Page 31 of The Secret Christmas Bookshop
‘It was better than I’d expected,’ she admitted. She was reorganizing her display, filling in gaps after a welcome flurry of sales. ‘It’s early days, but we’re actually talking, which is good.’ She wrinkled her nose, thinking how much Harry had changed. When it was just the two of them, he was a different person.
‘Talking civilly?’ Fiona asked.
‘Being friendly, even.’
‘Goodness.’ Fiona sounded as surprised as she felt.
‘How’s Jazz?’ Sophie asked.
‘Eating me out of biscuits,’ Fiona said morosely.
Sophie gave her a warm smile. ‘I know you want her to be OK, but it’s not going to be a quick fix.’
‘I’m not sure she wants to stay here.’
Sophie laid out her most recent creations on the counter in front of her. They were thin, card-covered notebooks with a holographic Christmas tree design; threadbound, with wide lines inside. ‘That’s up to Jazz,’ she said evenly. ‘If she’s used to moving around, if that’s how she feels safe, then you need to let her.’
Fiona scoffed. ‘I wouldn’tstopher.’
‘It would be hard for you to let her go, though,’ Sophie said. ‘Have you had a proper chat with her?’
‘She’s not inclined to come out of her room. I persuadedher down for some lasagne, but she kept her eyes on her plate, gave monosyllabic answers. I’m sure she could have a job at the hotel, at least until after Christmas.’
‘If that’s what she wants.’
There was a spark of frustration in Fiona’s eyes. ‘I don’t want her heading back out into the wilderness, sleeping in deserted shops, risking hypothermia and not eating properly. She’s letting me take her for a check-up at the doctor’s, but nothing else.’
‘I’m sorry,’ Sophie said softly. ‘You’re being so generous, but I guess …’ She thought of how she had been at eighteen: free of the foster system, her new, thrilling independence mingling with panic at having to make all her own decisions. She had her art course and the confidence that Mrs Fairweather, her favourite foster parent, had instilled in her, but that was about it. ‘I guess she’s using the time you’re giving her to think through her options. That’s as scary as hostel-hopping in its own way.’
‘I understand,’ Fiona said quietly. ‘It doesn’t make it easy, though.’
‘I know. Shall I go and make us some tea?’
‘Thanks, Sophie. Tea is exactly what I need right now.’
When she came back with two steaming mugs of Earl Grey, Dexter was leaning on Fiona’s counter, the two of them laughing about something.
‘Oh Dexter, hello! Do you want one?’
He waved her away. ‘I can’t stay long, just came to give you a heads-up.’
‘For what?’ Sophie asked.
‘Lucy wants to get her three best friends gift bags for Christmas. The four of them have decided to do that, ratherthan buy each other more expensive gifts. Sweets, hair decorations, that sort of thing.’
‘It’s a great idea,’ Fiona said. ‘It’s always fun finding those little bits, and exactly what girls want at that age.’
‘And it’s less pressure, because she can get most of it herself.’ Dexter stood up straight. ‘Except that, obviously, she’s askedmeto scout out notebooks. She wants three original Sophie Stevens designs, but she’s got football practice after school today, then a sleepover on Friday and – well, basically, I have been instructed by my nine-year-old daughter to take photos of your top picks, then show them to her so she can decide.’
Fiona chuckled. ‘It’s a good thing she doesn’t have you under her thumb.’
Dexter’s eye-roll was pure affection.
‘Come over here, then.’ Sophie took her tea behind her counter. ‘I can show you what I’ve got – are you thinking sparkly, feminine colours, or would that offend her?’
‘Depends on the day of the week, to be honest. Sometimes she’s in full-on princess mode, sometimes pink is an assault to her eyes. I can take photos of the shelves, then a few of your top designs.’
‘OK.’ Sophie took her favourite notebooks off the display and laid them out on the counter. Clifton raised his head to give her a bleary look, then went back to his snooze.
