The Vintage Bookshop of Memories

by Elizabeth Holland

  Everyone agreed that it sounded like a good idea and so Prue left that night with a huge smile on her face. She was slowly forging a relationship with her father and she also had plans to go back to her favourite city. Life was starting to look up, perhaps this whole living in the present wasn’t such a bad thing.

  Chapter Thirty Three

  Monday morning came quickly, it felt as though Prue had only just laid her head on the pillow when the piercing sound of her alarm pulled her from her dreams. Despite the early wake-up call Prue couldn’t be too upset as she was looking forward to her lunch with Maggie today. Before that though she had to be at the bookshop to accept another delivery of books. Prue’s love for auctions and books was getting a little out of control. However, there was no time to lie in bed and ponder her life choices, Prue needed to be up and out of the house quickly.

  Half an hour later Prue was yawning as she made herself a coffee in the kitchenette at the bookshop. There were some benefits to her new style and not having to curl her hair in the morning was one of them. Instead, she had platted her hair the previous evening and so she had glossy black waves today. She had teamed her new hair-do with a pair of blue skinny jeans and a denim shirt. A few days into her new look and she was already risking double denim, Prue barely recognised herself anymore. Especially when she walked past a mirror and saw a smile on her face. Life finally felt like it was back on track, or at the very least it was almost back on track.

  The books were delivered and Prue spent the morning writing little notes to pop inside them. Despite her new outlook on life she still wanted to keep this little tradition and she felt that it gave the little bookshop a fun twist. Prue had even taken to writing short stories in some of the books. It kept her busy but she loved every second of it. Once the notes were written she had to find places for the books on the shelves, which were already straining under the weight of thousands of books. It truly was a treasure-trove of books.

  ‘Prue?’ Maggie’s voice came from the other side of the shut door. Prue jumped down from the ladder and went to open the door, she glanced at her watch on the way and realised she was late for lunch.

  ‘Maggie I’m so sorry I didn’t realise what the time was, I’ve been so busy unpacking all the new books I ordered.’

  ‘Please don’t apologise Prue. I guessed where you would be. Would you like some help?’ Prue glanced back at the pile of books on the floor, she would sort them out this afternoon.

  ‘No, come on let’s go and have some lunch.’

  The two women walked towards the cafe and Maggie asked Prue about her evening with her father. With a huge smile on her face Prue told Maggie about their dinner at Carol’s and how much they had found they had in common.

  ‘I’m so happy for you Prue. Your mum would be very proud of you.’

  Prue felt tears form in her eyes at Maggie’s words, she really hoped that her mother would be proud.

  The two women entered the cafe and took the table by the window again, it was quickly becoming their ‘usual’ spot. Prue was absolutely starving after her busy morning and so she opted for a toasted cheese sandwich with a side salad, meanwhile Maggie ordered a jacket potato with cheese and beans. There was no smashed avocado on sourdough in Ivy Hatch.

  ‘Thank you for being so kind to me Maggie.’ Prue couldn’t help but feel incredibly lucky to have met someone like Maggie, an almost mother figure who was happy to listen to Prue’s woes.

  ‘I had a lot of respect for your mother Prue. She hated that her place in society was trying to dictate her life and so she fought against it in order to be happy. I think we should all do that. Nothing but our happiness should dictate what we do with our lives.’

  ‘That’s very true Maggie and that actually ties in to why I’m looking for some help in the bookshop.’ Prue went on to explain her plans of getting back into her previous career.

  ‘If that’s what will make you happy Prue then you have to do it. I think it’s brilliant that you’ve restored the bookshop and re-opened it. The bookshop is a lovely memorial for your mother but it’s also beneficial for the village. You’ve done your bit for your family and the village, now you have to follow your own career path. That’s where I come in, running the bookshop.’

  The two women discussed the shop and agreed that Maggie would work four days a week and Prue would work Sunday until they could find someone else to cover. It was the perfect partnership as Maggie had been looking for something to do, outside the farm and the farm’s kitchen.

