‘How did it go?’ she asked, rushing over to him, searching his eyes for clues.
‘Ugh!’ He dragged a hand down his face. ‘I hate to say it, but I think it’s kicking off again.’
Her heart plunged. ‘What? But I thought they were okay with us having the bookshop?’
Ed shook his head, rolling his eyes wearily.
Florrie caught Leah’s eye. Holding up two fingers, she mouthed, ‘Two minutes,’ then pointed in the direction of the kitchen.
The young assistant nodded and mouthed back, ‘Good luck.’
‘What happened? Where did you go?’ Florrie asked, gently closing the kitchen door behind them.
Ed puffed out his cheeks, exhaling noisily. ‘We went to the B&B where my mother’s staying with it being not too far from here. I didn’t want to go to Luella’s guesthouse, and I didn’t know where else to take them where we could talk in private; I certainly didn’t want to go to our home.’
Florrie was inordinately relieved to hear that, though it didn’t stop her heart from banging hard against her ribcage. ‘So what did your mum say?’
He rested his hands on her shoulders, looking intently into her eyes. ‘Before I go any further, I want you to know that whatever ridiculous lengths they go to they’re never going to change my feelings for you. I love you more than I can ever say – which isn’t hard considering how inarticulate I am – but I just want you to know that.’ He gave a lopsided smile. ‘It looks like their old resentment of my grandfather bequeathing us the bookshop has reared its ugly head again, and from what I can gather, us getting married has been the catalyst.’
Florrie felt her knees buckle. She pulled out a dining chair and sat down. She could hardly believe this was happening less than three weeks before their wedding.
Ed took the chair beside her, reaching his arm across her shoulder and pulling her close. She inhaled his familiar comforting scent: a mix of his woody cologne, the bookshop and a hint of paint.
‘But I thought they were okay with us having the bookshop now, especially with Jean and Jack having shares in it. Didn’t your dad tell you as much when you went down to London to speak to him the last time there was trouble? They’ve been quiet about it for over a year.’
‘I know, and he did, yeah. But it would seem things have changed, though my mother didn’t go into too much detail in front of Luella. I called my father and he finally answered when I told him Luella was here. I figured that if I sounded angry about it, he’d ignore my calls – which is what he’s been doing since my mother landed in town – so I made out I was really chuffed to see her and – surprise, surprise – he rang back straight away. I did a bit of subtle digging while I was talking to him, and it looks like it’s the same old problem of money running through their fingers. They’re in debt again thanks to some investment they made which didn’t quite work out, or at least that’s what he tells me. Anyroad, our impending wedding seems to have got them running scaredand I got the impression they think once we’re married it’ll make it even less likely for us to hand over the bookshop, or sell it and give them the proceeds. He told me that he and my mother thought we’d never last and that you’d hand over your share of the bookshop to me, and that I’d eventually “see sense” as he put it, and sign it over to them.’
‘Oh, Ed, this is getting so old.’ She rested her elbows on the table and put her face in her hands.
‘I know. I’ve told both of them it’s never gonna happen. I mean, can you imagine if we did what they wanted? They’d have it sold and the money spent in no time, with nothing to show for it. All my grandparents’ hard work would be gone just like that.’ He clicked his fingers. ‘The bookshop’s been in the Harte family for generations.’
‘It has, ever since the shops were first built,’ Florrie added, her voice muffled by her hands. ‘It’s only ever been a Harte’s bookshop.’
‘Which makes me all the more determined for it to continue as a Harte’s bookshop, and even more so with you.’ He took her hand in his. ‘You and me, Florrie, we’re a team. Together, we’ve brought the bookshop up to date and I know my grandparents would be proud of everything we’ve done. The teashop has been a genius idea as has Jean and Jack’s investment. I want to build something we can be proud to pass on to our children, to safeguard its future, and keep it in the Harte family for more generations to come.’
As Ed spoke, the emotions Florrie had been battling since Dawn’s arrival in town swirled together, mingling with her concerns about her dad, intensifying and gaining pace. She fought against them as they rose in her chest, clogging her throat. She pressed her lips together in a bid to keep them under control, but as soon as he’d finished speaking, it was as if the dam had burst and a sob escaped as she dissolved into hot tears.
‘Hey, sweetheart, don’t cry.’ Ed wrapped both arms around her, squeezing her tight, pressing a kiss to her head.
Ed’s words meant more to her than she could ever say. On topof that, he was communicating with her, sharing his thoughts and views instead of adopting his usual tack of going in on himself and trying to resolve problems on his own. Having his support, him articulating that they were a team, made her feel safe and secure in a way she hadn’t realised she needed from him. It somehow seemed to galvanise their relationship.
‘We’ve got this, okay?’ he said softly. He sat back, taking her face in his hands, wiping her tears with his thumbs. ‘Nothing’s going to come between us, and nothing’s going to make us give up the bookshop. I’ve told Luella she should go home, that I’m in love with you, that my mother had no right to meddle; made sure she was in no doubt that I had nothing to do with her being here, had no knowledge of it.’ He placed a tender kiss on her forehead. ‘So, I suggest we just block out all their noise and get back to looking forward to getting married. Deal?’
‘Deal.’ Florrie nodded, her heart feeling lighter.
EIGHTEEN
A knock at the door of Samphire Cottage just after five forty made Florrie jump to her feet. ‘That’ll be one of the lasses,’ she said, reaching for her bag that was hooked on the back of one of the kitchen chairs. She’d already got her hat and coat on in readiness for heading out.
‘Have a fantastic time,’ Ed said, planting a warm kiss full on her mouth. The strength of it made Florrie’s heart flutter.
‘Mmm. I will,’ she said, kissing him again. ‘And I’ll look forward to catching up with you when I get back.’
‘Sounds good to me.’ His eyes twinkled at her, making her heart flutter some more. After their chat at the bookshop, it had felt like a weight had lifted from her shoulders, knowing they were united in taking a stand against his parents. They were a team, and it felt good.
Florrie opened the door to see Stella smiling back at her in the soft dusk light. ‘Now then, missus.’ Her friend was looking glamorous in a black shearling coat and a pair of black flared jeans. ‘Your chariot awaits.’
‘Hi, Stells, I wondered who’d be picking me up.’
