The Vintage Bookshop of Memories

by Elizabeth Holland

  As the sun set in the distance Prue listened to Katie tell her about how beautiful Brighton was looking from their balcony. She told Prue all about the new housemate who had moved in, a rather good looking young man. He had only moved in three days ago and Katie already had a date with him. A wave of sadness came over Prue as she realised that her old life was continuing without her, nobody’s life had changed that much without her there. Meanwhile she was here trying to win over an entire village to stop them from glaring at her and shunning her from all public spaces. Somehow it didn’t seem fair that she was in this situation all because of which family she had been born into, she hadn’t asked for any of this.

  After putting the phone down Prue felt a sense of loneliness. She was home, the place where she should feel the most content, instead here she was worrying about bumping into one of the villagers. There was also a part of her that was somewhat concerned about her safety. Who knew what lengths the people would go to? Prue only wished she knew what she and her family had done to upset them. Perhaps now was the right time to start reading her mother’s diary. Would there ever be a right time?

  With a sigh Prue stood up and decided to make herself a huge bowl of pasta, that would help. She couldn’t just go and read her mother’s diary on a whim, this had to be a well thought-out decision. Instead she would eat her feelings, it usually helped improve her mood. Prue made her way into the house through the French doors and into the kitchen. The kitchen had been renovated whilst Prue was away at University. The wooden floor was buffed and polished to within an inch of its life and reflected the sun that poured in from the back wall, which boasted floor to ceiling windows looking out on the manicured lawn. The kitchen cabinets themselves were navy with chrome handles and a wooden worktop. She had to admit the interior designer that her grandmother had hired had taste. Prue grabbed some pasta from the pantry and made her way over towards the range. As she switched the range on and waited for the water to boil she felt her phone vibrate from the pocket in her dress. She pulled it out expecting to see a picture from Katie of her new love interest, however to Prue’s surprise Elliot’s name flashed up on her screen. Her heart began to race as she unlocked her phone to read his message.

  Dear Prue,

  I think I might have started to unravel the mystery as to why the villagers dislike your family. It’s too much to put into a text so why don’t you come over for dinner tomorrow, around 7? Elliot x

  Prue had to laugh at the formal tone of his text but it was also a distraction from the butterflies that were swarming in the pit of her stomach. Dinner with Elliot Harrington? Prue wanted to know why she was so disliked but was getting close to Elliot the best way to go about it? She liked him, lots, but she didn’t want to get him into trouble with the village. It was all so confusing. At least this way she didn’t have to delve into her mother’s diary, yet.

  As the water began to boil Prue stared at it, wondering what to do. On one hand she liked Elliot and wanted to know what he had found out. However, she also knew that if he was seen associating himself with her then he would be outcast from village life. He had invited her though and he did know her history with Ivy Hatch and its occupants. With a sigh Prue grabbed her phone and text Elliot back saying she looked forward to seeing him tomorrow evening. Within seconds his reply came with his address. Perhaps it was selfish of her to drag him into her family’s mess but sometimes you had to be a little selfish in life to get what you wanted.

  Chapter Ten

  The following day Prue spent most of her time worrying about dinner with Elliot. She didn’t know what to wear, how to act, should she bring dessert? What about a bottle of wine? With an exasperated sigh Prue turned her attention back to her wardrobe. Eventually she settled on a white blouse with capped sleeves and an A-line Burgundy skirt which was cut just above her knee. It was casual and yet looked like she had put some thought into it. Prue had never had this problem before, at university and during her time living in Brighton her relationships had often come about through Tinder, meaning that she didn’t have the awkward is this or isn’t this a date? Although she knew her dinner with Elliot was not a date, he just had some information to give her. Nevertheless he was going to a lot of effort cooking for her and so she wanted to at least make some effort in return. Well, that’s what she was telling herself anyway. She was definitely not making the effort because she fancied him.

