Day Fifteen (Monday)
Edward slept remarkably well in his new bed. He woke up around eight o’clock, with the knowledge that he’d be going to work for the first time since he retired several months earlier. Except that it wouldn’t really be work. It would be more of a hobby, to keep his mind occupied, which he could pick up as and when he wanted, and presumably put down again when it no longer suited him. Of course, he wouldn’t leave Jill in the lurch whatever happened. There were certain basics he was committed to undertaking, to get the business on a firmer footing. He wanted to get better procedures and organisation in place. He wished to consider some rudimentary marketing. He intended to get a better understanding of all the stock Jill had, a lot of it still unsorted in various makeshift boxes, as well as numerous piles, scattered around the shop. He’d try to source new stock when he could, which they could then sell on at a tidy profit. He’d also look into simple methods to repair and clean damaged and tarnished books where possible, to make them more sellable.
He’d approach the task of selling books with the same methodology and attention to detail he had his regular job. His methods and careful planning for every eventuality had brought him ongoing success in the financial world. Edward hadn’t been a flash in the pan. He’d had the ability to ride out market fluctuations, peaks, and troughs. Not only had he had a good business head, he’d had a fair degree of flair and ingenuity to bring to the table too. He’d now bring all those skills to bear on Jill’s bookshop, until either she or he had enough and one or other of them cracked. Edward laughed to himself. Of course, it wouldn’t be like that. He intended to keep it all pretty casual and relaxed, as much as his nature allowed. He hoped they would in fact have some fun together, getting the whole thing sorted and shipshape.
Jill had told him the previous night there was no need for him to get up early. She didn’t usually open the shop before 10am, even later if she had chores to do and errands to run. She admitted the hours had been somewhat laissez-faire since her husband John had died. Despite being fond of a tipple, he’d insisted that the shop be open according to its advertised opening hours, as far as possible. Jill saw them more as an informal guide. There was a sign in the window, giving a telephone number for customers to call if they found her closed. In fairness, she’d always been in when Edward had called by. Of course, that had been a little different. Apart from the first time, she’d generally been expecting him. When taking Beti out for walks, he’d always endeavoured to give a rough time of arrival. Where he could, he’d stuck to it. It had normally just been a case of factoring a walk to the shopping centre for a coffee and cake at Meredith’s coffee shop, before returning to pick up the dog.
When Edward got up, he realised for once in his life he was woefully unprepared. At the guesthouse, he’d been used to going down when he was ready for a hearty, full, cooked breakfast, prepared by Alan’s wife, Gwen. There would be no cooked breakfast waiting for him today, no eggs, bacon, or sausages. He could be pretty sure of that. Jill had admitted she didn’t even really like having meat in the house. She could just about tolerate milk, butter, and cheese. She actually suggested Edward get his own fridge long term, which he could keep in his room for the storage of such items, if he really wanted them. Edward had yet to decide what his approach to Jill’s committed veganism should be. On the one hand, he didn’t want to offend her. On the other, he wasn’t sure that he could go without meat and dairy products altogether. Sixty years was a long time to give them up completely, especially at the drop of the hat without warning. It would be like going cold turkey.
The problem was Edward had neglected to do any basic grocery shopping, before moving in. It was most unlike him to forget such a thing. Of course, he hadn’t needed to during his first fortnight in Swansea. Breakfasts had been prepared for him. The rest of the time he’d mainly eaten out. Jill had been kind enough to provide for him on his first day. He could hardly expect her to do that every day. He resolved to go to a supermarket later and pick up some essential provisions, enough to keep him going and ensure he didn’t go without entirely. There was still the issue of what he’d do in the meantime. When he went downstairs, he found Jill in the kitchen. He needn’t have worried. She hadn’t completely forgotten about him and seemed aware that he was yet to undertake any food shopping.
‘I’ve made some toast. There’s also cereal and some fruit in the bowl. It’s not a lot, but it’s hopefully better than nothing,’ she said, almost apologetically.
‘I’m sure it will be lovely. It’s good of you to think of me,’ Edward said. ‘I realise in my haste to move in, I’d rather forgotten about all the practicalities, like buying food. I’ll pick up a few things when I finish at the bookshop today,’ he said.
‘There’s tea in the pot,’ Jill said, enthusiastically. ‘Of course, I only have oat milk.’
‘Oat milk will be fine,’ Edward said. ‘Although I don’t really know what oat milk is.’
