Chapter 10

TEN

As the last customer finally left the bookshop, Florrie locked the door and pulled the blind down, the spicy aroma of mulled wine they'd served with the nibbles lingering in the air. Her body was still buzzing with a high from Jack's book reading.

‘I think that went okay. What d'you reckon?' Jack asked in his usual understated way. He was looking happy and relaxed as he stood alongside the others by the counter, his now-familiar post-event-glow shimmering around him. No one would ever guess at his growing status as a national treasure and Florrie regularly found she had to pinch herself that she could actually consider him a friend.

She turned to him, eyes incredulous. ‘ Okay ? It went more than okay, Jack. It went amazingly well. And your reading… it was just spellbinding . You captured the atmosphere so perfectly. In fact, you could actually hear the audience holding its breath.'

‘You so could. It was fantastic, Jack,' said Jasmine, oozing enthusiasm.

‘Aye, it was that.' Nate nodded heartily. ‘I could've listened to you for hours. Think I'm going to invest in the audiobook so I can dive back into the story while I'm working.'

‘Ooh, good plan,' Lark enthused.

‘Thank you so much for agreeing to do it for us, Jack,' said Florrie. ‘We're really grateful for all of your support for the bookshop.'

‘Yes, thank you, Jack,' said Ed, beaming at him. ‘And I agree with everyone, the reading was amazing, I'd say it's your best yet. I reckon the audience thought so, too, as we've sold every single copy of your book, and we'd bought loads in. We've had to take orders as well.'

‘Hey, no need for thanks. I enjoyed myself. There's nowt like locking folk in a room so they have no choice but to listen to you while you prattle on.' He gave a throaty chuckle. ‘And let's not forget, I benefit from every book sale, so it's me who should be thanking you and Florrie for having me here and flogging my books.'

‘They were hardly locked in, Jack,' Alex said, chuckling. ‘They all looked perfectly happy to be here, which is hardly surprising.'

‘We had to turn folk away, didn't we, Jean?' said Paula.

‘We did.' Jean nodded emphatically.

‘Aye, well.' Jack looked momentarily bashful. ‘I reckon it must've been the promise of tasty scran and glass of mulled wine that tempted them.'

‘I don't think so.' Maggie giggled, rubbing the small of her back as she succumbed to a frown.

It was always a given that Jack's author events would be sold out within minutes of being announced on the bookshop's social media pages. The shop would be swooped on by customers, all clamouring to get their hands on a ticket – Florrie and Ed always made sure to hold some back for family and friends. ‘Aye, well, I suppose it gives folk summat to do of an evening when there's nowt on the telly,' Jack regularly said, in his self-deprecating way whenever he was told of the interest his appearances generated. Since his first event last year, he'd become a regular fixture at The Happy Hartes Bookshop, with his readings and book signings, which he seemed more than content with. It was something Florrie and Ed would be eternally grateful for; his involvement had helped with their plans to give the bookshop a new lease of life.

‘I'm so proud of you, lovey.' Jean dashed a tear away from her cheek, gazing affectionately at her son.

‘I'm not surprised, Jean. I can't tell you how glad I am that I managed to get here to witness Jack's reading. It was breathtaking.' Stella smiled at her. ‘I'm itching to read the book for myself now.' She patted her designer handbag where she'd slipped a copy.

‘The whole event's been amazing,' said Bear, in his deep voice. ‘From the window reveals to the atmosphere in the shop, to Jack's reading. It's been a totally brilliant evening.'

‘It so has,' said Leah, beaming at the author.

‘And it ain't over yet if I can tempt you lot to a drink at The Cellar. I warned Bill and Pim we might be popping in.' Jack cast a hopeful look around the group of friends.

Florrie had been looking forward to spending the rest of the evening curled up on the sofa at home with Ed. She'd nipped out to the gift shop in her lunchbreak and picked up a little token which she'd been looking forward to presenting him with. But the temptation to continue the wonderful time she was having with her friends found her looking at him hopefully.

‘I'm game,' he said, giving an easy shrug.

‘Me too.' She smiled, thinking it didn't make any difference what time she gave him the little gift; it was only a bit of fun after all.

‘How about you, missus?' Bear glanced down at Maggie. ‘Are you up to it, or are you ready for home?'

‘Hey, don't let this bump fool you! I'm definitely up to it,' Maggie said wholeheartedly.

‘Right, Jack, mate, sounds like you can count me and Mags in,' said Bear, grinning.

‘Aye, me too,' said Nate, his eyes shifting to Lark.

‘I'm in court in the morning, and I've driven down here so I'll just have the one tipple,' said Stella. She turned to Alex. ‘Don't feel you have to come away early with me, though. I'll understand if you want to hang back. I would if I didn't have some work to do.'