  With a quick glance in the mirror Prue pinned back her curls and reapplied some red lipsticks. She was ready. Although Elliot’s cottage was only on the outskirts of the village Prue still opted to drive there. The hills that she would have to walk up on her way home made the short walk a lot less inviting.

  The drive down to the village was peaceful and thankfully there was nobody around to stare at Prue. After her treatment from the villagers yesterday Prue had opted to stay away from the bookshop today. It was almost ready to open but she couldn’t do that until she had won over the village. Instead she had spent the day in the library at the manor, curled up on one of the worn sofas losing herself in endless books. She had to keep her brain busy or else she risked being overwhelmed with everything that was going on. Not to mention the niggling voice in the back of her head which was encouraging her to read her mother’s diary and find out who her father was.

  Before Prue’s mind could run away with itself she pulled up outside Elliot’s cottage and a small gasp escaped her. It was absolutely gorgeous. Prue had passed this cottage many times and she knew that during summer the front was covered in wisteria with lavender growing on either side of the cobbled path that led to the front door. The sash windows had sage green shutters on either side and the door was painted to match them. Prue could barely believe how quaint and homely this little cottage appeared. She was use to either living in the manor or dank house shares in Brighton. It was like she had just stepped into an interior design magazine.

  ‘Prue! Just in time.’ Elliot swung the door open with a huge grin on his face that Prue couldn’t help but return. Her heels clicked on the cobbled path as she made her way to the front door.

  ‘Thank you for this Elliot, I know you’re risking your reputation inviting me into your home!’ Prue tried to keep her voice light and her words teasing but beneath it she knew the truth.

  ‘You better come in quickly before the lynch mob see you. My thatched roof won’t stand up to their torches.’ Prue laughed, there was something about Elliot that made her relax when she was around him. Perhaps it was the way he didn’t take anything seriously, or the way she felt safe in his presence. Whatever it was she enjoyed being around him and that was dangerous for both of them.

  As Prue followed Elliot into the little cottage she found herself speechless. It was as beautiful on the inside as it was on the outside, much like it’s owner. The interior was in-keeping with the age of the cottage and the colours were neutral with the odd splash of sage.

  ‘It’s beautiful isn’t it? Your grandmother had the place refurbished just before I moved in.’ Elliot had a look of pride on his face as he showed her around.

  ‘Wait, do I own this cottage?’ Prue was still trying to get her head around just how much of the village she owned.

  ‘Prue, you do realise you own every house and every business in the village, besides from the church?’

  Elliot’s voice resounded throughout the small space as Prue tried to process what he had just said. Prue had grown up knowing that the family owned the surrounding farms and the majority of the property in the village, she had never known that they owned the whole village.

  ‘I own the whole village?’ Prue asked, she was beginning to realise why the villagers hated her with such a passion. She also should have paid more attention to Mr Adley during her meeting with him.

  ‘You do but I don’t believe that’s why everyone dislikes you, well not quite. Come and sit down and I’ll dish up dinner and tell you what I found out.’

  Prue followed Elliot into a little alcove which hous
ed an oak table with a bench either side and in the middle stood a vase filled with tulips.

  ‘My mother pops in the gives the place a quick once over every now and then. She also drops me off some meals and so whilst I’d love to take credit for our dinner, it was actually my mother’s hard work that went into it. You see to my father I’m an outcast, to my mother I’m still her son. My father doesn’t know about her visits and we like it that way.’

  Prue felt a pang of sadness for Elliot, he had followed his heart and yet he was being punished for that. Despite her grandmother’s strange ways she had always encouraged Prue to fulfil her dreams and follow her heart. That was how Prue had ended up in Brighton, following her heart to the hustle and bustle of a city. She always knew she had a home to come back to and here she was. Unlike Elliot though she didn’t have the family.

  Silently Prue watched from her seat at the table as Elliot bustled around the small kitchen and plated up their dinner. It smelled amazing. With just herself to cook for more often than not Prue ended up with a toasted cheese sandwich for dinner, if she was feeling adventurous she might add some roasted tomatoes.

