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“And beer,” Lottie joked.

Skylar cracked a smile. “That too.”

“To say nothing about the men.”

“And the women.”

Skylar shot Tessa a wink as she said it, which made Tessa’s heart skip a beat.

Lottie laughed. “Alright, let’s shop already.”

The stores were too small for them all to shop together, so they split up into the ones they were most interested in. A couple ducked into the one with a focus on military history. The others went into the larger store that had some new releases available. Tessa decided to head to the children’s book store. She started at the back, perusing the vintage editions of Alice in Wonderland. As she turned to pick up a rare copy of Winnie the Pooh, another outstretched hand made her stop. She looked up to find Skylar had followed her in.

“Children’s books?” Skylar questioned, picking up the Winnie the Pooh copy and examining it before handing it to Tessa.

“Aye,” Tessa replied with a smile. “A friend of mine is up the duff, I’m afraid. I’m about to be an auntie before my time.”

Skylar chuckled. “Is your friend at least happy about it?”

“Oh, aye, she’s buzzing. Her husband will be too, I expect.”

“Y’know, it’s early for books. They can’t read for ages.”

“Wains love having stuff, even if they can’t use it.”

Skylar smirked and ran her hand across the table as she crossed around it, letting her fingers brush the aged covers. “You’re a sweet friend to think of her. How far along is she?”

“She’s only just found out,” Tessa replied. “Perhaps it is too early. Aren’t you supposed to wait twelve weeks or something?”

“I mean, if they’re already telling people—”

“Shite. They haven’t told anyone.”

“What?”

“I only know because I was around hers when she got the call from her doctor. Am I giving them bad luck by telling people?” Tessa’s heart rate picked up. She dropped the book on the table. “Fuck-a-doodle-doo, I’ve cursed them.”

Skylar approached and placed a warm hand on Tessa’s shoulder. “Tessa, I’m sure it’s fine.”

Tessa took a deep breath. “Sorry. I dunno why I’m so nervous.”

“It’s alright.” Skylar slid her hand down Tessa’s arm to take her hand. “You’re cute when you’re nervous.”

“I’m actually cute all the time, but thank you,” Tessa returned.

Skylar threw her head back and laughed before giving Tessa’s hand a squeeze. “You should go with Winnie the Pooh.”

“Yeah?”

“Of course. He’s sweet, body positive, gender neutral. Can’t go wrong.”

Tessa picked up the book again and held it to her chest. “Perfect.”

She took it up to the till and paid. They wrapped it in paper before handing it to Tessa in a bag, and she met Skylar by the door.

After shopping, the group headed to a café for lunch. Most everyone had found one little treasure from Bookseller’s Row. One of Tessa’s favorite things about London was the variety of vintage shops. If you had one thing in mind you needed, it was easy to narrow down. When they had a showcase or an auction, there was always a good spread of different items. And sometimes, a find could be returned to its rightful home.

Last year, Tessa found a jewelry set at a secondhand shop, did some research, and found out they were more valuable than what she paid for them. They once belonged to the Colfield family, the head of which was an earl. Though the estate eventually fell out of the family due to financial strain. Tessasold them at a charity gala to Laci Miller, a model whose family owned the home the Colfields previously occupied. That kind of serendipity always made Tessa glad she had this hobby. Though she supposed with her multiple past lives, it was no wonder she was drawn to old things.