Chapter 20

Chapter Twenty

‘ A nd so you see, in the end it was the son who did it.' Susan leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms, her eyes fixed on Scott. ‘With the cake.'

Enid chuckled. ‘Which is why we warned you against eating the cake.'

‘Oh, I see.' Scott picked up the book again and turned to the back cover, skim-reading the blurb. ‘I might have to give it a go and read it.'

‘Well, there's no point now, is there, love?' Enid slapped the table. ‘You know what happens at the end. There is next week's book though, isn't there, Bea?'

‘Yes, yes.' Standing up, Bea nodded towards the counter where the stack of next week's choice stood.

‘So what do you say, Scott?' Alfred took a sip of tea. ‘Are you joining us for book club?'

‘I…' Scott glanced across at Bea.

‘It's entirely up to you. You're welcome to take a copy of the book and see if you have time. Or just play it week by week.'

‘No, I'd love to join.' Scott nodded forcefully and stood up. ‘I'll come and help you.'

As she walked across to the counter, Scott caught her up and leaned in, whispering, ‘If it means getting more time together, then I'll read the whole of the bookshop.'

Smiling, Bea turned round to him. ‘I didn't realise you liked to read.'

‘Ah, there're many things about me you don't know yet, but, yes, relaxing with a good book and a snack is one of my favourite things to while away an evening.'

Sliding the stack of books towards her, Bea tried her best not to let on how much that meant to her. Keep cool, Bea. Keep cool. Nope, it was no good. She grinned as she halved the pile of books and handed half to Scott. Maybe they were perfect for each other. ‘That's my favourite thing to do too.'

Leaning across to her, Scott pecked her on the lips.

Looking down at the books, she smiled. ‘We should get these across to them.'

‘Yes, and then we can go on our date.' Scott nodded as he picked up his stack of books.

The last few days had been a whirlwind, what with Scott arriving in Nettleford, Lyndsey's family turning up on her doorstep and she and Scott getting together, but it was all good. She enjoyed having Lyndsey, rob and the little ones around and she was definitely enjoying getting to know Scott. Grabbing the books, she turned just as the door to the flat opened and Adam walked through, his laptop open in his arms and an exasperated expression on his face.

‘Bea, there you are. It's absolute chaos up there. You don't mind me setting up down here, do you?' He beelined for her, standing in front of her and Scott hardly acknowledging Scott's presence at all.

‘Well, I…' Bea looked across at the table occupied by the book club members. ‘We'll be finished in a few minutes. You can come down then.'

‘Oh fantastic. I don't know what Peony is playing at but she definitely doesn't want to go to bed.' Adam rolled his eyes. ‘I'll just park myself at the counter until you're done.'

‘No, can't you come down after?' She shook her head. The last thing she wanted was to have him watching her, feeling as though he was judging her every move. She wouldn't put it past him to bring something up with her, telling her this way or that way worked better, as though he was the guru of bookshops.

‘I'm down here now.' He walked towards the counter and sat down on the bar stool. ‘You won't even notice I'm here.'

‘I…' Bea shook her head. It wasn't worth it. he was going to do what he was going to do whatever she said to him. It just wasn't worth the hassle, especially with Scott standing right next to her and her book club a few metres away.

‘Thanks, Bea.' Adam squeezed her on the arm and grinned at her. ‘And thanks so much for all of your support.'

‘Right.' Bea blew a loose strand of hair from her eyes. She just about had enough of him barging his way in here and making himself at home.

Next to her, Scott cleared his throat. ‘Excuse me, mate.'

Looking at Scott directly for the first time since he'd come downstairs, Adam frowned. ‘Oh, I'm not your mate, but go on…'

Bea felt Scott stiffen beside her. What was he going to say?

‘Bea's asked you to go back up to her flat until she'd finished up here.' Scott glanced towards the group sitting behind them. ‘And I think you should respect her.'

Bea closed her eyes. Please don't, Scott. She gripped the books to her chest.

‘I should, should I?' Adam slipped off the bar stool and puffed out his chest. ‘I was married to her; I think I know a little about how to treat her with respect.'

‘From what I've heard it was the fact that was something that was missing in your marriage.' Scott shook his head.

Thanks, fleur. Bea sighed. Scott could only have got his information about her failed marriage from Fleur.

‘I'll have you know…' Adam's voice was quiet, his tone deep.