  ‘I know you think I’m doing you a favour Prue but honestly, this means so much to me. I’ve given my entire life to that farm and my family but now I want something for me.’ There were unshed tears in Maggie’s eyes as she made the admission.

  ‘No tears. Here’s to our new partnership.’ Prue picked up her cup of tea and clicked mugs with Maggie as they both grinned at each other.

  ‘Prue, I know you’re not going to like what I have to say but I wouldn’t be a very good mother if I didn’t at least try. Will you speak to Elliot?’ Prue had almost been expecting Maggie to bring it up at some point. After all, she was Elliot’s mother and she wanted him to be happy.

  ‘I’m not sure Maggie. I think too much might have happened between us. There’s also the village to think about, I don’t want history to repeat itself.’

  ‘Prue, you’ve won everyone over I don’t think they’d object to you dating Elliot. Most of the residents understand that times have changed and there are no longer such barriers in society.’

  Prue didn’t know what to say to Maggie. Should she tell her that their biggest hurdle was Arnold? Prue wondered just how much Maggie knew about her husband’s bullish behaviour.

  ‘Prue?’ Maggie asked, in a tone that made Prue feel like a scolded child. Maggie knew there was something that Prue wasn’t telling her and she intended to find out what it was.

  ‘Maggie, I really don’t want to be the person to tell you this.’

  ‘Prue, please just tell me what is going on.’

  Prue took a deep breath to collect her thoughts. She was sure Maggie would know if she lied or missed anything out, she had no choice, she had to tell her everything. With one final glance at the floor, hoping it would open up and swallow her whole, Prue began to tell Maggie what Arnold had done to try and get Prue out of the village and break her and Elliot up.

  ‘I’m going to kill him.’ The anger was apparent both on Maggie’s face and in her tone, she was furious.

  ‘Please Maggie, I don’t want to cause anymore trouble.’ Prue felt an unimaginable amount of guilt, she knew she had just stirred up a lot of trouble in the Harrington household.

  ‘Cause trouble? Prue, the only person causing trouble around here is my husband. Let me get this right, you broke up with Elliot because Arnold told you to?’

  Prue was left speechless for a moment as she considered the question. At the time she had convinced herself that she was ending things because she didn’t want them to suffer the same fate as her parents. However, in retrospect Prue knew that she had ended things because she wanted a quiet life in the village and she just wanted to be happy. Now that her life was slowly coming together there was still a piece missing and she knew that however hard she searched for that missing piece, Elliot was the only one who would ever fill it.

  ‘Yes.’ Prue finally felt the courage to admit it out loud. She looked up to see Maggie’s eyes reflecting her own sadness.

  ‘I’m going to fix this Prue and rest assured that my husband will never interfere in your life ever again.’ Maggie squeezed Prue’s hand before almost running out of the cafe to find her husband.

  Prue was left sat at the table feeling completely speechless. Had she really just admitted that she wouldn’t have dumped Elliot if not for Arnold’s interference? It was true though. The time they had spent together had been utterly perfect, he had made her smile when she hadn’t thought it were possible. Prue didn’t know what would happen next, all she knew
was that something was about to happen. Maggie Harrington was the kind of woman that got things done and if she wanted Elliot and Prue back together then they would be.

  Chapter Thirty Four

  After Prue’s lunch with Maggie on Monday Prue couldn’t stop thinking about how things in the Harrington household were. Maggie had come into work on Wednesday morning ready for Prue to show her the ropes, she didn’t give anything away as to how her chat with Arnold had gone. Neither of them spoken about what had happened in the cafe and Maggie didn’t volunteer any information. However, Maggie’s red and puffy eyes told Prue that things at home were not good. On Thursday morning Maggie had arrived at work on time but with unshed tears filling her eyes.

  ‘Oh Maggie, sit down. I’m going to make us both a cup of tea and you’re going to talk to me.’ Prue didn’t give Maggie a chance to argue, instead she went straight to the kitchenette and put the kettle on. A few minutes later she walked back into the bookshop with two steaming mugs of tea and a packet of chocolate biscuits under her arm.

