Page 43 of Black and White, Twice the Might

I shake my head. “We don’t need one. We can purchase the house with cash.”

“Excellent, we can arrange everything by a private sale if you trust that Cam and I have everything in order. You are, of course, free to get a solicitor involved.”

Sly snorts. “We trust you. If you have the bank details, we can go to the bank on Monday and arrange the transfer.”

“This is so exciting,” Enoch says, bouncing in his chair.

“It really is,” Xander agrees.

“It totally is,” Sly adds, with a laugh.

“How about you read the rest of that later, and we go to the bookshop to celebrate?”

“We can do that,” I say, closing the folder. “Our car is outside. Want a lift?”

CHAPTER 17

We walk into the bookshop and see Alfred stood, laughing, watching whatever is happening in the tearoom.

We walk in and see everyone surrounding Sal, asking what’s wrong. Is Sal sick? He doesn’t look it.

Adhan looks at everyone. “What’s wrong?”

“Sal’s sick,” Jude says, just as Cal, Justice and Ernest say, “Sal’s gone mad,” and Sal says, “Nothing’s wrong.”

“I’m confused,” Adhan says, looking around.

He’s not the only one.

“It’s easy to explain, Adhan,” John says, walking closer. “Being friends with Ernest has sent Sal mad.”

I snort out a laugh.

“I’m taking my cottage back,” Ernest says to his father while we all laugh.

Did Ernest live in John and Jodie’s cottage first?

“Course you are,” John replies, pretty sure he knows Ernest doesn’t mean it.

“Don’t you have books to shelve?” Ernest says to him.

“Nope, I’ve done my pile, the rest is for you,” John replies, before walking back into the bookshop, Alfred at his side.

“So, what’s really going on?” Adhan asks.

“Gah,” Sal says. “Ernest asked what was new, and I said nothing, that our lives were boring.”

“Have you gone mad?” Titus asks, walking into the tearoom and joining us.

“That’s what we said,” Justice tells him.

“Wait, you think life is boring? Do you not like working with me?” Nix asks.

Am I the only one who thinks Nix is trying not to laugh?

“Oh no, I really do. Honestly, it’s the most fun I’ve ever had in a job,” Sal replies, sounding and looking panicked. He pauses. “I hate you so much right now, as well.”

Nix bursts out laughing. “The look on your face.”