Page 3 of Whispers from the Past

Rose inhaled sharply. It surely couldn’t be as easy as this? There had to be a catch.

Eleanor had continued talking…‘could you come for a visit this weekend. Just to see if we click?’.

‘Yes, definitely, I can certainly, definitely come this weekend.’

‘Are you sure? You sounded a little uncertain there dear,’ and she chuckled again.

* * *

Rose was too excited to drive the 265 miles from Hounslow to Robin Hood’s Bay, so she sensibly opted for the train. She packed her tired copy of the Count of Monte Cristo for the train journey and settled in for the ride with Edmond and Mercedes. The leather bound copy must have been at least fifty years old. Rose’s mother, Sarah, had given it to her when she was thirteen (the age her mother had been when her father had given it to her). Scrawled inside in a teal ink was the inscription Conquer the world Sarah. See it all. Live it all. Conquer it. All my love, Dad xxx Rose must have read the book dozens of times. It was always the book she came back to when she needed to feel closer to her mother. Knowing that both her mother and her grandfather had loved it so much, made it impossible for Rose not to love it too. The first time she’d read it, she had sobbed full fat tears at the end. It had taken her by surprise and had ruined her all the more savagely for it. At least now she knew what was coming. Yet each time she read it, she always hoped that things would end differently for Edmond. Just as she wished things had ended differently for her mother. Rose was an unrepentant romantic. There was enough heartbreak and despair in reality, and there were times when she wanted to exist in a world where the ‘happily ever after’ was a foregone conclusion. But experience had shown her too many times that wishing for a happy ending wasn’t enough. So when she needed it, she would choose a book that would give her what she needed and wanted. It was a therapeutic escapism for her mental health that was just as necessary as ibuprofen for her headaches.

Bringing a decent sized book with her today had been a wise choice as her journey to Robin Hood’s Bay wasn’t as straightforward as she’d hoped when she’d looked it up online. There wasn’t a route straight to the Bay from Hounslow, so she’d had to get the train to Scarborough and then a bus. After nearly six hours of travel, Rose stepped off the bus and made her way down the cobbled street towards the book shop, using a map on her phone to guide her. Looking around as she followed the route, she was filled with something akin to déjà vu. She was sure she’d never been here before but her brain seemed to be suggesting that she had. But she’d never been to Scarborough, let alone this village. However, the feeling intensified the further in she ventured. It was a chilly March afternoon and Rose tugged her denim jacket tighter. It did nothing against the Yorkshire wind and she made a mental note to wear a thicker coat next time.

Turning the corner of the cobbled street she was wandering down, she spotted the Book Nook across the road. The worn sign and book packed window looked like the most welcoming shop front she could imagine. Tentatively she turned the ornate ceramic handle on the door and stepped inside. If the window looked inviting, it was nothing compared with the book lined walls within. She stood there, mouth agape as she took it all in.

‘I’m assuming you’re Rose?’ an elderly lady called from the counter in the corner of the room. Her grey hair was swept back in a loose bun, which highlighted her high cheekbones and bright blue eyes.

‘Yes - and you must be Mrs Raven?’

‘The one and only. But please, remember to call me Eleanor.’

‘Oh Eleanor, your shop is simply perfect. I do realise that I am being quite presumptuous as you still need to interview me. But cards out on the table; I’d be honoured to work here if you’ll have me.’

‘I’ve not seen that look for a long time. How could I say no to that?’

‘What look?’

‘Your eyes. They sparkled as you stepped inside, which is hard to do in a room as dark as this.’ Eleanor chuckled.

Rose settled herself behind the small counter with the till whilst Eleanor closed up the shop for the day.

‘Have you had a busy day?’ she asked as Eleanor flipped over the open sign and locked the door.

‘Not too busy, but a few customers and a few sales so that keeps me happy. I can’t really handle the busy days anymore and handling deliveries and the such are quite the struggle for me now.’

‘So is that what you’d need from me. If you decide to offer me the job I mean.’ Rose’s cheeks reddened slightly at her second bout of presumptuousness.

‘Rose dear. I knew from the second I spoke to you on the phone that the job would be yours if you wanted it. And that was only confirmed when you stepped through the door just now. Coupled with the fact that you’ve been working in a busy library and that you’ve brought a loved copy of a wonderful book with you, well I’d be remiss not to snap you up!’

‘You’ve a keen eye on you, Mrs Raven.’

‘Just Eleanor remember please. I haven’t been called Mrs Raven for a long time, not since my husband died in 1981. And I think us book lovers are tuned in to spotting books wherever we go. Is that one a favourite of yours?’

‘It is my go to book. It was my mother’s and she loved it very much.’

‘Susie mentioned that your mother died some time ago. I hope you don’t mind her telling me.’ Eleanor busied herself at the counter, clearly uncomfortable.

‘It would seem that we’ve both lost people dear to us.’ Rose reached across and gently steadied Eleanor’s shaking hands.

‘Yes it would seem so.’

‘Now, I think I’ve taken in everything I need to know about this glorious book shop. Could I just have a peek at the accommodation - just to see how much space there is for my books? And then I’ll need to head back to the bus stop to catch the train home.’

‘You can’t get the train home now, Rose. You’ve only just arrived.’

‘But if I don’t head back soon it’ll be dangerously late when I get back in to London’

‘Which is why you’ll stay the night. I’ve only just found you Rose, can’t have anything happen to you before I’ve even got you working here.’