Chapter 42 #2
“It’s been great. And obviously, Nigel and Vern had invited us over for the evening, which has been a perfect ending to a lovely day. I left them all watching Home Alone.”
“That does sound like perfection,” she agreed, shivering. After being in front of Margo’s fire all evening, she was feeling the chill. “I’m looking forward to us all being together tomorrow. Maybe it’ll become a new tradition.”
“I’d like that.” He smiled.
“I’m nervous about meeting your sister, though.”
He laughed. “Don’t be, she’s a pussycat.” He squinted and tilted his head. “Maybe more like one of the small wildcats.”
“Oh lordy! What if she hates me?”
“She won’t.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I think you’re the best thing since sliced bread and Jared’s told her how you didn’t turn him in even though you probably should have.”
She took a deep breath to calm the butterflies in her stomach. “How’s he found his first Christmas away from home?”
“He’s taken it in his stride. He’d never admit it, but he’s loved having his mum here. He couldn’t wait to take her on his rounds to feed the animals this morning. I wouldn’t be too surprised if Tanzie decides to relocate to Weaverston in the new year.”
“Wow, that would be awesome for you both.”
He nodded. “Yeah. I think a fresh start is what we’ve all needed.
I’d thought it was only me feeling like our little corner of London felt too empty without our mum in it, but I think Tanzie’s been feeling it too.
The choice to stay was taken out of my hands when I punched a neo-Nazi in the face and got posted here, but Tanzie didn’t have that kind of shove to help her move forward. ”
“She didn’t fancy punching a neo-Nazi in the face too?” Casey asked, and Ajay laughed.
“Not her style,” he said.
“So, what happens if your old police station says you can go back?” she asked. “Coming to Weaverston was never your choice.”
Ajay stroked her cheek and looked into her eyes with an expression so earnest it caused goose bumps.
“It is true,” he said, “that I wouldn’t have come here of my own volition.
I’d never even heard of Weaverston. But pretty much since the moment I laid eyes on you, I’ve known that you were my only choice. ”
“Holy flaps! That was very romantic,” she replied breathlessly. “Was it my elasticated-waist slacks that did it for you?”
He grinned and laid a soft kiss behind her ear. “Actually, it was your very sensible shoes.”
She giggled. And when he began to trail kisses down her neck she whispered, “You’re my only choice too.”
—
When Ajay left, well-kissed, Casey hurried back into the store.
She’d been seven minutes instead of five, but they still had twenty-eight minutes left before Margo needed to go.
She took the stairs two at a time to the book department, but it was not as she had left it.
The fireplace was cold and empty aside from the basket of pinecones sat in the hearth.
The trays of food had vanished, as had the thrones they had lounged in all evening.
“Margo?” she called, pulling out her phone—no, she had the time right.
“It’s too soon!” she sobbed to the empty store.
Margo had gone, and Casey hadn’t even had the chance to say goodbye.
She wiped away tears with the heels of her hands. A piece of paper floated out of the chimney and came to rest in the basket of pinecones. Sniffing, she bent to pick it up.
My dearest friend Casey,
I am no good at goodbyes, and so I have slunk off into the ether like the fabulous enigma that I am.
When we first met, you imagined that I could be the answer to your problems, but really, you were the answer to mine.
Thank you.
Always yours,
Margo
Casey’s tears flowed freely as she hiccupped, “Oh, Margo!” Another note fluttered down and she swiped it up.
P.S. I’ve replenished all the stock for tomorrow, the shelves are stuffed to bounteousness, the rails are positively groaning, and the baskets runneth over, so you can take a load off, you deserve it.
And I’ve been thinking…Same time next year? Let’s make it a thing. Pam and Fliss are going to love you!
Oh, and for the record, I love you too.
She smiled through her tears and held the notes to her chest. The knowledge that she would see her again took some of the edge off her sadness at her friend’s departure.
It had been a wild few weeks, but she wouldn’t change a thing.
She turned on the spot, wondering what on earth she would do for the next six hours since Margo had done all her work for her.
Something heavy thumped its way down the chimney and landed with a thud in the basket, scattering pinecones across the rug.
It was a book, hardbacked and covered in dark green velvet.
She picked it up, turning it over in her hands.
A note had been tied to it with a piece of string.
It read: Use your words, Casey! She untied the string, added this note to her others, and slipped them into her pocket.
Then she opened the book to the first page and found it blank.
It was a notebook. The paper was thick, the lined pages the color of clotted cream.
She brought it to her nose and breathed, feeling that excitement in the pit of her stomach that meant she had ideas to put down on paper.
With a last look around, Casey headed back up to the office. Once there, she turned the kettle on and picked her Obstinate, Headstrong Girl mug off the shelf. She tore open a sachet of mocha and tipped it into her mug along with a large spoonful of instant coffee.
With her drink made, she sat down at the desk. She chose a new black fine-liner pen from the desk drawer and opened the notebook, smoothing open the first page with her palm. She took a breath, her pen poised.
Use your words, Casey! the note had read.
And so, she did.