Winter Wayhaught

Chapter 30

Postscript:

The reopening of the bookstore was a huge success. Waverly's eleventh book sold out within hours, Jessica on the phone to HarperCollins to get another shipment sent as quickly as possible. Waverly obliged anyone who wanted a personal message inside the cover. Nicole was even asked to sign dozens of copies, a task she found unnerving.

The bookstore thrived. The immediate publicity around its reopening generated a lot of sales in the weeks and months after. The book clubs were busier than ever. Held in the refurbished café, they added a special night once a week solely to discuss novels by Alice Makepeace. Robin was in his element. Now the store manager, he busied himself making sure everything ran smoothly. His love for the place shining through.

Waverly continued to write in her favourite chair. Her first thriller. True to his word Tarantino pursued the idea of a film, asking her to send him a rough draft of the story for consideration. He replied with a number of interesting plot twists, all of which she incorporated.

Dame Judy now had a part.

They decided on a Christmas wedding. The venue was obvious. Their bookstore, once a church, now their home. They shared the organising, Nicole's eye for detail and Waverly's impeccable taste combined to make it a magical day for everyone. Alice looked beautiful. A stylist had been brought in, the little girl sitting patiently as they did her hair. As a special treat she was allowed to have her nails painted. Waverly looked on knowing this was as big a day for Alice as it was for her.

Waverly's dress was exquisite. Simple, elegant, utterly her. Nicole shed a tear when she saw it. Nicole chose a beautifully tailored suit. Gus helped with the selection, showing off her form and her colouring to perfection. They agreed to keep the day low key. Only close friends and family. Nicole's mother and step-father arrived just in time. Waverly finally understood what Nicole had been trying to say about her mother. Wynonna was called upon to keep her entertained. The two got on very well, their mutual love of martinis sealing their newly formed friendship.

Whiskey and Christmas cake were served. Naturally.

They honeymooned in Kenya, helping a local charity build a new school. Waverly would go on to set up her own charity helping young girls get an education in the country. Nicole met up with her good friend from boarding school, who had returned to Kenya to run her father's shipping company at the Port of Mombassa. They spent a few days with her and her family before heading back. They stopped off on their way home to visit Nicole's parents. A chance to build bridges.

They adjusted to life as a married couple fairly quickly. Nicole went vegan. Inevitable really, although she occasionally cheated with cheese and the odd omelette. Nicole's tendency to not hang things up irritated Waverly, until she realised that was Nicole's way of living in their space. The spare room was Waverly's office. Made larger, with plenty of shelves for books, she spent hours in there working through her ideas. Nicole continued to listen to story developments each evening, a glass of whiskey in her hand, nodding as each character came to life in her mind.

They went for dinner once a week at Wynonna's. Alice started primary school. Her reading ability was above average, proudly reading the books she and Auntie Nicole would choose from the store to her teacher. She received a certificate for reading the most books in her first year at school, which she proudly had framed on her bedroom wall. She told Auntie Waverly she would be a writer one day, just like her.

They ran a competition in the local newspaper to find a new name for the bookstore. So many interesting suggestions. And a few funny ones. Some witty person came up with the name of Booky McBookface, a nod to the naming of a polar research ship RRS Boaty McBoatface. The lesson being never let the Internet decide on something. It was Alice who finally came up with the name.

It was simply called The Book Shop.

Notes:

I imagine the first song they danced together at their wedding would have been Ed Sheeran: Thinking Out Loud...

They say stories never really end. They live on in our imagination.

I've enjoyed living with these characters in my head. Can genuinely say I'm sad leaving them here. But, also so glad to have had the chance to play with them in this story.

I'm sure they are out there having adventures together, Waverly incorporating them into her stories. If I get a chance I'd like to explore Waverly's new direction as a thriller writer. And, of course what her new pen name might be...!

In love & light