Page 5 of Autumn at the Cornish Garden Café

Henry turned and walked away, fighting the urge to turn back to catch one more glimpse of Rosa. Wondering if she really did remind him of a mermaid that had emerged from the sea to share the start of this new day with him.

3

ROSA

Aweek and a half had passed since Rosa had opened the bookshop and she was settling into the new routine of waking early, having breakfast, then heading downstairs to prepare the shop for the day ahead. Vinnie was a star of an employee, and she enjoyed his company and his ideas for displays and ways of increasing footfall.

Today he’d gone to his mum’s for his lunch break, so Rosa was alone in the shop. She was browsing a catalogue from a publisher for upcoming titles when a shadow fell across the floor. Looking up, she saw an elderly man peering through the window, his face pressed close to the glass.

He raised a hand when he spotted her then came inside the shop.

‘Good morning, young lady,’ he said, removing his checked flat cap to reveal a shiny bald head.

‘Good morning!’ Rosa gave her customer a warm smile.

‘I can’t tell you how delighted I am that there is a bookshop in our village at last.’ He folded his cap and tucked it into his blazer pocket. ‘I’ve been wishing for one to open up here for years.’

‘Well, I’m very happy to hear that.’ Rosa came around the counter and held out her hand. ‘I’m Rosa.’

‘Hello Rosa.’ He took her hand between both of his and she noticed how cold his hands were, how weathered by time and life the skin was. ‘It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I’m Christopher Robin.’

She frowned uncertainly, not sure if he was teasing her.

‘Yes, I know, but it’s the name my parents gave me. It has raised some eyebrows and smiles over the years.’ He gave a small laugh. ‘There was no deliberate link to the famous books, though.’

‘It’s a wonderful name.’

‘Thank you. I must say, this shop is delightful.’ He let go of her hand and looked around. ‘And it smells divine, a bit like a café.’

‘That’s the coffee machine.’ Rosa gestured at the refreshments corner. ‘Would you like a warm drink?’

‘Oh!’ He looked surprised. ‘That would be very kind of you.’

‘Come with me.’ She led the way to the machine and showed him how it worked, then handed him a cup. ‘Have whatever you like. And there are biscuits too.’

Christopher selected a coffee and a packet of shortbread biscuits, then Rosa told him to take a seat and relax for a bit. After feeling how cold his hands were, she wanted him to have the opportunity to warm up a bit.

While Christopher sat down, she returned to the counter and made some notes about books she’d like to order, then she checked the online orders on the computer behind the counter. When she looked over at Christopher, he was just finishing his drink.

‘Would you like another?’ She walked over to him.

‘No, thank you, dear girl. That was perfect.’

‘Were you looking for any books in particular?’ she asked. ‘Or just browsing.’

He stood up and shook his head. ‘I’m actually here to find out if you would be interested in some books I have at home. Not to buy from me.’ He held up a finger. ‘To take off my hands. You see, my wife and I were always avid readers and we have a very well-stocked library at home. However, with her being gone and me getting older by the day, I’m trying to clear out a bit. I can’t take it all with me now, can I?’

‘You lost your wife?’ Rosa asked.

‘Two years ago. Nothing sinister, just old age. I always said to her I wanted to go first, but sadly she denied me that and went before me.’ He held up his cup and the biscuit wrapper. ‘What should I do with these?’

‘There’s a bin and recycling tub in the corner but I can sort them for you.’ Rosa took the recycling from him, then came back to his side. ‘I am so sorry for your loss.’

‘Thank you but it’s to be expected when one reaches their eighties or nineties. My dear Dolly was eighty-nine and I am now ninety-two.’

‘That’s amazing. I hope I look as good as you if I ever get to ninety-two.’

Christopher laughed. ‘I’m sure you will look a million times better should you reach your nineties. It may sound like a great age to be, but I feel like I’m still twenty-one in my heart and mind. Other parts of me creak, groan and ache like I’m an old boat washed up after a storm though. The years fly past and I feel like my life has passed in the blink of an eye.’

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