The Little Bookshop at Herring Cove. Kellie Hailes

so the business goes bust and I have no choice but to sell?’ She tilted her chin, held his gaze. Dared him to deny what she was saying was the truth.

       So, what are you going to do, Fletcher? You’ve just gone and created a fork in what was meant to be a very straightforward road.

      He could back out. Back off. Let Sophie try to save her shop. And probably fail if the rundown look of the place and lack of customers was anything to go by.

      Or he could step up, help out. Give her what she needed to make her business work. Whether that business was in her current spot, surrounded on three sides by a five-storey resort, or somewhere else. Somewhere bigger. Better.

      Like the empty shop across the road.

      This was the moment he’d been looking for. The chance to explain what would happen to her village and how selling up and moving would benefit her, and what the ramifications of refusing to do so would be.

      ‘I’m going to be honest with you, Sophie, because I get the feeling you prefer a straight-up relationship to one that’s filled with layers of machinations. The Fletcher Group will build a resort here. We have the council’s backing. The support of the village.’

      ‘Some of the village,’ Sophie interjected. ‘And once they see how this market idea of mine can save the town, they’ll all want you gone.’

      ‘No, they won’t. It’ll just show them a taste of the success they’ll experience once the resort is built, the facilities are improved and people are here not just for one day, but all year round. Speaking of which, if you’re going to hold a market you’ll need a licence.’

      ‘I know that.’ Sophie smiled, tight and determined. ‘I’m planning on getting permission.’

      ‘It takes around three months.’

      Alexander watched Sophie’s triumphant smile fall. Remorse squirmed low in his gut. He didn’t mean to burst her bubble, but Sophie had no idea what she was taking on, and he didn’t want her to get in trouble. Not when he was bringing enough distress to her door as it was. ‘Let me hurry the process up. We’re in the council’s good books. They need us more than we need them at the moment. I can sort it.’

      Sophie’s smile didn’t return. A good thing considering the truth bomb he was about to lay on her.

      ‘Look, the reason I’m here is to spell out the reality of what’s going to happen in the coming months. Simply put, if you don’t sell we will build around you. It’s not our ideal situation, but we can make it work.’

      ‘You wouldn’t.’ Sophie’s jaw dropped, her eyes widened in horror.

      ‘I wouldn’t, but the Fletcher Group would.’ He rubbed his hand over the layer of stubble that had sprouted since he’d arrived in Herring Cove and tried to remember the last time he’d forgotten to shave, let alone allow it to grow that long. It was like the village’s laid-back vibe was getting to him. ‘I hate to be the one to tell you this, but I have to. It’s the truth. I’ve been thinking about a solution to the problem and I think there’s a way we can make this work. The empty shop across the road had plenty of potential and oozes charm. It would be the perfect spot for your bookshop. With the money we’d give you, you could have it done up and looking brilliant. Best of all, you’ll have all the money you need and you won’t have to worry about being in debt to anyone.’

      Anger shimmered off Sophie. ‘You saw the email notification. That wasn’t yours to see.’

      Alexander shrugged. ‘It wasn’t, but I saw it and I’m offering you a chance to be financially stable, or to put up with the consequences.’

      Sophie’s lips pressed together in a way that took the wind out of his sails. His pitch seemed rock-solid, yet she didn’t look to be buying it.

      ‘I’m not taking the deal.’

      ‘You understand what I’m saying, right? This is going to happen whether you want it to or not. We will build around you. Three-quarters of your building will be in shadow. You’ll have tourists peering into your flat upstairs as they go about their business. Day in. Day out.’

      ‘I don’t care.’ Sophie folded her arms, her eyes not leaving his.

      Alexander’s heart began to thunder in his chest. This was the worst-case scenario. His father wouldn’t care about building around a small business. Making their life untenable, but he did. Very much so.

      He cupped the back of his neck and worked through the options to make things better for Sophie.

      ‘Take me up on my offer. Let me help you build the shelves. I’ll make a new sign for outside since the old one’s looking like it’ll fall apart in a gentle breeze. I can repaint the walls the same shade if you want me to.’

      Sophie shook her head. Her lip in a stubborn line.

      ‘Please, Sophie. Let me work with you. Let me help build you up. Don’t let your determination to stay in your home be in vain.’

      Ginny came to stand beside Sophie and laid her hand on her forearm. ‘Soph, I hate to say it, but can you afford to say no? Don’t let pride get in the way of your business succeeding. Not when you’ve got so many excellent ideas on the boil. Alexander’s offering free labour, even though he doesn’t have to. What’s in it for him?’

      What was in it for him? He’d be able to walk away from Herring Cove knowing he’d done right by all concerned. Those who’d sold would have enough money to make their lives infinitely easier. With his help, Sophie’s business would have a chance at survival. And his values would be intact. All the while, as far as his father was concerned, he’d have done right by the family.

      He massaged a knot in his neck as he realised his mistake. His father. He’d left him out of the equation. Helping Sophie meant needing time. Time he did not have. He was expected back in the office any day now. Offers signed. Job done.

      The fluttering poster on the pole caught his attention.

      That was it. He’d use the rising tension in Herring Cove as his cover. He’d stay for the week to smooth things over with people. Slap some backs. Shake some hands. His father would understand that. The last thing he’d want was negative press coverage due to villagers holding protests when building was due to begin.

      ‘Will you let me help? No strings attached?’ Alexander pressed his palms together and gave his best big-eyed pleading look.

      Sophie’s chest rose then fell as she exhaled a long, loud breath. ‘I’m going to regret this. I already think I’m an idiot for considering it, but… Fine. I have conditions though.’ She held her fisted hand up and began listing off her rules, a finger rising for every statute. ‘You will work here only when I’m here. You will work out the back, away from customers. You will only interact with me. And you will only use the materials I provide you with. If you cannot or will not agree to those terms, then we have no deal.’

      Without hesitation Alexander stretched out his hand, kept his face devoid of emotion. Wanted Sophie to see he was serious. That he genuinely wanted to help. ‘Deal.’ Her palm met his as they shook hands in agreement.

      Sophie’s eyes widened, as if she’d been zapped by an electric fence. Her hand jerked out of his. She took a step back. Another. A flush of pink bloomed on her cheeks.

      Alexander swallowed hard as he tried to figure out what had just happened, what he’d just done. He’d just agreed to do something magnificently stupid. It went against everything he’d had drilled into him by his father. Yet, he didn’t say no to Sophie’s conditions. Couldn’t have. He shoved his hands into his trouser pockets, the warmth of Sophie’s hand still making its presence known.

      He couldn’t have said no because it was the right thing to do. And good could come of it. What kind of good he didn’t entirely know.

      But for the first time in a long time, he couldn’t wait to find out.