POV: Yessica | Location: Edinburgh
"Come in," Yessica said.
Not a welcome. A tactic. Keep her off the street. Control the space.
Diana Holt stepped inside Pages Poetry like she'd been invited for tea. Unhurried. Confident. Her charcoal coat didn't lose a crease when she moved.
Yessica let the door close behind her and stayed near it.
Agnes appeared from the back — tea towel in hand, eyes sharp and immediate. She took one look at Diana's coat, at Yessica's face, and set the towel down without a word. Positioned herself behind the counter.
Present. Watching.
"Catherine speaks highly of the shop," Diana said, scanning the shelves with polite interest. "She said you'd made something of yourself. I can see it."
"What does Catherine want?"
"She wants you to understand your options clear