‘I'll probably head back with you. I've got some plans I need to look over before I meet with a client in the morning.' Alex was an architect with a busy practice. He and Stella had apartments opposite one another in the newly converted, and highly desirable Fitzgilbert's Landing that had once been a large warehouse on the top prom at the other end of town. Alex had actually drawn up the plans for the mystery buyer who'd snapped up the derelict building.

‘I'll have to take a raincheck on that, I need to head home,' Leah said disappointedly. ‘I promised I'd help Tilly with her English homework, which she's left to the last minute, as usual. I'll already get back later than I promised.'

‘That's a shame.' Florrie gave her a sympathetic smile. She knew Leah was regularly called upon by her family to help out with her younger sister's homework. ‘But don't worry, there'll be plenty of other times when you can join us.'

‘True.' Leah mustered up a smile and nodded.

‘I know it's a school night, but I reckon it won't do any harm to sneak in a cheeky bottle of beer, seeing as though it's for a special occasion,' said Jasmine, making the most of the opportunity to have some "me time" with her friends. ‘After all, my mum did say I didn't need to rush back.'

Jack turned to Jean, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. ‘You'll be on a pint of Micklewick Magic with Jaeger Bomb chasers again, will you, Mum?'

Jean giggled. ‘Give over, son. It'll be a small sherry for me, as you well know.'

Florrie watched as he gave his mother an affectionate hug, topping it off with a peck on the cheek. It gladdened her heart to see how the bond between the pair had grown. Finding her son had given Jean a new purpose in life as well as giving Jack a place to anchor himself to after the death of his adoptive parents.

The group walked briskly down the square in a bubble of enthusiastic chatter, peals of laughter rising up into the night as they passed the cheerfully decorated shop windows. Frost sparkled under the streetlamps and the Christmas lights that were festooned from shop to shop. They turned the corner at the end of the row and hurried along Endeavour Road to The Cellar. Florrie had linked Maggie's arm, listening as her friend told her all about the latest orders that had flooded in for The Micklewick Bear Company. By all accounts, she was doing a roaring trade. Ed strode along with Gerty on the end of her lead. He was chatting to Bear and Jack, with Nate and Alex walking closely behind. From what she could gather, their conversation looked serious, making Florrie wonder again if they were discussing Ed's father's phone call. She tried to ignore the clutch of worries that started squirming in her stomach, the image of Dodgy Dick flashing through her mind.

Before long, the group tumbled into the stylish bar and were greeted with a warm smile by Brooke, one of the regular bartenders. She was walking by with a perfectly balanced tray of drinks in her hand. ‘Hi there,' she said in a cheery voice, her dark ponytail swishing. She was wearing black skinny jeans, the micro-brewery's signature tweed waistcoat over a crisp white shirt, and a long apron, tied around her waist, emblazoned with The Cellar's logo.

A chorus of hellos followed as the welcoming atmosphere enveloped them.

‘Ooh, it's lovely and warm in here,' said Jasmine, unzipping her jacket, her cheeks glowing where the frost had nipped.

‘Mm. It is.' Florrie's glasses had steamed up as usual. She took them off, squinting at the chalkboard at the side of the bar.

The room was illuminated in a warm amber glow cast by the stylish lighting, emphasised by the candles in lanterns set out on the tables. Her glasses back on, Florrie's eye was caught by the bushy Christmas tree at the back of the room. It was decorated with a selection of quirky baubles and decked with hundreds of fairy lights, and topped with a bold, angular star. Further festive decorations were provided in the form of chrome stags' heads that were hung on the walls, baubles dangling from their antlers, while sumptuous garlands were fixed to the beams and studded with yet more richly coloured baubles.

The group headed towards the polished oak bar where a line of gleaming beer pumps sat, selling The Cellar's famous local beers. Bill, who was pulling a pint, turned and smiled. ‘Evening, all,' he said. He was always immaculately turned out, with his neatly clipped beard and tidy crop of hair.

‘Hi there,' said Pim in his melodic Dutch accent. He was Bill's husband and business partner, and had recently discovered that he was Stella's half-brother. As a consequence, the half-siblings had been doing all they could to get to know one another better. He was extremely tall, towering over Bill, and had a mop of glossy chin-length blond hair and eyes the same shade of blue as Stella's. Though he and Bill wore the same uniform as their staff, their waistcoats were in a slightly different weave of tweed. Pim's gaze swept over the group. ‘Why don't I give you a few drinks menus? You can find yourselves a table and I'll send Brooke over to take your order.' He flashed a friendly smile at them.

‘Sounds like a plan. Thanks, Pim.' Jack took the proffered menus and passed them round. ‘Here you go, folks.'

‘There's a spot free over there that should fit us all in.' Ed nodded in the direction of a semi-circular booth covered in tastefully aged leather. They all headed over to it, their feet clipping over the wooden floorboards.

