Page 25 of The Cotswold Christmas Bookshop

‘Probably true. Anyway,’ said Tess, ‘I do actually need to buy a book.’ She shooshed her friends and sent them off to wander at their leisure around the shop, before addressing Isla.

‘My mum, who is in her seventies, has recently joined an online writing group and has started writing a novel. She’s into spicy romance. Apparently.’ Tess opened her palms up to the sky in a gesture of disbelief. ‘Honestly, I didn’t even know that she’d ever had sex!’

Isla couldn’t stop herself from bursting out laughing.

‘Well, good for her! I mean about writing a novel.’

‘Yes, we’re all really pleased that she’s found such a passion at this stage in her life. Anyway, I thought I’d buy her a book for Christmas that has tips and ideas for an aspiring writer. Do you have anything suitable?’

‘Yes, we’ve got a whole shelf of writing craft books. Come with me and I’ll show you where they are.’

Isla pulled out a couple of books that she knew were very popular and gave Tess a brief summary of each one.

‘I think any of these would be a good place to start. They’re the sort of books you can dip in and out of, with helpful suggestions on character development, theme and plot. Also, a book I always recommend to writers is On Writing by Stephen King. The horror writer. It’s part autobiographical and part writing guide, but it’s written in such an easy, captivating style that it draws you in right from the beginning. There’s the standard paperback but there’s also this special anniversary edition which would make a lovely gift.’ Isla reached for the hardback copy with the embossed typewriter on the front. ‘It’s the sort of book that’s truly captivating, that makes you want to pick up your pen and start writing straight away. I have a copy on my bookshelf at home.’

‘Ah, are you an aspiring writer too then?’

‘I suppose so,’ Isla said, surprising herself with her answer. ‘Like a lot of people, it’s something I’ve always wanted to do, and I’ve promised myself I will get around to it one day. I should probably reread this book. It might give me the inspiration I need to get started! I used to work in publishing as an editor.’ It startled Isla to think that she was now referring to her publishing career in the past tense.

‘Really, that’s so fascinating.’ Tess seemed genuinely interested. ‘So you know the business from both sides then? That must give you an advantage, knowing what’s popular and what works in a book and what doesn’t?’

‘You would think so, wouldn’t you? But I’m not sure it’s as straightforward as that,’ she said, laughing. ‘I have a lot of admiration for writers who can actually finish a whole book. It takes a lot of work and dedication, so the best of luck to your mum.’

‘Right, well I’m definitely going to take the Stephen King book. I might even borrow it from my mum once she’s read it.’

Back at the till, Penny got to work wrapping up the books Tess had selected while her friends hovered alongside, waiting, chatting all the while.

‘My God! I need a drink,’ said Gina. ‘Shopping is exhausting!’

‘This is the first shop we’ve been in,’ said the other woman, the quiet one of the group. ‘And we’re meant to be late-night shopping. The clue is in the name. Haven’t you had enough booze today?’

‘Never! I’m getting withdrawal symptoms. Perhaps it was a bad idea to combine the two. Should we bin off the retail therapy and go and find a bar instead?’

‘We’re open late all this week,’ said Isla, in what she hoped was a helpful aside, but she couldn’t ignore the doubtful reactions from the others.

‘There we go,’ said Gina, seemingly buoyed by that bit of information. ‘Let’s go and celebrate Tess’s book purchase with a glass of something bubbly.’

‘You know, I think we should definitely set up our own book club in the new year. I mean, we’ve talked about it often enough. Just the four of us, taking it in turns to host at home. Wine, nibbles and then a good discussion about the book,’ suggested Dilly. ‘You can come to me first, if you like.’

‘I joined a book club once, but it was a bit highbrow and they all took it very seriously,’ said the fourth lady. ‘They would also get very cross if you didn’t read the book for any reason. I stopped going in the end.’

‘Well, our book club won’t be anything like that. We can take it in turns to choose the books and they’ll be no pressure. It’ll be fun,’ said Dilly, who seemed rather keen on the idea. ‘I’m sure this lady here… sorry, I don’t know your name…?’

‘It’s Isla,’ she said, handing over the receipt to Tess.

‘I’m sure Isla here will be able to help us out with suggestions of good books for discussion.’

‘Absolutely. Any time. Just come and find me.’ She handed over the wrapped books in a brown paper bag to Tess, imagining what fun these four would have at book club, although she wasn’t sure how much time they would actually spend discussing the book, as opposed to drinking wine and gossiping about every other topic under the sun.

The women left the shop under a cloud of chatter and laughter.

‘Well, they were slightly the worse for wear, weren’t they?’ said Penny, with a good-natured roll of her eyes.

‘They certainly seemed to be enjoying themselves, and hopefully, they’ll actually get their book club up and running.’

‘That’s if they even remember their conversation tomorrow, which I doubt,’ said Penny, giggling.

Over the last couple of weeks, Isla had had several people come into the shop asking if she could recommend any book clubs, but despite asking around, she hadn’t been able to locate any in Bramlingham, although there were some in the surrounding villages, including Diana’s, which was fully subscribed. She’d often thought that Finch’s would be an ideal spot to hold a book club, after hours in one of the back rooms, but she couldn’t imagine Jonathan and Miriam having the time or the inclination, although it would definitely be something Isla would want to implement if it was her shop.