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“Great, thanks.” He goes off to investigate.
Dad watches him go, then turns and smiles at me.
“Wow,” I say, “I didn’t expect that.”
“You’re your mother’s daughter,” he says softly. “Always interested in bringing people together.”
It’s a lovely thing to say, and my throat tightens with emotion. “Thank you.” I glance at the back of the shop then as I see Bear taking down the makeshift curtain. “What’s going on there, do you know?”
“No idea.” Dad’s eyes gleam before he turns and walks away to tidy up one of the tables.
Hmm, this is all very mysterious, but clearly nobody’s going to let me in on the secret. I’m guessing Mitch is decorating the flat and trying to make it nice for me, and the others are helping. It’s a lovely thought, and I don’t want to spoil the surprise, so I get back to work, conscious that there are only a couple more hours to go.
As the day draws to an end, it’s clear the sale has been amazingly successful. The tourists have been through like a plague of locusts, and eighty, maybe even ninety percent of all the old books have been sold, plus a good proportion of the current modern stock.
I’m absolutely thrilled. For a start, it’s cleared the shelves ready for the refit once I have the go-ahead on the loan. It’s also helped out Mitch, and I know it will cheer John up to think most of the books have gone to good homes, rather than ending up in the skip. I took a photo of the shop full of books and people earlier and texted it to him, and he sent me a message back with a shocked emoji. In a day or two, I’ll visit him and tell him all about it—he’ll like that.
I glance around to find Millie and discover her sitting on Lettie’s lap in the children’s section, asleep, worn out from all the excitement. I should have asked Dad to take her home, but Lettie looked happy enough to be sitting there, chatting to the kids.
“Phew, what a day,” I say to Cate and Darcey. They’ve been wrapping books all day.
“It’s been fantastic,” Darcey says. “So glad it was busy for you.”
“Just hope it hasn’t worn you out too much,” Cate says. Darcey elbows her, and Cate presses her lips together, trying not to laugh.
I frown and put my hands on my hips. “Okay, what’s going on?”
“Nothing,” they say together, and laugh.
I open my mouth to protest, but behind me Emma says, “Hey, Vix,” and I turn and give her a smile.
“You all done?” It’s gone four p.m. now. She closes The Lantern Café at three on a Saturday, and she’ll have spent the past hour cleaning up and closing the café.
“Yep,” she says. She looks at Dad as he comes over carrying Millie, who’s rubbing her eyes. “All ready?”
He walks behind Cate and Darcey’s table and picks up a duffel bag. “Yes, here you go.” He hands it to Emma.
She slings it over her shoulder, then says, “Hello, sweetie! Are you all ready to come home with me?”
I stare at them in surprise as Millie nods. Emma takes her from Dad, and Millie wraps her arms around Emma’s neck.
“She’s staying the night with me tonight, aren’t you, my love?” Emma says.
“What?” I’m completely baffled. It’s not the first time Emma has looked after Millie, but she normally only does it if I’m busy in the evening.
“We’re having spaghetti bolognese, and then we’re going to play some board games, aren’t we?” Emma says, and Millie brightens.
Completely puzzled, I give her a hug goodbye. “Enjoy yourself,” I tell her.
“See you,” Emma says mischievously, and the two of them head out of the shop.
I look back at Dad. “Come on, what’s going on?”
“You’ll find out soon enough,” he says. To my surprise, he pulls me into his arms and gives me a big hug. “I love you,” he murmurs.
“Aw, Dad…”
He kisses my forehead, and then he heads out of the door.
