Page 90 of The Bookshop By the Loch

I hunched forward, the floral chair I was sat in creaking as I did so. “What was that about, Celeste, with Flora? And why didn’t you tell Maeve what happened?”

Celeste’s eyes opened wider with worry. “Does that mean you have?”

“No. I asked Maeve if you’d mentioned Flora to her, she said no, so I changed the subject.”

Celeste flashed me a relieved look and glanced away, the gilded light glancing down the lines on her handsome face.

“So, are you going to tell me what this is about?”

After a few moments, Celeste shook her head, her silvery hair shimmering. “Oh, good grief! In the brief time I’ve known you, you never stop asking questions, do you, young lady?”

I gave a small, embarrassed smile. I must take after my dad more than I thought. “So, you do know Flora Simmonds from before?”

Celeste picked at the blanket over her knees. “Alright. Yes. Unfortunately, I do know her. She used to live close to me and my parents donkeys’ years ago now. A right curtain- twitcher if ever there was one.”

I sat back in my chair. The sunshine was giving Celeste an ethereal glow.

She was discomfited. She kept flapping her hands and settling them again. I could tell there was something she was holding back.

I sat forward again and decided to change the subject in the hope of distracting her. “I’m really enjoying reading your manuscript. It’s great. Very well written.”

Celeste’s hollowed cheeks blushed. “Tish. You’re just being kind.”

“No. I’m not. It’s the truth.”

“Well in that case, thank you. That’s very kind and a huge compliment from an editor of your stature.”

“Once upon a time that was me,” I half-smiled.

“It’s still you,” she insisted.

I waggled one brow. “Thank you, but I’m not here to talk about myself. I’m here about you.”

She made a dismissive noise.

“I hope you’re intending on coming to Book Ends again.”

Celeste’s smile evaporated. “I’m not sure about that.”

I sat back and surveyed her. “Whyever not?”

She shrugged her slim shoulders. I waited to see if she was prepared to explain why, but she wasn’t.

“I think it’d be a very great shame if you decided not to.” I continued to look at her. “All this is because of Flora, isn’t it?”

Celeste prickled in her wheelchair. “I don’t know what you mean.” She opened her mouth, before clamping it shut again a few seconds later.

I noticed Celeste lace her fingers tighter together. She squirmed underneath her pastel blanket, but said nothing.

“Celeste, I know I haven’t known you for very long, but you don’t strike me as the sort of person to give up on things easily.”

She pushed out her chin.

I blew out a cloud of frustrated air. “If you don’t return, if you hide away from town, Flora will think she’s got one over you.”

Celeste narrowed her eyes. “That’s very underhanded of you, Lexie.”

I shrugged. “Needs must.” I kept my attention trained on her. This whole situation was so unfair. This poor woman was trying to enjoy the time she had left before she passed away and yet, because of the intimidating behaviour from another individual, she was apprehensive about doing the things she enjoyed.