I’m taking a break, in Dorset.
Faye asked:
Whereabouts?
She hesitated. But she realised she owed it to herself to take the plunge some time, and she didn’t want to miss the opportunity of meeting Faye in person like she’d missed meeting Howard. She replied:
Driftwick Bay!
Faye’s message flew back.
You’re right near me!
She added a heart emoji.
You came to check on Howard just like I did.
Margot had escaped her marriage, run from it, and yes, she’d been so worried about Howard that she’d come to the bay to see what was going on, but she hadn’t ventured out since the taxi dropped her at her accommodation apart from to get some food in the cupboards. She hadn’t yet walked down to the bookshop or seen the beauty of the area again for herself, because she’d been in panic mode that she hadn’t thought this through.
Faye’s next message didn’t surprise Margot and saved her having to be brave enough to write it herself:
We need to meet in person.
Margot’s pulse raced until she realised she could do this. She could meet a friend without worrying that Perry would put a stop to it, follow her or turn up and ruin things. She could do whatever she liked.
She tapped out a reply.
You know I think that would be a really lovely idea.
* * *
Margot and Faye agreed to meet outside Driftwick Bay Books an hour later. It felt fitting for Howard even though he was no longer around and they couldn’t go inside. And Margot was glad to finally have a reason to go out and explore.
She recognised Faye instantly, of course. She had beautiful blue eyes and the fresh dewy complexion that came with being in your late twenties, and of course she was just as lovely in real life as she was online.
She hadn’t been sure how to greet Faye, but Faye took the decision out of her hands when she flung her arms out wide. ‘It’s so good to meet you!’
Margot readily returned Faye’s hug. ‘It’s lovely to meet you too.’
‘I can’t believe we’re really here. I’d got used to being miles away from you and Howard.’
At the mention of his name, they both looked in through the window of Driftwick Bay Books and the darkness beyond. Howard had talked about the little nooks with comfy upholstery, the bustle of children in the story corner at the far end, the low lighting that showed off the books. Peering inside now, there was none of the warmth or the personality Howard would have brought with him when he took the shop on. It was all still, all quiet.
‘Howard has really gone,’ said Faye.
Margot knew both Faye’s parents were alive. She was still so young, she might never have been through the pain of losing someone close to her, which would make this even harder to understand.
‘He loved this place.’ Margot looked once again at the sign on the door. ‘He’d hate it being closed. I wonder if Bonnie will sell the business to the developers.’
‘I hope not. Howard was always adamant that they wouldn’t get their hands on it. He’d have hated that.’
‘I guess it’s Bonnie’s decision to make,’ said Margot.
‘Do you really think she’d do it?’
‘I’ve got no idea.’
Both of them were still looking at the shop like it might come alive in front of them.
