Patrick was as good as his word. He arrived just as the light was beginning to fade from the sky, the white lights along the seaside promenade flickering on to guide his way. He’d often pick up something sweet from Millie’s café on the way and would order Amy to sit down and eat and drink, despite her half-hearted protest that she was supposed to be dieting.
Today was no exception. Amy had been rushed off her feet all day and had had no time to dwell on any dark shadows lurking malevolently in the corners. She’d had the order of Christmas stock in and had taken delivery of thirty boxes of books. Patrick had arrived to help with stacking them out of the way and had then taken his now usual seat at the table nearest the door so he could keep an eye out. She was in the middle of unpacking them when the doorbell jangled and Tash flew in, immaculately dressed as usual. Amy never understood how Tash did a full day’s work as an estate agent teetering on sky-high stilettos and dressed in a tight skirt suit.
Amy was always a little wary around her. Lee, her ex-fiancé, had been Tash’s boyfriend previously and it always made Amy feel awkward. She didn’t really know why; Lee had only gone out with Tash for a short while. Then, having sent Amy a text, on the morning of the wedding, baldly stating that he couldn’t marry her, Lee had left Berecombe to join the navy. He hadn’t even managed the text properly – it had arrived too late to stop her turning up at the church. Then he disappeared from their lives, taking whatever confidence Amy had, with him.
‘Oh Amy, just the person,’ Tash cried. ‘Mum and Dad are due back from Portugal at the weekend and I’ve completely forgotten it’s Mum’s birthday. I thought you might have a book?’
Tash looked so unexpectedly panicked that Amy laughed. ‘We’ve got one or two.’
Tash laughed too. ‘So I can see.’ Her brows knitted as she took in the pile of boxes. ‘Had a delivery?’
‘It’s all the Christmas books I ordered.’ Amy chewed her lip. ‘To be honest, I’m worried I’ve gone a bit overboard. The shop’s been like death lately.’
‘Oh, don’t worry about that. Berecombe always goes quiet after the carnival, then we get an onslaught of tourists on the run up to half term. It’ll pick up, and most of that lot will be pre-ordered Christmas presents or on sale or return, won’t they?’
‘Some.’
‘And I love your new postcard and greetings card selection. That should do well in the run up to Christmas.’
‘Yes, I hope so, although I’m holding off from putting out anything Christmassy until after Hallowe’en. Some are prints by local artists. Something a little different, I think. The birthday cards are particularly nice. You’ll be wanting one of those, I expect?’
Tash looked blank.
‘For your mother? For her birthday?’
Tash slapped a hand to her dark fringe. ‘Oh my, yes. A card. How could I have forgotten? I never forget Mum’s birthday.’
‘Well, you’ve had a busy few months,’ Amy put in, gently.
‘You can say that again,’ Tash said, with feeling. ‘And the autumn rush hasn’t helped. Think the world and his wife are trying to buy a house in Berecombe. Work’s mad! Doesn’t help that we’re back to just Emma and me.’
‘No Leona anymore?’ Leona had worked with Emma and Tash at Hughes and Widrow for a few weeks. ‘Didn’t she work out?’
‘You could say that. Didn’t you know? She’s been transferred to the Bristol branch. She drove Emma mad so it’s no great loss but there’s still the same amount of work to do. I’m hoping head office will give us an apprentice. It’ll be good experience for Emma to train someone up.’
‘Oh, she’d enjoy that.’
Tash laughed again. ‘Possibly too much! Now books.’ She glanced at the phone in her hand. ‘I haven’t got long, I’m in between appointments.’
‘What’s she into? Your mother, I mean. Does she read much? Fiction or non-fiction?’
Tash grimaced. ‘She doesn’t read much at all, to be honest. Holiday reading mostly.’ Tash screwed up her face with the effort of thinking. ‘She likes her golf.’
‘I’ve some interesting books on golfing techniques. How to improve your game, the psychological approach to winning, that sort of thing.’
‘Oh I don’t know.’ Tash blew her fringe in frustration. ‘Doesn’t sound quite right.’
‘She likes dogs, doesn’t she?’
‘Well, she’s besotted with Benji.’
Amy tapped her biro on her teeth, thinking. ‘I might have just the thing.’ She led Tash to a display of coffee table books. ‘How is Benji? Weren’t you looking after him for your mum?’
‘Living the high life with Kit’s mother. Think Marianne spoils him more than my mother ever could.’ Tash grinned. ‘Westies put on weight so quickly. When I was taking him running, I’d got him looking quite sleek but he’s back to being fat and lazy again now.’
Amy’s lips compressed. As someone who easily put on weight, she sympathized with the little dog. Trying not to eye up Tash’s reed-thin figure too covetously, she picked up a large book and said, ‘I’ve just put this one out, actually. It came in with the new stock. More of a book to glance through and leave somewhere to impress visitors. A real coffee table job.’
‘Sounds like my mum.’ Tash took it off her. ‘It weighs a ton! What is it?’
‘A compendium of facts and figures about dogs. More fun than informative but the photographs are lovely. And, of course, it’s got a lovely little Westie on the front cover.’
‘Perfect,’ Tash declared, without hesitation. ‘I’ll take it. I usually get her some of her favourite perfume but she’ll be picking some up at Duty Free and this will make a nice change. Thanks Amy. Job done.’
‘If you go and choose a card, I’ll get it gift wrapped and you can pick it all up at book group. You are coming tonight, aren’t you?’ She led Tash back to the till.
Tash dashed over to the greeting cards, picked one quickly and slapped it on the counter, along with her credit card. ‘Thanks Amy. You’re a lifesaver. And yes, of course I’ll be at book group. Wouldn’t miss it for the world. Kit will be there too,’ she added, referring to her boyfriend. She took her credit card back and slipped into her bag. ‘After all, since that’s where Kit and I met, we owe the group a lot.’ She blushed a little. ‘And we’re picking this month’s new book tonight, aren’t we?’ She pulled a face and added sarcastically, ‘That’s always fun.’
Amy laughed. ‘I know, it always takes us an age. But it might be a little easier this time.’ She leaned forward and said, conspiratorially, ‘There’s a rumour Biddy won’t be able to come. Think she’s in London having deep discussions about the erotic novel she’s just written.’
‘Thank the Lord! I love the woman but sometimes life is a whole lot simpler without her.’
‘Not to mention quieter.’
‘Deffo, as Emma would say.’ Tash paused before running out. ‘Thanks Amy. I mean it. Great book advice and fantastic service.’
The two women smiled at one another, feeling a spark of true friendship for the first time.
‘You’re welcome, Tash. See you tonight.’
‘You betcha.’