  ‘What’s happened?’ Prue asked as she placed their cups of tea down and offered Maggie a biscuit.

  ‘Nothing has happened Prue, that’s the problem. I know Arnold’s flaws, I always have but I also see the softer side to him. Over the years I hoped that I could bring out the softer side and his prejudices and archaic views on life would disappear. He promises me he’ll change but nothing ever happens. We’ve been arguing constantly about the way he behaved towards you and Elliot.’ Maggie stopped to take a sip from her tea and to compose herself before she began crying.

  ‘Maggie, please don’t argue about me. Despite everything I can understand Arnold’s dated views on life. I know that the village had hoped my mother would marry and secure the land.’ Prue meant what she was saying, a part of her did understand the frustrations of the people. After a chat with Mr Adley Prue had discovered that the failed arranged marriage had caused lots of problems and lots of villagers had lost land. Her grandmother had eventually bought the land back but the damage had already been done.

  ‘We lost some of our farm when your mother declared her love for your father. The Devons reacted by taking back all the land that they were renting to us. Although we have since got it back, your grandmother made sure of that. It’s just Arnold never forgave your family for that, in his eyes your mother should have put the village first.’ It was clear from Maggie’s tone that she disagreed with her husband’s opinion.

  ‘I’m sorry for the trouble my mother caused but she had her own life to live.’ Despite knowing that Maggie was on her side, Prue couldn’t help but jump to her mother’s defence.

  ‘I understand that Prue and deep down Arnold does too. He’s bitter because he never wanted to take over the farm, his father forced him to. Anyone who defies expectations and lives their own life angers him because he wasn’t brave enough to do the same.’ Maggie’s tone was weary and Prue suspected that Arnold’s attitude was something that caused a lot of aggravation in the Harrington household. It also explained why he was so annoyed at Elliot.

  ‘Maggie, right now I’m not worried about Arnold, it’s you I’m worried about. It’s time for you to be happy and to live your life.’ Prue felt for the tired looking woman sat opposite her, she had dedicated her life to her husband and her children, it was now time she followed her own heart.

  ‘I’ll be fine Prue but thank you for your concern.’ Maggie had taken a deep breath and had composed herself.

  ‘Maggie, a few of the cottages are going to be empty soon as the occupants have decided not to sign the new contracts. I’d like to offer you one of them, no rent and you can stay for as long as you want to.’ Prue had been thinking this through for a few days now, she wanted Maggie to know that she had options, she didn’t have to stay with Arnold because she had nowhere else to go.

  ‘Thank you Prue, I really appreciate that.’

  ‘Promise me you’ll seriously consider it Maggie. I want you to be happy. You were kind to both myself and my mother when everyone else hated us and I’d like to be able to return your kindness.’ Prue had to take a deep breath as she found herself becoming emotional, she really did appreciate everything that Maggie had done for her.

  ‘I promise.’ Maggie smiled and stood up to take her empty cup into the kitchenette, signalling that the conversation was over.

  Prue hoped that Maggie really did consider her offer. She wanted the woman to be happy and Prue couldn’t imagine how anybody could be happy living with a man like Arnold Harrington.

  Chapter Thirty Five

  As the week continued Maggie didn’t mention her home life again and Prue didn’t want to push her. Whilst worrying about Maggie, Prue was also on edge everyday wondering when she might hear from Elliot. She was yet to hear anything from him and she was beginning to give up hope. That was until Saturday morning when Maggie was sat behind the till whilst Prue rearranged the children’s books. The bookshop’s door swung open and in walked Elliot, looking as handsome as ever, with a huge smile across his face.

  ‘Good morning!’ He called out in a loud voice, thankfully there were no customers in the shop.

  ‘Hello Elliot.’ Prue almost whispered as she dropped the books in her hands and turned to face him.

