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I pull free. “Sorry, Beau's first day.” I sniff. “I've got to go.”
“Do you want me to check if she’s doing okay?” he asks, his attention now fixed over his shoulder. He looks at me earnestly, and I frown, unsure whether to trust him or not, but the fear of hearing him say that Beau is upset makes my stomach clench. “Claire is great. I’m sure Beau will quickly adjust.” With that, Iget in the car and snap the door shut. I’ll call the club when I get to the shop.
I drive straight there, rounding the memorial before I pull into a small side street. I'm expecting a late delivery, but head round the back of the shop and let myself in. The light scent of baked cinnamon still hangs in the air. I'd first wanted to open a small bookstore. The old newsagent was empty, and I'd had my eye set on that but then the old bakery went up for sale and another idea occurred, so before I or anyone else could talk me out of it, I was buying the place and opening a bookshop and coffee house, two of my favourite loves. Danielle Hind had moved premises and had agreed to stock me with some baked goods, a fresh delivery each morning. I'd only ever wanted to be surrounded by books, but this business had never been on my radar, so now that it was happening, I couldn't think of doing anything different.
I quickly call the summer club, and I’m relieved when they say Beau is fine. I get started at the shop. I have a few boxes of books my supplier had dropped off yesterday morning, so I spend the next few hours filling the shelves, sorting the books into genres, and alphabetically lining the walls. I'm moving my way round the room until I'm back at the front, filling empty spaces and adjusting other authors, when the demanding sight of Cameron walking across the memorial gardens has me stalling. Safe in the limits of the shop, I watch him, soaking him in, every lean long inch of him. From his strong jaw and wide shoulders, where he has filled out to his unnervingly green eyes. Then some mean bastard poured a ton of sex appeal on him, added a confident walk, sexy smile and ta-da… Cameron Stone, everyone.
My first love, my only love.
His face lights up, and I remember all too well that look he'd stupefied me with, made every naive cell twist in on itselfand combust because he was that hot in college. As a man, he's catatonic. I suck in a breath and swallow harshly as the brunette from the fete walks straight up and kisses him. His hands fall to hang loosely around her lower back. I look away when his head lowers and jump a mile when the door bangs. I rush to open it, seeing a courier with my last delivery of books. Stepping out, I hold the door wide. He lifts the box and nods behind me. “Want this in there?” But my eyes are focused on Cam, who is looking at me.
“Please.” I follow the courier in and instruct him to put my parcels on a table.
“Place is looking great. I thought it was going to be empty forever.”
“Oh, thank you. I just have a few bits to sort before I open.”
“When's that?”
“A few weeks,” I tell him. It gives me time to smoothen everything out and secure staff. Marcus helped me look over the resumes.
“Good luck, see you round.” He smiles, walking out, and I follow him and scan the village green, but Cameron is nowhere to be seen.
Closing the door, I check over the invoice for all the items. The coffee machine is being installed tomorrow, and I need to bulk buy from the nearest wholesalers. I look around, debating on whether to have fresh flowers. I'm not the greatest with them, and if I start, I will need to keep it up. I take a seat and Google house plants instead to give the interior some greenery.
I wander about the shop making notes and end up in the stockroom. I jot down wicker baskets so I can store items in them rather than shoving them on the shelf. At least it will look nice and organised. After that, I set my laptop up in the small back office, which would give most airing cupboards a run for their money. I pin the calendar up I got in the post this morningand place a picture of Beau and me on the small thin desk. My father would be so proud of all this. I can't believe he has gone. A heart attack out of nowhere, but he knew he wasn't well, and he had kept it from us. I still have no idea why he did that. We had such a close relationship, and he knew it would shatter me if he died, so why did he never prepare me?
I'm due to collect Beau soon. I promised her a treat from Danielle's bakery afterwards. Locking up, I head straight to the club, finding her locked in conversation with another child. The boy has a head of curls and is laughing with Beau, and I smile watching them, seeing Cam's daughter approach. She says something and joins in. I almost don't want to interrupt their fun. The boy taps Beau on the shoulder and points at me. She drops everything and runs to me. “Mummy!” Her happiness soon fades, and she bursts into tears.
“Hey, it's okay. I told you I would be back.” I wipe her face. “Less of that. Where is my smile?” Her adorable cheeks pull into a soft grin. “There she is.”
“I missed you.” She sniffles, still holding her quivering smile.
“Me too, pickle. Are you ready for our lunch date?”
“My daddy is coming soon!” Cam’s daughter says excitedly. “We are having a movie night because my Barbie film came in the post.” Beau looks at me with shared excitement.
“That sounds like lots of fun. We have lots of ice cream with our movies,” I tell her, picking up Beau’s bag hooked on a peg.
“That's what I have too!” she shares confidently, looking at Beau.
“Bye, Grace.” Beau smiles. “Bye, Sammy.” She sucks back a sniffle and shoves her head into the dip of my neck. Pecking her head, I wave to the children. It’s surreal being here waving goodbye to Cameron’s child while leaving with my own. At one point, I had honestly thought we’d have a family together. I always knew what I wanted to name my first child, since wespoke of it often. I nearly chose something different, but I refused to let him change any more of my life than he already had.
Claire rubs Beau’s back. “You did so well today, Beau. We had lots of fun with you, and I hope you come to play again soon,” she says softly.
“I can play with the unicorn?”
Claire nods, and she settles back into my neck.
“Thanks, Claire, we’ll see you soon.”
Chapter Three
Holly
I've done it. I survived my first full week back.
If surviving consists of too much wine and running myself into exhaustion, then so be it. Beau is settling in well and making new friends and has even arranged two play dates, the little diva. I knew the first week back would be tough, and that was before I came face-to-face with my ex. Luckily, the business is taking up all of my time and shaping up to be the perfect distraction. Marcus has agreed to visit and help out whilst I begin interviews. I'm hoping two extra pairs of hands will do the trick. At first, they can job share or alternate shifts and then when things pick up, I can take them on.
