Page 4 of The Midnight Book Club
“Good morning, Mrs.Smith,” Aurelia said somewhat feebly.“Can I help you find something?”
“Oh, it’s you.”
It had been three months, but she still seemed surprised every time she found Aurelia in the shop instead of Marigold.
“Where’sThe Unexpected Guest?”Waving her hand at the shelves, Mrs.Smith continued, “Do you have it in stock?”
“Um, yes.The Unexpected Guest… I know we have the novelization.”
Mrs.Smith grunted her disapproval.
“Let me just see—we also have the script if that’s what you’re after?”
“It is,” Mrs.Smith said, taking the book from Aurelia and giving it a glance before striding toward the register.
“You know, we have some excellent mysteries by other authors.The Moonstoneis just there, on the table, if you’d like to have a look.”
Mrs.Smith had her handbag open and was digging inside, which Aurelia took as her version of ‘No, thank you.’
“The Unexpected Guestit is, then.”
Once Mrs.Smith had paid for the book, she smiled as she looked down at its cover.
“I’ve never seen it performed, but since I’ve read all her other books at least once, I thought I might as well read the script.”
Mrs.Smith looked up and startled when she saw Aurelia standing in front of her.Aurelia was certain that, for a moment, she had thought Marigold would be there in her place.
“Well, thank you.”
“You’re very welcome.”
Aurelia felt she ought to say something more—comfort her in some way—but Mrs.Smith had already turned and walked to the door.Aurelia watched as Alfie ran to her side, barely managing to pass through the door alongside her.
“Come again,” Aurelia called out, just as the door closed behind them.
It wasn’t exactly the distraction she’d been hoping for, but at least instead of worrying about hearing voices, she was now back to wondering whether the shop would ever feel like her own.
4
Itwasfouro’clockin the morning and Aurelia was standing in her pajamas at the door that led from the flat to the shop.She’d woken to the sound of voices again and had gotten to the bottom of the stairs only to hear them more distinctly and to see that same light coming from under the door.Once again, the voices didn’t seem angry or aggressive.It was all playing out just like last night, making it harder to believe she might be dreaming.
This time, she’d brought her phone with her straight away and she clutched it in her hand, debating what to do.She was scared but also… curious.Were people actually in the shop, or was she just hearing things?Last night she’d seen for herself that no one was there; perhaps they would go away again if she opened the door?It was mad, but she made the snap decision to do it—to open the door and check.She had her phone, she reassured herself, so she could quickly call the police if she discovered that the voices were attached to bodies.
Aurelia’s hand was shaking, but she managed to turn the door handle.Peeking through the smallest possible gap, she ran her eyes over the mezzanine but saw no sign of anyone.It seemed as though the voices were coming from the first floor of the shop; she’d have to get closer to be sure.She stepped through the door and took a few steps toward the mezzanine railing.Blinking in the soft light emanating all around her, she stood still as her eyes adjusted after the darkness of the stairwell.
Within the same instant, she registered two things: the voices had gone quiet, and people were standing downstairs looking up at her.
Feeling as though she’d opened the wrong door into the wrong room, Aurelia quickly stepped back into the stairwell and closed the door.For a moment she was embarrassed by her mistake before remembering it wasn’t a mistake at all—she’d definitely walked into the shop, and she’d certainly seen a group of people there.With that reality confirmed, she fumbled for the lock, then closed her eyes and tried to steady her erratic heartbeat.
Well, she thought,not only did the voices not disappear, but they are now officially connected to bodies.She couldn’t decide whether that made her feel better, or worse.
It took her several tries to dial the police, thanks to her shaking hands.Once they promised they were on their way, her tension eased, but only just.
As she waited, she replayed her brief encounter with the people.They were all wearing suits and dresses that looked like costumes from a period drama, not exactly the sort of outfits you’d expect to see on a group of burglars.Was it some sort of fancy-dress party?The thought shifted her feelings from fear to anger—just who did these people think they were, making themselves at home in the wee hours?
Curiosity and annoyance did battle with her fear.Maybe she ought to go back out and shout at them to leave?The police were already on their way, and the people she’d seen were all downstairs.If she went in again, she was certain she could get back to safety quickly if anyone made a move toward her.She was still trembling slightly, in spite of her resolve, but managed to open the door again.
Taking a step toward the mezzanine railing, she leaned forward.There they were!A whole gathering of people looking up at her.She let out a mangled scream as she stumbled backward, falling to the ground as she tripped over Fezz, who had appeared underfoot.
