Page 24 of Winter Nights at the Bay Bookshop

‘Have you heard of the Paperback Pixie?’ she asked, turning her phone towards me with an Instagram account showing on the screen. ‘They buy books and they leave them around the town for people to find and enjoy.’

‘Erm… Didn’t Bay News do a piece about it some years back?’

‘That’s right. Nobody knows who they are. We’re convinced the reporter was hoping to unmask them but the Paperback Pixie’s identity remains a mystery to this day. We’d love to know who they are but we haven’t a clue.’

‘Why would you want to know? Isn’t the mystery part of the magic, like not knowing who Batman, Spiderman or Superman really are?’

‘Oh, absolutely, and we’d never want to share the secret.

We’d just like to be the ones who supply the books.

Not for any credit on our part, mind. We think what the Pixie does is brilliant and we’ve no intention of interfering or asking them to add Bay Books branding to theirs.

If we could work with the Pixie, we could give them a discount – our little bit to help ease their financial burden while being a secret part of spreading the joy of reading.

We’ve even got a poster up asking for the Pixie to contact us. Long shot but worth a try.’

I glanced past her at the noticeboard behind the till and smiled at the WANTED poster, surprised I hadn’t noticed it before although, when I was by the till, I was usually busy serving customers with my back to the wall so I hadn’t even spotted there was a noticeboard there, let alone what was on it.

‘How do you know the Paperback Pixie isn’t already a customer?’ I asked.

‘None of our orders have tallied with the books they’ve gifted. We wondered if they’d sourced some books from us and some from elsewhere to avoid being identified, but that would be impossible to work out. So I suppose it is possible they’re a customer, but we’re doubtful. Shame.’

She released a heavy sigh and shrugged. ‘Anyway, if you’re wondering what Cassie was on about, the Paperback Pixie leaves a branded postcard with every book asking the finder to tag them in on Insta.

Cassie and I like to keep watch for the tags to see who finds the books.

Most of the time the messages from the finders are short – just a thank you and where the book was found, which is all the Pixie asks for.

The ones for children’s books can be really sweet but it’s the messages from the people who needed those books which we love the most. Some share that they’re going through a tough time and finding the book has lifted them or the book itself has really resonated with them, coming into their life at exactly the right time.

Loads of those messages have had Cassie and me in tears.

Well, me. Cassie isn’t really a sobber.’

The door opened and we both said hello to a man who greeted us back and headed straight for the stairs.

‘What’s the full house thing?’ I asked.

‘Cassie and I get a bit frustrated when finders don’t tag the Pixie,’ she said, smiling at me.

‘We try not to be judgy because we know there are people who aren’t on the socials, those who have a lot going on in their lives and forget to do it and so on, but it’s a thank you, you know?

So we get excited when we see all the books claimed and the Pixie thanked – a pixie haul full house. ’

‘That makes sense now, and I get what you’re saying about the tags. If the Paperback Pixie has stayed anonymous all these years, they’re obviously not doing it for the glory or adulation, but I could imagine the thank-you tags are appreciated. Probably makes them want to distribute more books.’

‘Exactly! And that’s why we’d love to work with them and give them a discount. So if you happen to know someone who knows someone who knows the Paperback Pixie, do ask them to get in touch. Discretion guaranteed!’

Lily was clearly passionate about the Paperback Pixie. Her eyes shone as she spoke and I loved how she wanted to be involved without any credit or expectation.

‘I hope you find your Pixie soon,’ I said.

‘Me too and I hope I get to meet them in person because I’d like to give them a huge hug and thank them for spreading the joy of reading. They’re a man or woman – or a team of people – after my own heart.’

The customer who’d gone upstairs returned with a travel book.

While Lily served him, chatting easily about his plans to visit India, I repeated in my head what she’d just said.

They’re a man or woman after my own heart.

It was true. I was. Every day, I felt myself being more and more drawn towards Lily Appleton.

I couldn’t think of a single thing I disliked about her.

Even in that first week when she’d been a little cool towards me, I’d still really liked her, admired her, wanted to be around her and now that she’d thawed again, those desires were even stronger.

I thought about all the superhero films I’d watched over the years and those pivotal moments where Bruce Wayne, Peter Parker and Clark Kent could have revealed their alter egos to the women who’d captured their hearts but something stopped them.

Now I truly understood why they didn’t admit who they were because I couldn’t either.

I’m the Paperback Pixie. Only four words but I just couldn’t say them.

Not yet anyway. Especially when nobody else knew – not even Nanna.