‘Romance,’ she said. ‘I like the historical ones the best. Earls, Vikings, knights. Sometimes cowboys.’
Jake nodded. ‘Nothing wrong with a bit of romance. My nanna loved Mills & Boon. I think the house was propped up by them.’ Then he turned to her and with a heart melting smile, asked, ‘Are you a romantic?’
‘Yes, of course I am!’ Effie spluttered, even though she wasn’t sure how much of a romantic she really was underneath it all. She’d never been bought flowers, or been taken on fancy dates, all her romances had taken place between the covers of the paperbacks she adored. Brad hadn’t exactly had a romantic bone in his body, more keen on chugging beers with his mates than wining and dining her. Effie was embarrassed about the rose-tinted glasses she’d viewed their future through at the time. There was no way she was going to admit that to Jake. However, the idea of candlelight and roses was something she craved and part of her wanted Jake to know she was a romantic.
‘What about you?’ she asked.
‘Hopeless romantic,’ he admitted. ‘I know it’s all a bit cheesy, but life is tough so why not add some romance. Just got to find the right girl.’ He gave Effie a wink.
‘I’ve just got to find the right boy,’ she quipped back, her heart hammering as she wondered if she was flirting. She never flirted, usually just got herself tongue tied.
Awkwardly she turned back to her painting and tried to ignore the glances Jake was throwing her way. The idea of him turning up at her door, nice shirt, a bouquet of roses and that heart-skipping smile was an image she couldn’t help but indulge in.
Chapter Twelve
Lola’s eyes almost popped out of her head when she brought the sandwiches out to Effie and Jake. They’d decided to take advantage of the midday sun and sit at one of the outside tables. Effie pulled her cardigan tighter around herself, secretly thinking it was a bit on the chilly side. Still, the March sunshine was a warm promise of summer when she turned her face towards it. She allowed herself a few moments to imagine how lovely it’d be to sit here with an ice cream, the seafront busy with families, the bookshop a roaring success. Effie’s mind began to fill with images of the shop thriving under her management. Sunlight flowing in through the window, an armchair and a little table piled with books, customers she knew by name, sharing recommendations, decorating seasonally.
‘BLT?’ Lola asked, rousing her from her daydream.
‘That’s me.’ Effie sat up from where she’d been lounging as Lola placed the plate in front of her.
‘So, you must be the toastie.’ Lola placed an oozing ham and cheese toastie before Jake.
‘Yep.’ He patted his stomach. ‘Melted cheese is my biggest weakness.’ He took a bite which resulted in him waving his hand in front of his mouth and wincing. ‘Too hot.’
Starving, Effie went to pick up her sandwich, the thick granary bread was bursting with plump tomatoes and the tantalising scent of freshly cooked bacon made her stomach rumble. However, Lola had other ideas.
‘So nice to see you becoming friends,’ she said as she pulled out the spare seat and sat down. ‘Especially after the swimming incident.’
Effie blushed, recalling the specifics of Lola’s tarot card prediction. New love. She snuck a glance at Jake, who was itching for his sandwich to cool down enough to eat. Could he be it? Effie threw a glance at Lola. It seemed far too obvious. Effie caught Lola trying to communicate something with her raised eyebrows and encouraging smile, finished off with a subtle nod in Jake’s direction. Thankfully he was too engrossed in his sandwich to notice the silent exchange. Effie shook her head. Jake had dated a travel influencer – they were always glamourous, perfectly turned out and every time he’d seen her, Effie had been wearing a baggy T-shirt or a wetsuit. She didn’t think she was his type.
‘I’m helping Effie paint the shop,’ he told Lola.
‘Are you?’ Effie didn’t think it was possible, but Lola’s eyebrows raised even further.
‘I hate painting,’ Effie explained as she took a bite of her sandwich, almost swooning as the delicious flavours popped on her tongue. Salty, hot bacon, fresh tomatoes and crisp lettuce, the perfect combination in her opinion. ‘Oh gosh, this might be one of the best BLTs I’ve ever had,’ she groaned, hastily taking another bite. Lola brimmed with pride at the compliment. ‘I’ve got until Good Friday to get the shop shipshape. With Jake’s help I think I might do it.’
‘We must talk about the opening!’ Lola gushed. ‘Easter weekend, it’ll be perfect. What do you have planned?’
Caught off guard, Effie froze with her sandwich halfway to her mouth. ‘Erm, nothing yet. I’m just trying to get it ready to open. I’ve not spoken to Clive about it. He did say something about trying to arrange a local author to come and cut the ribbon, sign some books, but I’ve not had time to follow that up.’
‘If I’m helping you, it’ll free up some time for you to concentrate on the other parts of the opening,’ Jake said, popping the last bite of his sandwich into his mouth, before swooning. ‘Lola, that was stunning.’ He used his finger to wipe a stray smear of cheese off the plate.
‘Thank you,’ Lola said before changing the subject back to the bookshop. ‘Easter Saturday is less than three weeks away! You’ll need catering. Hot cross buns and Easter bunny cakes, book-shaped biscuits,’ she reeled off, a vision forming in her head that didn’t quite transfer into Effie’s.
‘I hadn’t even thought of all that,’ Effie said. ‘I’ve been too busy panicking about getting the shop looking presentable. I hadn’t even considered guests might want some treats. But of course they would.’
‘I make my own hot cross buns,’ Lola pointed out proudly. ‘I could do some mini ones. What if I make a selection of treats and you can try them and let me know what you think?’
Effie sat back in her seat as if trying to put some physical space between herself and Lola’s ideas. ‘I’ll have to check with Clive if there’s budget for that sort of thing. We’ve always just popped to the supermarket for refreshments,’ she admitted.
‘That won’t do!!’ Lola gasped in horror.
With the bookshop situated next door to a café peddling stunning bakes, Effie had to agree. ‘You’re right. It’d be great if you could bake some buns and biscuits for the opening. If Clive isn’t happy, I’ll pay for it.’
‘I’ll offer a discount, especially as being next door to each other is definitely going to help both our businesses. Leave it with me, I love planning a party, although I always get a bit carried away. Are you coming to Alf’s birthday on Saturday? It’s his ninetieth. I’m making a three-tier cake.’
‘No, I hardly know him,’ Effie pointed out. Jake shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
