Knaresborough Town shivered under a white blanket.
It was a quiet morning for Jess Beaumont and Oxfam in the market square.
The perfect opportunity to slip a thriller from the second-hand bookshelf.
Jess’s brain was permanently overworked, and she loved the way a writer could take on that responsibility of guiding her thoughts – it provided respite.
Unfortunately, however, the lever that usually allowed her to hand control over to an author was completely inoperable today.
She’d suffered an awful night with her father, who’d woken hourly, shouting for Daisy, Jess’s late mother. And every time Jess had attended to him, there’d been more signs that he was losing the ability to recognise her. Once, he’d even hurled abuse at her, and called her a ‘temptress, here to relieve him of his money’.
She didn’t miss the irony. It wouldn’t be long before he was in a home, and that would most certainly relieve him of all his money.
Also, someone had just informed her that the Mercedes had been recovered.
At least what remained of it.
And now she needed a new car. It was her fault, so she didn’t think the insurance would be in any hurry, which meant she’d have to relieve her dad of some money to get one.
Temptress that she was!
Thank God she’d the power of attorney. Imagine having to tell him about his car and ask him for a new one?
The bell tinkled as the door to the shop opened. Cold air blasted her.
Wearing a fur-lined parka, Laura Wilson stepped in, kicking the snow from her boots onto the mat. She closed the door behind her and smiled over at Jess who instantly forgot about the cold. Laura always radiated warmth, and the possibility of another positive chat with her today suddenly made Jess feel more resilient in the face of recent issues.
‘Like a ghost town out there,’ Laura said. ‘Mind you, only a fool would go out in this weather.’ Her mouth curled into a smile. Fine lines appeared around her eyes. ‘I guess that makes me the fool.’
Jess smiled. She wished she could approach the world with the same sincerity, grace and contentment. She stroked the sunflower lanyard. Rather than battling through every single day.
Laura strolled over to the Christmas tree beside the front desk and prodded a red bauble with her gloved hand. She raised an eyebrow. ‘Have you been moving the baubles again, Jess?’
Jess smiled, making eye contact with Laura. She always found it easier to do so with Laura than with anyone else. ‘They looked wrong this morning. All wrong. I couldn’t relax. How do you think they look now? Be honest. I’d prefer it—’
‘I’m always honest. And I think exactly what I thought yesterday morning,’ Laura said. ‘It looks like a queen has decorated it.’
‘No… no…’ Jess said, looking down. ‘The green baubles were too close together. Now, the red, green and blue alternate more regularly. Can’t you see?’ She carried on looking down until she got an answer.
‘Alternating to perfection,’ Laura said. ‘And, having experienced forty-eight Christmases, I can say that with confidence.’
Jess smiled and nodded. She chanced a look up and found she could lock eyes with her again for a short time.
Laura sidled along until she was at the desk, facing Jess.
‘Are you here for those books you put aside? Betty came in yesterday and suggested they go back on the shelf. I told her what’s what! No one has touched them since. Do you want them now?’ She looked down and slipped the three crime books from beneath the counter.
Laura laid her gloved hand on the books. ‘Never in doubt. And today, I have my five pounds.’ She reached into her parka and slid the note over the table.
‘Thanks. But like I said, you could have taken them yesterday and paid today. We trust you. I trust you. Honestly.’
‘Yes, but would you have felt comfortable doing so?’
Jess looked up, shrugged and smiled. ‘No. Just because rules are rules. But that’s down to me, not you.’
‘It’s very much down to me, young lady! I wouldn’t want to make you uncomfortable. The service in here is impeccable. Credit where credit is due.’
Jess blushed. ‘Thanks.’
‘You look tired, dear,’ Laura said, opening a bag for life and slipping in the books.
Jess was still blushing. ‘My father. He had a terrible night. Didn’t recognise me at one point. Didn’t know what I was going to do. Called me a temptress… after his money. I’m not… well, obviously, I’m not. I’m his daughter, but… do you think I’m after his money?’
‘Why would you ask me that, dear?’
‘Because he paid for the house, and the Mercedes, and the two-seated sofa, and—’
‘He’s your father, dear. If he can’t buy you those things, then no one else can. My father was a prince. He used to bring me something home from work every day. Some days, it could be as wonderful as a new doll. Other days, he might bring me back some liquorice… but always something. So, if your father doesn’t, what chance do any of us have?’ Laura laughed. ‘Now ignore my frivolous comments, and…’ Laura reached over and took Jess’s hand.
Jess didn’t move her hand. It felt awkward, but right somehow. If that made sense. Which it clearly didn’t.
‘It’s time to let me help.’
Jess shook her head. Filled with anxiety, she couldn’t lift her eyes again. ‘I can’t… He won’t.’
‘It’s time.’
‘No. He doesn’t know you. If he sees an unfamiliar face, he’ll say horrible things. He’ll be nasty. I couldn’t bear it. Please… I think it’ll be okay for a while longer.’
‘What’re you afraid of, Jess?’
‘Him throwing things. Hurting you. The way he shouts. I don’t want you to hear the way he shouts.’
‘And yet you know what I used to do?’
‘Yes…’
Laura was a retired nurse.
‘And I’m not even fifty!’ Laura said. ‘Meaning there’s life in these bones yet. I retired early because I had to take care of my father. Now he’s gone, I’m at a loose end. You think your father will offer anything I haven’t seen before?’
‘He won’t accept it. He won’t. He just won’t.’ Jess could feel her twitches kicking in. She shook her head. ‘Please… I’m sorry… but please.’
Jess could feel Laura squeezing her hand. ‘Okay. Can I make one suggestion… just one, and then you can throw me out?’
Jess didn’t respond. She closed her eyes, trying to force back the twitches.
‘Let me meet him. Just once. Let me see for myself. I can, at least, give you my honest advice. If I can’t help, I’ll be honest. If he needs to go to a home, I’ll be honest. And then, you can do with that what you wish. Please, Jess… it’s time to let someone else in.’
Jess could feel the tears spilling out and felt a gloved hand wiping them from her cheek. For a moment, she thought of her mother. The only other person she’d ever let close. The way she’d used to hold her, comfort her and wipe those tears away. How she missed it.
And for the briefest of seconds, she was there with her again.
It felt wonderful.
Special.
And for that reason, she opened her eyes and gave Laura something she’d not given anyone since her mother had died.
She gave Laura her trust.