‘No, stop. Both of you.' Bea began to speak before she'd really formed the words she was about to say. ‘Just stop. In fact, just get out and let us finish our book club session in peace.'

‘You heard her.' Scott stepped forward.

‘No.' Shifting the books into one hand, Bea held her palm against Scott's chest. ‘Both of you.'

Scott looked from her to Adam and back again, the hurt apparent in his eyes, before lowering the stack of books he was holding to the counter and turning on his heels.

Bea heard the bell tinkling above the door to indicate Scott's departure and turned to Adam. ‘Please.'

‘Hey, I'm sorry, but that guy? Seriously? He thinks he knows you better than I do.' Adam shook his head as he sat back down again.

Bea bit her tongue, stopping herself from telling him that, yes, maybe he did. Instead, when she spoke her voice cracked. ‘Please leave, Adam.'

Holding his hands up, palms forward, Adam sighed loudly. ‘if that's what you want.'

‘I do.' Lowering the books to the counter, she watched him pack up his things and leave. What had just happened? They'd been having a great time in the book club and Scott had been so lovely, joining in and he liked reading! But the way he'd stepped in, as though he himself had more say over her own shop than she did… She shook her head. She hadn't needed him doing that, she'd been handling the situation.

‘Are you okay, love?' Walking across to her, Enid placed her hand on Bea's arm.

Taking a deep breath, Bea forced a smile and nodded. ‘Yep, I'm fine. Let's get these books handed out, shall we?'

Locking the bookshop door behind Enid who had been the last to leave the book club, Bea returned to the table and sank into her chair. Lowering her head to the tabletop, she let the cool of the wood sooth her forehead as the tears she'd been holding back began to fall. She still couldn't wrap her head around what had happened.

She heard the door to the flat open and close before Lyndsey spoke, ‘Oh, you're still here.'

‘Yep. Still here.' Lifting her head, she swiped at her eyes and dried her cheeks.

‘Bea, what on earth's happened?' Rushing across to her, Lyndsey sat down, pulling the chair closer to Bea's before taking her into a hug.

‘I think me and Scott just broke up.' Fresh tears began to fall as the realisation of what had happened sank in.

‘What? Why?'

‘Adam. He came down here and he and Scott had a set to.' Bea ran her hands through her hair. How had it come to this?

‘A set-to? Adam?' Lyndsey shook her head, anger flickering in her eyes. ‘I told him not to come down here. When I took peony back into the bedroom, I specifically said to him to leave you alone as your date was coming.'

Bea took a long slow breath in. So that's why Adam had come downstairs then. It hadn't been because of Peony creating a fuss, Lyndsey had been taking her to bed. It had been because he wanted to check out who her date was. ‘That's why he did it then. That's why Adam came down here.'

‘I'm so sorry. I thought I was doing the right thing in telling him. If I'd known he'd come down and create a fuss I never would have told him.'

Bea ran her finger across the table, tracing the groves in the woodwork. ‘It's not your fault. You weren't to know. I wouldn't have though anything of it either. I mean he was in a relationship as soon as our marriage ended. Barely at that. So why aren't I allowed a relationship too? Why aren't I allowed to be happy?'

‘Sis, I don't know what Adam's playing at but why don't you go and find Scott and make up?'

‘I don't know if I want to.' She certainly didn't need anyone sticking up for her, to her own ex at that. Maybe she and Scott just weren't right for each other after all. Maybe she was just better on her own. She'd been perfectly happy these past couple of years.

‘Really?'

‘Yes, really. I don't think I'm made to be with anyone.'

‘Bea, don't say…' Lyndsey looked towards the door as it creaked open and a tired Peony padded across to them dragging her large and well-loved rabbit soft toy across the floor behind her. Scooping her onto her lap, Lyndsey began rocking her side to side. ‘Don't' say that, Bea. There's someone out there for everyone. And if it's not Scott they'll be someone else.'

Bea nodded. That was the trouble, she didn't want anyone else. She wanted Scott. Scott was the only person she could picture a future with but she'd messed that up. Well and truly. And the way he'd just stuck up for her when she hadn't needed or asked for his support… She pinched the bridge of her nose and stood up. ‘I'm going to head up for an early night. Catch you in the morning.'

Reaching her hand out, Lyndsey gripped her sister's. ‘If things are meant to be, it'll all work out.'

‘Yep.' She nodded feebly before squeezing her sister's hand back and stroking her niece's cheek. ‘Night, night, Peony.'