Page 11 of The Secret Christmas Bookshop
‘And some of it has got a bit tired,’ Simon said carefully. Sophie’s landlord and the owner of Batter Days, he was a quiet, generous man with sandy hair and a slim frame.
‘I didn’t even recognize the rat I splatted last time,’ someone agreed. ‘Thought it was a hairy cowpat.’
‘Right. Yes.’ Ermin raised his voice. ‘We want a revamp of the Festive Oak Fest, with someone who can really give it some attention, add that extra oomph, and make the most of its new location. Mistingham has so many local producers, people with skills and talents to show off, that I honestly think it could be something rather magnificent, despite the constraints. If we could—’
He was interrupted by a loudthwackas the hall door slammed against the indoor wall. A tall figure appeared in the doorway, highlighted by the outdoor light, the rain sparkling in hectic shards behind him.
‘Shit,’ said the man, and recognition prickled downSophie’s spine. ‘That was the wind, not me,’ he announced to the room. ‘I wasn’t tryingto make that sort of entrance.’ He stepped inside, shut the door behind him and pulled down his rain-slicked hood, and Sophie was treated to another view of Harry Anderly, with his mess of soft brown hair and his strong features, the tip of his nose pink from the cold.
‘Harry!’ Ermin’s shocked greeting sent nervous titters rippling through the audience. ‘I just … I didn’t—’
‘Sorry I’m late,’ Harry said. His gaze drifted across the space, and Sophie noticed May sitting at the end of a row. She waved and gave him a full-wattage smile. The look he gave her in return was both affectionate and annoyed. ‘It was suggested to meby a friendthat I should come tonight. I want to reiterate that the oak tree is old and fragile, so Mistingham Green is still out of bounds, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want the festival to be a success.’
The silence that followed was profound. The villagers stared at him, as if he was a rare creature who’d escaped from a zoo, and Sophie wondered if everyone was thinking what she was – that he’d come to check up on them, make sure they didn’t disobey his orders.
It sent up an indignant flare inside her, something he seemed to inspire every time they were close. Then her earlier thought returned: someone in this room had sent her the copy ofJane Eyre. Someone here was behind her gift from The Secret Bookshop. If she was involved in the festival, then she would have to speak to a whole lot of villagers: she could look them in the eye, ask questions, and see how they responded.
If she suggested the event had a book-related element,perhaps a stall promoting Christmas reads likeA Christmas Carol,The Polar Express,The Night Before Christmas,could she use that as a reason to ask around, find out about people’s relationships with books: what they loved, where they bought or borrowed their reading material from? Could taking an active role in the festival help her solve her mystery?
She slowly raised her hand, stretching her arm above the rows of heads.
‘Sophie,’ Ermin said warmly. ‘What’s your question?’
‘Oh! No,’ she said. ‘I thought, maybe—’
‘Sophie,’ Winnie called out. ‘Yes! You would do a marvellous job. You have those kind of eyes.’
Sophie blinked as heads swivelled towards her, everyone probably wondering how her unremarkable brown eyes could signify that she’d be great at organizing a festival.
‘I don’t think I’d do a good job bymyself,’ she said, feeling the blush warm her cheeks as she raised her voice, ‘but I’d be happy to be involved. If there were a few of us, perhaps, then it would be—’
‘Well!’ Ermin said. ‘This is grand! And a lot easier than I’d hoped.’
‘I can’t do it on my own,’ she reiterated.
‘You won’t be on your own.’ Ermin clasped his hands in front of him. ‘Harry just said he wants the festival to be a success, so—’
‘Hang on.’ Harry took a step forwards. ‘That doesn’t mean—’
‘Harry knows the village better thananyone.’ This was Mary, Winnie’s sister, her voice rising emphatically above the chattering that had started up again.
‘And as he’s decided that the oak tree is no-go, he’s bestplaced to organize something that will fit all his rules and regulations,’ Jason said. He was Simon’s husband, and ran Two Scoops, the ice-cream parlour. Where Simon was quiet and measured, Jason was permanently outspoken, not afraid to say what everyone else was thinking, and right now his hostility was barely concealed.
‘It does make a lot of sense.’ Fiona’s eyes were gleaming with satisfaction.
‘Oh no,’ Sophie whispered, lifting Clifton onto her lap. ‘No, no, no. That’s not what I meant at all.’
‘One person won’t be enough,’ Ermin said, ‘not with our more ambitious plans, but to have two young, competent people at the helm stands us in great stead for a top-notch Oak Fest. This really is a much better outcome than I’d hoped for.’
‘I didn’t agree to this,’ Harry said loudly. ‘I just came to—’
‘Check up on us?’ Mary asked sweetly.
‘Of course that’s not why I’m here.’
‘Then it stands to reason that you came to offer your help,’ Winnie said, continuing the tag team with her sister.
Harry’s jaw tightened, and Sophie noticed his hands curl into fists at his sides.
