Natural Born Readers (The Book Lovers 3)

by Victoria Connelly

  ‘We’ll find a quite spot on the river – just the two of us,’ he’d said.

  There’d been a lot of kissing that day. Probably more kissing than reading. And he’d never been able to think of Arthur Ransome without also remembering Bryony’s sweet lips.

  He left his message to her there, hoping that she too would remember and maybe suggest meeting up. He could only hope.

  The last thing Bryony had on her mind was meeting up with Ben. She had something far more pressing to think about and she had to admit to being a tad nervous about it. She’d never done anything like this in her life. Spying, for goodness’ sake. It felt so horribly wrong, but stealing was wrong too and Mitch had crossed a line when he’d stolen from Flo. Bryony was determined to support her friend and put a stop to this dreadful business. Still she’d have to make sure she had her phone to hand in case they needed to ring the police in a hurry.

  She’d tied her hair back so that it wouldn’t blow about in the wind and give her away and she had chosen her very darkest clothes. She didn’t have any black in her wardrobe so had had to make do with a very dark green in the hope that it would blend into the foliage they would be hiding in.

  She’d got her camera which had a pretty good lens on it for close-ups. Mitch Lohman didn’t stand a chance, she’d thought as she’d left the house for her morning stint in the shop before her lunchtime rendezvous with Flo.

  Now, closing her shop, Bryony walked towards the school, turning into the lane which led to the community playing fields. Flanking the lane was the row of trees which Bryony had thought would make a good cover and she made her way over to them now.

  She was the first to make it to the allocated place. It was cold for the end of April, but there was a bit of sunshine around. The kind of day, Bryony thought, that you wished you’d worn an extra layer – no matter how many layers you were wearing. Still she consoled herself that they shouldn’t be outside for too long. Mitch surely wouldn’t want to hang around in a public place with a bag of stolen goods.

  She waited anxiously peering up the lane by the school, hoping Flo hadn’t backed out, and was relieved when she saw her friend. Flo was wearing a wig of curly red hair and a pair of Jackie Kennedy-style sunglasses that obliterated half her face.

  ‘How do I look?’ she asked Bryony as scooted behind the tree.

  ‘Like someone who’s about to crack a case wide open!’ Bryony told her.

  ‘Good. That was exactly the look I was going for.’

  ‘Castle Clare’s own Miss Marple.’

  Flo gave a little giggle and Bryony checked her watch. It shouldn’t be long now, she thought, hearing the happy chatter of children being let out for their lunch break.

  ‘We should get a good view from here,’ Bryony said, nodding towards the hedge opposite where Sonny had said his father met him to take whatever he’d managed to steal from Flo’s.

  ‘Oh, dear,’ Flo said.

  ‘What is it?’ Bryony asked.

  ‘I’m not sure I really want to be here.’ Flo took her sunglasses off and rubbed her eyes.

  ‘I think it might be too late to back out now,’ Bryony said. ‘There’s a car coming.’

  They turned to look as a silver Volvo parked in the lane.

  ‘That’s his car,’ Flo said and they watched as Mitch Lohman got out. He was carrying a canvas bag and he checked his watch. Bryony got her camera out.

  ‘I’m ready for him,’ she said and Flo put her sunglasses back on.

  ‘Me too.’

  Mitch came closer, crossing the lane so that he was on the same side of the hedge which edged the school playing field, and that’s when they saw Sonny on the other side. The hedge was spindly and low towards the back of the playing field and it was this point that both Sonny and Mitch were heading for. The drop was about to take place.

  ‘I can’t believe Mitch is abusing his son like that. My great-nephew!’ Flo whispered.

  ‘It’s so awful,’ Bryony agreed. ‘Poor Sonny.’

  ‘Who’s on playground duty? Why is nobody keeping an eye on what’s going on here?’

  Bryony looked around. No teachers were visible. There was a group of boys kicking a football nearby and two girls were cartwheeling across the grass, but nobody seemed to notice what Sonny was up to.

  Flo clutched at Bryony’s arm as she brought out her camera and began taking photos as Mitch approached the hedge. He bent down as Sonny approached from the other side, but they couldn’t hear what was being said as Sonny slid his bag through the gap.

