Page 100 of The Bookshop By the Loch

I didn’t like to think about it, with the air laced with the smell of sun cream and everyone strolling past with dripping ice cream cones, but I was already beginning to give thought to suitable autumn and winter reads and the russet and amber colour schemes to adopt for my next window display.

I was flicking through the latest catalogues, noting down the up-and-coming new releases I wanted to order, when Tobias reappeared in the shop doorway.

I set down my pen and tried to feign casual interest. “Hi there. Nice lunch?”

Tobias thrust his hands into his trouser pockets. “I didn’t go for an early lunch.”

“Oh?”

“No. I went to talk to someone.”

I was about to ask him why he was being so mysterious, when Maeve appeared from behind him. Awkwardness shone out of her.

I stared at Tobias and then at her. My brain was scrambling to put together the pieces. So, Tobias hadn’t gone to lunch with any blondes – at least not today. He’d gone to speak to Maeve and smooth things over?

As if reading the confused thoughts whirling around inside my head, Maeve moved towards me, one hand fiddling with one of her pearl earrings. “Tobias dropped by my house for a chat. He told me how upset you were over everything.”

I gawped at Tobias. His mouth melted into a small smile.

Chloe took in the situation, gave my arm a squeeze and vanished into the office for a few minutes, to give us some privacy. Suki, meanwhile, grabbed her coat and bag and announced she was going out to get a sandwich.

Maeve approached the counter. “I’m so sorry, Lexie. I should never have spoken to you like that.” She scooped a hunk of her hair back behind one ear. “You – well, both of you – have been so wonderful with Mum. Nothing has been too much trouble and I know she appreciates it so much. We both do.”

She turned and offered an appreciative smile over her shoulder at Tobias. “All this with Corinne came as such a shock, especially when Mum admitted that my dad knew about her. Then when Mum told me she’d confided in you about it too, I reacted the way I did.”

Her voice tailed off to an embarrassed whisper. She cleared her throat and gathered herself again. “Tobias told me about your parents getting back together and how selfless your mum has been about everything. He also said he’s been dealing with some personal problems as well at the moment. Seems like everybody is dealing with something.”

Maeve glanced down at the shop floor, before forcing her attention back up to me. “You’re both contending with your own issues and yet, you’re just getting on with things and finding the capacity to forgive and move on.”

Tobias let out a mixture of a laugh and a cough. “I don’t know about that, Maeve. You’re making me sound like a saint, which I most definitely am not!” He stared past Maeve at me, giving me a quick, devilish wink that made my stomach swoop.

“And neither am I,” I half-laughed, recovering myself. “When my dad turned up in Bracken Way I was thinking and saying some very unladylike things!”

Maeve shook her blow-dried, highlighted blonde hair. “That’s natural.” She pushed out her chest and reset her thoughts. “Lexie, I understand if you don’t want to after the way I’ve behaved towards you, but I’d appreciate it if you could still help Mum and me with composing the letter to Corinne.”

My face broke into a relieved smile. “I’d be honoured to help in any way I can. I mean, it is a family matter so I don’t want you to think I’m intruding.”

Maeve looked appalled. “You’re not. We both want you to assist.” She blushed. “I’m not very good at this sort of thing and, of course, Mum is so close to the situation.”

I nodded. “Celeste means a lot to me. She’s a remarkable woman.” I raised my eyes to Tobias. “Celeste means a lot to both of us.”

Once Maeve and I agreed to meet up at the residential home at half past six so we could work with Celeste on producing the letter together, she departed, lighter and far more relaxed than when she had arrived.

I was too.

I opened and closed my hands, realising that I was alone with Tobias in the shop.

He pushed himself away from the front door and walked towards me. His eyes never left my face.

I could feel my breathing quicken. “I don’t know what to say to you.”

“About what?”

“Oh, stop being bashful. It doesn’t suit you.”

My legs dissolved as he broke into a dazzling grin that lit up his whole face.

“Tobias, that was such a thoughtful and kind thing to do.”