Page 77 of The Bookshop of Forbidden Books

“Wait a second…” she murmured out loud.

Pushing back her chair, she rushed into the living room and straight to the china cabinet. Kneeling down on the floor, she rummaged through the shelves and pulled out an old phone book dating from before her departure for the Great White North.

She flipped through the pages, running a finger along the lines of interest – then stopped, her face lighting up.

Two hours later she snuck back through the garden door, and slid into bed beside Mitch, with only her muddy ankles to betray her nocturnal escapade.

When Mitch woke up, he was so entirely preoccupied with his imminent surrender he didn’t notice her ankles, or the soil-encrusted shoes she’d left at the foot of the stairs. If he’d known what Anna had been up to while he slept, he would have been furious with himself for missing it.

* * *

“You look like hell,” Anna observed, as Mitch wrapped his arms around her.

“Well, you look suspiciously cheerful. What’s put you in such a good mood?”

“Just seeing your face is enough,” she said, kissing him. “Get dressed – we’ve got a big day ahead of us.”

As she turned to take the stairs down to the kitchen, he caught her arm.

“Anna, let’s stop pretending. I know about the inspector’s blackmail.”

“Of course you do,” she said. “You were listening from the walk-in fridge. Now, didn’t I mention we have a big day ahead?”

“Yeah, just now.”

“So why are you still just standing around? Get in the shower!”

She threw him a towel, which he caught mid-air before heading for the bathroom with a baffled look.

Fifty-three minutes later, she double-parked the van in front of the bookshop and leaned past Mitch to unlock the passenger door, impatient for him to get out.

“Oh – and meet me at the restaurant at five o’clock sharp. I’m sure he’ll be punctual,” she ordered, as Mitch climbed out of the van.

“Who?” he asked, leaning into the window.

“Five o’clock,” she repeated.

“But—”

“I love you too. I’ve got to go now, okay?”

“Is there any particular reason you’re acting so bizarre?”

“It’s a bizarre world, don’t you think?”

“Is that a yes?”

“See you at five!” Anna chirped, grinding the gearshift into place.

He watched her van disappear down the boulevard, wondering what had got into her. Understanding what Anna was thinking was the most challenging puzzle in the world. Even for Mitch. Especially for Mitch.

* * *

At five on the dot, Mitch entered the restaurant. For the first time, every table was perfectly laid. If it weren’t for the quiet kitchen, it could’ve passed for opening night.

“Well?” Anna asked, watching Mitch’s face, her fingers twisting in the apron strings at her waist, as they always did when she was nervous.

“It’s… a triumph,” he said, although his mind was elsewhere.