‘You get used to it,’ Jill promised him, pouring Edward out a cup of steaming tea and topping it up with some plant-based liquid from a carton, that to Edward looked slightly off-white in colour. ‘In fact, you already have. It’s what I’ve been giving you in the shop, that or soya. I should have told you before.’
‘Oh,’ Edward said, slightly taken aback.
It certainly didn’t look like the pure, white cow’s milk he was familiar with. Edward took a sip. Analysing it in greater detail, it didn’t quite taste like tea either. It was hot and wet but not like the stewed brew he was used to. He would have described it more as a tea-like drink than tea itself. He supposed Jill was right. He’d get used to it in time. He’d have to or give it up. He was surprised he hadn’t noticed when drinking it in the bookshop after dropping Beti back. He must have been distracted and his mind on other things. He’d probably been grateful to have any drink at all.
‘I think I saw a coffee shop just around the corner. I can always pick up a proper coffee there before we start work,’ Edward suggested.
‘There is, but as a matter of fact, it’s vegan too,’ Jill laughed.
What was the world coming to? Edward thought. Bloody vegans! He was surrounded by them.
‘They do a nice soya latte there, and a nice vegan sausage in a bap. You can barely tell the difference,’ Jill assured him.
‘I suppose a soya latte and vegan sausage bap will have to do then,’ Edward said, grudgingly. ‘Tell me, do you own the vegan coffee shop too?’ Edward ventured, adding a bit of welcome humour to the conversation.
‘Not yet,’ Jill giggled. ‘Perhaps if the bookshop starts doing a bit better, it could be how we branch out.’
‘Perhaps,’ Edward said, not wholly convinced.
He then thought he should get serious for a moment. It was a business venture they were embarking on, even if he hoped it would retain an element of fun at the same time and not be too earnest in its nature. He was trying to view it as an adventure. He kept that thought in mind when considering what needed doing most.
‘I thought today, if you can show me the ropes and how to open up, you can have a little time off to yourself,’ Edward suggested. ‘You’ve certainly earned it and it’s well overdue. You can just come back later and show me how to lock up. Just make sure we’ve got each other’s telephone numbers to hand, before you leave. Just in case there’s any problem and I need to ring you, or you have to ring me. What do you think?’
Jill’s eyes lit up. Apart from Sundays and the occasional other day, she hadn’t really had a proper day off in weeks if not months. She certainly felt in need of one.
‘That sounds lovely if you’re sure it’s OK,’ Jill said.
‘I’m sure,’ Edward confirmed. ‘Just tell me what I have to do.’
‘There’s not all that much in truth. I just have a basic cash till, which I leave a small float of loose change and notes in. There’s also a portable credit card machine, which just needs to be kept charged. I normally just make a note in the ledger on my desk of any sales. All the prices are written in pencil on the inside of the books. If they haven’t been priced yet, I just make a price up. Other than that, there’s not a lot to it. You might get the occasional phone call, but probably not that many customers in person. There are keys in the till if you need to leave the shop unattended for any reason,’ Jill explained. ‘Oh, and there’s a laptop on the desk in case you get bored. I also use it to check any emails and enquiries to my work email account. I can show you how to do that.’
‘I think you said you haven’t got a website,’ Edward said, just seeking confirmation of that fact.
‘Not as such, but my work email is listed on a few bookseller sites, and I get some sales from that,’ Jill said.
‘No matter,’ Edward responded. ‘That’s something we can perhaps look at long term. It’s not urgent.’
‘Most importantly, there’s a kettle in the back office for tea and coffee breaks,’ Jill said. ‘I normally leave a few nibbles there too in case I get hungry.’
Edward chuckled.
‘All vegan, of course,’ Jill pointed out.
‘Naturally,’ Edward said. ‘Well, I suppose I’d better go and get ready,’ he said, finishing his tea and toast. ‘Time waits for no man.’
Jill already looked dressed for the day and ready to start work. Edward wasn’t, though he didn’t take very long to go up to his room and come back down again raring to go. They took the back stairs down into the shop. Jill turned on the lights. She showed Edward where everything was. Beti followed them down and took up her usual position in her basket by the side of Jill’s desk, or was it Edward’s desk now? Jill was right. There wasn’t too much to learn. There didn’t seem to be all that much to it in truth. He realised he’d got a good idea where everything was from his many previous visits to the bookshop, both as a customer and a dog walker. Before Jill left, Edward briefly popped to the nearby coffee shop, to purchase a soya latte and vegan sausage bap. He’d have them when Jill had gone.
‘Is everything really vegan?’ Edward asked what he considered to be a relatively young man who served him.
