Page 48

‘I’ll speak to Spirit about making the street some festive foliage,’ said Catherine.

‘And I’m off to sew festive bunting,’ said Prisha, shoving a block of cheddar into her bag. ‘I’m done with Tanveer thinking his workplace is prettier than ours.’

‘Is this where the buffet party is? I’ve brought snacks,’ said a blonde lady, making her way into the shop.

Noémi recognized her as Ingrid, the kind hygge woman from the coach trip. She was with the man who’d been interested in the antique books. Noémi had already messaged him that morning.

‘It’s not officially a party.’ Noémi laughed. ‘But you’re welcome to come in.’

‘Well, thank goodness.’ Ingrid pulled her hat off and shook her hair. ‘Because it’s snowing!’

Everybody piled towards the window as best they could.

‘It really is magical,’ Noémi breathed. Well, from what she could see over Betty Boo’s blue hair and Reverend Godbee’s antlers.

‘I mean, it’s really just precipitation that’s turned to ice,’ said Shay, putting his mop down and coming to stand by Noémi. ‘But for once, I’m with you. It does feel almost magical. Maybe my next adventure will involve snow.’

‘A fresh blanket of newness,’ Reverend Godbee exclaimed, even though half a dozen snowflakes that had yet to settle could scarcely be called a blanket.

As their visitors moved out to the street, twirling in the snow, some with broomsticks, others with the nearest person, Noémi couldn’t help but marvel at how things did suddenly feel a touch magical. She hadn’t meant for this to be a party, but somehow it had morphed into one – if you were the sort of person who liked your parties among bookshelves, with cheese available to sample or sniff.

Noémi hadn’t been sure she’d want too much commotion around her bookshop – yet the place felt alive, and she could even admit that she was enjoying it. There was only one person missing.

‘Your mum would love this, no?’ Shay asked gently.

Two souls but with a single thought.

‘Do you bring her back here much?’

‘Perhaps not enough,’ Noémi admitted.

‘If you ever need help breaking her out.’ Shay gave her a nudge. ‘I have a shovel. And she’d fit easily on the crossbar of my bike. Or I could set up the zip wire?’

He looked at her, his eyes twinkling.

‘You bloody won’t.’ She laughed. ‘Anyway, I’m allowed to take her through the front door, in the normal fashion.’

‘Not as much fun as a proper adventure though.’

She was far from being decided on that.

It was getting dark outside when the final helpers were leaving.

‘We should do this more often,’ said the woman with the brandy cream, holding one almost-empty carton aloft.

‘Yes, I’ve had the best day,’ said the snazzy pushchair mum who was laden with book purchases. ‘I’ll tell the mums about the book club – though there might be some arguments. I can’t see Imara reading anything that doesn’t involve fairies, and Shannon is the slowest reader. But you’ll work something out. Christmas miracles!’

‘Food and books. Today was a match made in heaven,’ Reverand Godbee mused. ‘You should make those Christmas biscuits again this year, Noémi. I do like divine treats with a good murder.’

‘Help yourself to the rest of the Yule log,’ Noémi said swiftly, sweeping the last chunk into the box and bundling it into his arms.

That was what she got for allowing her quiet clean-up mission to descend into a mulled-wine-infused buffet party.

Though life was simpler when you left certain things off the menu.

Chapter 27

‘Wow.’ Noémi let out a long breath as she pulled the curtain across the shop’s bay window. ‘What a day.’