Page 45 of Be Less Panda

‘Don’t move. I’ll get help.’

‘It’s ok. Philip’s on his way,’ she said as he went back inside with Mimi trotting after him.

Philip was taking a long time. Hans was still in the street.

‘Won’t be long now,’ he yelled. She waved. ‘I’m fine. It’s quite nice up here.’ Or it would be if she wasn’t afraid of getting a ticking off from Madame Dubois.

The door opened behind her.

‘Quick,’ Philip said. ‘Before her ladyship spots you.’

‘I thought she was tied up with a client?’ Nancy said as innocently as she could.

Philip gave her a serious look. ‘We’ll discuss it downstairs. Let’s get you out of here.’

When they reached the kitchen, Philip stopped Nancy from walking into the shop. ‘Not so fast. Why were you nosing around upstairs? That’s the quickest way to get the sack around here. Why do you think there’s a long list of crossed-out names?’ he said, tapping the drinks list on the cupboard.’

‘I wasn’t being nosey. I was rescuing Mimi.’

‘Who prefers to relax in a specific room upstairs,’ Philip said with his arms folded.

‘The red one, you mean.’

‘Hmm,’ he said. ‘I guess you understand the bespoke bindings part of the business now.’

‘I guess I do. Why didn’t you explain when I asked before?’

‘I wasn’t sure how broad-minded you were. The last shop assistant who found out walked out immediately and never came back. I didn’t want you to do the same. You’re not going to, are you?’ He sounded worried.

‘Bespoke Bindings is none of my business, is it? And I need the money.’

‘Good.’ He looked relieved. ‘I think you owe Hans a thank you. He’s in the shop.’

‘I suppose so.’ That was going to be awkward after she’d all but ignored him yesterday.

‘I’ll make some fresh tea,’ Philip said.

Nancy went out onto the shopfloor, grateful to Philip for staying out of the way. Hans was half-heartedly looking at the bestsellers’ table. He looked up when she walked over to him.

Just get itoverand donewith, Nancy!‘Thank you for fetching Philip.’

‘That’s ok. Were you really going to jump across to the other balcony?’ he asked.

‘If I’d been wearing trousers, it would have been easy.’

‘It’s frighting being friends with you,’ he said.

‘You mean “frightening”. Though “scary” would be an even better word,’ she said.

‘Ok. It’s scary being friends with you. And I’m missing our English lessons. I obviously still need them.’ He smiled at her.

How she loved that smile. She was still annoyed about Wednesday’s rejection, but it had been a lonely evening without their regular chat yesterday. And surely it was better to have Hans in her life as a friend than no Hans at all. ‘A walk in the park would be good today with this hot weather - if you’re free when I finish here, of course?’ she suggested.

He looked pleased. ‘I will look forward to that very much. I’ll meet you in the café.’

‘You’re back late today,’ Olivia said, looking up from her magazine as Nancy walked into the flat.

Nancy checked her watch. ‘It’s my usual time.’

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