Page 9 of Storm in a Teacup (Love in Edinburgh #3)

She narrows her eyes. “Didn’t we all learn about rods and cones in school? Rods help you see in the dark, cones help you see colors. So, no rods, or limited rods in my case, equals poor sight in the dark.”

“Got it. That sucks.”

“It does suck,” she agrees.

“So, how’s your vision in the daylight?”

“Not terrible. Yet. However, my eye doctor advised me to stop driving a few years ago. I only started to listen after I got in a minor car accident. I hit a car I should have seen.” She waves that away like it doesn’t upset her.

I can tell it does. “Um, in addition to the night blindness, it starts with loss of peripheral vision and moves inward. So, as my vision gets worse, it’s like the world is shrinking around me. It’s called Retinitis Pigmentosa.”

I blow out a puff of air. “Damn. I’m sorry, Linny. That really sucks.”

She grimaces. “Nah, it’s great. I’m having a real fun time with it.

” She shakes her head. “Anyway, that’s what I mean.

I want Mel to have a good time, so I don’t want to need her to hold my hand when I can’t see.

I don’t think I’d even care as much if my ex wasn’t going to be there.

He’s just going to make it worse. He’s always so…

so mean about it.” She covers her face with both hands.

“And Mel told me he’s bringing his current girlfriend, so that’ll be even better. ”

My ears perk up at that. “You’re allowed to bring partners?”

Face still covered, she confirms, “Yeah, since it’s combined, they’re good with a giant group terrorizing the streets of London.”

“I’ll come with.”

Her hands drop. “Excuse me?”

“If you want. I mean, you know me.”

“Sort of,” she interrupts.

I plow on. “I know the deal now. I’ll hold your hand. It’s only fair because you held mine yesterday.”

“You don’t want to come to London with me next weekend.”

“I do.”

“You literally just opened a café. Isla will not be pleased if you leave.”

“The café will be fine.” With my fingers, I tick off all the reasons this is true.

“I don’t work on Saturdays. I’ll make up Isla’s missed day off on Sunday some day during the week.

We have two other employees. One of them, Scott, is my backup baker.

And it’ll be a weekend, so Rachel can lend a hand if need be.

” Linny still looks doubtful, so I add, “I’m sure she was already planning to hang about.

Rachel can bake too. I’ll need to prep the dough and anything, but she’s a good baker.

She’s been bugging me to help out in the kitchen, anyway. ”

She shakes her head. “Ben, we hardly know each other. And, to be clear, I am not looking to date you. Or anyone.”

“Neither am I. This would be strictly platonic.” I won’t let her deter me. “Do you need references? I can give you references. Or, one reference, but I can find more if I need to.”

“What references?”

“Can you leave the shop for a sec?”

“I don’t know…”

I crane my head around and call, “Carolyn? May I borrow our dear Melinda for a half hour?”

Carolyn calls back, “Sure, love. Just make sure to not let Fergus out when you leave. I’ve been waiting for him to come see me all day.”

This is the second time I’ve heard her reference that name. I mouth to Linny, “ Who is Fergus?”

She says, “Fergus is a kilt-clad ghost. Ignore it.” I’m not sure I want to ignore that. “Fine. Where are we going?”

“Josie’s Music Shop.”

Linny and I exit the shop, careful of said ghost, and walk the way to Josie’s shop.

Josie and my mum were good mates in childhood, more so acquaintances now.

But Josie was always around when I was growing up, so she’s still in my life even if she’s less so in my mum’s.

It’s been a while since I’ve seen her, so I’m anticipating a tight hug and a light knock on the head.

The door jingles as we enter, causing her to look up with a scowl. “Well, look who the cat dragged in. Didn’t see you at your soft opening the other night.” She’s sporting a red scarf in her hair and a tan, floor-length dress.

I lift my chin and say, “I was hiding in the kitchen.”

“Never known you to be one to hide from a party.”

I raise my shoulders, attempting nonchalance. “Aye, well, people change.” I grab Linny by the arm and pull her in front of me. “I’m here so you can tell her I’m nice.”

Linny waves awkwardly. “Hi. Nice to meet you. I’m Linny.”

Josie gets up, walking around the counter. “Nice to meet you, too. Linny, huh? Now, are you Carolyn Jenkins’s niece?”

Linny’s surprised. “I am.”

“Hmm, she’s a fun one.” She fixes her attention on me, holding her arms wide. “Come here then, you wee shite.”

I move easily into her embrace, murmuring, “Hi, Josie.” I pull away, fingers finding a tub of guitar picks that I rummage through absently.

Josie turns her focus back to Linny. “So, you need me to tell you Ben is nice? He’ll be nice to you, pet.”

I pull away from the guitar picks as I request, “Tell her I’m safe, too.” I wander a bit, my fingers brushing over a red electric guitar hung on the wall.

Josie glances at me out of the corner of her eye. “He’ll keep you safe. Won’t do anything to harm you. I won’t make promises about what he’ll do to himself, though. Not sure I ever saw him without a broken bone when he was wee.”

I beam proudly, shoving my hands in my pockets to keep them to myself. “I was adventurous.”

Josie puts her hands on her hips. “Still are, love. Is that all you needed me for?”

“Yes, Josie.” I wander back to where Linny stands by the front door.

She points a finger at me. “I expect another visit soon. Next one a bit longer, yeah?”

“Aye, of course.”

“Alright, off you pop.”

I swivel Linny and myself out of the shop. “She loves me,” I confide, “but she sure does love to kick me out of the shop. ”

“Is it because you mess with her things?”

“Yes.” I keep pace beside her. “So, what do you say? Can I come to London with you?”

She crosses her arms as we walk. “I feel like that’s a really bad idea. It would be weird for me to bring my platonic male friend, whom I hardly know—despite his glowing reference. What are we going to do, pretend you’re my boyfriend?”

We pause before crossing the road. “We don’t have to put any labels on it, but if someone calls me your boyfriend or you my girlfriend, we won’t deny it.”

She chews her lip and says again, “This is a really bad idea.”