Once their drinks had arrived, Jack cleared his throat. ‘So, I've had something on my mind that I'd like to air with you all,' he said, glancing around at them, his expression suddenly serious. He paused, nibbling on his bottom lip, as if gathering his thoughts.

A frown crumpled Florrie's brow, wondering what it could be. She took in his serious expression, hoping he wasn't about to share bad news. She caught Ed's eye; he looked as puzzled as she felt. Her gaze moved to Jean who was wearing a small smile. Oh. It took Florrie aback a little. Did Jean know what her son was going to say? Florrie wondered. She quickly reminded herself that Jack's dour resting face often belied what he was thinking. And if Jean's smile was anything to go by, maybe she'd been too hasty in heading down the bad news route. Florrie certainly hoped so. And besides, she could hardly imagine he'd announce something that would put the dampeners on the wonderful evening they'd just had. He wasn't that kind of person.

Everyone was poised, all eyes on Jack, as they waited to hear what he had to say.

He ran his hand up and down his pint of beer, smoothing away the beads of condensation. ‘Thing is, I've been approached by my publishers about writing my autobiography – heaven knows why they think anyone would be interested in reading about a boring old fart like me.' He pulled a "can you believe it?" face.

Stella, who was sitting next to Florrie, sat up straight. Her interest was clearly piqued, while Jasmine's eyebrows shot up.

‘You see, they know about me coming here to Micklewick Bay in search of my family connection, and how I ended up finding my wonderful birth mother right here in the town.' He reached for Jean's hand, giving it a squeeze. She smiled back at him, her eyes glowing with affection.

‘Oh, Jack, that sounds so lovely,' said Florrie. It hadn't escaped her attention that Ed had gone quiet. In fact, she could have sworn she'd felt him tense beside her.

‘And it would make a brilliant story,' said Maggie.

‘Aye, it would,' agreed Bear.

‘Especially with the way you'd tell it,' Paula added. She'd been a huge fan of Jack's for years, and her bookcase was bulging with everything he'd had published.

‘So would you use it as inspiration for a novel?' asked Alex. ‘Or would it be a straightforward autobiography, with you actually telling your story?'

‘Aye, well, see, that's the reason I'm bringing it up now. They want an autobiography, for me to tell my story, warts and all.' His eyes dropped to his pint; having a modest nature, he was clearly embarrassed by this. ‘Which would mean I'd have to mention Florrie and Ed, and The Happy Hartes Bookshop.' He took a moment, his eyes flicking between the couple. ‘I didn't know how you'd feel about that, kind of being pushed into the spotlight, as it were – if anyone was interested enough in buying a book where I blether on about myself, that is. As my agent pointed out, it's not as if I've kept my background a secret. Folk know I was adopted, and I'd come to Micklewick Bay in search of my birth family. The autobiography would obviously go into greater detail, clear up any rumours or duff information that's floating around. And it's common knowledge I do readings at the bookshop, so folk know of that connection. But if you'd rather I didn't, then I'd respect your wishes.'

Florrie didn't miss a beat. ‘As far as I'm concerned, Jack, I think yours and Jean's story is such a special one, it really should be shared. I don't doubt for a second your fans would love to read about it – I'd love to read about it from your perspective,' she said. ‘And I'd be absolutely fine with you mentioning me and the bookshop. Wouldn't you, Ed?' She glanced up at him, expecting to see him smiling, but instead she found an expression that she could swear bordered on hesitant, anxious, even.

‘Oh, me too,' said Paula, who clearly hadn't picked up on Ed's reaction.

‘Yeah, same here,' said Leah. ‘I reckon they'd be clamouring for it.'

Hoping Jack hadn't detected Ed's sudden change in demeanour, Florrie injected her voice with a generous dash of enthusiasm and said, ‘Ooh, Jack, how wonderful would it be if you could do a reading of your autobiography for the bookshop? If you wouldn't mind, that is?'

Jack's face broke out into a broad smile, and he gave one of his trademark throaty laughs, apparently oblivious to whatever was troubling Ed. ‘It'd be my pleasure, lass.' He raised his pint to her. ‘Cheers to that.'

‘Aye, and cheers to a bloomin' brilliant night, and another one to look forward to by all accounts,' said Nate, raising his pint of Micklewick Mellow. They all followed suit – including Ed, who, much to Florrie's relief, had resurrected his smile – a chorus of "cheers" ringing out.

It was while Jack was elaborating on his autobiography that the reason for Ed's sudden change of mood dawned on Florrie: Jean Davenport. She couldn't shake the feeling it had something to do with his father mentioning her friend's name in the phone call. Whatever it was, she was determined to find out, though it wasn't going to be easy with Ed's habit of clamming up. She only hoped Jean wouldn't end up hurt as a result.