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Thea looked at her. ‘Sorry.’
‘Apology accepted.’ Katie unfolded her arms, and sat down on the sofa next to her. ‘I know I’ve got a big mouth.’
Thea smiled at her. ‘I didn’t say that.’
‘You didn’t have to.’ Katie smiled back. ‘How on earth do you know that guy – Callum?’
‘He walked into the shop, thinking it was open, because Toby left the door open when I went to get some croissants one morning. We just got talking. He said he’s here visiting friends in the area.’
‘He’s on holiday here, then?’
‘Yes, I guess so.’
‘Why does he want to spend time here, in Grandpa’s old bookshop?’
Thea smiled. She knew why, but she wasn’t about to confide in her thirteen-year-old niece – not yet anyway – that Callum was here because he wanted to spend time getting to know Thea. She didn’t answer Katie’s question, although Thea did raise her eyebrows, surprised that Katie already knew this was her grandfather’s bookshop.
Katie cast her gaze around the shop. ‘I like it. I’ve never been inside. Mum mentioned Grandpa ran a bookshop in Aldeburgh years ago. I knew it was here. The shop that’s been abandoned for years.’
‘She told you that?’
‘Yes. I ask her things about him, but she doesn’t say much. He disappeared, didn’t he?’
‘Yes.’
Katie nodded. ‘Can I come here too?’
‘You want to help out too?’ As Thea was talking, she heard Callum arranging some books at the other end of the shop.
Thea whispered, ‘You want to see Callum again, don’t you?’
‘I guess. But I really want to help, for you and Mum. And Grandpa.’
Thea looked at her in surprise. ‘Why Grandpa?’
‘In case he comes back.’
‘Katie, I really don’t think after all these years—’
‘Who’s this?’ Katie asked, suddenly noticing the cat on her lap.
‘Ah, this is Dickens, Callum’s cat.’
‘Dickens? What a funny name for a cat. He’s cute.’
Dickens stood up, stretched, and walked over to Katie, rubbing his head against her hand. ‘Hey, little guy. Do you want a stroke?’
Thea smiled. ‘I think he does.’
‘Aww, I’ve always wanted a cat. You are so sweet.’
Dickens purred loudly.
Thea looked up in time to see Callum’s head pop round the bookshelf. He glanced at his hand and frowned at the cat.
Thea said, ‘I think he’s quite an old cat, so you just have to be a bit careful. He can be a bit temperamental.’
A bit?Callum mouthed at Thea.
