lads were thinking.â
It took Nina a moment to realize that by âthe ladsâ he meant the two old duffers who sat by the bar.
âOh yes?â
âListen, that Wullie, he doesnât know what heâs talking about. Heâs had a sad life, you know.â
Well, Iâm having one right now, Nina found herself thinking, quite shocked that the thought had flickered across her mind.
âMmm?â she said.
âWell, we reckon the three of us . . . we can buy it off him, then sell it on to you. You know, if you like.â
There was a pause. Nina didnât know what to say. It was so unexpected.
âNot to make a profit, like. I mean, I reckon weâd probably get it cheaper off him than you would. Just to get him to change his mind about selling it to a lass.â
âWell, thatâs . . .â Nina was still speechless.
âWe just thought you looked like a lassie who needed a hand. And we really liked that book you left us. I mean, weâd quite like more books.â Nina had told Alasdair the plan and he had not stopped badgering her since. âAnd that van is an eyesore in the village. And he was wrong not to sell it to you when you wanted it.â
This was clearly a long speech for the landlord, who sounded embarrassed. Nina rushed in to reassure him.
âAre you sure? That would be reallyââ
âI mean, only if you havenât found another one you like . . .â
âI havenât, no. I havenât found another one.â
Nina looked up. The rain was belting against the windows of the coffee shop now; every time the door opened, the wind howled in. The place was absolutely packed, a huge noisy line at the counter, children crying, people looking cross and getting in each otherâs way. She looked at Griffin, who was checking his phone. Suddenly he jumped up, full of delight, and punched the air.
Nina blinked. âListen, Alasdair, thatâs so kind of you. Iâll need to think about it. Can I call you back?â
âAye, of course.â
He told her the price he thought he could get the van for, which was way below what sheâd expected, and she put the phone down.
âI got it!â said Griffin, his face pink with emotion. âYAY!â
Gradually he lowered his arms, looking at Nina. âI mean,â he stuttered. âI mean, Iâm sorry. I mean, theyâve probably made a mistake. Youâd have been way better.â
Nina glanced down at her phone. A new e-mail was blinking. She didnât even have to open it. âI regret to inform you . . .â was the first line that came across in the preview screen.
âWell done,â she said to Griffin, almost entirely meaning it.
âIâve got to head up a âdynamic young multifunctional team,ââ read Griffin excitedly. âOf course it will probably be absolutely awful . . . Iâm really sorry,â he said as he saw her face.
âItâs okay,â said Nina. âReally. Someone had to get it. Iâm glad it was you. I would have been hopeless heading up a multi-whatever.â
âYeah,â said Griffin. âYou would have hated it. Iâm sure Iâll hate it, too.â
His fingers moved furiously, and Nina realized he had already put it up on Facebook. She could hear the âlikeâ button starting to ping.
âListen, Iâd better go,â she said quietly.
âNo, donât,â said Griffin. âCome on, please. Iâll buy you a drink somewhere.â
âNo thanks,â said Nina. âHonestly, Iâm all right. Iâm fine.â
Griffin glanced down at his phone again. âCome on, a bunch of my friends are just around the corner. Join us for a pint. Weâll plan your next move. I must know someone who can help.â
He was more energized than Nina had seen him in months. She desperately wanted a cup of tea and a quiet sit-down to think things
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