Christmas at the Wartime Bookshop by Lesley Eames EPUB & PDF – eBook Details Online
- Status: Available for Free Download
- Author: Lesley Eames
- Language: English
- Genre: Historical World War II Fiction
- Format: PDF / EPUB
- Size: 2 MB
- Price: Free
Alice
JANUARY 1940
Churchwood, Hertfordshire, England
Only two weeks had passed since Alice Lovell’s move to Churchwood, and
with her injured hand making the simplest task slow and uncomfortable,
she’d spent most of that time unpacking instead of getting to know the
village’s other residents. Even so, she’d learned enough for her steps to
falter as she neared the shops and saw the bulldog-like figure of Naomi
Harrington up ahead.
Mrs Harrington was a woman who clearly loved to take charge so already
Alice thought of her as Churchwood’s social sergeant major, though
perhaps she’d prefer to be likened to a more senior rank – colonel, brigadier
or even major general perhaps. Middle-aged and wealthy, she had an air of
authority in both her bearing and her dress. Today’s outfit was typical: a
cream blouse and tweed suit in a countryside brown that resembled military
khaki covering what was doubtless a sturdy corset. A matching hat sporting
a small feather like regimental insignia completed the picture.
As befitted a person of power, she was accompanied by a second in
command, though Marjorie Plym was her physical opposite. Tall and lanky,
Miss Plym had shoulders that drooped like the curve of a question mark.
Her dull grey coat and hat drooped, too, and she had none of Mrs
Harrington’s forcefulness. In fact, Alice suspected Miss Plym of being
rather silly.
Judging from the clipboard Miss Plym was holding to her skinny bosom,
Alice guessed that the two women were on the watch for passers-by to
recruit to some sort of project. It might be the sort of project that would do
good in the world but, much as Alice wanted to do good – and find friends,
too – she recoiled from the thought of being bullied into a situation she
might find awkward and even humiliating, given the state of her hand.
Hoping she hadn’t been spotted, Alice turned to the nearest shop window,
intending to linger until the women had moved away or were so busy
recruiting someone else that she could sidle past unnoticed. The window
belonged to the cobbler and contained only a dull display of shoe polishes,
brushes and laces, but Alice remained there anyway, reading an
advertisement about the durability of Hexton’s leather soles until she
noticed the cobbler nodding at her through the glass as though encouraging
her to step inside. Embarrassed at having no business for him, Alice turned
away – and saw that Mrs Harrington had not only spotted her but appeared
to be waiting for her.
Sighing, Alice walked on, quickening her pace to give the impression
that she had no time for chatting, though she still nodded politely. ‘Mrs
Harrington. Miss Plym.’
Naomi Harrington wasn’t to be thwarted so easily. ‘Just the person.’
Oh, heavens. Just the person for what? Reluctantly, Alice came to a halt.
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