Page 43 of The Bookshop By the Loch

I rolled my eyes. “Panic over, Trevor. Rhiannon is fine, if a bit squiffy. She met some charming guy at the harbour and he took her to the local pub. She’s just popped back outside to bring him in.”

“Thank goodness she’s alright,” said Trevor.

As if on cue, Rhiannon clattered back in through the shop door, with someone following up behind.

Tobias and Trevor watched, almost as curious as Chloe and me, keen to see who’d managed to charm my discerning friend.

Rhiannon let out another fruity giggle as a male figure emerged from behind her.

My expectant smile collapsed.

Oh, you had to be kidding.

This wasn’t happening.

Chapter Fourteen

It took a few moments for my brain to catch up.

The air in Book Ends was still, a world away from this morning when it reverberated to the sound of clinking champagne flutes, chattering and laughter.

Was this some sort of joke? If it was, nobody was finding it bloody funny, least of all me.

Rhiannon observed me with bemusement. “What’s going on? Why are you looking like that, Lex? Do you know each other then?”

My mouth contorted. I found myself fighting to speak.” You could say that.” The words lodged in my throat. “This charming man you’ve just met is my dad.”

The colour drained from Rhiannon’s face. “What?” She spun round to look at my dad. “You’re kidding. You’re Lexie’s father?” Her red slicked mouth fell open. “But… but you said your name was Niall O’Connell.”

I stood rigid, as though frozen in time. “O’Connell was my paternal grandmother’s maiden name,” I managed after an agonised pause.

Rhiannon planted her hands on her hips. Her face was flushed, clashing with the bright blonde of her hair. She let out an embarrassed laugh. “I don’t believe this. How sodding underhand can you get?! Why didn’t you tell me the truth when I told you why I was here?”

My father made a half-hearted attempt to say something, but Rhiannon cut him off. “You let me ramble on like an idiot. I wondered why you were asking me so many questions about the bookshop and Lexie.” She whirled back to me. Her face could have heated the National Grid of its own accord.

My father stood there, his dark hair lifting in the open shop doorway, the evening light highlighting his silver streaks. It was as though he’d just stepped out of the TV screen and planted himself in front of us like a magician. His grey eyes stayed glued to me. God, it was like staring in a mirror. I squirmed inside.

His accent, a concoction of Scottish-American, rang around the four walls of Book Ends.

“Lexie, I’m sorry but I didn’t know what to do. I was desperate to find out how you were doing and then when Rhiannon told me she was your best friend, I thought that’d be the perfect opportunity.”

I glowered, my eyes burning into him, and shook my head. “You just thought you’d trick her into giving you the lowdown?” My teeth gritted with disbelief. “And lying to her about who you were as well. Nice to see you haven’t changed a bit, Dad.”

My father flashed an apologetic look at Trevor, Tobias and Chloe.

Tobias, who I’d almost forgotten was also a witness to these stunning proceedings, stepped forward.

“Are you ok, Lexie? Anything I can do?”

His kindness made me start. I watched him through a confused haze. I managed to find my voice after a few seconds and gave him a watery smile of gratitude. “Thank you, Tobias, but no, I can handle this.”

My lips puckered with disdain, as I returned my stunned attention to my dad. Outside, the loch shimmied under the sunshine and late browsers drifted past the shops. “How did you know we were re-opening today? You can’t have just flown over from the States by coincidence.”

Niall, his smooth tan enhanced by his buttercup-yellow shirt, adjusted his collar.

“Well?” I pushed, hurt clouding in my eyes as I looked at him.

Chloe was shooting me uncertain glances.