Chapter Six #2
‘I saw a copy in a Basingstoke bookshop once,’ I answered, trying to get the conversation back on track, ‘it really was the most beautiful book with its tooled gilded cover, but I’d never be able to save up enough money, and when I went again it was gone, and I’ve never come across another.
I must admit I love an illustrated book - I have paperback copies of Austen’s novels, but I’ve always loved the paintings of Hugh Thomson and the Brock brothers.
Sadly, they always seem to be more than I can afford. ’
I always talk too much when I’m nervous and all I could think was that they would both soon find an excuse to go and leave me, but instead Harry turned his blue eyes on mine and spoke in a low voice so I had to move nearer to hear him.
‘I think I’ll be able to help you out a little … there’s a stall just over on the other side that has an edition of an illustrated Northanger, but what makes it a bit more affordable is the fact that it’s lost its dust jacket. And you can always haggle to get a little more off the price.’
I finally met his expression to see Harry’s friendly face, and realised just how daft I was being. He had the kindest eyes, and a warm smile.
‘Will you come with me?’ I asked. ‘I must admit, I’ve never haggled for anything in my life, and I feel a bit nervous about doing so.’
‘Of course.’ Harry reached out and touched my arm to reassure me. It set me tingling, and I was sorry when he took his hand away. ‘Let’s go together, and I’ll do the talking, if you like.’
I watched Harry take out the book, look through its pages with a frown before placing it back on the shelf.
‘Can I help you?’ asked the bookseller. ‘That’s a lovely example of Hugh Thomson’s work, a 1950s edition of an old classic.’
‘Though it’s missing its cover,’ said Harry picking up the book again, and his brows knitted together in another frown. ‘The corners are a little bumped too, and there’s a piece of tissue missing from the frontispiece. I’d take it if you were to let me have it half price.’
I felt myself catch my breath at his nerve, and hoped the bookseller hadn’t noticed. He took the book off Harry and I watched as he examined it, peering over his glasses and squinting at the pages.
‘Well, there’s a little bit of foxing too, here and there … it’s clearly suffered from a damp garage. I think I could match the reduction you’d like,’ came the good-natured reply, ‘especially if it’s a gift for the young lady.’
And before I could get my purse out Harry had his wallet in his hand and was handing over the money as the bookseller wrapped the book in a striped paper bag.
I was now the proud possessor of the gorgeous book, and knew I would treasure it always. Taking it out of its wrapping I kept turning it over in my hands, unable to believe that it was actually mine.
‘I can’t thank you enough,’ I said, fumbling in my purse for the note Ellen had given me, ‘I’d never have plucked up the courage to do that on my own.’
‘I don’t want your money,’ Harry said, curling his strong fingers over mine in a fist, which made my heart start thumping. ‘I’d really like to make a gift of it so you’ll take away a happy memory of a young man, eager to please in Bath.’
When I looked back at him he winked and smirked, as if he was very amused by me. I didn’t know what to say in reply to him or decide exactly what he meant.
‘And besides, I rather like the idea of you being beholden to me,’ he added in a serious voice, then looked as if he was about to laugh, as a smile twitched at the corners of his mouth.
I thought he was teasing me, though I wasn’t quite sure because he looked so serious again in the next minute, as he looked at his wristwatch and said that he had to be getting back because of a tutorial that he mustn’t be late for.
‘Take no notice of my brother, Caroline,’ said Elsa.
‘He thinks he’s a bit of a joker. Never mind being beholden to him, he can well afford it …
what with his job and his grant. Anyway, I keep meaning to ask you to come round.
I share a house with a group of other girls so there’ll be no fear of bumping into any comical brothers. ’
‘Comical brothers, whatever do you mean?’ Harry raised an eyebrow, and stroked his chin thoughtfully, and he looked so silly we both laughed at him.
‘I should love to come and visit … just let me know when, and I’ll be there.’
‘Are you free on Friday? I’ll be finished with lectures by four o’clock, and I won’t have too many notes to write up. Come any time after six.’ Elsa scribbled her address down on a piece of paper. ‘I’m in a house on Daniel Street, just round the corner from you so it’s not far to come.’
I felt so pleased to be making a new friend, but then all too soon they were saying they had to dash and before I knew it, they’d both gone, disappearing through the doors with a wave of their hands.
I could have said I was going too, but suddenly I didn’t want to look totally needy or over enthusiastic.
Harry had said nothing about meeting up before our arranged date, and I couldn’t help feeling a bit disappointed, even if I knew I’d be seeing his sister.
It had been so lovely to bump into them, and I knew then how much I was missing the company of people my own age.
I wondered if I should have stopped Harry from buying the book and scolded myself for not being brave enough to buy it myself in the first place.
Yet, I was so pleased with his present to me, and put it carefully back into the paper bag.
Ellen was very impressed with the book though I couldn’t bring myself to tell her that Harry had bought it with his own money. I didn’t think she’d approve of that, even if she did seem to like him. I told her I’d seen Elsa and Harry, and she clucked with pleasure.
‘Such lovely young people, and just the type I’m sure your mother would like too. Did you go for a milk shake?’
I tried not to laugh at Ellen’s antiquated ideas, and had a sudden snapshot in my mind of Ellen as a 50s poster girl complete with a beehive hair-do.
‘No, they had to get back. I only saw them for a few minutes, but I’m visiting Elsa at her house on Friday so I’m looking forward to that.’
Ellen smiled. ‘I am pleased you’re making friends with Elsa, and you’ll be seeing Harry the next day, won’t you?
There’s nothing like young love … I almost envy you, though I’m not sure I could stand the excitement of all that painful longing, never ending uncertainty and constant butterflies in the tummy. ’
Needless to say, she didn’t get an answer.