Page 28 of The Bookshop By the Loch

And why the hell was Master of the Dark Arts with him? Unless Trevor had roped him into helping us with the book sale this morning?

Suspicion coursed through me. Trevor was a gentleman, but as for that arrogant nephew of his… Ok, I hated to admit it. He was very good-looking, but he had all the finesse of one of Bracken Way’s gulls.

I attempted to distract myself by reading over the contents of my pink folder of notes, but even my to-do list and imagining those gorgeous new window displays I was planning weren’t able to dispel my niggling worry.

I shuffled my notes back into my folder, as the sound of Bracken Loch whispered behind me.

“Lexie? They’re here now.”

I snapped my head up on hearing John’s voice. “Oh, ok. Thanks.”

I hugged my folder to my chest.

Tobias and his uncle had stopped a few feet away along the pavement, their backs turned away from me. They were both appreciating the jagged blue hillside skyline.

I clutched my folder tighter, as I approached them. “Good morning, Trevor.” My teeth ground. “Mr Black.”

They both swung around.

Trevor smiled, but his eyes carried an edge of apprehension. Tobias gave me a stiff nod.

“Good morning, Lexie. Think the weather is supposed to get a little warmer later.”

I noticed Trevor shuffle from foot to foot in his heavy lace-up shoes.

“Even brighter blue sky over there,” I commented, for something to say. I aimed a suspicious glance at Tobias. “So, John tells me you’re keen to have a word?”

Trevor opened his mouth, but Tobias was far too quick for him. “Yes, we do.” His jade eyes slid down me, making me hold tighter onto my folder.

“Book Ends has a very generous amount of space, doesn’t it?”

“It does,” I frowned, wondering why Tobias was mentioning this and where this conversation was going. “It’s a real little Tardis in terms of dimensions.” I narrowed my eyes, struggling to read Trevor’s awkward expression beside his nephew. “Why?”

Tobias took a step forward. “There are no other premises available in Bracken Way for me to open up as a gallery at the moment. Believe me, I’ve looked.”

He gestured to the bookshop. There was a glint in his eyes. “That’s why I’m proposing we share the space.”

What space? Where? What did he mean? “Sorry?”

“It’s more than big enough to accommodate two businesses.”

A pool of dread began to swill in my stomach. What? Wait. No. Did he mean the bookshop? Was he being serious?!

“Half of the space would be for Book Ends and the other half would be for my new gallery.” A triumphant expression played around his mouth. “So, what do you think of my suggestion, Ms Dunbar?”

Chapter Ten

What did I think? Nope. No bloody way. That space belonged to Book Ends and I’d earmarked that for expanding the bookshop, using it for the genre-themed displays I’d suggested to Trevor.

Was Tobias serious? It was the worst idea ever. Working alongside him every day? I would rather rip out my own fingernails.

Trevor couldn’t be ok with this? But then again, Trevor said Tobias had invested money in Book Ends, so he did have some influence.

No. Trevor wouldn’t support that. Tobias was trying to manipulate his uncle and pressure him into running with this crazy idea. Any moment now, Trevor would interrupt and shoot down his nephew’s absurd suggestion.

I waited. And waited. And waited.

Trevor didn’t say anything.