Subject: Re: London meeting
Dear Liz,
It’s great to hear from you. I did enjoy the rest of my time in New York, thank you. I still can’t believe we raninto each other. I’m glad we did, though, as your email sounds intriguing!
15th November is in my diary. See you then!
Tilly
Tilly slips her phone back into her pocket, heart still racing as she pushes open the door to Book Lane, bringing with her a smell of autumn: dry leaves, woodsmoke and the pumpkin spice latte that she holds in one hand. The shop window is dressed for autumn too, with bundles of blankets, scattered autumn leaves and battery-powered candles, alongside a comforting selection of books: Agatha Christie and Daphne du Maurier, a ramen cookbook, a few books about knitting, and a selection of classic children’s books.
‘Hi, Tilly!’ says Blue from halfway up the shop’s ladder.
Prudence waves from where she is chatting with a customer in the fiction section, and Alfie looks up from the counter where Georgette is sprawled out, a finger marking his page in the large leather-bound book that always resides there. He closes it firmly, his lips stretching into the semblance of a smile.
Tilly has a brief flash of memory, picturing the meal they shared together in her flat – the smell of garlic and parsley, and the comfort of sitting together on the sofa afterwards watchingGilmore Girlsafter Alfie confessed he’d never seen it and Tilly, appalled, insisted they rectify that immediately.
She must have fallen asleep eventually, because when she woke it was dark, she was covered in a blanket, and there was a note on the coffee table.
Letting myself out. Rest up. See you at the shop soon. A x
Seeing Blue hop down from the ladder and join Alfie at the counter, her shoulder nudging against his, a wave ofguilt rolls through her. But Tilly wouldn’t have let Alfie up to her flat if it meant anything more than a friend helping out another friend.
‘Here for your October book?’ Blue says brightly.
‘Yes, please. The shop is looking beautiful, by the way.’
‘I wanted to add real candles but Alfie refused. I mean, I know they would technically have been a fire hazard, but they’d have looked so pretty.’
Alfie says nothing, already returning with her book parcel.
Prudence joins them at the counter. ‘Did you have a nice dinner together?’ she asks.
So, they must know. Blue doesn’t flinch, her smile steady.
‘We hear you introduced Alfie to the wonder of Lorelai and Rory.’
‘And that he’s since binge-watched about three seasons,’ adds Blue, nudging Alfie playfully.
Alfie’s cheeks flush pink.
‘It’s very compelling storytelling …’
Tilly glances at him.
‘I was very grateful for a meal after surviving for a weekend on cold Pot Noodles.’
He passes her the book, his eyes not leaving hers.
‘We’re dying to know what your next book is,’ says Prudence.
‘Yes, Alfie wrapped them all himself, so we have no clue.’
Tilly thinks back to how out of place she felt, stepping through the bookshop door back in January. Now she feels like she’s more than a regular customer – as if she’s part of the shop in a small way.
‘I’ve been meaning to say, the books are always so beautifully wrapped,’ she says, running a hand over the paper. ‘I love the ribbon.’
