Page 22 of Whispers from the Past

‘You can be his friend. I don’t want any more friends, thanks,’ Luke responded quickly, taking the abrupt topic change in his stride.

‘What, because you’re overflowing with them?’

‘No. And that’s the way I like it.’

‘Fine, it was just an idea.’ Rose started to walk off ahead, feeling frustrated with the conversation.

Luke gently pulled on her elbow, bringing her to a gentle stop just in front of him.

‘It’s a really nice idea Rose. But I’m not a good friend. You’re a good friend though and it sounds like he needs one of those right now.’

They’d made it back to the book shop sooner than Rose was happy about. The easy conversation with Luke had been the most they’d talked and she realised she wanted more of his time. But he’d clearly had enough because he was already making his way back through the woods. He hadn’t even said goodbye.

Chapter 8

🎵 Sonnet by The Verve 🎵

‘So Eleanor, tell me about some of the things that happen in the Bay?’ Rose asked as they sat together for breakfast the next morning.

‘Well,’ Eleanor mused, whilst slowly chewing her mouthful of toast, ‘Mrs Greyson has a book club that meets once a month. But I’m not sure you’re much of a Mills & Boon fan,’ she laughed to herself.

‘There’s nothing wrong with a bit of Mills & Boon, but it’s maybe not quite my kind of book club. I’m not sure I could keep a straight face or a clear complexion when they all start discussing the more amorous scenes. Anything else?’

‘Mrs Wyles and Mrs Becker come here on a Monday night for scrabble. You’d be very welcome to join us.’

Rose smiled at the elderly lady across from here. It wasn’t quite the group that she had in mind, but how could she turn down such a sweet offer.

‘Ok, so that is my Monday night sorted’.

Their morning chat was interrupted by the soft chimes of the book shop bells that hung above the door. Rose was pleasantly surprised to see Susie standing outside with a folder in hand.

‘Morning Susie. You’re up and about early.’

‘Morning darling. Yes well I wanted to talk to you about a couple of things. Can I come in?’

‘Of course, Eleanor and I were just discussing me joining her scrabble night.’

‘Oh drat. You can’t do it. That was one of the things I wanted to talk to you about. You didn’t reply to my note about the art group,’ she huffed, handing over the small folder with ‘People with Paintbrushes’ printed on the front. ‘Please say you’ll join? We always need more members.’ And before Rose could answer, Susie called out, ‘You don’t mind do you Eleanor, if I steal Rose from your scrabble group?’

Eleanor didn’t answer straight away and Rose worried that they’d upset her. But then her soft voice called back ‘Of course not. You don’t want to be cooped up in here with three old ladies. Right, I’m off to the paper shop. See you both shortly’ she called out as they heard the back door go.

‘Do you think I’ve upset her?’ Rose asked anxiously.

‘Upset Eleanor? That would be a feat and a half. No, she’s fine. So the other thing I wanted to ask you is whether you’re up for a day trip to Flamborough tomorrow?’

‘Never heard of it, but I’d love to.’

‘Great. There is something you really need to see there. So you’ll come on Monday night for the art group? We meet at The Old School House, 7pm sharp. Oh and bring a photo, or copy of something you’d like to paint’.

Rose had only just finished getting ready for Holly’s birthday drinks when a car horn in the street below beeped a rude hello to her…repeatedly. Glancing out the window, she could see Holly leaning over the driver with her hand on the horn.

‘Hurry up Rose!’ she called as she pressed the horn again.

Noticing the exasperated look on the driver’s face she quickly grabbed her bag and ran down to the waiting cab. The driver seemed keen to get his passengers out of his car, so they made it to Scarborough far quicker than usual.

Holly had chosen an unassuming bar for her birthday drinks, and ordered them both cocktails. Rose sipped the sweet concoction and smiled as it slipped down her throat. She reached into her bag to retrieve Holly’s present.

‘Oooh! You didn’t have to!’ Holly exclaimed as she excitedly grabbed the small gift and tore into it. Rose had recently discovered a small online gift shop that specialised in pin badges. She’d chosen an enamel badge with the motif I’m no Angel within a sparkly heart. ‘I LOVE it!’ she mouthed over the noise in the bar, pinning it to her bag. She squeezed Rose tightly in an appreciative hug.