Aria's Travelling Book Shop by Rebecca Raisin

Author:Rebecca Raisin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2020-03-09T17:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Blois, Loire Valley

With our plans slightly skewed I head back to my van to absorb it all. Out of the corner of my eye I catch a glimpse of Tori, who by the looks of it is only just getting up now. The day has been interminable, so much has happened and it’s not even lunchtime yet.

‘Aria! Where have you been?’

Hands in pockets I join her. ‘In town.’ Damn it, we didn’t discuss sharing the baby news, but I’m sure Max and Rosie need some time to digest it all before it gets around.

‘Doing what?’

‘Getting coffee.’

‘But Rosie makes coffee.’

‘So?’

‘So why go pay for it?’

‘Why not?’

‘Urgh, it’s like talking to a rock sometimes. Where is Rosie? And Max?’

‘They’re having a quiet day to themselves.’

‘But I thought we were off to Bordeaux today?’

‘Change of plans.’ I shrug. ‘Maybe tomorrow.’

She narrows her eyes. ‘I don’t get it. Rosie doesn’t change plans.’ She stabs the air with a finger. ‘What’s going on?’

‘Stomach bug, I’m afraid. Rosie’s got it bad. If I were you I’d stay well away. Highly contagious.’ I shake my head as if the memory pains me. ‘She’s been up all night with it. Let’s hope she feels better soon.’

Sure enough, Tori reels back. ‘And she went and had coffee?’

‘No, she went to the doctor.’

‘Well, why didn’t you just say that?’

‘You asked me where I’d been … not them.’

With a roll of her eyes that she doesn’t even try to hide she says, ‘What about Max? Is he sick?’

‘Head nurse today.’

She huffs and puffs like the big bad wolf. ‘So that leaves me with you?’

I pull my mouth to one side. ‘I’m fairly busy – those books won’t read themselves.’

‘Well, I expected a bit more, to be honest.’

‘Sorry.’ The very last thing I’d choose to do on a suddenly free sunshiny day is spend it with Tori.

‘You want a Pimm’s?’

I glance at my watch. ‘It’s a bit early for me.’

‘Could you be any more boring?’ Her mouth turns down.

‘Probably.’

‘Where’s that other guy gone?’

It’s my turn to narrow my eyes. ‘Which guy?’

‘The one who looks slightly lost, as if he’s not quite sure how he got here. Cute in a very shy bookish way.’

Jonathan!

‘Why?’

‘Why what?’

‘Why are you looking for him?’ I keep my voice light.

She folds her arms across her chest. ‘Well, who else am I going to hang out with? Why, Aria, is he off limits or something?’

I should have just denied knowing who she meant. ‘Of course not. But I’m fairly sure he’s gone. He was only here for an author talk for the one night.’

She tuts. ‘Shame. I’d have liked to get to know him better. I joined them last night in Max’s van after you rushed off, didn’t you know?’

‘Oh?’ She’s goading me and it’s hard to keep my expression serene but somehow I manage, silently telling myself she’s an immature child in an adult’s body.

‘Yes, Rosie had gone back to Poppy and you were probably reading about life rather than living it.’ She lets out a giggle and I roll my eyes.

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