Chapter 16
1400 Words
“He was waiting for me to see him. The way he looked at me turned my stomach.” Charlotte had filled Rosie in on more of the details of the night, punctuated by sips of the rather nice gin and tonic.
“But he said nothing?”
“Nope.”
Rosie shook her glass to release the last of the gin from the ice cubes and finished it. Mayhem leapt onto the far end of the sofa and meowed at her. “I fed you already. Stop complaining.”
“Does Sid treat all newcomers like this?”
“I’m afraid it is more by association.”
“I don’t understand.”
“There’s what you might call bad blood between him and Trev. Not my place to discuss, but they’ve had words in the past and the fact you are here with me is enough to draw his attention. I am sorry.”
“Don’t be.” Charlotte grinned. “I was profiling him yesterday. I came up with a long list of issues I could help with, not that I would. A person needs to want help first and I imagine he enjoys the little world he’s created around himself.”
“You’ve got that right! Would you make us another drink? I’m rather comfortable.”
Charlotte carefully moved the now-sleeping Mellow onto the next chair and collected Rosie’s glass. “You mentioned you knew Octavia at high school. What about the others?”
“Marguerite and Sid moved into Kingfisher Falls about fifteen years ago. She and Octavia hit it off immediately and when Glenys began the book club, they all became good friends. Glenys’s lived here as long as I have.”
After making the drinks, Charlotte handed Rosie hers. Mellow was back on her original chair and blinked up as if to say not to bother moving her again. “Fine, I want to sit on the other chair anyway.”
“Cats have their own agendas. We simply do anything in our power to avoid upsetting their plans.” Rosie was so solemn that Charlotte had to look twice to see the mirth in her eyes. They both laughed. There was a sense of happiness in this home. A contentment with life and enjoyment of her own company.
Charlotte gazed around the room. “This is such a pretty house, Rosie. And is that one of Darcy’s trees?” In the corner near the sliding door was a dark green pine.
“Thank you. And it is one of his. My husband and I always took a tree each year and then planted it. There was a land care group who arranged places and the town area still enjoys the benefit our, and many other people’s trees provide.”
“It is a lovely thing to do. Once my tree is strong again, I’ll find a home for it. Mind you, it looks better even after a few hours with plenty of water and a nice outlook.”
“Yes, it’s important trees have a nice view.”
“I’m beginning to understand we have a similar sense of humour. Although I have quite a sarcastic streak I need to keep in check.” Charlotte said.
“Feel free to be yourself around me. I do love my customers, for the most part, but there are days when being perpetually polite and accommodating is exhausting.”
Charlotte reached across to the other chair to stroke Mellow. “Speaking of customers, have you ever had a wishing tree set up?”
Rosie leaned forward, interested. “Tell me more.”
“Not that it needs to be a tree, but a place in the shop where customers might donate a book for someone less fortunate. They select a book, or one of our other gift ideas, and pay for it then we wrap it up and the customer writes a card.”
“And we donate the gifts to those less fortunate?”
“Yes. The customer can either donate with their name or anonymously, and the card would include an indicator of the suitable age if for children, or genre if for adults.” Charlotte smiled as Rosie clapped her hands.
“What a wonderful suggestion, darling! Do we have time to do it this year?”
“We’d need some signs, but I can make those tonight. And some little cards—”
“I have a stockpile of cards so that’s an easy one. I wonder how we let people know?” Rosie sat back with a frown. “Too late for the newspaper.”
“Will you let me set up a f*******: book for Kingfisher Falls Bookshop? I can manage it and get word out to locals. If you’ll trust me.”
“Everyone says I should be on f*******: but I’m not one for this whole social media thing. But wouldn’t it take a lot of your time?” Rosie said.
“Not really. And once it’s up and running, it will be perfect to put anything onto.”
“Anything?”
Charlotte nodded. “Opening hours. Photographs of the shop. Images of different books. We can announce new releases and specials. Oh, and maybe have some author signings.”
Rosie was suddenly very solemn and quiet. She held a hand toward Mayhem, who opened his eyes and ignored her. But Mellow hopped off her chair and climbed onto Rosie’s lap as if she knew her owner was troubled. For a few minutes, Charlotte let Rosie think and finished her drink. Perhaps she’d overstepped her position. Rosie wanted to retire, but even if Charlotte took over eventually, and it was too soon to know, she shouldn’t be forcing her ideas onto the other woman, who’d successfully run the business for decades.
“Charlie?”
“Rosie, I’m sorry.”
“Well, I don’t know what for. I feel a little foolish for not exploring ways to expand our…”
“Reach? Grow the customer base?” Charlotte prompted.
“Yes. Our horizons, as it were. Please go ahead and do whatever you think will work but let me know how many hours you work outside your normal days so I can pay you.”
Charlotte stood. “No extra payment required. That day I came here with Trev? I asked him if you had a f*******: page and rattled off a whole lot of ideas. So, I was invested then, and I am now. I think the free rent thing deserves a little repayment.”
“Thank you. Are you leaving?”
“I’d like to get started on this and have a lovely salad to make at home, so yes. Please stay were you are though.” Charlotte collected the glasses. “See you tomorrow.”
Charlotte left after washing the glasses and saying goodbye to the cats, although Mayhem hissed at her. She stepped onto the street in near darkness. The air was warm with a touch of humidity. Hopefully not another storm. But there was a smell on the breeze and not a pleasant one. Cigarette smoke. Nobody was around when she looked up the street and down.
A few steps along, there was a lit butt on the pavement. Charlotte stepped on it to extinguish it and felt around in her handbag for a tissue. “Right in the middle of bushfire season!” she muttered, folding the butt into the tissue. She’d dispose of it once she found a bin somewhere. Holding it away from herself, she headed for the main road again. No point being upset about other people’s carelessness. There was a lot to do this evening and, in a few minutes, she’d be home and able to write a list.
Almost at the corner, a prickle of alarm swept along Charlotte’s spine. There were no odd sounds, no more bad smells, just a feeling from nowhere. She moved a bit faster and then at the corner, stopped and stared back down toward Rosie’s house. It was quiet. No cars or people coming and going. Houses were mostly lit up with Christmas lights, adding to the festive feel of the town.
Charlotte decided she was over-tired from too many nights of disturbed sleep and dealing with a few less than pleasant locals. With a shake of her head, she hurried home.
- Writer