He was a lot younger than Edward at least, probably in his mid to late thirties or early forties.
‘It is,’ Edward was told.
‘Even the cakes?’ Edward continued. ‘They look very nice.’
‘Even the cakes,’ the man said, as if he was a little bored by Edward’s somewhat facile questions.
Edward placed his order.
‘I think I’ll have a cake too,’ he added.
He was sure to get hungry later and want it. When he got back to the bookshop, he laid his bounty down on the desktop.
‘Are you sure you’ll be all right?’ Jill asked, before leaving him.
‘I’ll be fine.’ Edward assured her. ‘You just go off and enjoy yourself. I’ll ring you if I need to, but hopefully that won’t be necessary.’
They’d previously exchanged telephone numbers, for when Edward took Beti out for walks. Edward had checked he’d tapped in Jill’s correctly by giving it a quick ring. He had, though to date he’d never needed to use it in anger as it were. Jill had also switched on her laptop and opened her mailbox, so it was all ready for him to use.
‘When you need the toilet, just turn the latch on the front door, so it’s locked and pop upstairs,’ Jill told him. ‘Is there anything else you need?’
‘I don’t think so,’ Edward answered. ‘If anything occurs to me, I’ll be in touch. I’ll text if it isn’t urgent. If it’s more important, I’ll ring.’
‘OK,’ Jill said.
She hesitated by the front door, as if she was reluctant to leave him. It had been years since anyone but her had been left in charge of the shop. Edward could sense her nervousness.
‘You really don’t need to worry,’ he told her. ‘I’m sure I’ll be OK.’
‘I hope so,’ Jill said.
‘Anyway, how are you spending your morning?’ Edward asked, sensing the need to change the subject.
‘I’m going to the shops and then I’m off to see my mum. I may even take her out for lunch,’ Jill said.
‘Sounds lovely,’ Edward commented.
‘By the way, if you want lunch, just make sure to lock up and take as long as you like,’ Jill said.
She’d already given him the spare key to their lodgings above. The one for the shop was in the till. She also kept another on her key ring, which was with her at all times in case of emergency.
‘I will,’ Edward said.
‘I’ll be back early afternoon,’ Jill told him.
‘Take as long as you need to. That’s why I’m here,’ Edward said.
When Jill finally left him, Edward sat down at the desk to survey his surroundings. He was temporarily at least in charge of all he surveyed. Before he did anything, he took a sip of his soya latte and a bite of his vegan sausage bap. They weren’t too bad. They were quite tasty in fact. Beti looked up eagerly, aware he was eating.
‘OK,’ he said, reluctantly, breaking her off a piece and throwing it down on the floor, for her to hoover up. ‘Not quite the real thing,’ he added, as he watched her chewing.
When he’d finished eating, he carefully wiped his hands. He didn’t want to get any grease on the books. That wouldn’t be a very good start. He looked at his watch. It was 10.15am. He then checked the sign on the door. It did indeed say open. No customers so far. That wasn’t exactly a surprise. Edward took another sip of his coffee. He should check any emails first. He knew in time he would establish a routine. He always did, wherever he was and whatever he was doing. It would just take him a few days to establish a new one.
There were a handful of emails, mostly enquiring about rare books. The problem was Edward didn’t know for certain if they had any of them. He could check on the shelves, but he was fully aware only a fraction of the stock had been put in its correct place. Most hadn’t. A couple of emails enquired where the shop was located and its opening times. He could at least answer them. The others might have to wait. Whilst he was looking at the laptop, he opened a new spreadsheet. At least any books he did sort and price up, he could record on that too. It would be a small start. It would be a way of introducing a degree of order to Jill’s rather haphazard approach to selling.
Before starting to go through some of the unsorted books, Edward made some attempt to familiarise himself with the various shelves and bookcases on display, to get an idea where the different subjects were kept. He took a few random books out to inspect them. He looked at the prices on the inside covers. Jill was selling them far too cheaply for a start, he thought. That was something he could address on any books he priced up. She might then at least start making some kind of profit. Edward then settled himself on the floor to start going through the various piles, to see if he could begin to introduce some order to them. He started by sorting roughly according to whether they were fiction or non-fiction for starters. He found himself becoming quite absorbed in the task. He liked old books. Some he sifted through were little better than pulp. Others had a commercial value and an interest. Edward was only distracted from his work when the door opened and in walked his first customer of the day, his first customer ever in fact.
‘Is there anything special you’re looking for?’ Edward asked, courteously.
