Quinn sighed, feeling lighter now that some of the burden was unloaded.
‘The castle wants this as an information centre. That’s what I’ve been told,’ Quinn said. ‘Because it’s right opposite. They want this to be a place where people can buy tickets, learn a bit about the history, and then cross the street to the castle.’
‘Why this church?’ Ivy asked.
‘I don’t know. Maybe because it used to belong to the castle. I know they want the church to be the hub.’ Quinn saw Ivy’s shadow move behind the slatted opening in the wall between them. ‘They want me out.’
‘Wait a minute…’ Ivy said. ‘Isn’t your stepdad the one rebuilding that castle?’
‘Did I tell you that?’
‘God knows all.’
Quinn laughed, but it was hollow.
‘You’re being evicted by your own stepfather?’
‘Yes. Well, his firm. He owns this church.’
‘Your stepfather,’ Ivy said. ‘And what’s the alternative?’
Quinn chuckled, remembering the offer Harold had given him. ‘He told me I could instead have the shop in the castle. But the room is a box. I could only get one shelf of books there. There is no way I could live like that.’
‘And what about another shop?’
‘There aren’t any.’ Quinn groaned. Shops don’t come up for rent in Hay, and when they did, they were beyond his budget. ‘And also,thisis my shop. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.’
‘No, I understand,’ Ivy said. ‘We can’t have this.’
‘There’s nothing else I can do, Ivy,’ Quinn said. ‘Do you think it’s too late to do something?’
Quinn heard a commotion next to him, and Ivy screamed. Stumbling out of his own booth, he saw Ivy had tripped over some stock and landed on the altar floor.
Quinn gasped. ‘Please don’t sue me.’
‘Would it help you if I did?’
Quinn thought for a moment. ‘No.’
‘It is never too late,’ Ivy said, dusting herself off. ‘That is what I was rushing to tell you, but here we are. Who have you told about this?’
‘No one.’
Ivy got to her feet. She crossed her arms like a teacher who didn’t like a student’s attitude. It was not the first time he felt like a student with her. ‘No one?’
Quinn shook his head.
‘Mum knew, but seems to think I didn’t care about being evicted because I didn’t say anything. I thought she might talk some sense into Harold, but it doesn’t seem to be that way,’ Quinn said. ‘I haven’t told anyone else because I didn’t think Harold would go through with it. This is home. I can’t lose this.’
‘And you won’t, my dear boy, you won’t,’ Ivy said. ‘Now, do you know who I am?’
It was Quinn’s turn to knit his eyebrows together. ‘Sorry?’
‘Do you know who I am?’
Quinn couldn’t tell if she was joking or not. ‘Um … Ivy Heart.’
‘That’s right.’ Ivy smiled. ‘And Ivy Heart knows everyone. And knowing everyone means I know everything about them. I know the ins and outs of this town, whether or not people want me to. I’ve often thought about setting up a blog, like Gossip Girl, only it’s called?—’
