Free The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan Page A

rescuing orphans from destruction.
    Griffin had started wearing a shirt and tie. The beard wasgone, too. He came in early and spent a lot of time in meetings, and was beginning to wear a harassed expression instead of his bored and annoyed one. One night he stopped her and said she needed a requisition form for all the books she was taking, and she’d said, “Seriously?” and he’d looked pained, and Nina had been happier than ever that she was going.
    â€œOh, it’s going to be great,” said Edwin. “You’ll have to go down to Carnie village. And over to Bonnie Banks. And Windygates. My sister lives there. They used to have a library bus, but of course that shut down. So you’ll be better than nothing. You can’t run it as a library?”
    â€œAfraid not,” said Nina. “I have to eat.” She turned to face them. “You do know I’m not keeping the van here? I’m driving it back to Birmingham.”
    The men’s faces looked confused.
    â€œBut it’s for here!” said Edwin. “That’s why we bought it!”
    â€œNo, I’m taking it down south,” explained Nina patiently. “That’s where I live.”
    â€œBut they don’t need books down south in a city,” said Alasdair. “They’re falling over themselves for bookshops and libraries and universities and all the rest of it. They’ve got as much as they need! It’s us that needs them.”
    â€œYes, but I live down there,” repeated Nina. “It’s my home. I have to go back.”
    There was a silence.
    â€œYou could make a home up here,” said Alasdair. “Could do with some new blood around the place.”
    â€œI couldn’t move here!” said Nina. “I’ve never lived in the country.”
    â€œYes, but you’ve never run a book bus either,” said Edwin with stubborn logic.
    â€œAw, I thought we were helping you out so that you could stay around,” said Alasdair. “I’ve told all my regulars.”
    â€œI thought Edwin and Hugh were all your regulars,” said Nina.
    â€œAye, well, shows what you know. Everyone was delighted.”
    â€œI’d love to,” said Nina. “But truly, I can’t. I have to get back and set up and start earning a living.”
    There was a silence in the bar. Nina felt terrible for having misled them; she genuinely hadn’t meant to.
    â€œBut—” said Edwin.
    â€œI’m sorry,” said Nina firmly. Her plan was to pick up the van and drive back to Birmingham that night. She couldn’t really afford to stay, even somewhere as cheap and cheerful as the pub. Plus Surinder had been very clear that if she didn’t find a home for the books without delay, either the floor was going to collapse or Nina was. So that was that organized.
    â€œI have to go,” she said sadly. They all looked at the keys lying on the bar.
    â€œIt was very kind what you did for me,” she said again. “Thank you.”
    The two men grunted and turned away.

    Outside, it had finally gotten dark, the final rays of pink fading away over the western hills. As soon as the sun went, it turned instantly cold, and Nina shivered as she stepped toward the van. She pulled her coat around her and looked up at it, huge now in the quiet little cobbled square. She took a deep breath. She couldn’t remember feeling lonelier. Still, this was what she had to do. She was committed now. She was going to find a way.
    She glanced down at her phone. She had obviously managed to pick up some kind of signal while she was in the pub, and her e-mail had come through. At the top was one from the district council.
    Dear Ms. Redmond
    We wish to inform you that your application for a parking permit Class 2(b) (Vending and Trading, Non-Catering) has been turned down, due to height restrictions in the area. There is no appeal to this decision.
    Nina swore.