‘I was just passing and thought I might have a little browse,’ the customer replied.
He was an older man, not unlike Edward. It reminded Edward of his own first visit to the shop when he hadn’t been looking for anything in particular but had been happy just to look all the same.
‘You go ahead,’ Edward said. ‘I’ve got plenty to be getting on with.’
Eventually, the man left without purchasing anything. That was the general fate of the bookseller, Edward supposed. He had to wait an age for another customer to come in. In that time, he’d made some progress with a basic sorting of some of the piles into subject matter. His second customer was after a rare book of the poetry, long since out of print, by the late Liverpool poet, Adrian Henri. Of course, Edward didn’t have it, not that he could see. He explained a lot of the books weren’t out yet and the customer was welcome to pop back, just as Jill had said to him. Edward promised to look out for the book too, just as Jill had done. He was getting the hang of this selling malarkey, he told himself. There was nothing to it really.
Edward then heard his phone beep. It was a text from Jill. How are you getting on? It read. Fine, no problems, Edward replied and signed it with a kiss before sending. Have you sold anything? Jill continued their conversation. Not yet, Edward replied, truthfully. He did sell one book, however, before Jill came back. It was a book on flora and fauna. He carefully recorded the sale with a tinge of pride in the ledger. It was his first one. At least he’d have something to show Jill, he thought. He also realised he’d been so absorbed in what he was doing he hadn’t stopped for lunch. He hadn’t fed Beti either. He’d rectify both oversights as soon as Jill returned from her trip out. It was now gone two o’clock in the afternoon. Edward looked out of the window. It had started steadily raining. Wouldn’t get many customers now, he reflected. If they were wise, they’d stay at home. The next time the front door opened, it was Jill.
‘Everything OK?’ Jill enquired.
‘I did sell one book, after you texted,’ Edward said, proudly.
‘Very good,’ Jill congratulated him. ‘We’ll have to do a bit better than that though if we’re both to make a living from this,’ she added.
‘I know, but it is a start,’ Edward said, refusing to have his optimism and sense of accomplishment dampened.
‘By the way, I picked you up a cheese and onion pasty from the bakery, in case you haven’t eaten yet,’ Jill said. ‘It’s still warm if you eat it now. I couldn’t quite bring myself to buy a meat one,’ she admitted.
‘You must have read my mind,’ Edward said. ‘I’m starving, but I didn’t fancy another vegan sausage bap just yet. Beti needs to eat too.’
‘I’ll go and get her something,’ Jill said, heading off towards the kitchen via the back staircase.
Edward settled down to eat his pasty. It was just what he needed. He realised he was also rather thirsty. He was ready for a cup of tea, even one with vegan milk, and he put the kettle on to boil. When he’d made it, he sipped suspiciously at the light brown liquid that occupied the mug he held.
‘I don’t know why you’re looking at it like that,’ Jill laughed, when she returned with Beti’s food. ‘I told you I’ve given you soya or oat every time I’ve made you a cup of tea, and you didn’t appear to notice. I don’t have anything else. You didn’t complain at least.’
Edward laughed. It was true. He hadn’t really noticed, though he realised it had tasted slightly odd now he came to think about it. He’d wondered if it was just a different brand of tea to his usual one. He’d just been too polite to say anything. Generally, after a long walk, he’d been glad of any liquid refreshment afterwards, with cow’s milk added or in this case an alternative.
‘You’ve got me there. I have to admit it,’ Edward said. ‘I only really became aware when you mentioned it and I could see it being poured from a different package at breakfast. It just goes to show how fickle I really am.’
‘Could you tell the difference with the food from the vegan coffee shop?’ Jill asked. ‘Did it taste that different?’
‘I could taste the sausage wasn’t real sausage. The coffee was still nice and creamy like a latte should be, so not really. The cake just tasted like a normal one,’ Edward said.
‘So, there’s hope for you yet,’ Jill said. ‘Give it a couple of months and you’ll be as vegan as me.’
‘That will never happen,’ Edward insisted, but without total conviction in what he was saying.
‘You’ve got me drinking again, so making you a vegan will be my revenge,’ Jill warned him.
Edward smiled. He was open to change, but he’d never change that much. It was impossible. It was out of the question. Jill just smirked back knowingly at him. Maybe she knew something he didn’t. Maybe she knew him better than he knew himself. Although he generally didn’t keep pets, it was true he’s always been quite fascinated by animals and the animal kingdom. He enjoyed natural history programmes. Maybe it was actually high time he stopped eating the blessed, furry things. Even if by some remote chance that happened, he’d still eat cheese and eggs, he was resolved. Even so, he was amazed how quickly a woman with the right mindset and principles could change someone as set in his ways as he was himself.
