“Can it wait until after lunch? Or, better yet, once we finish today’s luncheon service, I could pop over to the Featherbed House B and B and talk to Angie in person. See what her plans are for their part in the Tea Trolley Tour. Then you and I can put our heads together . . .”
“Well, hello!” Drayton suddenly boomed out. He was staring past Theodosia’s shoulder at whoever had just come in the front door.
Theodosia turned to see who the newcomer was and found herself pleasantly surprised.
“Lois!” she cried. Lois Chamberlain was a good friend and bookshop owner from down the street who’d endured a tragic personal loss as well as a devastating fire a month or so ago. After dealing with her problems, haggling with her insurance company, and hunting around for empty retail space, Lois had landed back on Church Street.
“Are you here for lunch?” Theodosia asked. “Can you stay awhile?”
“Give us all the news?” Drayton added.
“I’m afraid it’s strictly takeout for me today,” Lois said. “I’m busier than a moth in a mitten right now, putting the finishing touches on my new bookshop.”
“If it’s takeout you want, we’re happy to oblige,” Drayton said as he took off for the kitchen.
Lois paused to grab a breath. “Theo, you have to come and see my new shop!” Lois was in her late-fifties and a retired librarian with a love for books. She was short, a little stocky with a cherubic face, and wore her long salt-and-pepper hair in a single braid down her back. Today she was dressed Lois-style, which meant an embroidered top, jeans, and sensible shoes. A bulging book bag was slung over one shoulder. Books stuck out as well as a skein of yarn and knitting needles.
“I can’t believe you were able to find another space right down the block from us,” Theodosia said.
“I almost signed a lease for an empty shop around the corner,” Lois said. “Then the stars aligned, the angels sang their vespers, and the space next to Boyet’s Camera Shop suddenly became available.”
“The spot where the fancy sheet and comforter shop was located, right?” Theodosia said. “With the cute little upstairs loft?”
“That’s it exactly. The sheet and comforter lady moved to a storefront on Queen Street because she needed more room,” Lois said. “More pouf space, I guess. Anyway, I sure lucked out!”
“It’ll be great to have you back on Church Street where you belong.”
“I have to say I’ve missed the old neighborhood.”
Drayton emerged from the kitchen carrying an indigo blue bag. He set it on the counter, poured a cup of tea, snapped on a cover, then pushed it all toward Lois.
“There you go, Lois. A scone, two prosciutto and cheese tea sandwiches, and a cup of Earl Grey.”
“Thanks so much, Drayton,” Lois said. “How much do I . . . ?”
Drayton held up a hand. “Please. It’s on the house.”
“Thank you so much!” Lois grabbed her lunch and turned to Theodosia. “Do you have a few minutes to come take a look?”
“Can you handle things okay, Drayton?” Theodosia asked.
“Natch,” he said. “You go have fun while I toil away. Just be back in time for lunch, okay? Which gives you all of five minutes.”
* * *
* * *
Theodosia did have fun. She walked with Lois down Church Street to her brand-new space where a newly hand-lettered sign graced her front window. It said Antiquarian Books.
Lois stuck her key in the lock and opened the door. “Come on in and have a look around.”
“Ooh, it’s all done up in fresh Sheetrock and painted so it’s got that new shop smell,” Theodosia exclaimed as she stepped inside.
“Fresh as a daisy thanks to my new landlord. And isn’t it cute?” Lois said.
She’d brought in an antique library table to use as a front counter, hung Tiffany-style lamps from wooden ceiling beams, and laid Oriental carpets on the floor. Just-built wooden bookshelves were half-stocked with books, while boxes full of books were stacked everywhere.
“It’s going to be wonderful,” Theodosia said. She couldn’t imagine how she’d feel if she lost the Indigo Tea Shop in a fire. The tea shop was her baby, her life’s blood. How difficult it would be to start over. How difficult it must be for Lois.
“This place will look even better when all my boxes are unpacked and the books finally shelved,” Lois said.
“I’m loving it already,” Theodosia said as she glanced around. “This shop’s a tad smaller than your old one, yes?”
“I look at it this way,” Lois said. “I’m rightsizing instead of downsizing.”
“You sound like one of those corporate raiders. Never apologize for firing half the company; just chalk it up to smart business practices.”
Lois cocked a finger at her. “Exactly.”
Theodosia wandered through the space. The shelves already carried crisp new labels that read fiction, history, mystery, cooking, local lore, romance, children’s, business, and religion.
“I love this spiral stairway that leads to your loft,” Theodosia said, going halfway up the stairs to look around. “It’s got a cozy, magical feel.”
“Like a secret place you want to explore to your heart’s content,” Lois said.
“What books are you going to put up here?”
“It’ll be half children’s books and half mystery.”
“Sounds apropos.”
“And I plan to . . .” Lois stopped mid-sentence as the bell over the front door jingled merrily. “Will you look at this, an actual customer.”
Mark Devlin walked in and quickly glanced around. His eyes immediately landed on Lois, who was standing front and center. He hadn’t yet noticed Theodosia.
“Lois?” Devlin said. Today he was dressed in ripped jeans, a Gucci T-shirt, and boots that looked as if they’d been hand-tooled in Morocco.
Lois smiled. “That’s me.”
“I’m the guy who called earlier? To see if you had that book on Christian Dior? The fashion book?”
“I have it,” Lois said. “But, like I told you on the phone, it’s used.”
“That’s okay,” Devlin said as he stepped up to the counter. Then he spotted Theodosia as she came down the staircase. “Well, hello there,” he said with a broad smile. “Fancy seeing you here.”
“Mr. Devlin,” Theodosia said.