Chapter 43
From: elizabeth.cohen@
To: tillynightingalereads@
Subject: London meeting
Dear Tilly,
It was great to run into you in New York recently.
I hope you enjoyed the rest of your trip.
I am going to be in London next month and would love to meet with you, if you’re available.
I know you are taking a career break right now, but I wonder if I might be able to interest you in an opportunity that’s coming up in our team.
How does lunch at The Ivy on 15th November sound?
Hope to see you soon,
Liz
*
From: tillynightingalereads@
To: elizabeth.cohen@
Subject: Re: London meeting
Dear Liz,
It’s great to hear from you. I did enjoy the rest of my time in New York, thank you. I still can’t believe we ran into each other. I’m glad we did, though, as your email sounds intriguing!
15th November is in my diary. See you then!
Tilly
Tilly slips her phone back into her pocket, heart still racing as she pushes open the door to Book Lane, bringing with her a smell of autumn: dry leaves, woodsmoke and the pumpkin spice latte that she holds in one hand.
The shop window is dressed for autumn too, with bundles of blankets, scattered autumn leaves and battery-powered candles, alongside a comforting selection of books: Agatha Christie and Daphne du Maurier, a ramen cookbook, a few books about knitting, and a selection of classic children’s books.
‘Hi, Tilly!’ says Blue from halfway up the shop’s ladder.
Prudence waves from where she is chatting with a customer in the fiction section, and Alfie looks up from the counter where Georgette is sprawled out, a finger marking his page in the large leather-bound book that always resides there.
He closes it firmly, his lips stretching into the semblance of a smile.
Tilly has a brief flash of memory, picturing the meal they shared together in her flat – the smell of garlic and parsley, and the comfort of sitting together on the sofa afterwards watching Gilmore Girls after Alfie confessed he’d never seen it and Tilly, appalled, insisted they rectify that immediately.
She must have fallen asleep eventually, because when she woke it was dark, she was covered in a blanket, and there was a note on the coffee table.
Letting myself out. Rest up. See you at the shop soon. A x
Seeing Blue hop down from the ladder and join Alfie at the counter, her shoulder nudging against his, a wave of guilt rolls through her. But Tilly wouldn’t have let Alfie up to her flat if it meant anything more than a friend helping out another friend.
‘Here for your October book?’ Blue says brightly.
‘Yes, please. The shop is looking beautiful, by the way.’
‘I wanted to add real candles but Alfie refused. I mean, I know they would technically have been a fire hazard, but they’d have looked so pretty.’
Alfie says nothing, already returning with her book parcel.
Prudence joins them at the counter. ‘Did you have a nice dinner together?’ she asks.
So, they must know. Blue doesn’t flinch, her smile steady.
‘We hear you introduced Alfie to the wonder of Lorelai and Rory.’
‘And that he’s since binge-watched about three seasons,’ adds Blue, nudging Alfie playfully.
Alfie’s cheeks flush pink.
‘It’s very compelling storytelling …’
Tilly glances at him.
‘I was very grateful for a meal after surviving for a weekend on cold Pot Noodles.’
He passes her the book, his eyes not leaving hers.
‘We’re dying to know what your next book is,’ says Prudence.
‘Yes, Alfie wrapped them all himself, so we have no clue.’
Tilly thinks back to how out of place she felt, stepping through the bookshop door back in January. Now she feels like she’s more than a regular customer – as if she’s part of the shop in a small way.
‘I’ve been meaning to say, the books are always so beautifully wrapped,’ she says, running a hand over the paper. ‘I love the ribbon.’
Alfie smiles as he picks up a box of books.
‘Thank you, I’m glad.’
‘Let’s see what Joe chose this month, then …’ She slips off the orange ribbon and tears into the paper.
She raises her eyebrows in surprise, the book held outstretched in her hands.
‘I’ll admit, I was not expecting that.’
Prudence peers closer. ‘A Lonely Planet guide to London? I thought you lived here …’
‘I have, for ten years!’ She turns the book over and the letter falls out.