  It was the work of a few seconds as Mitch unzipped the bag, took out the silver candlesticks and placed them in his own bag. He paused and Bryony and Flo watched as Sonny shook his head.

  ‘Maybe he’s asking where the piggy bank is,’ Flo whispered. ‘But he’s not getting his grubby hands on my piggy bank, the swine.’ Suddenly, Flo laughed. ‘The swine, get it? Piggy bank –’

  ‘Shush!’ Bryony flapped a hand, but it was too late, Mitch had turned around.

  ‘Who’s that?’ he asked, standing up to full height.

  Bryony looked at Flo. Her hand was clapped firmly over her mouth.

  ‘Leave this to me,’ Bryony said. ‘Meet me back at the shop as soon as he’s gone, okay?’

  ‘What are you going to do?’

  ‘Wing it,’ Bryony said and she stepped out from behind the tree.

  ‘What are you doing?’ Mitch called over to her.

  Bryony smiled at him. ‘I’m looking for the greater-crested…’ she faltered, ‘tree tit.’ She swallowed hard.

  Mitch’s face creased up in disbelief. ‘Tree tit?’

  Bryony nodded. ‘There’s been reports of it in the area and I’m trying to photograph it.’ She held her camera up as if that was enough proof.

  Mitch scratched his head and Bryony caught Sonny’s eye from the other side of the hedge and winked at him, hoping he wouldn’t give the game away.

  ‘I’ve not seen no bird,’ Mitch said, and Bryony flinched at his use of the double negative.

  ‘Well, maybe I’ll try the playing fields,’ she said, nodding to him before moving away, and how hard that was when she knew exactly what Mitch had in that bag of his. But making a citizen’s arrest wasn’t part of the plan and so she walked swiftly away.

  She waited a whole fifteen minutes before daring to walk back down the lane again. Luckily, Mitch’s car was gone. Flo was no longer hiding behind the tree so Bryony made her way back to her shop and found Flo waiting outside.

  ‘Did he suspect anything?’ Flo asked.

  ‘I don’t think so.’ Bryony said, unlocking the shop door. The first thing she did was to make them both a cup of tea. She then popped the memory card from her camera into the computer and went through the pictures.

  ‘Look at this one!’ Bryony said. ‘His hand’s wrapped around the candlestick like a python.’

  ‘And look at the fat smile on his face,’ Flo said. ‘He’s probably working out how much money he can sell them for.’

  All of a sudden, a sob erupted from Flo, obviously taking her as much by surprise as it did Bryony because her hand flew to her mouth. But there was no stopping the emotion and tears soon coursed down her pale face.

  ‘Oh, Flo!’ Bryony said, folding her in her arms. ‘What a time you’re having. Nobody should have to go through this.’

  ‘What am I going to do? What am I going to say to him?’ Flo cried.

  ‘I don’t know,’ Bryony said honestly, ‘but you don’t have to go through this alone. I’ll be right there with you when you confront him. If you want me to be.’

  Flo mopped her eyes and Bryony gave her a few moments to compose herself.

  ‘What a dear you are,’ Flo said at last. ‘I don’t know what I would’ve done without you these last few days. But I’m afraid I’ll have to face Mitch alone.’

  ‘Are you sure?’

  Flo nodded.

  ‘He won’t – you know – hurt you?’ Bryony asked hesitantly.
r />   ‘I don’t think so. He might be a thief, but I don’t think he’d stoop to violence.’

  It was then that Colin the baker walked into the shop.

  ‘Oh!’ he said at the sight of Flo.

  ‘It’s okay, Colin,’ Bryony said. ‘This is Flo.’

  ‘Yes,’ he said. ‘Hello Flo. You’ve – erm – done something to your hair?’

  Flo gave a tiny smile and removed her wig. ‘Just having a bit of fun.’

  ‘Erm, right,’ Colin said, his brow furrowing.

  ‘She’s had a bit of a shock,’ Bryony explained.

  ‘Everything okay, I hope?’ Colin said.

  ‘It will be,’ Bryony said. ‘Did you want something?’

  ‘No, no. Just wondered what you’re doing tonight?’

  ‘Oh, I’m busy now, Colin.’

  ‘Right. Of course. Well, I’ll see you later, Bryony,’ he said, nodding before leaving the shop.

  ‘What a sweetie he is,’ Flo said.

