Chapter 35
Friday passed by in a blur of phone calls, frantic errands and last-minute panics.
The promised newspaper article hadn’t appeared that morning, there was a delay with the flyers, and when the glossy leaflets did arrive, Stan’s friends were too hungover to deliver them, so Mab dealt with publicity on social media, Leo and Edward took to the streets, while Jess and Nina finished the party food preparation and George and Alex added the final touches to the shop sign.
It was a work of art, thought Leo, standing back to view the glossy deep blue background, the delicate silvery dragonflies, and the tiny green and gold books that formed the border.
He smiled broadly, and waved a proprietary arm at the shop front, as he issued flyer after flyer to passers-by.
The sound of cool jazz came from the open doorway and the warm scent of coffee was tantalising.
Neither café was providing food today, and some of Edward’s regular customers were disgruntled, having looked forward to tea and wholemeal buns for their elevenses.
‘Opening time’s nine o’clock tomorrow,’ Leo shouted to a group of pensioners heading for the market.
‘It had better be worth our while if you want us to come back specially. The bus fare’s gone up, you know, and Edward always saves us our special table on a Saturday when it’s busy.’ The haughtiest lady of the party was unimpressed by Leo’s flyer and dropped it into a nearby bin.
‘Your table will be ready for you, madam. Just give me a time and I’ll wait on you personally,’ said Leo, as Mab joined him, curious to see what the shouting was about.
The lady turned, and Leo sensed that this one might need careful handling if she wasn’t going to put the rest of her group off coming again.
He straightened his shoulders and followed the lady into the market.
It was one of those times when he’d need to use his dimples, and soon his hand on the lady’s fake-fur-clad arm was helping them to do the trick.
She began to simper up at him, and after a moment more of flattery, Leo gave the lady one more grin and came back to stand by Mab.
‘Right, onwards and upwards. Last push, and then it’ll be visiting time at the hospital.
We’ll do it in shifts, and let Nina stay for the whole time.
And then tomorrow, it’s chocks away. We’ll keep the shop open until half past five, then we’ll close for a couple of hours for the last bit of party prep.
Smart stuff on, hospital visits again, and the launch party goes live at half seven.
The local radio station rang today – they’re coming to interview us and some of the guests, and I even managed to get hold of someone from Heartland News, so we might get the TV cameras there too. ’
‘Wow, better do something with my hair, then,’ said Mab, running her hands helplessly through the wild curls that had escaped from their scrunchy.
‘At least I’ve got a new dress; what are you wearing, Leo?
Or are you just going for the smart/casual look?
’ Leo saw Mab’s eyes flick over his clothes.
‘Is that five o’clock shadow or designer stubble?
You look even more like a pirate than usual today. ’
Leo looked down at his soft navy-blue checked shirt and jeans. ‘No, I’ve bought that linen suit I promised myself ages ago. I won’t let the side down.’
‘You couldn’t if you tried,’ she answered, flushing as their eyes met.
Leo hardened his heart. Mab was being way too friendly.
They’d managed to sort out an adequate working relationship in the last couple of days, but the undercurrents were still dangerous and deep.
There was no way he was going to risk getting tangled up in Mab’s web, however gorgeous she was, and no matter how she used those big green eyes to mesmerise him.
Pregnant and involved somehow with Edward? No chance.
* * *
By the end of the day, exhaustion had set in and no one had the energy even to eat.
‘Not even a takeaway?’ asked George.
‘No, it’s toast or nothing tonight. The sooner we’re in bed, the sooner we can get on with the Big Day.’ Leo yawned and groaned as his aching back reminded him how hard he’d been working.
‘I’m not eating toast. If you’ve got no food, I’m off.’ George headed for the door, closely followed by Jess.
‘George! If you go out now, I warn you, you won’t be able to get back in. I’m locking up in two minutes,’ said Leo. Seeing Jess’s frantic expression, he tried to signal to her with his eyes to leave this to him, but she was far too anxious to notice.
‘Don’t go out, George,’ she pleaded. ‘It’s late, and we all need an early night. I’ll go and get you a burger…’
‘Oh, no, you won’t,’ said Leo. ‘If George wants to be a part of this business, he needs to learn how to follow the rules, isn’t that right, mate?’
‘Ha. I don’t do rules. Haven’t you got that by now? Are you thick, or what, Leo?’
‘If you leave here now, George, I’ll assume you don’t want to be part of The Chocolate Cake Bookstore gang any more. And please let that be the last time that you insult me. This is a team and we treat each other with respect.’
There was an agonised silence. The grandfather clock ticked loudly as they all stood frozen in a bizarre tableau.
George with one hand on the doorknob, Jess holding his sleeve, and the rest of them standing as still as Sleeping Beauty in the moment just after she pricked her finger.
Leo’s heart was banging uncomfortably but he tried to make his face as impassive and unconcerned as possible.
After a moment, George let go of the doorknob.
‘Go on then, toast’ll have to do,’ he said to his mum. She heaved a sigh of relief, but Leo hadn’t finished.
‘And for being so rude to your mum and me, you’ll get it yourself, George.’
Jess threw a look of despair at Leo, but George, after a brief pause, shrugged his shoulders.
‘Whatever,’ he said, heading for the kitchen.