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I cleared my throat to announce our presence.
Abby turned to find the three of us behind her table. “See? There they are now! My fans!”
“Those aren’t fans,” Alex corrected. “That’s Daddy, Miriam, and Henry.”
“Are you kidding? We’re heroriginalfans,” I said, handing Henry over to his mum. “Look, he’s so excited he’s drooling over her.”
Five years ago, I could never have imagined being a father of three. Alex wasn’t even a year old when Abby became pregnant with our daughter, Miriam, who was now almost three. I guess breastfeeding isn’t as foolproof a form of birth control as we’d assumed. Miriam, named after Abby’s mother, was the spitting image of Abby. Thank God, because both boys—with the exception of Alex’s eyes—looked just like their dad. Our son Henry had been born six months ago. Our hands were very full.
“Where’s Lavinia? I thought you were bringing her,” Abby asked.
“She wasn’t feeling up to coming.”
Our kids’ honorary nan was getting older but still kicking. I’d planned to bring her here in a wheelchair, but she’d caught a cold and didn’t want to get anyone sick. Lavinia still lived in our guest house, although we’d had to bring in help for her lately. But she always perked up when the kids were around.
Leo and Felicity entered the book shop and approached with their kids, Eloise and Eli.
“Hey!” Abby waved them over. “See? I have even more fans.”
Alex hopped out of his chair. “Mummy, can I go to the kids’ section with Eli?”
“What happened to being my assistant?” Abby teased.
“It’s boring.”
She laughed. “Sure, go on.”
“Can I be your assistant now, Mummy?” Miriam took the seat next to her mother.
“Of course you can.”
Felicity looked over at our boys playing in the kids’ section. “Those two are like peas in a pod.”
Leo turned to me. “I just hope they don’t get into as much trouble as we did, right, cousin?”
“I pray every day that Alex is nothing like me.” I chuckled.
“Have you signed any books, Abby?” Felicity asked.
“It’s been slow.” Abby shrugged. “And by slow, I mean…no one’s come by. But it’s still nice to have been invited to sign here. My goal is for one person other than friends and family to show up. If I can impact even one person, I’ll know writing the book was worth it.”
“I could never have done it,” Felicity said. “People live their whole lives talking about writing a book and never follow through. You should be proud of yourself.”
“I couldn’t be prouder of her.” I rubbed my wife’s back.
With Henry on one arm, Abby rearranged the small stack of books in front of her. “Well, you guys are biased, but I’ll take your praise.”
Henry began tugging on Abby’s shirt. “Shit. He’s hungry, huh?” She stood. “You think my line of fans would mind if I went in the back and fed him? Gonna find a private place to take him.”
After she left, I planted myself next to Miriam. “You be my helper if anyone comes to buy Mummy’s book, okay? You can take the money, and I’ll do the talking.”
“Okay, Daddy.” She smiled up at me, nearly melting my heart. Nothing like seeing your wife’s face transformed into the likeness of a cherub.
Felicity and Leo took off to browse while our sons played quietly in the corner.
Then a woman approached the table. She was already holding a copy of Abby’s book.Well, doesn’t this just figure?
“Hello. I was looking to meet Abby Benedictus.” She grinned. “I take it you’re not her?”
