The Little Bookshop at Herring Cove. Kellie Hailes

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СКАЧАТЬ door and two identical mops of brown curly hair with matching sparkling chestnut brown eyes came into view.

      Sophie smiled up at them, the weight on her heart and mind instantly lightening. Joe and Bella, along with Natalie and Ginny, were the closest thing she had to family.

      She’d witnessed their christenings and attended all their birthdays. She’d almost been there for Joe’s first steps, but had seen his eighth, ninth and tenth as he tottered into her shop. She’d been named Bella’s godmother. And from the day Joe could say her name she’d been Aunsof because he couldn’t get his wee tongue around Aunty Sophie, a title Natalie had insisted on. A matter of respect, she’d said. But Sophie suspected it was Natalie’s way of giving her the family she knew her friend longed for, but didn’t see herself ever having.

      The shipwreck that was her last relationship had seen her vow to never get involved with a man again. She’d risked her heart once, and as far as she was concerned, when it came to love and falling in it she was all washed up. Even if a tiny, sliver of her heart tried to convince her otherwise. Whispered in her quiet moments that she should let love in, learn to trust again.

      She’d let the loneliness win once, and where had that got her? Alone, broke, with no desire for a repeat performance.

      Natalie’s head appeared around the corner. ‘You kids, get out of the doorway. Give Aunty Sophie some room.’

      The worry that had tinged Natalie’s words in the past few months was gone, Sophie noted as she entered the lounge – an exact replica of hers, but painted in a riotous blaze of yellow and red, instead of the calming purple hue that had been Sophie’s mother’s colour of choice. There was also a brightness in Natalie’s tone that she’d not heard since her husband had left her for another woman.

      ‘Hey.’ She squatted down on the floor beside Natalie, who was folding a mountain of laundry, and gave her a half hug and a kiss on the cheek. ‘Need a hand?’

      ‘Always.’ Natalie rolled her eyes good-naturedly. ‘I swear Joe just needs to look at dirt and it’s on his clothes. And Bella changes three times a day and refuses to wear anything that hasn’t been washed. I try tricking her by putting the clothing all nice and folded back in her drawers – but it’s like she knows. Strange child.’ She shook her head, affection warming her face as a smile blossomed.

      The adoration on her friend’s face tugged at Sophie’s heart. What would it be like to look at a little person in that way? To feel bemused, frustrated, and absolutely unstoppably in love, all at the same time? Was that how her mother once looked at her, before the crash that had stolen her away?

      She faced the window and blinked, refusing to entertain the tears that threatened. There was no point in pondering the past. Or considering that kind of future.

      It had been hard enough for her to commit to a cat, but there was no way she could’ve left wee Puddles to look after himself when she’d found him wandering the lane, mewling mournfully. No family of his own to be found. He’d been so small, innocent and helpless, and before she could overthink the situation she’d scooped him up in her arms and taken him home with her.

      Now he was her constant companion, her little shadow. Her little light.

      ‘You’re a million miles away, Soph.’ Natalie laid a warm hand upon her shoulder, bringing her back to earth. ‘What’s up?’

      Sophie settled herself into a more comfortable, cross-legged position and tried to brace the subject of Natalie potentially selling to the Fletcher Group as casually as possible. ‘Something strange happened today. A man from that company that wants to build the resort in Herring Cove came to the shop. He wants to buy it.’

      ‘Aha…’ Natalie’s lips mashed together.

      ‘Does that seem weird to you?’

      Natalie shifted her gaze from Sophie to the floor. ‘Yeah. I mean, no. We’ve all heard the talk down at the pub. They’ve bought the farm behind us. Mr Murphy’s sold as well. If they want that land it makes sense that they’d want your land… or mine.’

      Sophie’s suspicion deepened. A knot formed in her stomach. Natalie was acting strange. Off. Like she was hiding something. Keeping something from Sophie.

      ‘Nat? Do you have something to tell me?’

      Nat shook her head. ‘No.’

      The word came out a squeak.

      ‘That “no” sounds like a yes.’

      ‘I don’t want to say. I don’t want to upset you. So if I say nothing, you can’t be upset with me.’ Natalie zipped her mouth shut, then turned an invisible key.

      Sophie’s stomach plummeted and nausea swelled. ‘Are you trying to not tell me that you’ve sold the shop? Your business? Your home?’ Sophie tried to keep the reproach from her voice. The hurt. She scooted back, up onto the couch. Needing space to get herself together. ‘I mean, it’s your business to do what you want with. Your flat. But, I don’t know… Selling this place is a huge deal. Massive. I just… I can’t believe you weren’t going to tell me… That you haven’t told me that it was even a possibility.’

      Natalie shuffled over to sit beside her on the couch, rose up, fished out a naked baby doll, tossed it aside, then sat down again. ‘Like I said, Soph, I didn’t want to upset you. I love you to bits. And I know how much Herring Cove means to you. How important routine is to you. It keeps you safe, secure.’ Natalie opened her arms as Bella ran full tilt towards her wanting a cuddle. She caught her in her arms and brought her close, breathing in the scent of her hair.

      Apples and sunshine. Sophie knew. Sophie had taken enough surreptitious sniffs of her own.

      Natalie released Bella and turned to face Sophie. ‘Have you seen the offer? You must’ve if he’s been to see you.’

      Sophie sucked in her lower lip, refused to meet Natalie’s gaze.

      ‘You didn’t? Oh, Soph.’ Natalie shook her head. ‘He’s not some dodgy dealer trying to get the best deal possible in order to turn a quick buck. It was serious money. Well above what this place is worth. I mean, the roof leaks even when it drizzles. I have to get all the pots, pans and buckets out when it rains proper. To fix this place up?’ Her eyes searched the ceiling, as if its peeling paint would provide answers. She shrugged and met Sophie’s gaze once again. ‘Well, it’d cost more money than I’m likely to have anytime soon. But what he offered me? Offered us? It’s a game-changer.’

      Curiosity loosened the anguish in Sophie’s stomach. Not because she’d sell. That would never happen. She’d no more share what few remaining memories she had of her parents for fear she’d lose them. The way her mother’s hugs smelled of rose-scented moisturiser. The way her father’s jumpers were a mix of his spicy aftershave and the smoke from his pipe he’d enjoy every evening after dinner, while nursing a whisky.

      ‘Would you look at that. I think I see a reduction in that worry wrinkle of yours. Does this mean you’re interested in just how rich I’m about to become?’

      ‘No, not at all.’ Sophie massaged the line between her brows. ‘Not really. Just…’

      ‘You’re wondering what you’re missing out on? Wondering what it would take for me to leave this leaky old house with a fabulous view of the sea that stretches СКАЧАТЬ