  ‘Dinner is served!’ Elliot announced as he placed her plate in-front of her with a flourish. It was lasagna and it looked and smelt amazing.

  ‘Dad insists on meat and two veg for dinner and so mum uses me to try out any new recipes she’s come across.’ Elliot explained as he took the seat opposite her and poured them both a glass of wine from the bottle that Prue had brought with her.

  It was good, really good. Much better than anything her grandmother had ever cooked. Elizabeth Clemonte had been brought up by nannies and had a house full of servants to order around and so she had rarely had to do anything for herself. By the time Prue was born the villagers had revolted and the Clemontes had few servants. Prue refocused on the meal in-front of her and looked up to meet Elliot’s eye, it was time he told her what was going on.

  ‘Okay. Before I start I think you should take a big sip of your wine because you’re not going to like what I’m about to tell you.’

  A knot formed in Prue’s stomach and she put her fork down and took a swig of alcohol.

  ‘I tried asking my dad but he was useless and so when my mum popped round to give the place a little tidy I made sure I was working from home. I sat my mum down, plied her with tea and asked her a few questions about your family.’ Elliot stopped to take a sip from his wine and Prue took the chance to take another gulp from hers. A part of her wasn’t sure whether she wanted to hear what he had to say but she knew she had to. She had to know the truth.

  ‘My mum once worked at the manor, even I didn’t know this. Apparently after everything happened my dad told her she had to quit and they never spoke of it again. Are you okay Prue?’ Elliot stopped as he noticed Prue’s rapid breathing and sweaty palms.

  ‘I’m fine. Just worried about what you’re going to say and how I’m going to fix things.’ She tried hard to keep the trembling out of her voice and stop the tears from falling.

  ‘Prue your family may have done something wrong but in my eyes what the villagers did was worse. We can fix this.’

  Prue was even more confused now, what could the villagers have done that caused them to hate her so much? Elliot leant across the table and took a hold of one of her hands. Normally Prue would have felt the blush rise in her cheeks and the tingle in her fingers as his hand touched hers but for now she was too focused on what he had to say.

  ‘Prue, do you know your father?’ Prue couldn’t speak and so she just shook her head.

  ‘According to my mother your father was a tradesman who had recently come to live in the village. He had just finished an apprenticeship and was looking for work and so he settled here. Apparently he and your mother fell in love, they met at the bookshop. Your father had quickly become one of the villagers and was accepted into their close-knit community. It was frowned upon that he should fall in love with a Clemonte and so the villagers drove him out. Leaving your poor mother heartbroken and pregnant with you. Your grandmother was angry, rightly so, and she took her anger out on the village. She bought every house and every piece of land that she didn’t own and then she upped the rent.Your grandmother was clever, between her and Mr Adley they devised a way to ensure that the villager’s rent accounts for every penny of profit that they make. They also ensured that they cannot break the contracts. Effectively the villagers are all stuck paying extortionate rents.’

  Prue was still trying to process what Elliot had said. She had always assumed that her father had been a horrible person and had left her mother when he discovered she was pregnant. That wasn’t the case though, he had been driven away. Anger was boiling away inside of Prue. How dare the villagers interfere like that and deprive her mother of love and steal her father from her. In that moment Prue had a renewed respect for her grandmother. Despite the woman’s lack of maternal instinct she had fought to protect her family and she had declared war on those that had hurt her daughter and her grandchild.

  ‘I think I’d like to go home now Elliot.’ Prue whispered, she didn’t trust herself enough not to break down into uncontrollable sobs.

  ‘Would you like me to drive you home?’ Prue thought about the offer for a moment. She really wanted to be on her own but with her trembling hands and erratic thoughts she wasn’t sure how she would get herself home.

  ‘Yes, please.’

  Without saying another word Elliot helped her out to his car and drove her home. The silence was far from awkward. He seemed to understand that Prue was caught up inside her own head and needed the space to process what he had just told her.

