Chapter 8
Within a few days, the shop was looking suitably cosy and festive.
Isla had hung fairy lights around the fireplaces and across the top of the bookshelves.
Her mum had been right; a bit of sparkle went a long way.
She placed the pinecones in the window and on any free spaces on the shelves and tucked the holly and berries that she’d gathered from the woods, behind the picture frames.
She lit a scented candle on the shelf behind the counter which filled the space with the scent of cloves, dried fruits and cinnamon.
She’d even put up a Christmas tree in the window, made entirely from books.
It had taken her some time to get it right, choosing a selection of red, green and gold-coloured books of different sizes for the purpose, swapping their position on the tree stack until she was happy that it created the desired effect.
She’d also made a display of the wrapped books, some in gold and red wrapping, and others in plain brown wrapping for an old-fashioned, nostalgic effect.
‘If you knock my tree over, then I won’t be happy, Heathcliff,’ she told the cat who had immediately gone to check her creative endeavours and was doing his best to climb to the top.
‘Leave it alone!’ She attempted to shoo him away, but one thing she had learned about the cat in the short time she had got to know him was that he did exactly what he liked, whenever he liked.
She sighed, deciding it was better for her peace of mind if she didn’t watch what he was up to, hoping his curiosity would soon wane, and he would go back to sleeping in front of the fire.
She picked up her phone as a distraction and saw a couple of messages from Jake.
Jake
Hey sis, what’s up?
Mum says you’re home and working in Finch’s? What’s that all about?
Isla
Yeah, just helping them out in the run-up to Christmas. Gets me out the house! Or else Mum will have me making wreaths & paper chains all day!
How’s life with you?
Jake
What about your job in London, what’s going on there?
It was a direct question and she didn’t want to lie to her brother, but now wasn’t the time to explain about her job.
Especially over text. There was part of her that was still in denial about it herself.
If she didn’t mention it, then surely it couldn’t be true.
She would have to tell Jake and her parents at some point, but she would get Christmas out of the way first. Why put a dampener on everyone’s holiday?
Isla
Ah, long story! I’ll explain when I see you. Haven’t mentioned anything to Mum and Dad yet…
She heard the bell over the door tinkle, signalling the arrival of a new customer and quickly dashed off another text to Jake.
Isla
Got to go! Customer to see to! Speak soon. Love you!
She hid her phone beneath the counter and lifted her head.
‘Good morning,’ she breezed with a smile on her face. It took her the briefest moment to work out where she’d seen the man before and when she did, she wasn’t sure who was more surprised – her or him.
‘Oh hi, it’s Guy, isn’t it?’ She felt immediately wrong-footed, still nursing embarrassment from when she’d first met him in the woods.
In the confines of the bookshop, he looked different somehow.
Gone were the beanie and the big overcoat, replaced with a pair of dark, smart trousers, brown brogues, cream shirt, and a navy crew-neck jumper, beneath a smart puffa jacket.
His hair, which she’d only caught a glimpse of before, was thick, heavy on top and the colour of burned toffee.
‘Isla! Of course, your mum mentioned that you work in publishing.’
‘This isn’t…’ She noticed the teasing smile on his lips a moment too late and felt cross with herself for being caught out. ‘I’m helping out some friends for a few days.’
‘Excellent!’ Guy said, obviously finding something amusing.
‘What can I do for you? Is there something in particular you’re looking for?’
‘Actually, I’m here to have a look around the property. Take some photos and measurements. Obviously, I’ll be as unobtrusive as possible and not get in the way of any customers. I will need the key to the upstairs flat if possible, please.’
‘Really?’ Immediately, her hackles rose as she observed him, as though seeing him for the first time. He was definitely in business mode today. ‘Why?’
He reached inside his jacket and pulled out a business card, handing it over to her.
‘I made the appointment with Jonathan Finch. He did mention that he might not be here, but asked me to go ahead anyway.’
She took the card offered, turning it over in her hand.
