Page 29 of The Bookshop By the Loch

My eyes widened at this shocking and unforeseen turn of events. Tobias performed an officious nod, taking my stunned silence for capitulation. “Excellent. I can make a start on arranging for the transportation of my artwork.”

I shot up one protesting hand. “Whoa! Hold on!” The words tumbled out of my mouth in a furious stream. “I haven’t agreed to anything, Mr Black.”

He blinked down at me.

“I’m now manager of this shop and was appointed by your uncle, in case you’d forgotten.”

Tobias’s stubbled jaw jutted out further. “You’ve mentioned that once or twice.”

We exchanged heated scowls, until his uncle broke in. Trevor was struggling to make eye contact with me. “Lexie. Please just listen. My nephew has a proposal for you.”

Did that mean Trevor was in favour of this suggestion? I stared at the older man, incredulous.

Was this some sort of twisted nightmare I was trapped in? Only a few days ago, Trevor was criticising his nephew and didn’t even seem keen at the prospect of him moving back to Bracken Way, and now he was trying to help him secure gallery space? “Sorry, but I’m very confused by all this.”

Tobias examined the snaking row of shops either side of the main street. “It’s simple. My proposal is that we split Book Ends in two. You’ll have plenty of room for the bookshop and I’ll utilise the large space at the rear of the shop for my art gallery.”

His mouth hitched up triumphantly at one corner, which irked me further. “And I won’t be around all the time anyway, seeing as I’ll be out painting commissions.”

I thundered with incredulity. “So, if you’re out, who will be looking after your gallery? I hope you’re not expecting me to do that, Mr Black.” He gave me a withering look.

“Certainly not, Ms Dunbar. I’ll be recruiting staff – people who have a genuine love and knowledge of art.”

I scowled up at him. What?! Five minutes ago, I was brimming with excitement and plans for Book Ends and now, this?! I struggled to remain composed. “Trevor, what’s going on here?”

Trevor didn’t reply.

“And it goes without saying I’ll be paying monthly rent.”

Tobias then reeled off a suggested figure to his uncle, which made both our eyeballs pop.

I gripped my folder tighter. This whole situation was not panning out as I imagined it would. Why was Trevor supporting this, helping Tobias, after what he’d said before?

My head was whirling. I narrowed my eyes at Tobias, my blood bubbling.

What the hell was this going to be like, having him prowling around in the background, judging and commenting on everything I did?

Trevor was one of the last people I wanted to upset or offend, I was incredibly fond of him, but this was ludicrous!

Then again, did I have any real say in the matter? Trevor still owned the bookshop.

I didn’t want to come across as childish or uncooperative, but this was all I needed.

Tobias continued to tower over me. He offered me a cool look out of those glittery, forest green eyes of his. “My art gallery’s going to give Book Ends a much-needed boost, Ms Dunbar.”

Was he for real? “Excuse me?!”

“A renowned portrait artist sharing your business space – it’ll give the bookshop gravitas.”

I gripped onto my pink plastic folder so hard, I was at risk of puncturing holes in it. “Book Ends does not require additional gravitas, thank you very much. It’ll prosper again on its own merits.” My eyes blazed back at him. “You can’t piggy-back off the success of Book Ends.”

“I’d no intention of doing that.”

“So you say.”

Tobias’s eyed burned. “And what the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“Ladies. Gentlemen. Please!”