Page 15

Chapter Seven

The sand stretched away, yellow and wet, into the distance as the sea hissed on the shore and the wind blew Ash’s hair into her eyes. She walked steadily over the beach, continuing until she hit rocks and then turning to walk back, feeling the air fresh in her lungs.

There was a lot to be said for being able to walk on the beach. Enough that by the end of her walk she was seriously considering a move. After all, she worked from home, it wouldn’t be like she had to totally up-end her life or anything. Walking on the beach every morning could be a good thing. An excellent thing.

She could sell her flat in London. She could even, if she wanted, keep the little flat here and sell the bookshop.

Because she had to sell the bookshop. What the hell else was she supposed to do with it? She knew as much about book-selling as she knew about stamp collecting. And even less than that about romance novels.

In fact, she still blushed slightly every time she walked into the shop as though the dirty parts were leaking out of the books and infecting her or something. Which was definitely ridiculous.

Not that Tetherington itself was a bad place. It seemed very nice actually. She couldn’t think of much of a reason why she shouldn’t stay here. The fact that she was already in possession of property just made things more convenient.

When she got back to the shop, she put the kettle on and switched on the computer on the shop counter, fully intending to go through the shop’s accounts. Without thinking, she untied the ribbon on the box that the bouncy blonde woman had left and helped herself to what was inside.

“Huh.” She eyed the biscuit. “Not bad,” she said to herself, taking another bite. Actually, that was uncharitable. It was more than not bad. It was very good.

She helped herself to another as she opened files and scanned numbers.

She was snapped back to attention by a velvety thump. Looking up, she saw the orange cat on the counter.

“I thought I threw you out.”

The cat regarded her stonily and Ash sighed.

“Fine, but you’re leaving again in the morning.”

It stretched, yawned, and curled itself up on the counter, still watching her.

“It looks like old Auntie Mary was doing alright for herself,” Ash said, scrolling through a spreadsheet. “In fact, selling books is a lot more profitable than I’d have thought. Although, I suppose your stock never goes off, that’s got to be a big advantage.”

She closed down the spreadsheet and opened another file.

“She’s into online sales as well, good for her.” Ash paused for a second. “Shewasinto online sales, I suppose.”

She stood up straighter, frowning at the cat. “What was she like? You knew her. You probably knew her better than anyone. I’ve been picturing a doddering old lady, but now I’m thinking she might not have been quite that at all.”

The cat yawned again and closed its eyes.

“You’re not staying,” said Ash.

It wasn’t staying. She didn’t want a cat and besides, she was selling the place, she couldn’t have random animals wandering in and out at all times of the day, could she?

The cat didn’t respond to her.

Ash sighed and looked around. If she wanted to know more about Aunt Mary then she supposed she was in the right place. After all, how better to find out about someone? She had Mary’s entire life at her disposal.

Okay, it was slightly creepy, but the lady was dead and, Ash told herself, she was doing the right thing. Snythe may be convinced that Ash belonged here, but she wasn’t entirely comfortable with the idea herself. Maybe she could find some evidence that this Mary really was her aunt.

Of course, that might lead to knowing more about her father. She wasn’t sure how she felt about that. She’d never had any burning desire to track him down or anything. Then again, maybe she should. Maybe she ran the risk of developing some horrible genetic disease, or birthing twins, or growing a third nipple or something.

She tapped her fingers on the counter and took another biscuit. They really were very good. Except they did now remind her that there would be a downside to deciding to live in a small town. Neighbors and plenty of them. And people poking into her business. She didn’t like that idea.

She sniffed and the cat on the counter breathed a deep sigh of irritation and opened one eye to glare at her.

“Alright, alright, I’m going,” she said. “I’ll be in the back if you need me.” She paused to glare back at it for a second. “But you’re not staying.”

The cat closed its eye again and went back to sleep.