‘I’ll just finish up here and then I’ll come and introduce myself properly,’ Trip said. He gave her an unexpectedly sweet smile. ‘See you in a minute, Ivy.’
Ivy had just managed to make a coffee that was strong enough to wake her up – even if it did taste of mud – shelved the rom coms and was immersed in a new edition of theParis Reviewwhen Trip appeared.
‘Hey!’ he said. ‘Oh man, this place is so charming. I can’t get over it. Even that refrigerator. Look at it. Super neat.’
Ivy turned the page without looking up. ‘It’s a fridge. A fridge that looks like it’s from the 1970s. In fact, I think this whole place is one big health and safety violation.’
‘And these coffee cups!’ he went on, picking one up. ‘Brew and Prejudice. That’s funny, isn’t it? Because—’
‘Yes,’ Ivy said, groaning internally. Trip was clearly someone who enjoyed puns. That wouldn’t get oldat all. ‘I get it. LikePride and Prejudice, but it’s … a brew.’
‘That’s right.’ He beamed at her. ‘So cool.’
‘Josie designed the mugs and had them made at the print shop. They’re full of typos. Look closely and you’ll see she’s spelled “prejudice” with two js.’
Trip was seemingly undeterred. ‘I love how much personality this place has. And it’s so peaceful. The sea, lulling you to sleep … it reminds me of home.’
‘Which is where?’ asked Ivy, turning the page, although she couldn’t concentrate on her article over the sound of Trip’s enthusiasm.
‘California.’ He leaned on the counter, eyes bright and expectant. ‘Mostly in Santa Cruz. So what’s your story? Josie says you live in Fox Bay?’
‘I grew up here,’ Ivy said shortly. His wide brown eyes were still fixed eagerly on hers so she found herself carrying on. ‘I should have been born in London but Mum moved here when she was pregnant because she’d met a Cornish guy. They had my little sister Liv and then the Cornish guy moved to Spain. We think, no one seems too sure.’
‘Awesome,’ said Trip. ‘Growing up here must have been amazing. I bet you’re out every day in the summer, catching waves.’
‘Nope,’ Ivy told him, turning back to theParis Review. ‘I’m a freak of nature. The only non-surfer in Fox Bay. When I walk through the streets the townsfolk point and stare.’
‘Oh,’ he said, sounding a little uncertain.
Ivy sighed. As usual, her sense of humour, such as it was, had fallen flat; not that she cared. She was used to blank stares.
Then, to her surprise, Trip said, ‘Do they ring a bell as you walk past and pelt you with rotten eggs?’
She glanced up at him, startled, and saw a smile tugging at his mouth. ‘Not quite,’ she said. ‘But I have to warn you, the stocks are still in the town square.’
He grinned. ‘Noted. So are you back for winter break?’
‘Yeah, I’m at art college in Truro right now.’
‘Wow. That’ssocool. An artist. You must be full of ideas.’
Ivy froze for a fraction of a second, a page half-turned, the smile stiffening on her lips. The words hovered awkwardly.Artist.You must be full of ideas.
‘I guess,’ she said. ‘Whatever. Look, Trip,’ (was that really his name?) ‘I should get on. Lots to do. Josie might plan her day according to the lunar cycles, but she also works me pretty hard.’
To her relief, Trip took the hint. He stood and tied his hoodie round his waist.
‘I’m gonna head out for a quick run, anyway. I read that running at sunrise helps your circadian rhythms and resets your body clock after a long flight. Jet lag hack, I guess. See you later, Ivy.’
‘See you,’ muttered Ivy, watching as he bounced out into the rain.
The moment the door clicked shut behind him, Ivy let out a breath and put down her magazine. It waswaytoo early for that much conversation and enthusiasm. Too early for anyone that cheerful. She relished the sudden return to silence, moving to the kids’ corner and straightening scattered cushions, aligning the tiny chairs round the table.
She refilled Kathleen Lee’s display, knowing that fans would make a beeline for it the second the door was unlocked. Somehow, Wildest Dreams had become the official Kathleen Lee stockist. Feeling obscurely sorry for the local authors, such as Serena Woods, she pushed some of their books to the front of the display, hoping they would get picked up too.
A few minutes later, Josie arrived, humming and windblown, her grey curls wild, with a fresh box of paperbacks and a baguette from Fin’s bakery in her arms. ‘Goodness, the rain is coming down now!’ she exclaimed. ‘You’re here early, darling. You’re always so punctual. It worries me, Ivy.’
‘Isn’t punctuality agoodthing in an employee?’ said Ivy, wrapping her rainbow-cardigan round herself against the sharp breeze from the open door.
