Chapter 4 #2
‘Wow, you’re Boaty Liam,’ I said, astonished that a man whose content I’d watched pretty much from when he first started posting was now standing here in front of me shaking my hand.
‘That’s me. I’m flattered you recognised me.’
‘No, it’s me who’s flattered that you reposted my video.
Honestly, I don’t think I would have sold half as many tickets if you hadn’t.
I’m thrilled you could make it,’ I babbled like a starstruck teenager.
He always came across as the approachable guy next door in his films, but what the camera had failed to convey was how incredibly blue his eyes were in real life.
‘Molly, right?’ he checked.
I nodded eagerly.
‘Well, Molly, I couldn’t resist the lure of books and good company. What an ideal combination. I’m moored up on Castle Mill Stream, and I’ve completely fallen in love with Oxford. And perhaps tonight I’ll fall in love with one of its beautiful residents too. A bloke can dream, anyway.’ He laughed.
‘I have a good feeling that your love story is just waiting to be written,’ I replied with a smile.
Liam took his phone out of his pocket and for a crazy moment, I wondered if he was about to ask for my number, but he quickly checked a message on the screen before turning his attention back to me.
‘Could I ask you a massive favour? I was hoping to get some footage tonight. Would you mind? I won’t film anyone without their consent, of course, and it’ll mostly be me in shot.
’ He shrugged self-deprecatingly. ‘For some reason my “day in the life” vlogs seem to do really well. It’s a strange career chatting into camera all the time, but it keeps me afloat, and that’s why I do it. ’
I couldn’t believe my luck. Boaty Liam’s socials had five-figure followers, bordering on six. If all went well tonight and he posted about it, I might be able to sell out half a dozen Blind Date with a Book nights in the future.
I nodded vigorously. ‘Of course, that sounds good to me.’
‘You’re a star, thank you. I really appreciate it.’ The full force of his kind smile face to face rather than on screen was something else.
‘As you’re the first here, you get first dibs on book choice. Help yourself.’ I quickly explained how the novel matching system worked.
‘Sounds perfect.’ He closed his eyes and reached towards the books.
Although I’d promised myself I wouldn’t do it, I pushed a particular volume towards him.
He made his pick, with a little help, then opened his eyes to examine the label (the clue read ‘Ellis Bell’s gothic take on moorland romance’) and beamed.
‘Oh, I definitely know what this one is.’ He hummed a few bars of the Kate Bush song with the same title, playfully wafting his arms around to the tune.
‘I have a very good feeling about who it might lead me to. This system seems much better than all that impersonal swiping on your phone. And given the literary location for the blind date, it’s guaranteed everyone will have at least one thing in common.
I wouldn’t be surprised if you had a hit event on your hands. ’
I grinned back at him, caught up in his optimism. ‘I do hope so. And anyway, even if people don’t want to date each other, they might find a new friend from the night, or even their next imaginary friends in the form of books.’
‘Would you mind explaining it all again for the camera?’ asked Liam. ‘You’d be speaking to me rather than staring directly down the lens if that helps. My audience are going to love you.’
I hesitated. It was one thing doing silly videos for my own social media, but I wasn’t sure I had the charisma necessary to appear on Liam’s channel.
‘Are you sure? I’ve always thought of myself as more of a behind the scenes kind of girl to be honest.’ Besides, so much of my brain was occupied with worrying about how the night might go that I was concerned I’d struggle to construct a coherent sentence on camera.
‘Same here. But guy rather than girl, I mean. However, it’s a means to an end.
’ He smiled again, and I felt my resolve waver at his reassuring gawkiness.
‘Why don’t you give it a try? You might surprise yourself.
It’s all pre-recorded, and I’ll let you see what clips I’m using before I put it out.
Your enthusiasm for the venture is obvious.
Who better to talk about the Oxford Bookship than the woman whose passion project it is? ’
He put his hands together in a prayer position, and fluttered his eyelashes in a parody of pleading, as playful in real life as he always was in his videos.
‘Go on then, I’ll have a go. And you promise if I look like a muppet, you won’t use it?’
‘Scout’s honour,’ he said solemnly, then cracked another grin. ‘In the spirit of full disclosure, I was never actually a member of the scouting movement, but I hope you’ll appreciate the sentiment. You can trust me. If it helps, I’ve never met anyone less muppet-like.’
I cleared my throat to disguise my awkwardness at the compliment he’d paid me.
‘Okay. Where do you want me? By the Oxford Bookship sign perhaps? Or does that look too obviously like product placement?’
‘It’s fine. And my rates for product placement are extremely reasonable,’ said Liam, very serious all of a sudden.
‘Oh, I hadn’t—’
‘Got you!’ he said, clapping his hands together with glee. ‘Don’t worry, I was only teasing. By the sign would be perfect. And I wouldn’t dream of charging you to appear in my videos. I know I’m the fortunate one to be allowed to film you. Right, give me a second to check it all looks good.’
I waited uneasily as he moved the camera around, fighting the urge to smooth my hair down. The viewers would have to take me as they found me.
‘Just quickly, can you introduce yourself so I can check the sound levels?’ Liam struck his forehead with the palm of his hand. ‘I’m a total idiot. I haven’t even given you the mic. Do you mind?’
Before I could respond, he’d efficiently clipped something onto the collar of my cardigan. No chance of changing my mind now.
‘Here we go. Who are you and what do you do?’ he asked.
I tried to ignore the whirring sound which signalled that he was zooming in on my face.
I took a moment to compose myself, then waved awkwardly at the camera, instantly forgetting that I was meant to be talking to Liam rather than to the lens.
‘Hi, I’m Molly Bramble and I’m the owner and proprietor of the Oxford Bookship, a proudly independent floating bookshop.
And tonight, I’m helping Liam to find his perfect literary and romantic match through a Blind Date with a Book.
’ I quickly explained again how the evening was going to work, gradually relaxing into the flow of my theme.
When I’d finished speaking, Liam swung the camera round so he could film his own reaction to my statement. As soon as the lens was on him his expressions became even more enthusiastic.
‘I’m very lucky to have the lovely Molly as my wing woman. What do you think, guys? Do you reckon I’m going to meet Miss Right tonight? Stay tuned to see how I get on.’
He gave a final thumbs up to the camera then pressed a button.
‘All done. I’ve finished recording for now. Thanks for your help with that. I appreciate you.’
‘No problem. And bang on cue. Your potential dates are arriving.’
I gestured at the eclectic collection of individuals making their way down the towpath who could only be heading for my shop.
They certainly were a lot better dressed than the average dog walker, which was the usual type of person I saw wandering by the canal at this time of the evening.
I braced myself and prepared to welcome my new customers, quickly assessing them as they walked towards me.
Even though the motivation for this night was financial, I couldn’t help but hope that Cupid fired a few arrows as well.
What book lover doesn’t like a happy ending, after all?