Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
My new shelving system seemed to be having a positive impact on sales, but the real test would be the second Blind Date with a Book event, which was quickly approaching.
It was of course also the launch night for the Jericho Wine Barge.
I’d been studiously avoiding Jack since our last encounter, but I couldn’t fail to notice his preparations for the big night.
I’d spotted he’d taken over an old storage shed which the Oxford Boating Association had been trying to sell for months, and I had observed his frequent trips wheeling boxes of supplies along the towpath between it and the Jericho Wine Barge as he stocked up.
The fairy lights had gone up, and he’d set out tables and chairs in the towpath garden.
That had felt like a particular invasion as I was so used to having the whole space to myself.
I’d been waiting for the moment the furniture encroached over the halfway point, but he’d been scrupulously pedantic at sticking to it, raising an eyebrow when he’d caught me watching, as if challenging me to have a go at him about it.
However, my avoidance tactic failed when he saw me setting up a rope to create a boundary line between our respective outdoor spaces.
‘I’m not sure that’s a good idea. It strikes me as being a health and safety hazard,’ he said in a deceptively chatty tone as he came over to take a closer look at it.
‘I thought it was best to be on the safe side. As we’ve got events running simultaneously, I don’t want your customers coming to take advantage of the free drinks I’m offering to my customers while they browse.’
Jack smiled. ‘While your lemonade is reasonably nice, I’m afraid it offers no competition to the crisp bubbles of the free Prosecco which my guests will be greeted with on arrival.’
‘Even so, I think it’s best to keep the two events clearly separated,’ I said, unwilling to back down.
‘The Oxford Boating Association might have something to say about the rope too,’ he added.
If I were Hilda, my hackles would have risen at his words.
‘I beg your pardon?’ I said, fighting to keep my voice steady.
‘You mentioned they’re keen on things like noise regulation. I imagine a brown-coloured rope hanging at shin level might be something they’d also be interested in. I mean, it’s almost designed to trip people up.’
If I’d had any doubts about who was behind the inspection I was facing, they vanished now. I clenched my hands into fists to try to steady their sudden tremble.
‘Fine, if you’re going to be like that, I’ll get rid of the rope. But if any of your customers come and spoil my event, I shall hold you entirely responsible.’
Jack held his hands up with an expression of faux innocence on his face. ‘You and I both know we can’t be held completely responsible for the behaviour of our patrons. However, I give you my word I’ll do my best to keep them in line. Does that satisfy you?’
‘Not really, no,’ I retorted.
Jack frowned. ‘I assure you, my word can be trusted.’
‘That’s not what I’ve heard. Besides, I prefer to judge people like you on their actions rather than their words,’ I said.
‘A surprising stance from a person whose business is based on the power of words,’ he pointed out.
‘Perhaps. But when certain people are involved, I am left with little choice.’
He folded his arms and studied me closely. ‘I don’t know why I keep trying to justify myself to you. It’s very clear you’ve made up your mind about me. Or is it the case that somebody’s helped you make it up?’ he added darkly.
‘What exactly do you mean by that? I’m perfectly capable of forming my own opinions, thank you very much.’ I realised I was mirroring his stance and decided to start removing the rope instead, which unfortunately brought me closer to Jack.
‘Yes, very strong ones, as we’ve already discussed,’ he replied. He reached down to help just as I moved to grab the same bit of the rope, his hand brushing against mine. I snatched it away, and tucked my hair behind my ear, still feeling the tingling sensation of his fingers on mine.
‘And what precisely is your problem with a woman having strong opinions?’ My words came out forcefully as I reacted to Jack’s growing smile.
‘Nothing, when they have a reasonable basis. I’d like to point out that your gender has absolutely nothing to do with my concern about the stance you’re taking, before you start accusing me of being a misogynist.’
‘I was doing no such thing. Look, you obviously have something you’d like to say to me, so why don’t you come out and say it in plain English? All these obtuse mutterings implying something isn’t right are making no sense whatsoever.’
For a moment, I thought Jack was going to answer me, but then his expression grew steely again and he merely stared beyond me.
I glanced round and saw Liam approaching.
‘Go on, tell me what you were going to say.’ I waited, then shrugged. ‘And answer came there none. Guess there’s nothing for me to worry about then.’
‘I wouldn’t go so far as to say that,’ said Jack.
‘Be careful, Jack. That sounds very much like you’re threatening her,’ said Liam, stepping forward and standing protectively at my side.
‘I’m not—Oh what’s the point?’ said Jack. He ignored Liam and looked directly at me. ‘If I were you, I’d be careful about who you trust on this canal. Not everyone is as they seem.’
He directed his gaze towards Liam to make his meaning perfectly clear, then he turned on his heel and stomped back on board the Jericho Wine Barge, closing the cabin door with a bang.
I wanted to laugh off his theatrical exit, but there had been something so earnest about his words that I almost found myself believing his warning.
I frowned, telling myself to get it together.
I turned round and caught Liam fiddling with his phone and experienced a pang of irritation.
‘You weren’t live streaming again, were you? I already told you I didn’t want to have my conversations with Jack being broadcast to all and sundry on the internet. I prefer to keep a low profile.’
‘Don’t worry, nothing was going out live. As I came up, I could see there was some kind of confrontation going on. It felt like a good idea to start recording as a form of insurance. I’ll delete it if you prefer.’
‘I do prefer.’ I frowned. ‘That was a weird conversation. It sounded like he was trying to warn me to stay away from you. He was playing mind games with me, right? There’s nothing I should be worried about?’
Liam looked hurt.
‘Sorry, that’s a crappy thing for me to say. I’m sure there’s no actual basis in his implied warnings,’ I added hastily, although in truth, I was feeling conflicted, torn between the apparent sincerity that I’d seen in Jack’s entreaty, and what I knew of his history with Liam.
‘It’s not your fault,’ said Liam in a resigned tone. ‘The Siddall powers of persuasion are lethal and even the best people find themselves being taken in by them.’
‘What’s he hoping to achieve by making out you can’t be trusted?’
‘He’s trying to make himself feel important. I can’t believe the guy still feels threatened by me, even though we don’t work together anymore. I’m sorry you were caught in the middle.’
Liam sounded convincing, but I wasn’t sure I agreed with his interpretation.
The only time I’d seen Jack look anything less than one hundred per cent confident in himself was shortly after he’d crashed into the Oxford Bookship.
He didn’t strike me as being the type of person who would need to make himself feel important. He knew he was important.
‘Maybe,’ I said, my doubt obvious.
Liam exhaled. ‘I see. Okay, let’s try this. How are you feeling right now? Confused? Unsettled? Worried?’
‘All of the above,’ I admitted.
‘Exactly.’ His tone was triumphant. ‘This is what Jack Siddall does. He likes putting people in their place. He won’t have appreciated you showing him up by saving him when he first arrived on the canal.
So he’s getting some payback by delivering cryptic statements and making you question your own judgement. ’
‘That seems a little … far-fetched.’ Sure, Jack had the knack for rubbing me up the wrong way, but I needed to keep a proper perspective and not let my prejudice against him influence me into getting swept along with Liam’s conspiracy theory.
But if I didn’t believe Liam, wasn’t I then doing exactly what Jack wanted?
I didn’t know what to think anymore. I pinched the bridge of my nose, my head starting to ache with confusion.
‘You’re a decent person. You want to believe the best in people. I hope you’re right. But remember, I’m here, if you need me.’ Liam lightly touched my elbow.
‘I appreciate your support. But I reckon I’m getting myself wound up over nothing.’
‘That’s what I thought. Then I found myself out of a job,’ said Liam ominously.