Page 55 of The Bookshop By the Loch

“Wonderful,” I enthused. “When was this? What’s it about?”

Maeve smoothed down her hair. “Well, that’s the thing. I’m not sure.”

“Oh?”

Maeve shook her head. “She told me she began writing a book when she was around fifty years old, but she was very evasive when I asked her what it’s about.”

“That’s an achievement in itself, writing a whole book,” I said. “So, where do I fit in?”

Maeve edged forward, her sandals pressing harder into the carpeted office floor while she concentrated on what she was saying. “It’s on her bucket list that she’d love to have her novel published.”

My eyebrows darted upwards. That was a big dream, especially for someone who unfortunately didn’t seem to have a great deal of time on her side.

Maeve read my expression. “I know it’s a big ask, but even if you were able to read it and give her some pointers, that would be wonderful.” She made a resigned sigh. “I’m not deluded and I know it’s very unlikely Mum will be able to achieve most, let alone all of her final wishes, but even if she felt she were within touching distance of a couple of them or got a taste of what might have been possible for her, I know she’ll be able to leave this earth happy.”

Maeve flashed me an embarrassed smile. “Mrs Hegarty told me you were a successful publishing editor in a previous life.”

I could feel my heart throbbing in sympathy for both Maeve and her mother. It was a heartbreaking and yet strangely uplifting situation.

I managed to speak, although my voice was thick with emotion. It conjured up the mixture of pain and shock about my dad’s health. “What you’re doing for your mother is wonderful.”

Maeve batted one hand in the air and swallowed a lump. “I must be mad!” She eyed me again.

I played with my bangle, dangling from my right wrist. “Maeve, I have to tell you that trying to get a book published can take a long, long time. There are options like self-publishing, but even that isn’t a quick process.”

She nodded, a pessimistic spark rearing up in her eyes.

“However, let me take a look at Celeste’s manuscript anyway and we can go from there. As Tobias suggested, I think we should both meet this rather amazing mother of yours and explain our proposals to her. How does that sound?”

Maeve released both nervous hands, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. “That sounds perfect. Thank you so much. Both of you.”

She clicked open her bag and dived in one hand. “Now, you must tell me how much your editorial services cost and I’ll pay you. This young man here might have fobbed me off, but I won’t allow you to do the same.”

I watched her produce her purse; a fabric material stitched with autumnal leaves. Beside her credit cards poking out, was a small photograph of an older, handsome woman with thick white hair and fine, lined features, giving a shy smile to the camera.

I didn’t want to take an hourly rate from Maeve. It didn’t seem right, somehow. I didn’t want to offend her either. Then an idea erupted inside of me. “If you’re happy to make a donation to Dementia UK, we have a deal.”

Tobias’s thick-lashed gaze widened and stayed focused on me.

“Are you sure?” asked Maeve. “A charity donation? To Dementia UK?”

“And that goes for my portrait services too,” added Tobias.

I whipped my head round to look at him sitting beside me.

“If you donate an amount to the same charity, consider my portrait services yours.”

“Tobias,” I started, my voice croaky with surprise. “You don’t have to.”

He brushed aside any further comment. “I know I don’t have to. I want to.”

Maeve’s mouth wobbled. “People are being so kind. That’s more than agreeable to me. I don’t know what to say. Thank you both so much.”

I found myself giving Tobias another long, sideways look. My stomach did a weird, flippy-flappy thing.

“That’s settled then,” announced Tobias, oblivious to the strange roller coaster effect he was triggering inside me. “Now, when do we get to meet this delightful mother of yours?”

Maeve shot out of her leather chair, like she’d been tasered. “Did I see on your shop door that you both close at four o’clock today?”