  ‘Thank you for this evening.’ Despite everything Prue would never forget her manners.

  ‘I’m sorry I upset you Prue.’ Elliot leaned across the car and gave her hand a quick squeeze.

  ‘It’s not your fault Elliot, you were just the bearer of bad news. I just need some time to process everything.’

  ‘You take your time. Would you like me to drive your car home to you tomorrow?’ The offer was nice but Prue intended to leave her car outside Elliot’s, after all it would give her an excuse to see him again when her head was less confused.

  ‘I’ll come pick it up tomorrow evening, hopefully I’ll be a little more coherent and we can have a drink and a chat?’ Prue hoped she didn’t sound too desperate but she knew she would need someone to talk to at some point. There was nobody she wanted to speak to more than Elliot right now, at least nobody who was alive.

  ‘That’s perfect. I’m working from home tomorrow so just call me or pop in whenever. Or you can call me tonight, anytime.’

  The kindest in Elliot’s voice made Prue want to cry. With her grandmother gone it felt like a long while since someone had last cared about her. She leaned across the car and placed a quick kiss on his cheek before climbing out. Despite her eagerness to get out of the car she still saw the blush rise on his cheeks from the kiss she had planted there.

  Chapter Eleven

  Once inside the manor and with the door shut behind her Prue let the tears fall from her eyes as the sobs wracked her body. She cried for her mother’s pain, her grandmother’s anger and most of all she cried for herself. For the father she never had the chance to know. A whole childhood that had been stolen from her because of the prejudice of an entire village. Anger boiled inside of Prue, how dare they dictate how she lived her life? Prue would make a point and she would find her father and ensure that the villagers knew about it. Nobody would tell her how to live her life.

  With anger fuelling her Prue ran upstairs to her mother’s bedroom, grabbed the diary and took it back to her own room. All of a sudden the adrenaline left her body and she went to sit on the window seat which looked out over the village. With the diary grasped in her hands she looked out at all the houses below, each and every one of them had played a part in her mother’s heartbreak and stopped her from growing up with a father. They deserved everything that her grandmother had do
ne to them. In fact they deserved more.

  Taking a deep breath Prue opened her mother’s diary and flicked through to the back page, her eyes scanning the pages for any clue. She wasn’t sure what she had been expecting but it was immediately obvious when she eventually did stumble across her father’s name. On the back page of the diary two names had been written with a love heart drawn around them. It read Dorothy Clemonte and Robert Darwin. That must be her father’s name. Robert Darwin.

  Prue had expected to feel something upon finding out his name but all she felt was numbness. She may now be able to put a name to her father but he was still just a stranger. Prue sat in silence staring at the page in front of her. What now? She knew his name, she knew why he left but what did she want to do now? Prue wasn’t sure whether she wanted to find him or if she just wanted to forget the whole thing. Perhaps it was time for the Clemontes to leave Ivy Hatch. After all, Prue’s only ties were material, there was nothing really keeping her here. Unless she considered Elliot to be a tie. She did really like him and there was something about him. If Prue was completely honest with herself she liked him more than she wanted to admit, she felt as though she could be truly happy with him. But to do that she would have to get to know him better and she suspected the entire village would be against that. Would it end the same way as it had with her mother and father?

  There was so much to consider and Prue’s mind was buzzing. She had two options, stay in the village and try to make it work or run away and start fresh. As she sat staring out the window she saw her two possible futures flash in front of her. She could stay here, run the little bookshop and possibly explore a relationship with Elliot. Or she could move anywhere, perhaps to a little seaside town. She could even open up her own bookshop and see whether there were any jobs at some local auction houses. The opportunities were endless but her heart was firmly in one future. This was her home, it was where her family had lived for generations, it was where all her memories lived. The moment she had set foot into the bookshop she had felt a connection with it, she had felt close to her mother. Wherever she went in the world she would never feel like that again. This village was precious to her and she had as much as a right to live here as everyone else. Actually, she had more of a right considering she owned the village.