Bookshop on Maple Street

Chapter One

Celia 

One year Later ... 

Opening Autumn Tales is the best decision and worst decision I've ever made. Opening the bookshop in Dahlia's honour is something I've been determined to do since her funeral and it only seems fit that I used her last name. She loved crime and mystery so a whole section has been dedicated to that, filled with quotes that she had said over the years about every book she ever read - that I remember hearing about anyways. But even my mother couldn't prepare me for how nerve-wracking opening day would be. Cleaning everything down, putting out all the books, checking the till and the typical making sure the internet it up and running for those e-book readers that I'm sure will come in at some point - lucky for them I have the codes they can purchase at the till for their Kindle's. Personally, I'd rather be cuddled up in the fantasy corner reading 'A Court of Mist and Fury' by Sarah J. Maas, avoiding people and the possibility a customer complaining if I don't have the book they wanted in but unfortunately, I'm the only person running the store - I really should just get someone to help out when we're busy...

The bell above the door rings and I look across the room. Being on the ladder wasn't exactly the best of choices whilst I'm distracted and I really should know better but apparently customer service is more important. 

"I bought coffee and cinnamon buns!" Edith, my mother, exclaims and she walks over to the front desk and puts down the box filled with my favourite, mouth-watering treat. One bonus of having a mother that owns CinnamonTreat's Bakery in Trenale means I can get cinnamon buns all day long. "Thought you might need a pick up after the five thirty am start this morning," I shovel a cinnamon bun in my mouth, the icing smearing over my cheeks - not sure I care though as, my god this is delicious. 

"Thank you," I mumbled shoveling the last of the cinnamon buns in my mouth and swallowing. I then grab a tissue from one of the tables, you know how emotional readers get when something happens, always best to keep them on hand, and wipe my face before throwing the tissue in the bin. "How's your day going?" I ask as I take a seat on the stool behind the till.

"It's alright, I just left Sorscha at the bakery so I could come down here to see how your first day is going," I take a sip of my latte and immediately put it back down, spilling a little when it burns my taste buds. 

"Holy damn that's hot!" I fan my mouth and quickly grab my water to cool the burning sensation. I chug down a few mouthfuls of water and sigh in relief when the burning stops. "I'm not sure what cups you use mum because after 20 minutes in the car, coffee is usually lukewarm." Grabbing a box of the non - fiction books I begin stamping them on the inside cover with the Autumn Tales logo before stacking them to one side. 

"I had the heating on, it's kind of chilly outside," taking a sip of her latte like it's not burning hot, destroying her taste buds into oblivion. "You know your brother's supposed to be coming up next week, he's just got back from deployment, however according to the weather man, it might not be possible with the storm on the way." I look up from stamping some of the books. 

"Jake's coming up from Brighton?" I question quizzically, it was unusual for him to travel so far North, especially when he's just come back from deployment in the last couple of weeks. 

"Yeah, he's coming to stay for a few weeks, Aiden has just moved back to that bungalow by the woods... not sure why he would want to live that far from society, but what do I know, I'm just a crazy old lady?" I laugh a little and take a sip of my finally cool enough coffee. 

"You're right about the old lady part but if Aiden wants to live away from civilisation you can't exactly blame him, being an Army Lieutenant must not be easy," I sip at my coffee, the bell to the door ringing as a few adults walk in, immediately finding their places amongst the books. 

Sometimes it's better to leave people to find the things they want, they'll ask for help if they need it ... although I'm not so sure how helpful I can be, every time some stranger talks to me I get nervous and then my stutter comes out, I'd rather not embarrass myself on day one. I push my glasses back up my nose and take a sip of my latte. The coffee slides down my throat, filling my stomach with a familiar warmth, bringing me comfort. 

Before I know it another hour has passed and my mother has now gone back to the bakery. A few customers have come and gone, two cups of coffee have been drunk and there's no more cinnamon buns to keep me comforted. I continued stamping all the new books and neatly placing them on their individual shelves. I look at the picture of Dahlia and I by the mystery section, surrounding it, what I know would be her top picks. I wipe my eyes trying not to let the tears cloud my vision or my judgement. I quickly place the last of the books on the shelves as the now familiar ringing of the doorbell reaches my ears.

"Hey trouble, long time no see," A very familiar, crumbly deep voice overwhelms my senses and I internally curse, oh no not today. I turn around to face Aiden Eros... my brother's best friend, fuck.