CHAPTER THIRTEEN
By the time Thursday arrived, Charlotte was more than ready to collect the new gift cards. The past two days had seen a downturn not only in donations to the bookshop’s Giving Tree, but in sales. Talk around town ranged from anger at the thefts to speculation at who was behind it all. Henry’s name was mentioned more than once and Charlotte was ready to scold the next person who said it.
“You’ve been affected as well?” Charlotte helped Harpreet split the cards into piles. They both sat behind Harpreet’s long glass counter. “Less people coming in?”
“Yes, and what’s worse is the restaurant with some cancelled bookings. Most unusual for this time of year and worrying because my father buys everything fresh and we cannot abide, nor afford, wastage.”
“I contacted the journal