  ‘Yes,’ Bryony agreed.

  ‘You like him?’

  Bryony paused. Flo seemed to have cheered up.

  ‘As a friend.’

  ‘Oh, dear – the friend word. I can see he has more than friendship in mind.’

  Bryony sighed. ‘Yes. He keeps baking me things. I’m going to get fat if it continues.’

  ‘He is the best baker for miles around. I’m sure he’s hard to resist.’

  ‘I’m doing my best to resist,’ Bryony told her.

  ‘I see,’ Flo said. ‘Does Colin know that?’

  ‘I get the feeling he does. Deep down.’

  ‘But you haven’t told him.’

  ‘Not exactly.’

  ‘Oh, Bryony – you must! You must tell him.’

  ‘I know, I know. It just never seems like the right time and he’s so sweet to me and I hate the idea of upsetting him.’

  ‘But better to upset him now than later when he’s invested all his time and love in you. To say nothing of his pastries.’ Flo gave a little smile.

  Bryony nodded. She didn’t dare tell Flo the real reason she was keeping Colin dangling. It would make her look so bad and she wasn’t a bad person. She was just planning a bad thing. Then, once that was over, Ben would know exactly how much he’d hurt her and she could tell Colin it was over. Then she could get on with her life.

  ‘And then there’s Ben,’ Flo pointed out unnecessarily, interrupting her thoughts. ‘Two men vying for your attention. Both handsome and kind –’

  ‘I think we should look at these photos again,’ Bryony said.

  ‘I see.’

  Bryony looked at Flo.

  ‘It’ll sort itself out with Colin.’

  ‘Not if you don’t take action,’ Flo said. ‘Forgive me if I’m butting in, but you seem so unhappy, Bryony. You’ve been such a wonderful help to me and Sonny. We love having you at Cuckoo Cottage. You’ve made such good progress in the garden, but you can’t hide away there forever.’

  ‘I know and I promise, I’m going to make sure everything is taken care of. Soon.’

  ‘Soon?’

  ‘I have a plan.’

  ‘What sort of plan?’

  ‘I – I can’t tell you.’

  Flo frowned.

  ‘Don’t be mad at me, Flo,’ Bryony said, reaching out to touch her arm.

  ‘I’m not mad, my dear. I just want to help you as you’ve helped me.’

  ‘But you are helping me. I love the time we spend together.’

  Flo smiled. ‘Me too.’

  ‘Can I come round tonight? Groom the donkeys?’

  ‘Of course. Belle and Beau would love to see you.’

  They gave each other a hug.

  ‘Now,’ Flo said a moment later, ‘what are we going to do with these photos?’

  Chapter Fifteen

  May arrived in a glory of colour. The cottage gardens of Castle Clare were full of lilac, honeysuckle and irises. The cold winds of April seemed to have passed and the air was warm enough for windows to be opened and for washing to blow dry on the line.

  May also meant it was time for the book club and Sam Nightingale had brought the chairs over from the village hall and had arranged the back room of the bookshop. Callie had filled the kettle and had made sure there were enough mugs and plates for everybody.

  ‘I wonder who’s been baking,’ Callie said as Sam came through to check on things.

  ‘Ah, yes – the book club is turning into a baking battle zone, isn’t it?’

  ‘In the best possible way,’ Callie told him.

  ‘At least nobody goes hungry,’ Sam said. ‘And Winston laps it all up. Cakes, rivalries – he’s in his element here even if he hasn’t read the book.’

  ‘He’s bound to have read this one or at least seen the TV adaptation,’ Callie pointed out.

  ‘I’ve been thinking about that issue. We’ll have to choose some books which haven’t ever been adapted as films or for the TV so that we get the full unadulterated reader experience,’ Sam said.

  ‘That’s a good idea,’ Callie agreed. ‘Do you know who’s coming tonight?’

  ‘Honey for sure. Antonia too.’ Sam grinned.

  ‘So there’s an evening’s entertainment right there.’

  ‘And Flo. Polly and Jago too.’

  ‘Oh, I do love them together,’ Callie said wistfully. ‘They make such a wonderful couple.’

  ‘Polly deserves a decent guy after all Sean put her through.’

  ‘Has she heard from him since he disappeared?’

