ‘I’m going to ask him to inform the other party that they won’t be taking out the lease after all. He’s going to draw up a new one, with Kazz’s name on it.’
‘The bookshop is staying open!’ Kazz cried. ‘Isn’t that marvellous?’
‘It certainly is. If I wasn’t so grimy, I’d give you a kiss.’ Saul was so pleased for her. Kazz’s delight was plain to see. Then he remembered something. ‘Did you say you and Ralph are going to be working together?’ Surely not. He must have misheard and the old man had been referring to Kazz taking out the lease.
‘That’s right!’ Kazz hugged herself in glee. ‘Ralph knows as much about books as I do – more, probably. And I was saying I needed someone to run the shop while I source fresh stock, but this way we can take it in turns to be in the shop or out buying. Although neither of us will have to do any buying for a while because he’s got over two thousand books he wants to sell, and that’s just the start of it.’
‘You’re going into business together?’ Saul clarified.
‘Yes! Isn’t that wonderful!’
Saul had to admit it was the perfect solution to the bookshop’s problems, and he couldn’t be more thrilled for her. The joy he felt on seeing her so happy was tempered only by the realisation that his hopes of taking on a farm tenancy one day had gone up in smoke. How could he even consider moving away from Tanglewood now?
But he didn’t care. Her happiness was all that mattered, and if he had to spend the rest of his life working on the family farm, so be it. At least he could put his savings towards a home in the village – one that he and Kazz could live in together.
He wanted to start looking for suitable properties now, but he had a tractor to repair, and after that he intended taking Kazz, her mum and partner out for a slap-up meal to celebrate her incredibly good news.
‘Have you got five minutes?’ Geoff asked, catching Saul as he was about to leave to fetch Kazz, Diana and Vince. His mum had invited them to have New Year’s Day lunch at the farm.
‘It’ll have to be quick.’
‘Come into the kitchen. There’s something your mother and I need to discuss with you.’
Saul frowned. It sounded serious, and his stomach dropped to his boots. He hoped to God neither of them was ill, nor anyone else in the family. He thought of Murray and Ashley, who had just announced their pregnancy, and he prayed it wasn’t bad news. They hadn’t returned from visiting her parents in Carmarthen yet, and Saul’s heart was in his mouth as he followed his dad into the kitchen.
His mother was sitting at the scarred old table. She looked solemn. Oh, God…
‘Sit down, Saul, there’s something we need to tell you.’
Saul sat. Even if he hadn’t wanted to, his legs were shaking so much that he didn’t think they could hold him up. He plopped heavily into the chair and took a shaky breath.
‘It’s about Murray,’ his mum began, and her eyes were suspiciously damp. ‘He’s not coming back.’
‘What! No! I don’t— He can’t— Oh God.’ Saul swallowed hard, trying to hold himself together for his parents’ sake, although they appeared alarmingly calm. He guessed it was the shock. ‘How did it happen?’ he choked out.
Iris frowned. ‘How did what happen?’
‘Was it an accident or a… What do they call it… a medical episode?’
His father, who was standing at his shoulder, said, ‘Saul, what are you talking about?’
‘Murray.’ Had his parents gone mad? ‘You said he’s—’ Saul took a breath and forced the words out, ‘not coming back.’
‘That’s right. He and Ashley have decided to stay in Carmarthen and take over her parents’ farm. Her dad is getting on a bit now, and he had a fall on Boxing Day.’
Iris took up the baton. ‘So her father asked whether Ashley and Murray would consider running it.’ She broke off to dab at her eyes.
‘Your mother is understandably upset. She’ll only have two chicks left within nagging distance.’
Iris sniffed. ‘I don’t nag, and they are your chicks too.’
Geoff sat down and looked Saul in the eye. ‘I know it’s not been easy for you, but I hope you’ll stay here and help me run this place. Please reconsider taking out a tenancy.’
Saul was flabbergasted. He had told no one of his plans, apart from Kazz. No one . ‘How do you know that?’ he demanded.
His mother gave him a watery smile. ‘Betty – who else?’
‘There’s something I want to talk to you about,’ Saul said, and Kazz’s spirits sank. The last time he’d said that, she had been convinced he was about to dump her.
‘Spit it out,’ she commanded, rolling onto her back and staring at the bedroom ceiling. ‘If you keep me in suspense, I swear you won’t be getting any sex for a week.’
Saul gasped. ‘That’s harsh.’
‘It’s true. Now, what do you want to talk to me about?’
‘Donald.’
‘Eh?’
‘I think he’s lonely.’
Kazz sat up. ‘You’re joking, right? He’s got a whole herd of ladies to keep him company.’ He was thankfully recovering nicely from his horrifying ordeal and was now lording it over a field full of females.
‘It’s a flock, not a herd, and he’s missing me , not the ladies.’
‘I’m not forcing you to spend every night in my flat,’ she said, sticking her tongue out at him.
Since the night they had declared their love for each other, Saul hadn’t spent a single night in his own bed in the farmhouse. Mind you, it hadn’t been all rampant shenanigans under the covers, because her mum and Vince had only flown back to Spain today, so Kazz and Saul’s bedroom antics had been rather subdued and somewhat curtailed.
‘I want to spend every night with you. Heck, I want to spend every second with you,’ Saul insisted.
‘What are you trying to say?’
He sat up too, and scooted around in the bed so he was facing her. ‘You know that Murray and Ashley are still in Carmarthen?’ he began.
‘Yeah, so?’
‘He’s staying there. He’s not coming back to Tanglewood.’
‘Do you mean never?’
‘I dare say he’ll be back for a visit.’ Saul rolled his eyes, and Kazz thumped him on the arm.
‘You know what I mean.’
‘No, he’s not coming back. Dad wants me to take over the running of the farm.’
‘Are you happy about that?’ she asked. He looked happy but she sensed there was something more.
‘I am. The thing is… Murray’s cottage will be empty, so I’m moving back in.’
‘Does that mean I can have a sleepover at yours now and again?’ she teased.
‘You can have a sleepover every night, if you want. I’m asking you to move in with me. Come live in my cottage on the farm, with me and Donald.’
‘I’m not living there with Donald,’ she stated flatly.
‘It’s OK, he’ll be in the field behind, not inside the house.’
‘Oh, in that case…’ Kazz leant towards him, lifting her chin.
His lips pressed against hers as he took her in his arms, kissing her deeply and with such love and passion that he stole her breath. And as he laid her gently down on the soft mattress, she knew life couldn’t get any better than this.