‘Do you want me to take over this afternoon, or do you want to carry on?’ Jill asked, after putting food in Beti’s bowl.
‘I’ll carry on if you like,’ Edward said. ‘I just need you to show me how to shut up at about five o’clock.’
‘I can do that,’ Jill said. ‘Meanwhile, I’ve got one or two jobs to get on with upstairs if you’re sure that’s all right.’
‘I’m sure. How was your mum by the way?’ Edward asked.
‘She was fine. She’d like to meet you in fact,’ Jill explained.
‘I look forward to it,’ Edward said.
‘She knows I’ve been on my own for a long time. She’s probably wondering what kind of man I’ve left into my home,’ Jill said, only being partially serious.
‘Well, I hope she approves of me,’ Edward said, cautiously.
‘I’m sure she will,’ Jill assured him.
‘Is she vegan?’ Edward asked.
‘No, she isn’t,’ Jill answered.
Edward nodded approvingly.
‘You’re still a minority then,’ he observed.
‘For the time being,’ Jill agreed.
‘That reminds me, once we’ve locked up, I’ll pop to the supermarket to pick a few things up. I can take Beti too if it’s stopped raining,’ Edward suggested.
‘I’m sure she’d love a walk,’ Jill said. ‘Right, I’ll leave you to it. Just shout if you need anything. You know it really is nice to have a bit of time to myself for once.’
‘I’m glad of that,’ Edward said.
After Jill had gone, Edward quietly continued his sorting. He even started pricing a few books up and putting them in their correct place on the shelves. He added a pound or two to the price he imagined Jill would probably have given them. He considered her prices to be unrealistic and no way to run a business. They weren’t getting anywhere near enough sales. They had to maximise the profit from those few they did get. As the afternoon wore on, to his surprise Edward did sell a couple more books. He also had a couple of enquiries, which he duly made a note of. All in all, it hadn’t been such a bad first day’s work. He’d got quite a lot of sorting done and familiarised himself with the basic procedures Jill had in place to run the shop. Around 5pm, she came down to help him lock up.
‘So, how was your first day?’ she asked.
‘Very good,’ Edward replied.
She was pleased to learn he’d even made a few more sales.
‘You’ve done very well,’ she told him.
‘Onwards and upwards,’ Edward said.
After they’d locked up, Edward headed for the supermarket. There was a Tesco Metro on St Helen’s Road, so he went there. As it had stopped raining, he took Beti with him for her daily walk. As he browsed the shelves in Tesco, Edward found himself subconsciously resisting the meat products. He didn’t want to offend Jill, although he did buy himself a carton of normal milk and some cheese. He’d have to gradually ween himself off those. Everything he bought was at least vegetarian. He got no meat at all. He purchased sufficient basic items to keep him going for a few days at least. He made sure to stock up on decaffeinated tea and coffee just in case Jill didn’t have any. He also bought a nice bottle of red wine he could share with Jill if they ended up watching television together again. When he got back, he found Jill had kindly already done the cooking.
‘It’s just something I rustled up quickly, nothing special,’ she told him, as she handed him a plate of steaming pasta in tomato and onion sauce and what he presumed to be vegan cheese sprinkled on top and ciabatta bread on the side.
‘It looks excellent,’ Edward complimented her. ‘You know, you really don’t have to cook for me every day,’ he added.
‘I know, but if I’m cooking anyway, it’s just as easy to cook for two as it is for one,’ she said.
‘That’s very kind, but let me treat you some days,’ Edward insisted. ‘I’m happy to take you to the pub or a nice restaurant any evening you like. You only have to say.’
As they ate, Edward poured Jill a glass of fine red wine. It was a good quality one for Tesco at least, around twenty-five pounds a bottle, if not for Edward. He’d shared five-hundred-pound bottles of wine at exclusive London wine bars during his working days. He wouldn’t be doing that again, he reflected. After they’d eaten, they continued drinking and watching television. They were enjoying each other’s company while it lasted. Later, Edward retired to his room, where he resumed reading HG Wells. He’d nearly finished The Country of the Blind and Other Science-Fiction Stories. At least he’d never again be short of a book to read during his remaining time in Swansea, he noted with mild amusement. As he switched off his bedroom light, he was already looking forward to his next day back at work. He was no longer truly retired, he realised.
