‘Surely good legal counsel can get his job back?’ You can’t grow up around lawyers and not think litigation at every hurdle, especially in this instance when it’s such a huge wrong.
‘Yes, but from what Yannis told me, the whole sorry saga took the shine off publishing for Georgios. The fact that Adam built his reputation off the back of Izzie’s writing really got him down, and the idea that a select few knew about it and kept quiet made it so much worse.’
So Gran and Yannis were on friendly terms once upon a time? ‘Yeah, wow, why couldn’t they just publish under Izzie’s name?’
Gran shrugs. ‘Maybe once upon a time Izzie was happy with the deal? She wrote the masterpieces, and he got the credit and did all the publicity tours. Who knows? But obviously their marriage turned sour and the truth came out.’
‘Golly, what a shambles. There are times when I consider if I should leave the world of words and get into the import-export business myself. It’s a dog-eat-dog world out there in Literati-land, Gran.’ And when you’re more of a behind-the-scenes person like me, it can be downright anxiety-inducing.
‘Literati-land is for schmucks, you’re from Romancelandia, a far more friendly province. You’re a words person and you always will be. So is Georgios. This is a hurdle that you’re both facing. Him for speaking up and you for taking a chance chasing your dream job even though it meant stepping out of your safe literary bubble. Don’t give up, darling. There’s no quit in you, not when it comes to your passion for unearthing those beautiful books whose stories need to be shared on the silver screen.’
Gran’s right. I’m having a wobble, that’s all. Really, it’s to be expected. Book scout jobs are rare, so patience is key. Perhaps Icouldput feelers out with Gene if nothing eventuates with the slightly desperate email I sent back to Val.
I’ll give it a bit of time. Gene’s probably sunning himself in the Florida Keys like he promised at the going-away party. He’s a powerhouse like Gran. I never expected he’d retire – the movie biz seemed too ingrained in him. I bet he misses it.
‘I’d love to have my old job back, focusing on romance novels. Who doesn’t love love?’
‘You’ll find the perfect job, darling. The universe has great plans for you. For now though, help out your old gran by taking over the entirety of the Epeolatry launch. Parties used to be my thing – maybe it’s the sun zapping me, or the fact that Konstantine is away – but I can’t summon the strength. I know I promised you I’d help but you’ve got Georgios on-side so that makes me feel a little better leaving it all on your shoulders.’
This is a concern. Nothing usually stops Gran if there’s a party to be organised. Maybe her age really is finally starting to slow her down like Posy keeps suggesting. Or maybe it’s something to do with the note I found and Gran is dealing with some kind of fallout. As I go to ask her about it, she rubs her temples as if she’s got a headache and the words dry on my tongue. ‘Leave it to me. Why don’t you go and have a rest?’ The heat bears down, warming the whitewashed walls and fighting with the air conditioning for supreme power. I hate to think of the energy bills from cranking it all day for the sake of customers.
Gran removes her pink specs and lets them dangle on a gold chain above her decolletage. ‘A nap is in order. Why not? Where’s Zeus?’ At the sound of his name, he comes bounding in, knocking a display table of Greek cookbooks, sending a couple of them flying. I launch myself around the counter, arms stretched to try and catch them before they hit the ground. I manage to get close before they hit but only because I slip and do an ungainly version of the splits, which for the record, I’m not trained to do. There’s a snap like a rubber band, which I can only guess is some kind of ligament of mine. The cookbooks land just past me with a splat. ‘Dammit. I hope they’re not damaged.’
‘How on earth did you twist into a pretzel like that, darling? Who knew you were so flexible!’
‘Uh. That’s the thing. I’m not flexible. Push me over would you?’
I’m stuck, my muscles frozen in a place they’ve never been before. ‘Push you. Where?’
‘Sideways so my legs are airborne.’
‘Oh, Evie.’ She giggles. ‘You really do breathe life into an old woman!’ Gran gives me an almighty push as if I’m cemented into the floor and I let out a gurgle of shock.
‘Gran!’
She’s no help, what with being doubled over with laughter and all. Despite the pain radiating throughout my body I’m glad to see a smile back on Gran’s face.
When I right myself the room spins. ‘Golly, Gran! A gentle nudge would have sufficed.’ Zeus licks my face, and barks directly into my ear as if to make sure I’m compos mentis. I give him a pat. ‘Thanks, Zeus.’ While I’m floor-side, I pick up the books and inspect them for dented corners. Surprisingly they’re still in pristine condition.
Once Gran is composed she wipes at her eyes. ‘I wish I’d filmed that. We could have our own BookTok account:Love and other accidents that happen in a bookshop.’ Zeus barks again and stands at Gran’s feet. ‘He agrees.’ They’ve formed a close bond. It’s so sweet to see. Even at night Zeus guards Gran, sitting at the foot of her bed, like a sentry.
‘That would be just my luck. Going viral twice on TikTok for all the wrong reasons. Let me show you the last time I became internet famous.’ I take my phone and find the video. It’s ingrained in my mind, so finding the link is straightforward. I press play and cringe as my off-key voice belts out the lyrics to ‘I Want to Know What Love Is’ and, worse, I have this scrunched-up expression on my face that suggests Ireallywant to know. I’m doing the arms out in supplication thing, until I make one hand into a fist, which I use as a god damn air microphone. I shudder at the memory of drunken me atop the bar, making quite the spectacle of myself.
Gran’s mesmerised by the performance. Either that or she’s gone catatonic in efforts to drown out the caterwauling of my voice. Yikes it’s bad.
‘You could be a star, Evie! You’re naturally hilarious.’
‘But that’s the thing, isn’t it? I wasn’t trying to be hilarious. It’s a clear case of lovelorn but it just didn’t translate. Bad dates and blueberry martinis should be outlawed.’
‘I mean it, you look amazing, you’ve got the world at your feet.’
I wrinkle my brow. ‘That’s me, the next TikTok sensation. Gran, your love for me is admirable, but you really are misguided.’
She laughs and gives me a peck on the cheek. ‘Never! The world needs to share in the Chronicles of Evie but I’ll let it go for now. What are all these puddles I keep stepping in?’
‘Tiny little ones!’ I’ve found them in the most unusual of places too.
‘Who knows. Anyway, darling, I’m off.’
