Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
Liam kept me company for a while longer, trying to cheer me up by helping to create a new video advertising my next Blind Date with a Book night, then once the rain had stopped, he returned to his own boat.
I pottered around the cabin, straightening the displays and rearranging books, not with any particular purpose in mind other than to feel like I was actually doing something.
My brain was buzzing with everything Liam had said, and another lull in customers did not help my spiralling anxiety about the cold-blooded operator who now lived next door to me.
‘Maybe it’s the weather that’s putting them off,’ I suggested out loud.
This time I didn’t even have the excuse of speaking to Hilda as she was hanging out on the stern deck, standing alert, unashamedly watching what our new neighbour was doing.
I wished she could talk, because I was dying to know what he was up to, but I didn’t want to be caught spying.
I could hear that his engine was on, probably to charge up a generator, and I reckoned that said engine was in need of a service, judging by the clattering noise it was making.
Every twenty seconds or so it would stutter, almost as if it was about to die out completely, then with a groan it would revert to its usual banging.
I found I was waiting for the pause, subconsciously counting down until it happened.
I put some music on and turned the volume up louder than normal to try to distract myself from fixating on the pattern.
But even with the Bridgerton soundtrack blasting out from my speakers I could still hear the engine, and by mid-afternoon, the thud of metal clanging against wood had entered the mix.
I forced myself to stay where I was, even though my curiosity was reaching fever pitch.
‘The canal is a veritable hive of activity this afternoon,’ said one of my most loyal customers, Kat, as she climbed on board hand in hand with her boyfriend Leo.
She’d been the first person to buy a book from me, not that I’d told her at the time because I’d already been open for a week by then, and I was grateful she continued to visit, even though, as a librarian, she had ready access to pretty much any book she could possibly want.
‘Tell me about it.’ I tapped my phone to turn the music down to a more reasonable volume, then flinched as yet another thud rang out from my neighbour’s boat. ‘What on earth is he doing in there?’
‘Your new neighbour has arrived with a bang,’ said Leo. For a moment I thought he was referring to the noise from the boat, then I realised what he actually meant as he gestured at his phone and continued with, ‘Thank goodness you were on hand to save the day.’
‘How much traction is Liam’s video getting?’ I worried out loud. ‘I really don’t want Nana Rose to come across it before I tell her about what happened. She’d be so worried about the boat, and me, and she doesn’t need that kind of stress in her life.’
‘I’d tell her pretty soon in that case,’ said Kat. ‘We popped into work on our way here—’
‘She can’t keep away from the place, even on her days off,’ interrupted Leo, his voice full of affection.
‘It was your idea, you gorgeous geek,’ she pointed out with a grin.
‘Anyway, the video was all the folk from the Seniors’ Social Media group could talk about.
It was causing quite a stir. It’s definitely trending in the Oxford area, and probably further afield I’d say.
It looked like a pretty dramatic chain of events.
You did well to take control and sort out the situation. ’
I groaned. ‘Thanks, but it was only what anyone would have done. And becoming the talking point for the Seniors’ Social Media group is the last thing I need.
I was hoping to generate some positive publicity for the Oxford Bookship, but I’d prefer to go viral for something literature-related.
If Nana’s seen the video, she’ll be out of her mind with concern. ’
‘Why don’t you give her a call now?’ suggested Kat. ‘We’re happy to have a browse by ourselves. We’ve got some serious book shopping to do. Leo treated me to a new bookcase to celebrate us buying the house together.’
‘I thought you could use it for the thousands of books you already have,’ he said, his grin growing wider as he anticipated her response to his provocative statement.
‘Very funny. You knew exactly what you were getting into when you asked me to move in. A new bookcase means buying new books to fill it with, any fool could work that one out.’ She nudged her hip playfully against his, and they carried on with their happy bickering as they went to inspect my recent arrivals shelves, Leo standing with his arms out ready to hold the pile of purchases which Kat would undoubtedly make.
