The two women gaze adoringly at him, like he’s the lead singer of a boy band.
‘Oliver, come and see your books,’ says Miranda, dragging him away.
After taking a step, he turns back and does something I was not expecting – he smiles at me and not at the two women. My heart performs a somersault.
Miranda’s playful squeals and exuberant laughter echo throughout the bookshop. I can’t believe Oliver’s jokes are that funny.
I try to ignore what’s happening in the romance section and get on with my work.
‘Hello again.’ I look up to see Mr Ellis. He’s smiling at me. I haven’t even started hunting for his cookery book. ‘I’m still searching for your book, Mr Ellis.’ It’s a lie because I don’t know what else to say to him, and I’m still unsure about whether a copy of his wife’s beloved recipe book will help him.
‘Ah – good. I was walking past the shop and thought I would pop in.’
After he walks away, I write down his name on a scrap of paper and slide it into the back pocket of my jeans.
‘Excuse me,’ says a woman. ‘My name’s Alice. I’ve moved into the cottage next door. I’ve only been living here a few weeks.’
‘I’m Nelly. Nice to meet you, Alice.’
Alice looks like she’s around my age. She has dark hair pulled back into a ponytail and almond-shaped brown eyes. She surveys the bookshop. ‘This is a beautiful place. Living next door to a bookshop is going to be terrible for my bank account, as I love books. Are you the owner?’
‘No, Miranda is the owner, and she’s busy. Can I help at all?’
‘Do you live locally?’
I nod. ‘Yes, I do. Why?’
She points to the plastic bag she’s carrying. ‘I found this balloon in my garden last night.’
‘Balloon?’ I think of Amber.
‘It’s in bits.’ Alice removes a piece of the balloon. ‘I think there must have been a photo on the front.’
I remember Amber telling me it had a photo of Kate’s face on it. ‘Yes, it had a photo of a local woman, Kate, who sadly passed away. Her family commemorate her every year with a special balloon.’
Alice touches a piece that looks like the photo’s corner. ‘That’s nice.’ She puts the piece back in the bag. ‘Kate’s balloon was stuck on a branch. I tried to free it, but it burst. It was then that I noticed a curled-up piece of paper, which must have been inside.’
She passes me a slip of pink paper.
To whoever finds my mum’s balloon, her name is Kate. She passed away eighteen months ago, and my dad, Ben, needs a girlfriend. He’s been miserable ever since Mum died, and as I am an adult (15 years old), plus the oldest daughter, I have decided to take control of this situation. Dad is 39, kind, funny, always wins at Monopoly, likes books, and he’s grumpy in the mornings before coffee. If you want to apply to be his girlfriend, please email me – [email protected]. You do need to like kids – he has three! Amber x
‘Do you know Amber?’
I nod. ‘Yes, I do, and I’m relieved you found this, as Amber confessed to putting this message into her mother’s birthday balloon the other day.’
‘Do you think I should give it back to her? It doesn’t feel right to put the balloon pieces in the bin.’
‘Amber comes in here a lot. I can keep it behind the till. Do you want me to watch out for her?’
Alice’s face lights up. ‘That would be great.’ She gestures to the message. ‘I love Monopoly, books, and I am grumpy in the mornings too. If only I were dating again…’
I find myself imagining what it would be like to play Monopoly with Oliver. Those dark eyes and that dangerous smile of his would distract me from hoarding those little houses and hotels. I glance over at him and see that he’s looking at me too. He holds my gaze as Alice says, ‘I’ve had my heart broken too many times. I’ve vowed to remain single.’
Her words pull me out of my trance. I tear my eyes away from him. What am I doing? Hasn’t my curse taught me that love is something that should be avoided at all costs? I have also had my heart broken, and I am still glueing mine back together. Sam’s face flashes in front of my eyes. I also still haven’t seen anything when I touch Oliver. The light in Alice’s face has dimmed and she’s rubbing her chest. I give her a knowing nod. ‘Love never ends well.’
‘100 per cent agree,’ she says. ‘It’s not worth it.’
She’s staring at Amber’s message. I wait for her to speak again.