  ‘No, thank goodness. I don’t think she will either.’

  ‘Good.’

  Sam thought about the dark days his beloved sister had endured at the hands of her abusive husband, and how she’d tried to hold everything together for the sake of their son, Archie. Polly had helped Sam set the book club up and she’d told him that focussing on something so positive had helped her through a really rough time. That and Jago, of course. A book club was all well and good, but it couldn’t begin to compare to a handsome young guitar-wielding biker.

  ‘What are you smiling about?’ Callie asked as she approached him.

  ‘Just thinking of Polly and Jago and how happy they are.’

  ‘As happy as us?’

  ‘Nobody could be as happy as us,’ Sam said, bending down to kiss her.

  It was then that the shop bell tinkled.

  ‘I swear that bell has a sensor for anytime I get close to you.’

  Callie laughed. ‘You’d better go and see who it is.’

  He sighed and went through to the front room to see who had interrupted his romantic moment.

  ‘Ben!’ he said in surprise. ‘Good to see you.’

  ‘Hey! How’s it going?’

  ‘Good. We’ve got our book club meeting tonight. You’re not here for that, are you?’

  ‘Erm, yeah. As a matter of fact I am.’

  ‘Oh, welcome to the group. You’re the first to arrive.’

  ‘Hi Ben,’ Callie said, coming into the room.

  ‘Hey, Callie.’

  ‘Can I get you a cup of tea?’

  ‘Love one. Thanks.’

  They all trooped to the back of the shop and Callie got busy with the kettle.

  ‘Hey – erm – Sam?’

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘Is Bryony part of the book club?’

  ‘Funny you should say that,’ Sam began, ‘because I finally persuaded her to join. This will be her first meeting.’

  ‘Really?’

  ‘Is she the reason you’re joining?’ Sam asked. ‘I mean, far be it for me to judge why a person attends book club.’

  ‘I like books well enough.’

  ‘I know you do. You sent a fair few to them to our Bryony when you were away, didn’t you?’

  ‘She told you?’

  Sam nodded. ‘There were beautiful editions. I was a little envious, I have to admit.’

  Ben shuffled around the room for a moment, looking at the shelves of
books. ‘You’ve got a great place here.’

  ‘Thanks. I like it.’

  ‘You look good here, Sam. I mean – you look at home.’

  Sam nodded. ‘I feel at home.’

  ‘That’s good. That’s good.’

  Sam watched him for a moment. ‘Are you okay, Ben? You seem a little nervous.’

  ‘No, I’m good. It’s just, well, you’re lucky – to have this place and Callie. You’ve made a good life.’

  ‘Thanks.’

  ‘I mean, I heard about Emma and I’m sorry that you went through all that.’

  ‘It wasn’t an easy time.’

  ‘No, breakups never are,’ Ben said. ‘But it’s all come good for you now.’

  ‘I hope so.’

  They smiled, but Sam could still see that Ben was on edge.

  ‘She won’t be mad with me, will she?’ Ben asked at last.

  ‘Bryony?’

  ‘With me just showing up like this.’

  Sam removed his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. ‘She might be. You know Bryony. She does mad well.’

  ‘Oh, yeah,’ Ben said. ‘I know. But we’ve been talking a lot recently.’

  ‘You have?’

  ‘Well, when I say talking, I mean writing.’

  ‘Really?’

  Ben cleared his throat. ‘Via a dating website.’

  Sam frowned. ‘How did that happen?’

  Ben laughed. ‘We were both on the same dating website and we kind of hooked up. I don’t know – we started exchanging messages – short at first, but they’ve been getting longer. They’re like real conversations – like the old days when we could talk about anything. But here’s the weird thing – she won’t talk to me in real life. I’ve suggested meeting up, but she always ignores my suggestion.’

  ‘Maybe she’s just not ready,’ Sam suggested.

  ‘But she’s asked me out. We’ve got a date in the diary. That dance over at Torrington Barn.’

  ‘Really?’

  ‘Yep.’

  ‘Okay,’ Sam said. ‘Well, that’s good.’

  ‘It is,’ Ben agreed, but it’s driving me crazy not being able to talk to her until then.’

  ‘And that’s why you’re here tonight.’

  Ben scratched the back of his neck. ‘I really want to see her.’