Chapter 7
‘A penny for them?’
Isla had been lost in thought when Henry came past her on his way out of the shop.
He was a dapper older gentleman, always sporting a hat, along with a knowing expression on his face and a twinkle in his eye.
She’d never seen him actually buy anything yet, but that didn’t matter; she enjoyed his calming presence whenever he came to visit.
He would sit in one of the comfy armchairs and browse through a variety of books for a couple of hours at a time.
‘Sorry, I was just thinking about my life choices,’ she said with a chuckle, although she was telling the absolute truth.
‘Well, for what it’s worth, I think you made a very good choice in coming here. You’re becoming part of the furniture now, like me and Heathcliff. I’m certainly grateful for every day that the front door is open. There was a spell when I thought Finch’s might be closing for good.’
‘Oh good grief! That would never happen.’ Isla was quick to reassure him, but Henry was only voicing her own concerns.
‘I don’t know about that.’ Henry gave a grave shake of his head. ‘Jon and Miriam are not as young as they used to be. It would be a sad day indeed if Bramlingham were to lose their only proper bookshop.’
It was unthinkable. She was certain Jonathan would never let it come to that. Especially if she could prove to him just how popular and profitable the business could continue to be.
‘They’ve had a bad year, but I’m sure everything will be back to normal next year.’
Her gaze appraised Henry as he stood in front of her, doing up the buttons on his coat.
‘Where are you off to now, Henry? Anywhere nice?’ she asked him.
‘I go to the little café on the hill for my lunch. I usually have a bowl of soup and some crusty bread. Then I might come back here for a couple of hours before heading home. Jon and Miriam don’t mind me being here, you know? I have asked them.’
‘Of course they don’t. You’re always welcome, Henry.’
‘The thing is, I don’t like being in the bungalow on my own.
Not since my Ruby died. Too many memories.
It’s funny, but I can come here and I feel as though I’m amongst friends.
Even if I don’t speak to anyone, although that’s always a bonus.
I used to have a lot of books of my own, but when we downsized, I donated them to the charity shop.
I find it comforting to be here, with so many books around me. ’
Isla’s heart went out to Henry. She understood his sentiment entirely.
‘I feel the same way about books,’ she agreed.
‘Is there any better job than working in a bookshop?’ she said, more to herself than to Henry, pausing for the briefest moment to wonder if it was actually true.
Henry nodded his agreement, all the same.
‘Anyway, enjoy your lunch. I might see you again later, then.’
Isla kept busy for the rest of the day, making deliberate efforts not to dwell on the experience of having come face to face again with Charlie and how that had made her feel.
In fairness, it wasn’t as though she’d been pining for him all these years; it was just that seeing him again had raised all sorts of thoughts inside her head about how different her life might have been if they had stayed together.
‘Excuse me, can you help me, please?’
Isla was pleased of the distraction.
‘Of course,’ she said to a middle-aged woman who had been browsing the shelves for the last half an hour.
‘It’s my choice of read for my book club this month, and I’m struggling to pick. It needs to be a Christmas book, but I’m not sure whether to go for a romance – there seems to be loads of those – or maybe a thriller. Do you have any suggestions?’
‘I have loads of them!’ Isla beamed, delighted to be asked. She’d started on her own Christmas reading and had devoured several festive-themed books already. She loved escaping into a world of snowstorms, pine trees, gingerbread lattes and handsome heroes. It was the perfect relaxation.
‘These are this year’s releases,’ she explained, guiding the woman to a table where the books were piled high.
‘I’ve read this one.’ She held up a book with an illustrated picture of an English pub on the cover, a black Labrador sitting by the door, and snow falling all around him.
‘It’s a proper escape and has a bit of everything.
Family, friendships, a lot of drama, and of course some romance.
It’s such a wonderful read, really uplifting.
I’m sure everyone would love it. Or maybe you’d prefer a cosy English mystery.
This one…’ she reached for another paperback ‘…is set around a village hall where the local community are gathering for a starry night feast. An unexpected snowstorm cuts off the power, stranding everyone in the hall overnight, and someone is murdered in plain sight. It’s a lot of fun. ’
‘Mmm.’ The woman ummed and ahhed as she perused the backs of the books.
‘I’m not sure. Some of the other members can be a bit funny about more popular fiction.
If you know what I mean?’ The woman cast her a meaningful look, and Isla nodded.
She knew from her own experience how much snobbery there was in some book clubs.
Some people looked down on genre fiction, like romance and crime, taking against it because of the catching covers or because they were considered to be easy reads.
Isla had never understood it. Wasn’t that the whole point of reading? To be entertained?
‘Don’t get me wrong,’ the woman continued. ‘I love these types of books, and will definitely read them on your recommendation, but I wonder if I need to find something more…’ She searched for the right word, but it clearly slipped out of her reach.
‘How about a classic?’ suggested Isla. ‘Christmas is the perfect time to revisit one of the old favourites, something like Little Women, which I always think is wonderfully nostalgic and filled with Christmas cheer. Or what about A Christmas Carol? I reread it every year, and it embodies the spirit of Christmas. Also, it’s a novella so it works perfectly for this time of year when people are busy. ’
‘Really? I hadn’t thought of something like that but it’s such a good idea. We keep saying that we ought to read a classic. And I’ve seen the Muppet movie, but I’ve never actually read the book.’ She chuckled. ‘Do you have a copy?’
‘I’m certain we do,’ said Isla, wandering off to the shelves where the classics were kept. She pulled out a beautiful hardback copy that was very reasonably priced and handed it to the woman.
‘Oh my goodness, isn’t that lovely,’ she said, sweeping a hand over the clothbound cover, turning it over to view it from every angle.
There was a whole bookcase dedicated to these special editions which were individual, colourful and joyously tactile.
Often, Isla would take them off the shelves just to experience the sensation of them between her hands.
‘That’s it decided.’ The woman held the cover up to her nose, taking a sneaky sniff of its aroma, making Isla grin, because she had been known to do the same thing before.
‘I’m going to take this for book club, but I’m also going to take the other two books you mentioned.
Do you know what I’m going to do with them? ’
Isla shook her head.
‘I’m going to wrap them up and pop them under the tree as a present to myself.’ She rubbed her hands together gleefully. ‘Thank you so much for your suggestions. You’ve been really helpful.’
‘You’re very welcome.’
Isla felt uplifted by the time the woman left the shop.
There was nothing she liked more than sharing her love of reading and books with like-minded people, and knowing that she had helped someone find what they hadn’t even known they were searching for gave her a great sense of satisfaction.
Not to mention that last customer of hers had, in fact, given her a really good idea.
Stocking fillers. She would wrap some of the recent paperback releases in festive paper for those people who were pushed for time or inspiration and wanted to pick up a present ready to gift.
She would also do the same with some children’s annuals and popular reads for different age groups.
Not only would they hopefully prove a hit with the customers, but they would also add some festive charm dotted around the shop.