The others give her space as Tilly reads.
Dear Tilly,
I know we fought about where to call home, something I wish I could go back and change. But I also know that I owe London so much. I have had some of my most wonderful years here.
But when you live somewhere, it’s all too easy to take it for granted, sticking to your old favourite places rather than trying anywhere new or going to the famous landmarks that only tourists usually visit.
I hope this book might inspire you to feel like a tourist in the city that I know you love.
Keep having adventures, Tilly, even if they’re close to home. And I will always feel grateful to this city for bringing me to you.
I love you.
Joe x
There’s a lump in her throat as she folds up the letter. She distracts herself by flicking through the pages.
‘This book is full of stuff I’ve never done.’
‘I’m the same,’ Alfie admits, looking up from where he’s been discreetly unpacking a box of books. ‘I’ve lived in London all my life but I’ve probably been to fewer landmarks than an average tourist gets through on a weekend.’
‘Oh, I’ve got a great idea!’ says Blue excitedly. ‘You and Tilly should go to some of these places together!’
‘That is a good idea,’ says Prudence, nodding and making the autumn leaves woven through her grey hair flutter. ‘Blue and I can look after the shop for the day. And it will give us a chance to do exactly what we like with the window …’ She says the last sentence in a mock whisper.
‘Although no candles, I promise,’ Blue adds hastily. ‘So, what do you think? You deserve a day off, Alfie. And I’m sure Tilly would be glad of the company.’
Tilly feels caught off guard and glances at Alfie who looks as uncertain as she feels.
But with Blue and Prudence gazing at them expectantly, it would feel rude to say no.
They are clearly looking out for her, and Blue’s suggestion eases Tilly’s earlier guilt.
She apparently has no qualms about their friendship.
‘I’m in if you are,’ Alfie says, meeting her eye.
Tilly thinks back to the other night, sometimes chatting, sometimes sitting in comfortable silence as they watched Gilmore Girls. Maybe it would be nicer to be a tourist with company.
‘OK,’ she replies with a nod. ‘Let’s be the best tourists London has ever seen.’
Once Tilly has left the shop, Alfie turns to Blue and Prudence who are both grinning like Cheshire Cats.
‘What was that about?’
‘Oh, come on,’ Blue replies, rolling her eyes.
Prudence crosses her arms, the bangles on her wrists jangling.
‘Blue was just taking the initiative that you clearly were never going to take.’
The two women remind Alfie of parents standing side by side to scold an unruly child.
‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’
‘Collect all your customers from the airport, do you, Alfie?’ says Blue.
Prudence lets out a cackle of a laugh.
Heat creeps up his neck and across his face. ‘She was miserable. I felt responsible for sending her off to the wilderness. It didn’t mean anything.’
‘Of course it did, Alfie. You’re just too stubborn and got your heart broken too badly to admit it. But as your friend I refuse to let you be a grumpy spinster for the rest of your life. You obviously like her.’
To argue suddenly seems pointless. Blue and Prudence have both known him long enough to know when he is lying.
‘She’s grieving. And I know for a fact that she isn’t looking for a relationship.’
‘Perhaps not,’ agrees Prudence, her expression thoughtful. ‘But I see the way she looks whenever she walks through that door. She looks like someone who has come home. And I don’t think it’s just because she loves books.’
The thought makes his chest tighten as if he’s being squeezed. But while Alfie might read romance novels for comfort, when it comes to his own life he is a realist.
‘I’ll go on this outing with her. But I’m telling you, Tilly has no interest in someone like me.’
Blue pulls him into a sideways hug. ‘Alf, you may not be my type but I hope you know that you have a lot to offer.’
‘Absolutely,’ says Prudence, wrapping an arm around him from the other side. ‘Any woman would be lucky to have you in her life.’
He gives in to the hugs, the feel of their warmth and love seeping into him. Then he wriggles away, clearing his throat and running a hand through his messy hair.
‘Come on, these books won’t unpack themselves.’