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“It might not be terrible,” Lucy said. “It might be great.”

“And now it looks like Pen’s optimism is contagious,” George muttered.

“You can help out because helping is a good thing,” said Pen. Then she grinned, her heart fluttering a little. “Besides, I’m going to have to go and talk to Ash about planning this council presentation, aren’t I?”

George rolled his eyes and Lucy looked clueless, but Pen was so happy to have an excuse to really talk to Ash that she didn’t care.

Chapter Fifteen

“We’re closed.”

“No, you’re not,” Pen said, marching straight into the bookshop and stooping to pet Fabio who purred ferociously.

“I was just closing,” Ash said, slipping her finger into her book to mark her page.

“You were reading,” said Pen, coming up to the counter. She tilted her head to read the title of Ash’s book. “Oh, I’ve read that, it’s fabulous, isn’t it?”

Ash, who had been so engrossed in the book that she hadn’t even noticed Pen passing the window, grunted. “It’s alright.”

“It’s brilliant,” said Pen. “There’s the part… oh, wait, no spoilers, sorry.”

“You mean the part where they meet under the pier,” Ash said, who had just finished the chapter in question and was itching to move on to the next.

“Right,” Pen said, grinning. “It’s about the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard of.”

“Really?” asked Ash. “I mean, it was pretty romantic, with all the moonlight and stuff, I suppose. But I could think of more romantic things.”

“Like what?” Pen asked, leaning one elbow on the counter.

“Like a picnic on the beach at midnight,” said Ash. “During a meteor shower. Or an eclipse.”

“Huh, alright, I see where you’re going with that. I like it.” Pen brushed her hair back over her shoulder.

Ash thought the gesture made Pen’s neck look longer and for a quick instant she remembered Pen hugging her, the way her body had felt, those curves pressed up against her. It had been warm. Cozy even. She sniffed. “Anyway, what do you want?”

“To talk to you,” Pen said. “Oh, how’s the genealogy going?”

“Badly,” Ash scowled.

“What exactly are you doing anyway?”

“Trying to find out who Mary was,” said Ash, not seeing much point in denying it. Besides, the faster she answered Pen’s questions, the faster Pen might up and leave. She definitely wanted Pen to leave. Her perfume was annoyingly close and even though it smelled sort of delicious, Ash had a book to read.

“Maybe I can help,” Pen said quickly. “I knew her as well as anyone.”

Which reminded Ash that she’d seen Pen take in the homeless girl. “You like helping, don’t you?”

“Don’t you?” asked Pen. “And there’s nothing wrong with being helpful.”

“Is there not?” Ash asked. “I mean, I saw that homeless woman go into your shop. And alright, so she’s probably had something to eat and a hot drink, and maybe you let her use your bathroom. But in the long run, you’ve only helped her out for this afternoon, haven’t you? You haven’t changed her life or anything.”

Pen was blushing, a look that made Ash feel a bit funny. “Um, actually, Lucy’s going to be staying with me for a while. She’s working at the bakery.”

Ash didn’t know what to say to this. She was… shocked perhaps. But also surprised in a good way. Pen put her money where her mouth was, she wasn’t messing around. Maybe George had a point about her being a truly decent and kind person.

“Oh,” said Ash eventually. She swallowed and looked out of the window. The sun was still shining, but the light was more orange now. It was time to close up.

“Listen, how about I tell you everything I know about Mary. Then we can talk about the bookshop,” Pen said. “I need to make a presentation to put to the council as part of applying for a grant.”