Page 39 of The Bookshop By the Loch

“We’ll see what we can do. Bank holiday weekends are normally manic for us in the tea room, but we’ll try. Us local businesses must support each other!”

And with that, Mrs Hegarty, her puffing, out-of-breath husband and the teenagers disappeared back up the street in a haze of trainers and baggy T-shirts.

“It’s happening,” murmured Trevor. “It’s finally happening.”

I patted him on his jacketed arm. “No regrets about giving me a chance?”

He sucked in some air. “None at all.”

I glanced at my watch. “Good. Right. I’ll quickly go and get changed. Then we can set out the champagne and glasses.”

I had just thrown off my old jogging bottoms and sweatshirt and jumped into my dress and ballet flats, when Mum’s voice trilled through the door. “Sorry to interrupt you sweetie, but there’s someone here to see you.”

I finished stuffing my old clothes into a carrier bag and began reapplying my pink lipstick. “Who is it?” I called.

“Oh, some book sales rep.”

I swung open the toilet door, to see Mum looking resplendent in an electric-blue fitted jacket and skirt. “You look lovely, Mum.”

“Thank you darling. I just got changed in the office.” She leant in closer to the door. “Can you come and have a word with her?”

I frowned. “What, now? We open in an hour. Can’t you just take a note of her details and I’ll get back to her next week? Or maybe Trevor could have a quick word with her?”

Mum shook her wavy dark hair. It bounced on top of her shoulders. “I’ve already said that to her, but she was insistent. She asked for you.”

I tutted.

“Just go and see her and then I’m sure she’ll leave.”

I teased my hair, piled on top of my head. “For goodness’ sake. Oh alright. Let me drop this lot in the office first.” I snatched up the bag containing my old clothes and trainers. What great timing!

I whipped open the office door and dumped the bag inside, before closing it again.

Mum joined me as I tapped down the shop floor. I could make out the silhouette of a woman standing with her back to me between two of the bookcases. I hissed out of the corner of my mouth. “I hope she gets the hint, Mum, and doesn’t outstay her welcome. I want to have a final check of everything and…”

My voice died as the woman emerged. She was grinning at me and rocking a sophisticated, flared trouser suit in marigold.

It was Rhiannon. “Good morning, Ms Dunbar.”

I let out a squeal and whirled round to look at Mum. “Did you know about this?”

“No. Not until Rhiannon arrived just now.”

“It’s true,” she confirmed, striding towards me, with her hair more platinum than ever as it bounced against her cheeks. “I’d every intention of coming, but decided not to tell you. I wanted it to be a surprise.” She pulled me into her arms. “As if I would miss my best friend and favourite editor’s bookshop launch!”

I hugged her back. “I bet you say that to all the editors.”

She winked. “Nah.” She angled her head to one side. “Now, please don’t shoot the messenger, but I don’t suppose you’ve given any more consideration to returning to publishing at some point?”

I folded my arms. “You’re persistent, I’ll say that for you.”

“Good morning, Lexie. Ready for the crazy day ahead?”

My stomach lurched at the sound of Tobias’s voice.

He strolled in, pushing a stray curl back behind an ear. He was wearing a checked herringbone waistcoat in sea-blue, with white shirt, dark tie and black trousers. He reminded me of a sexy, brooding poet.

His expression was one of cool efficiency. Then he spotted me in my summer dress and with my hair piled up, messy tendrils framing my face. His face changed. He fell silent for a few moments and then recovered himself. “Well… you look… um… very professional.”