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Callum sighed and said goodbye to the dog before heading down the high street. He cast a backwards glance a couple of times to see if he could spot which direction she was headed after she left the café. But by the time he’d reached Cobblers Yard, she still hadn’t emerged from the café.
He sighed and turned down the narrow lane, emerging into Cobblers Yard. Callum looked at the charity shop. Neither Marjorie nor Mabel were standing in the window. He couldn’t see them. He had thought of popping his head inside their shop and asking if they’d seen someone entering the bookshop that morning, but he really didn’t have to do that. All he had to do was walk up to the bookshop and try the door. The only thing was, would whoever was in there have locked it from the inside?
Callum walked up to the bookshop window. He couldn’t see anybody inside the shop – not that he could see a lot through the dust and cobwebs that still covered the window. If there was someone in there, what were they doing? They certainly weren’t cleaning. He thought of himself lazing on the old couch the previous afternoon, reading a book.
He stepped to the right and looked at the door. The ‘closed’ sign was still in the window. He tried the door, and was taken aback when he turned the handle and it opened.‘Oh, damn!’ he said under his breath. Callum was not a confrontational type. He was not looking forward to having words or getting into a slanging match with whomever was inside, trespassing on his property.
Callum stepped inside. He couldn’t see anyone. ‘Hello?’
He waited, as though he needed an invitation to enter the shop.This is stupid. I own the place. What am I doing?he thought.
He was about to shut the door behind him when Dickens appeared between his legs, meowing at him loudly, making him jump. ‘For goodness’ sake, Dickens!’
Callum closed the door behind him. He looked down at the cat. ‘So, who let you out this morning?’
Dickens turned his back, put his tail in the air, and sauntered through the shop.
Callum stared after him, and decided to follow.
Chapter 44
Callum followed the cat, past the bookshelves and the counter with the old-fashioned till, to the door which led to the room out back – the one with the sofa, desk and bookbinding equipment. He stopped in the doorway, surprised to find a young teenage boy lying on the sofa with his head in a book. Dickens had jumped on his chest. ‘Hey, you’re back! How did you get in?’
The boy hadn’t noticed Callum standing in the doorway. He lowered his book and stroked the cat, who settled down, purring.
Callum folded his arms and stared at them, most notably at Dickens, who he felt had defected to the other side.Traitorthought Callum. The boy said, ‘You know, you’re going to have to leave when Winston returns. He doesn’t like cats.’
Winston, thought Callum, narrowing his eyes. So it wasn’t a woman who had the key to his bookshop. The old ladies’ eyesight obviously wasn’t great – they’d mistaken a man for a woman.
The boy resumed reading, oblivious to Callum’s presence.
‘Ahem!’ Callum cleared his throat loudly, startling the boy. He sat up quickly, disturbing Dickens, who meowed loudly. He put the book down and stood up. ‘Oh, I forgot to lock the door. Didn’t you see the ‘closed’ sign in the window?’
Callum stared at him. What was he doing here? Why wasn’t he at school?
‘Sorry, but we’re not open yet.’
‘Yet? You mean you’re going to reopen the bookshop?’
‘Yes, that’s the plan. There’s a lot of work to do.’
Callum noticed that the boy suddenly looked surprised. ‘Hey you’re that guy!’
Callum stared at him, hoping he didn’t recognise him. ‘What guy?’
‘The one in the yellow campervan that passed by the café a couple of days ago. We were having dinner when my sister spotted you and swore that you’re that Hollywood actor. Are you?’
Callum was about to shake his head, but he thought he’d had enough of lying about who he was, and decided to come clean. ‘Yes, I’m him, actually.’
Toby sat up, ‘No way!’
Callum couldn’t help but smile at the boy’s shocked face. ‘Yes, way.’
‘What are you doing here?’
Callum asked him the same question.
‘I told you. We’re doing up the shop to reopen it.’
