Page 127 of The Bookshop of Memories

‘Really? I had no idea. I don’t remember a charity shop in Cobblers Yard back then.’

‘No, there wasn’t a charity shop here back then. We just … knew your father.’

‘You did? You knew Henry? I was only small when my dad … disappeared,’ she said.

Callum was heading for the door when he heard her. He paused and turned around. He caught Marjorie and Mabel glaring at him. He knew why they were giving him a filthy look – for making them promise not to tell a soul about that photo.

He slunk out of the door.

Chapter 47

‘I’m trying to keep it under wraps – the plan to reopen the bookshop. I know that’s going to be difficult in Cobblers Yard. I saw one of you ladies at the window, so I imagined you’d seen me in and out. I thought it would be nice to pop over and introduce myself,’ said Thea. ‘However, it would be really nice if you guys could, like, keep this between us if at all possible – about reopening the bookshop.’

‘You’re reopening the bookshop?’ Mabel and Marjorie ex-changed a grin.

‘Well, I’m hoping my sister is. I’m doing it for her. She’s in hospital at the moment. I wanted it to be a surprise for when she comes out.’

‘The bookshop?’

‘Yes, her new job.’

‘Have you run this by her?’

‘Well, no, but she has—’ Thea stopped. She was going to say she’d been coming here at midnight, but she wondered what that would sound like.

‘I’m sure she will be delighted,’ said Marjorie.

‘I hope so,’ Thea replied. Her smile faltered. Perhaps she should ask her sister if that was what she wanted.No, I want to stick to the plan for it to be a surprise, Thea decided, although in the back of her mind she could see a complication – Jenna was pregnant; how would she run a shop with a baby?Easy, thought Thea,she can bring the baby with her.She was aware that she hadn’t had children herself. Would that work? She had no idea. Perhaps she could take some leave from work and help out when the time came.

Although she had only been in the shop a short time, Thea knew that when the time came to leave she’d miss it, and would take any opportunity to return.

Callum nervously glanced at Thea as she walked back into the bookshop. ‘So, how was tea with Mabel and Marjorie?’ He winced, hoping they hadn’t told her about the photo. They had a deal – didn’t they?

‘It was great. They are so lovely, aren’t they?’

Callum reserved judgement until he knew they’d kept up their end of the bargain.

‘They knew my dad.’

‘Really?’ Callum tried to act surprised.

‘They remembered that he’d disappeared, never to be seen or heard from again.’

Callum stared at her.

‘Are you talking about Grandpa?’ Toby asked, lowering his book. He was sitting on the couch, taking a break and reading a book. Winston was lying on the sofa, his head on Toby’s lap. Dickens sat on the sofa back, staring at Winston.

Callum had been busy putting the finishing touches to the book they’d been binding when Thea had walked in.

She glanced at her nephew. ‘It’s such a shame that Toby never knew him. They are quite alike, you know.’

Callum agreed. ‘Yes, they are.’

‘Pardon?’

‘I meant that I imagine they are because he enjoys bookbinding.’ Callum winced realising he’d nearly put his foot in it.

Thea smiled at Toby. ‘Yes, that’s what I thought too.’

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