Page 26 of The Cotswold Christmas Bookshop

She turned to Penny. ‘Look, why don’t you get off. I’m more than happy to finish up here.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘Absolutely.’

Once Penny had left, Isla swept around the empty rooms restoring peace and calm to the shop, making sure everything was in place for the next day’s trading. There was only one last job to do.

‘Come on, Heathcliff, it’s time to get out of here,’ she said, smiling as the cat brushed against her legs and scooted out in front of her, disappearing off into the cold December night air.

18

Isla fumbled with the key in the lock, checking the handle to make sure the door was fully secure. She pulled up the collar on her coat and dug her hands into her gloves. Throwing her bag over her shoulder, she headed down the cobbled alley, on the way to the car park behind the high street, but she soon became aware of a movement behind her. She startled, looking over her shoulder, wondering if it might be Heathcliff tracking her steps, but this was no cat, instead a shadowy figure had emerged from a darkened doorway. Isla quickened her step, but so did the person behind and soon, they’d grabbed Isla around the waist, halting her progress.

‘Hey! Get off me!’ she yelled, adrenaline rising in her body. She managed to escape their clutches and spun round, about to fight them off with her bag. It was only a short distance to the main street, if she could only make it there, then someone would be bound to notice and come to her rescue, but whoever it was they were persistent. This time, they grabbed her more forcefully around the waist so that there was no escape.

‘Hello, sis!’ they whispered in a deep, throaty voice in her ear.

‘Oh my God! Jake! You complete idiot! You almost gave me a heart attack. I was about to wrestle you to the ground.’ She pushed her brother away in exasperation.

‘And we all know how that would have turned out, don’t we?’

‘Aaargh,’ she cried, her relief palpable as she broke into fits of laughter, before wrapping him in a hug. ‘What are you doing here? When did you get home?’

‘This afternoon. Decided to come home early seeing as you’re back too. Mum said you would be working late so I thought I would come down and surprise you.’

‘Well, you certainly did that.’ She beamed at him, thrilled to see his annoying, funny, familiar face looking at her.

‘Fancy a pizza and a beer?’ he said with a grin. ‘Not that I have any money, I’m afraid. I’m an impoverished student, but I thought my big sister might feel like treating me!’

‘Now why would I have expected anything different? My goodness, it’s so great to see you, and absolutely, let’s go and have some pizza. Come on.’ Isla looped her arm through his and they walked out onto the high street, almost straight into the path of someone coming around the corner.

‘Hey, Guy,’ she said when she realised who it was, still grinning from the unexpected arrival of Jake, who had pulled her into his side to avoid bumping into Guy. She remembered now that he’d popped by earlier. Was there a specific reason for his call, she wondered or was it simply one of his impromptu visits? ‘I’ve just closed up if you were heading to the shop?’

‘Ah right!’ She noticed the imperceptible shift in his gaze from her to Jake. ‘Not to worry, it can wait until another time.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘Absolutely!’

There was a moment’s awkwardness where she’d been about to make an introduction, but Jake was gently tugging on her arm, eager to get a move on, and Guy seemed to be in a hurry too, as he changed course from going down the alley and turned back onto the high street, heading off in the opposite direction.

‘See you,’ she said, raising a hand after him, feeling a momentary pang of regret that she’d missed a visit from him. Not that it lasted for long because she was far more excited about catching up with Jake and hearing his news.

The town was still busy with late-night shoppers mooching around the streets. Some people were drinking hot chocolates and mulled wine on the stone benches in the covered market hall beneath the glow of the Christmas tree, while others gravitated towards the cafés and bars. Luckily, Jake and Isla were able to find a table in the pizza restaurant and were seated in one of the booths at the back of the room. Jake ordered a calzone filled with sausage ragu and mozzarella, alongside an Italian lager, while Isla opted for a Fiorentina pizza and a small glass of wine. Already the aromas from the nearby kitchen were making Isla realise just how hungry she was. It had been a long but satisfying day.

‘So, how’s uni been going? Are you still enjoying it?’

‘Yeah, it’s been wild. Not that I’ve made it to many lectures this term. Although please don’t tell Mum that!’

‘Jake!’ Isla gave her brother an indulgent look, but resisted the urge to scold him, not when he’d only just returned home. Part of the reason for the pair of them getting on so much better in recent years was the acceptance from Isla that Jake wasn’t like her. He was his own person, much more carefree and laid-back, and while once, that would have driven her mad with frustration, now she realised that she had to take a step back and allow him to take his own path, even if that meant that she didn’t always agree with some of his dubious life choices.

‘It’ll be fine!’ he said with that lazy smile of his, and she could believe that it probably would be. ‘What about you, though? I don’t understand why you’re working when you’re supposed to be on your Christmas holidays.’

‘Oh, don’t!’ Isla dropped her head in her hands.

‘What is it?’ asked Jake, looking concerned.

‘Don’t tell Mum this either, but I’ve been made redundant.’