February Night

Chapter 12

When Lucy came to the bookstore two days later, she was surprised that it wasn't open yet. Frowning, she glanced at her phone to see what time it was. Maybe she was too early. But no, it was almost nine and by that time Miss Willoughby had already opened the store. Not today though.

Lucy eventually opened the door with her key and stepped in. She turned on the lights, put her bag behind the counter and went to make herself a cup of white coffee. Then she settled on the chair at the counter and flicked through her current book while she drank her coffee. But she couldn't concentrate. Her eyes wandered to the clock repeatedly and Lucy wondered where Miss Willoughby was. She had never been late so far.

When the elderly lady still wasn't here two hours later, Lucy started to worry. She grabbed her phone and dialed Miss Willoughby's number. But she didn't answer the call. Lucy tried once again. And again. But nothing. Lucy decided to look if her boss was at home. She quickly closed the bookstore and walked to Miss Willoughby's apartment. Lucy had gotten the address, just in case. And now she would finally go there and see if there was something wrong. Maybe Miss Willoughby was sick? Maybe she needed help but couldn't call?

Lucy rang the bell at the apartment building. But there was no reaction. She tried it several times but no one opened the door. Desperation started to crawl up Lucy's chest and she couldn't really figure why. She let her fingers run over the names next to the bells until she found one that had added caretaker. She pressed it and much to her relief the door opened.

"How can I help you, miss?" A man with a bald head peeked out of his apartment door, looking at Lucy a bit confused.

"I'm...I'm looking for Miss Willoughby. She lives in apartment number 210. She was supposed to be at her bookstore today but she didn't show up and she doesn't open her door", Lucy explained with a slightly shaking voice. The man nodded, disappeared in his apartment for a moment and then came back, holding a bunch of keys in his hands.

Impatiently, Lucy waited for the caretaker to finally open the door. As soon as he had done so, Lucy stormed inside, calling Miss Willoughby's name. But she didn't get an answer. Slowly, Lucy walked through the apartment and glanced into every room. A strange feeling had settled in her stomach and she couldn't figure what this meant.

When she opened the bedroom door, she almost immediately saw the elderly woman lying in her bed; her eyes closed, her face having a grey tone. Swallowing hard, Lucy slowly stepped in and went closer. "Miss...Miss Willoughby?", she quietly asked although she knew that she wouldn't get an answer. Lucy's heart was pounding fast against her chest. Miss Willoughby didn't react to anything she said and although Lucy knew deep inside that the beloved owner of the bookstore was gone, she didn't want to realize it. Lucy just kept standing there right next to the bed, staring down.

The caretaker had followed her and now went past her to check on Miss Willoughby's pulse. "She...she's dead", he then murmured, clearly shocked. Lucy just stood there, staring at the body that was laying there in bed. The body of her boss, the woman who had always stood behind her during those weeks she had been working there. Who had spent a lot of time with her. And now she was just gone? Lucy couldn't believe it. She could feel the tears filling her eyes.

"No", she whispered and fought the urge to go over and shake Miss Willoughby's shoulder in hope she'd wake up. But Lucy knew she wouldn't. A sob escaped her mouth and she covered it with her hand.

How did this happen? Of course, Miss Willoughby had been old but except for the exhaustion she had sometimes felt, Lucy has had the feeling as if the woman was still quite vital and healthy.

Lucy barely noticed that the caretaker put out his phone and called an emergency doctor. While he organized everything, Lucy sank down on an armchair that was standing in a corner of the bedroom. The tears were streaming down her face at that time and she still tried to figure out how this morning had changed so drastically. It was terrible. What should she do now without Miss Willoughby? Well, she was sure the woman would want her to go back to the bookstore and be there for any possible customers and booklovers. Although Lucy wasn't sure she could do that right now, she knew she had to.