Guy Madley, Commercial Property Specialist
A heat filled her chest, along with a rage that reached every cell in her body.
She wanted to shout at him, to tell him to stop wasting his time and to get out immediately, but of course, it wasn’t her shop and it had nothing to do with her.
Jonathan and Miriam had said they were exploring all possible options, but surely that didn’t really include selling up.
‘Are they thinking of putting the place on the market?’ She hadn’t received a definite answer from Jonathan and Miriam, although in fairness there hadn’t been the opportunity to talk to them about it any further.
They had popped in to the shop on a couple of occasions, remarked on how lovely the place was looking and what a good job she was doing, before wasting no time in dashing off again. Maybe Guy would be more forthcoming.
‘I’m not party to that information. I’m just acting in an advisory capacity. I promise it won’t take too long, and then I’ll be out of your way.’
She could hardly expect him to divulge any confidential information or to engage in idle chitter-chatter, but still she was irritated by his very presence and wished she could wipe the patronising smile off his face.
‘Certainly,’ she said, reaching for the key to the flat on the hook beneath the stairs. ‘There you go. Let me know if there’s anything else you need.’
She turned away, brushing a finger beneath her nose as a scent of warm vanilla tickled her senses, busying herself with some orders that had arrived this morning.
She needed to phone the customers to let them know their books were ready for collection, but she couldn’t do that just yet.
She was grumpy and prickly, and afraid that her voice would betray the bubbling emotion inside.
Once Guy Madley had left the building, she would feel infinitely better, although she realised that she would still have no idea what was actually going on behind the scenes.
That was in the hands of Jonathan and Miriam.
She only hoped that they made the right decision about the future of the bookshop.
‘Good morning, isn’t it looking very festive in here now?
’ Henry wandered into the shop, unbuttoning his coat.
She had become accustomed to seeing his friendly face about the place and looked forward to his visits.
They would always have a little chat before he would wander off to find a cosy spot to sit and while a way a couple of hours.
‘You’ve done a grand job, Isla. You’ve breathed some fresh life into this place. ’
‘Thanks, Henry.’ He wasn’t the only one to have mentioned it.
Several of her customers had made appreciative comments about the way the shop looked with the strategically hung fairy lights, the home-made wreath on the front door and with the touches of greenery dotted around, gathered from the forest floor.
‘A little bit of Christmas sparkle goes a long way, I always say.’ She shook her head as she said it, realising, with a sense of alarm, that she was turning into her mother.
With her hands on her hips, Isla’s gaze travelled around her.
She couldn’t really settle to anything, not while Guy was brandishing his laser machine about the place, taking photos of all the nooks and crannies, and then hearing the sound of his footsteps above as he walked back and forth across the floor of the flat.
She was almost relieved when he reappeared at the counter, bringing with him that subtle but distinctive smell that she’d detected earlier. Not unpleasant, but annoyingly elusive.
‘All done. Thank you very much. I’ll let Jon know my findings.’ He looked around him, over his shoulder, into the back rooms. ‘This is a great place. Much bigger than it looks from the outside.’
‘It really is,’ she said forcefully. ‘The high street needs to do everything it can to retain the specialist shops like Finch’s.
Bramlingham is a historic town that is a popular visitor destination for tourists and locals alike.
It would lose its individuality and charm if it were to be taken over by national chains. ’
‘Absolutely, I would have to agree with you entirely on that point.’ He nodded, that easy smile playing on his lips again, his brown eyes observing her thoughtfully, but she didn’t trust him one iota.
He probably heard pound signs ringing now that he had taken a proper look at the building.
‘Well, it’s been great seeing you again, Isla.
Thanks for your help. Probably see you again sometime,’ he said with a knowing look, as he glanced over his shoulder at her on the way out.
She really hoped not, as she let out an audible groan when he left. There was something about Guy Madley that got beneath her skin and left her feeling out of sorts. As far as she was concerned, if she never saw him again, it would be far too soon.