Winter Wayhaught

Chapter 21

Waverly had to go on tour. Her publishers were keen to have her make personal appearances in the lead up to releasing her eleventh novel and the start of filming her fourth. It would mean weeks on the road, travelling between venues, signing books, posing for photos, feigning interest on TV shows. They discussed where she would be, when Nicole could get to see her. She didn't want to be away, her life having slipped into a comfortable routine around the bookstore.

Two new members of staff had been employed. Both necessary given Nicole's increasing absence and the store's growing success with a famous author in residence. Word had got out, social media being what it is, many flocking on the off chance of catching a glimpse of Alice Makepeace at work upstairs. She was always polite, always accommodating, even when it meant stopping her train of thought on a particular scene. She knew how much her presence meant to the store, seeing how happy Nicole was with the increased business.

The days she couldn't work downstairs, she hid herself away in the flat pounding out ideas. Her favourite time of day shortly after dinner, Nicole sitting in the spare room with her, listening as story ideas and plots were revealed. She loved watching her reaction. The same wide-eyed fascination as her niece's.

How lucky to have stumbled across Nicole's bookstore. A throw away comment by Wynonna to stop hiding brought her to its door. A dull grey afternoon, the skies threatening to drown anyone foolish enough to be out. The delight on entering, the intoxicating smell of wood burning, the friendly guy smiling at her by the cash register, the majestic feel to the building, the quiet reverence winning her heart in that moment. Easy to tell it was once a church. The imposing architecture, the scale of the windows, the coloured glass, the honey-coloured wooden pulpit with ornate carvings. Warm, welcoming, a wonderland for words. Everything a bookstore should be.

She took her time browsing the shelves, selecting two books by new authors. Moving upstairs, large leather chairs placed strategically near radiators invited customers to linger. She assessed each, selecting the one that looked most comfortable. As soon as she sat she knew she was home.

A woman passed carrying a handful of books. Waverly wondering whether she had more of a book obsession than her. Tall, extremely good looking, hair colour to die for, slightly older, she appeared content in this world. She watched as the woman placed each book in a specific location on the shelf. A member of staff she surmised. Their eyes met, only for a moment, a spark ignited, nervous smiles exchanged, the woman catching her elbow on one of the units, dropping several books in the process. A flustered rounding up of escaped items. She was gone.

Waverly opened one of the novels she intended to buy. Several hours later she was still in the same position, the outside world having disappeared, her mind lost in the fictive dream. The woman returned, another handful of books, stopping to place one on a nearby shelf.

"We have a café."

Waverly looked up. "Great. Sorry, I should go."

"It's raining."

"Looks like I'll have to stay a while longer."

"You can stay as long as you want."

"Thanks. Best suggestion I've heard all day. I could live here."

"No. I meant, you can stay for. While we're. I need to put these on the shelves."

Waverly watched as that woman attempted to place items she had in her hands, conscious of eyes on her. No longer able to endure the scrutiny, she dumped the final few scurrying away. Waverly would have liked to have chatted, realising whoever this person was they were too nervous to strike up a lengthy conversation. She told herself she would make an effort to say hello the next time she was in the store.