Page 6

“Hey, you,” she says. “I heard you were coming home. Although I guess it’s not home for you anymore! How is Wellington?”

“Windy.”

“Wellington blows, but Auckland sucks, right?”

I laugh. “Yeah, that’s right.”

She looks up at me with her big brown eyes. And, right then, I feel it, the same way I’ve always done. That zap of electricity in my solar plexus, so intense and powerful, it takes my breath away. Wow. I wasn’t sure if it would still be there.

She swallows hard. “I’ve missed you so much,” she says softly. To my surprise, she moves forward, slides her arms around my waist, and rests her cheek on my shoulder.

Shocked, I stand stiffly for a moment, then gradually lower my arms around her and give her a hug, resting my lips on her hair. I can smell her perfume, something light and floral that makes me think of those warm days that last summer I spent here. I can still remember her beautiful body changing throughout her pregnancy, and the way she’d glowed with happiness when the baby was born.

Jayden’s baby. The vivid memory of those torturous days makes me ache.

“Mitch!”

I release Vix, and she moves back as someone walks up to us. It’s Brian, the guy who owns the fish and chip shop across the road.

He pumps my hand enthusiastically. “It’s good to see you.”

“Yeah, it’s nice to be back.”

“I guess you’re here to see John?”

I nod. “I had to wait for the end of term, but I came up as soon as I could.”

“Shame about his stroke,” Brian says. “Is he going to sell the bookshop?”

“I’m hoping it won’t come to that. You know how much he loves the place.”

He nods. “Well, I expect I’ll see you around. Come to the shop and I’ll give you a free fish and chip supper.”

I smile. “Will do.”

He touches his fingers to his forehead in a mock salute, then goes out of the shop.

“I’d heard that John wants to see Blair,” Vix says. “I was wondering whether he was thinking of selling.”

“I can’t imagine him wanting to do that,” I say, amused. “Can you?”

She hesitates. “Have you spoken to him?”

“Not personally, but I’ve chatted to the manager at Wisteria Villas. Louise, I think her name is?”

“Yes. What did she tell you about his stroke?”

“She said he probably wouldn’t be able to manage on his own in his flat for a while. But people recover after strokes, don’t they? I’m hoping he’ll be able to go back eventually.”

Vix studies me with a carefully neutral expression. “I’ve been to see him.” She touches my arm. “I think you should prepare yourself. It’s affected him quite severely.”

I frown. “Well, he’s a tough old bird. Hopefully, given time, he’ll recover. I can’t envisage a time when he doesn’t run the place. It’s part of my childhood.” I look around. “I used to sit where Millie is, reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar and We’re Going on a Bear Hunt while Grandad served customers or pottered around tidying the shelves.”

“How old were you?”

“Sixteen, seventeen.” I grin as she laughs. “Nah, about three or four, I guess. Later, it was The Hobbit, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and H. G. Wells.”

“Do you still love sci-fi?” she asks as we walk slowly over to Millie.