  ‘I’m taking you away.’ He announced, looking smug. Prue wasn’t quite sure what to say in response, that had been the last thing she had expected him to say. Actually, she had been expecting him to start with an apology.

  ‘Elliot darling, I know you’re excited but perhaps be a little more coherent with your words.’ Prue couldn’t help but laugh at Maggie’s chastisement and the look of adolescent sulkiness that flashed across Elliot’s face.

  ‘Why don’t you go and make yourself a coffee, mum?’ Elliot suggested, the sulky look was still plastered across his face. Maggie laughed and excused herself before shutting the kitchenette door behind her.

  ‘Let’s try that again, shall we?’ Prue suggested. Her heart was thumping against her chest as she looked up into his eyes.

  ‘I’m sorry for everything that’s happened Prue. You make me so happy and there’s nothing I want more than to be with you. Mum told me everything, including your plans to go to Brighton. I want to go with you, let’s have a weekend away, just the two of us. I think we need some time away from this village.’

  ‘That sounds perfect.’ Prue whispered, stepping closer so that she was in touching distance of Elliot. Some time alone without the entire village watching them was just what they needed.

  ‘Good because I’ve already bought the train tickets for next weekend and booked us a hotel.’ Elliot was almost glowing with happiness as he explained his plans to Prue. It was perfect.

  Without any thought to customers walking in Prue stepped forward and reached up on her tip toes to give Elliot a kiss. It didn’t last for long though, they were interrupted by someone clearing their throat behind them. Prue stepped back and put a hand to her cheek, it was scorching. She didn’t even want to consider how red her cheeks were.

  ‘I’m glad to see you two have made up.’ Prue looked around Elliot to see her father stood in the doorway, she hadn’t been expecting him to pop round today.

  ‘Robert!’ Prue exclaimed, she still wasn’t ready to call him dad but he seemed to be okay with that, one day she would. ‘I’d like you to meet Elliot. Elliot, I’d like you to meet Robert, my father.’

  As introductions were made Maggie slipped back out from her hiding place and joined in the conversation. She professed her happiness for them and she promised Prue that the bookshop would be fine whilst she was in Brighton.

  ‘Actually Prue, I didn’t just drop by for a chat. I’ve heard that Wisteria Cottage in the village might be coming up to rent?’ Robert was right, the couple that lived there had decided not to renew their contract. It wasn’t that they disliked Prue, it was just that they had decided to move closer to their daughter and son-in-law.

  ‘Yes, that’s true. Did you have some
one in mind?’ Prue was wondering who her father might be planning on recommending village life to.

  ‘Well if it’s okay with you I was considering renting it myself. My work is flexible and so I see no reason as to why I can’t move.’ Prue was almost speechless, her father moving to the village? Was it possible to experience too much happiness on one day? If it was then Prue was definitely going into happiness overload.

  ‘Of course you can. Are you sure you want to come back here?’ Prue tried to reign in her growing excitement, she wanted to make sure that being here was what her father wanted, not just what he thought he should do.

  ‘I want to come back Prue. You’re here and it’ll be nice to feel closer to your mother again. I’d also love to help out in the shop sometimes.’ The smile on Robert’s face was genuine and Prue couldn’t help but return it.

  ‘Then Wisteria Cottage is yours.’ Prue could almost jump up and down with joy.

  ‘Whilst we’re having this happy little get together Prue, I was wondering if I could take you up on your offer?’ Maggie’s face was apprehensive, as though Prue might revoke her offer.

  ‘Oh Maggie, nothing would make me happier.’ Prue hugged the woman as both men looked on confused.

  ‘What’s going on mum?’ Elliot asked as the two women finally pulled away from their embrace.

  ‘I’m going to be Robert’s new neighbour.’ Maggie’s excitement had dampened as she waited to see what her son’s reaction would be to the news she was leaving his father.

  ‘Oh mum, I’m so happy for you.’ Now it was Elliot’s turn to hug his mother.

  ‘Are you sure?’ Maggie asked, wiping the tears from her eyes.