TWENTY-SIX
As soon as Florrie arrived back at the bookshop, Leah pounced on her with the news that Ed’s father had turned up at the shop an hour earlier and that Ed had left with him. Florrie’s heart turned over. ‘Don’t worry, his dad was all calm and quiet, nothing like he was last night,’ the assistant said quietly, conscious that customers might hear.
‘What about his mum? Was there any sign of her?’ Florrie asked, her voice a whisper, her knees like jelly. She felt sick at the prospect of Dawn seizing the opportunity to throw more toxic words at Ed.
‘No, and there was no sign of the woman who came in the shop with her the other day either – the delulu one who threw the eggs at the window.’
‘Try not to fret, lovey,’ said Jean who’d joined them at the counter, evidently picking up on Florrie’s troubled expression. ‘From what I could see, Peter was looking suitably sheepish, not that it excuses anything. But I got the impression he didn’t have much fight left in him after his shameful performance last night; probably burnt himself out. Got short shrift from me, he did, having the brass neck to show his face round here so soon.’
‘From the death stare you shot him, Jean, I was half expecting him to turn to stone.’ Leah giggled.
‘If only I had the power, lovey, I’d be after his despicable wife, too,’ Jean said, grimly.
Jean and Leah’s voices faded into the background as Florrie’s mind went into overdrive, wondering where Ed could have gone with his father, and fretting over what was being said. She hoped they hadn’t headed back to Dawn and the B&B. Her thoughts segued to the solicitor’s appointment, wondering if it could be connected to that? But she quickly told herself that it was too soon for anything to be put into place in that regard.
Her next thought was that she couldn’t remember a time in all the years she’d been connected to the bookshop either as a young customer or employee when Peter Harte had set foot in the premises. It had been his childhood home, but he’d left as soon as he could, and from what Mr H had told her, he’d visited only occasionally when Ed was a small child, which, with her being younger than Ed, she had no memory of. It begged the question why he’d chosen today to return. A ripple of unease crept over her shoulders.
A customer arrived at the counter, bringing a halt to Leah and Jean’s conversation and jolting Florrie out of her thoughts. The three women leapt to attention, Leah serving the customer, while Jean went back to restocking the shelves, and Florrie went to hang up her coat in the kitchen. There, she checked her phone and was disappointed to see no calls or texts from Ed which only added to her disquiet. There were, however, a whole slew of messages from her friends asking after her dad, and if she’d be joining them at the Jolly later that night. She blew out her cheeks – with so many other things going on, their weekly get-together hadn’t even crossed her mind, but now she thought about it, she felt she should spend the evening with Ed. Some time together, just the two of them and Gerty, would do them good. And besides, she didn’t want to leave him alone to brood on his thoughts while she was out enjoying herself with her friends, especially with his mother’s heartless words so fresh in his mind.
She fired off a quick joint text to her friends.
Hi lasses, thanks for your kind words. Dad’s out of hospital and doing well – still looks pale tho. Lots to tell you, but I won’t be at the Jolly tonight so will have to catch up with you all later. Feeling exhausted TBH, doubt I’d be much company anyway. Have fun & I’ll see you soon Fxx
That done, she toyed with the idea of texting Ed deciding a quick message wouldn’t hurt.
Hi Ed, hope all’s okay – Leah said your father came into the shop. Just to let you know, Dad’s home and doing well. Mum’s already driving him potty with all her fussing and rules. He’s been calling her Florence Nightmaringale! She thinks it’s hilarious! Fxx
Florrie reread the text, her thumb hovering over the send arrow, hesitating before she sent it, wondering if it was appropriate to include chirpy chat about her parents after the way things had been with his? Deciding it wasn’t, she deleted it and started again.
Hi Ed, hope all’s okay. I heard your dad came into the bookshop – hope everything’s going well with that. Dad’s back home and seems much better. See you soon. Thought we could have a quiet night in, maybe get a takeaway if you fancy? Fxx
She’d be on tenterhooks until he returned.
TWENTY-SEVEN
Florrie flipped the bookshop sign to closed and was just about to slide the bolt across when Ed appeared on the other side of the door, making her start. ‘Oh my gosh! Ed!’ she said, pressing a hand to her chest, feeling her heart drumming beneath her fingers. On hearing her dad’s name, Gerty raced over, dancing from paw to paw.
She opened the door and he rushed in, fresh air clinging to him. ‘Sorry I took so long,’ he said, out of breath and planting a firm kiss on her lips, the force making her take a step back. ‘Hello there, Gerty-Girl, it’s good to see you, too.’ He bent and gave the Labrador a resounding pat, sending her into raptures.
‘How are things?’ Florrie searched his face for clues.
‘I’ll share everything with you in a minute, but first, tell me about your dad. It’s great to hear he’s out of hospital. Shall we head straight home? I can tell you what happened with my dad en route.’ His words tumbled out in a rush.
While they were cashing up and getting ready to leave, Florrie brought him up to speed with her father’s situation and he’d laughed heartily at hearing Charlie’s new nickname for his wife. ‘Florence Nightmaringale, I love it!’ he’d said. She’d also remindedhim that since she’d returned to the bookshop straight from the hospital, the car was parked on Endeavour Road, so their usual walk back, where they dissected their day, wasn’t on the cards that evening.
‘Ah, ’course, I’d forgotten about that. Let’s head home then, I can tell you all over a pot of tea.’
Florrie was pleased and surprised in equal measure that Ed seemed brighter than when she’d left earlier that day. She couldn’t begin to imagine what he had to tell her.
‘Before I get started on telling you about how things went with my father, I just want to say, I don’t want you to give up your Friday night with the lasses on my account.’
Florrie went to object, but Ed held up his hand. ‘No arguments. In fact, while I was out, I bumped into Nate and he asked if I fancied grabbing a beer or two at The Cellar tonight. I thought it sounded tempting so I said yes. The other fellas are joining us, too. Bear’s coming along after he’s dropped Maggie at the Jolly, said his parents have agreed to babysit Lucy, and Jazz’s parents are having her brood. Have to say, I’m looking forward to it, they’re good blokes.’
‘Wow! You have had quite the afternoon, haven’t you?’ Florrie chuckled, though she wondered if her friends had got their heads together and arranged this in an act of support for Ed – it would be just like them.
‘Aye, you could say. Oh, and Bear’s changed the front-door lock, here’s your new key.’ He dropped it into Florrie’s hand. ‘He couldn’t fit one of those doorbells with a camera, though. Said the shop didn’t have the one he was after in stock, but there’s one on order. Said he’d fit it as soon as it came in.’
‘Good old Bear. What would we do without him?’ said Florrie.
