Smiling broadly, Amery turned his full attention to Jean. ‘Jean, my dear, I was hoping you’d be here. I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed R.J. Kingston’s novel, such clever plotting and well-drawn characters; kept me guessing right up to the end. I finished it late last night and am now eagerly awaiting publication of the next book in the series.’
‘I thought you’d enjoy it.’ Though Jean smiled, Florrie could see the hint of uncertainty in her eyes. She hoped Amery hadn’t detected it and got the wrong impression.
‘I did. It was another excellent recommendation of yours, andnow I’ve come to take a couple more Eleanor Farthing books off your hands.’
‘Ah, good choice,’ said Florrie. ‘Jean and I are huge fans of her books. She’s having a bit of a renaissance since the BBC announced they were making a new series based on her novels. I think they’re set to air in the autumn.’
‘Something to look forward to,’ Amery said. ‘The books aren’t the only reason for my visit. I wondered if you’d be free to take a walk with me at some point today, Jean?’
‘Oh, I… um, well…’ Jean’s eyes darted to Florrie.
Seeing Amery’s smile falter, Florrie stepped in. ‘I know you’ve got a busy afternoon with Maggie, but why don’t you slip away now? It’s not like we’re rushed off our feet.’
Amery looked on expectantly as he waited for Jean to reply.
‘It’s a grand day out there, Jean, you might as well make the most of that gorgeous sunshine. You never know when it’s going to start chucking it down,’ said Ed.
‘I agree,’ said Florrie.
Jean seemed to take a moment to fortify herself and said, ‘That sounds like a lovely idea, Amery. I’ll just get my coat.’ She briefly caught Florrie’s eye. ‘There’s something I’d like to talk to you about, actually.’
While Jean disappeared to get her coat and hat, Florrie served Amery with a couple of Eleanor Farthing books, the pair making small talk about the upcoming television series. Ed, who’d hung back from resuming his work on the window displays so he could say goodbye to Jean, chipped in every now and then.
It wasn’t long before Jean reappeared, bundled up in her warm wool coat and woolly hat. Just as the couple were about to leave, Florrie went to give her friend a hug. ‘Good luck, lovely,’ she whispered in her ear. ‘Everything will be fine, trust me.’ She squeezed Jean tightly before releasing her.
Jean gave her a hopeful smile. ‘Thanks, lovey. I really hope so.’
‘Let us know howit goes.’
‘Will do.’
Florrie and Ed watched as Amery, ever the gentleman, held the door open for Jean, bidding them a warm goodbye.
‘I’d be amazed if Jean has anything to worry about there,’ said Ed as the door clicked shut and the couple stepped out into Victoria Square. ‘He seems to hold her in quite high regard.’
‘He does. I’m keeping everything crossed it goes well.’
Before Florrie had time to contemplate this further, her mobile pinged to life on the countertop.
‘Right, I’ll take that as my cue to get back to my work on the window display. I need to make sure everything’ll be snag-free for Thursday.’
‘Sure I can’t take a peek?’ Florrie asked, a mischievous smile on her face.
‘I’m sure,’ he said with a laugh. ‘You’ll have to wait till Thursday like everyone else.’
Florrie stuck out her bottom lip in an exaggerated display of disappointment. ‘That’s so not fair.’
Her pitiful expression had Ed shaking his head with laughter. ‘Too bad,’ he said, as he undid the fastenings of the curtains and climbed back into the window, retying them tightly.
Florrie reached for her mobile to see the text was from Jasmine.
Hi Florrie, hope all’s well and The Dragon isn’t causing you too many probs. Just a quick reminder about tomorrow’s hen do celebrations. It starts at 6pm so one of us will pick you up at five forty. You’ll need to wear something you don’t mind getting messy!! Let us know where you want picking up – the bookshop or home. Jxx
Florrie couldn’t help but laugh at the dragon and scream-face emojis that decorated the text. Though, with everything that had been going on recently – particularly with Ed’s mum and whatever it was she was up to, not to mention her dad being poorly – Florrie hadn’t had the time to give much thought to her friends’ plans for tomorrow evening. She couldn’t begin to imagine what it would be – hopefully it wouldn’t be anything like pig herding, with Jazzsaying to wear something she wouldn’t mind getting messy. Then again, if they were picking her up twenty minutes before whatever they’d got planned was due to start, it was highly unlikely; she didn’t know of any pig farms they could reach in that time. Whatever it was, the salsa dance class would take some beating.
Smiling, she typed out a quick reply.
Hi Jazz, thanks for the reminder. I’m intrigued but looking forward to it – as long as it doesn’t involve pigs!! Am I okay to get picked up from home? Will update you on ‘The Dragon’ tomorrow evening. Fxxx