I experienced a moment of envy at their carefree happiness, although I reminded myself it had not always been that way for them.
I slipped into my living space, leaving them to it, and quickly called Nana Rose.
‘I was wondering when I’d be hearing from you, my adventurous darling,’ she said as soon as she picked up.
I felt instantly guilty for not thinking to ring her earlier.
It was strangely quiet in the background.
Normally when we chatted, I could hear the hubbub of activity from the care home’s lounge where she spent most of her time.
I wondered if she was resting in her room and worried about the reason why.
‘I guess you’ve seen the video then,’ I said, although my fear she’d be upset by what she’d seen had been somewhat allayed by the cheery tone she’d answered in.
‘Haven’t I just? I’ve been showing it to all the girls and boys here, and let me tell you, they’re terribly impressed by your skills. That was quite the leap, my darling. You didn’t hesitate. You saw somebody in trouble, and you jumped instantly to his aid. I’m so proud of you.’
‘It wasn’t quite like that,’ I said. It was typical of Nana Rose to think the best of me, but my motivation at the time had been entirely selfish, aiming to save the Oxford Bookship from further harm, rather than being concerned for the person who was so obviously out of their depth on the other boat.
‘And that footage of you bringing the boat to shore. My chest was practically swelling when I saw that. Not an easy task on a strange boat, no indeed. Mind you, you’ve always been a talented helmswoman. You could steer a boat almost as soon as you were able to stand up.’
‘If I’d known there was going to be such a big audience for my efforts, I’d have done it with more finesse,’ I said.
‘Pshaw, now you’re fishing for compliments,’ said Nana Rose with a laugh. ‘And in case you’re wondering whether to mention it, I’ve also seen that the Oxford Bookship got a little scrape from the other boat.’
Not so little, I thought silently, then added out loud, ‘I’m really sorry about that, Nana.’
‘There’s nothing to apologise for. These things happen. And worse things happen at sea, or so they say. Let me tell you, it’s not the first scratch the boat’s had in her lifetime, and I’m sure it won’t be the last. She’ll survive; she’s a sturdy bird.’
‘Like her previous owner.’
Nana Rose laughed again, although this time it evolved into something which sounded worryingly like a wince of pain.
‘Perhaps not quite as sturdy as I used to be,’ she said, an unusual admission for her to make which got me feeling anxious all over again.
‘Nana…’ I started to say, but she interrupted me.
‘Anyway, I’ve kept you far too long. You get back to your customers, Molly love. You’ve got more important things to do than spend your time talking to me. And don’t forget to give Hilda a hug for me. Such a shame she only made a fleeting appearance in the video.’
‘Nothing’s more important than talking to you, oh Nana mine. And maybe if Hilda had appeared, there would be fewer comments about me.’
‘I love talking to you too. Embrace the fame, my darling. It’s about time the rest of the world recognised your shine.
’ She coughed. ‘I think that’s my cue to go and fetch a drink.
The sun is over the yardarm somewhere in the world, am I right?
Enjoy the rest of your day, it was lovely to hear from you. ’
‘Take care. I’ll be round to see you later.’
‘That would have been lovely and I hate to be a party pooper, but can we take a rain check? I’ve already got plans this evening,’ said Nana Rose.
‘That’s nice, what are you up to?’ I asked.
She hesitated for a little longer than felt natural, and I wondered if this might be a manufactured excuse because she was too tired to see me.
‘We’re having a bingo night, and I said I’d do the calling,’ she said.
There was a note in her voice which made me even more convinced that this explanation didn’t ring true. But I knew better than to push her.
‘Two little ducks…’
‘Twenty-two,’ she said, managing to put on an appropriate calling voice. Thankfully this time she didn’t break down into a cough again.
‘Have fun. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t.’
‘Oh, my darling, I’ll do much worse,’ she replied with a cackle. I really hoped that was true.