Frank opened the back of his notebook and pulled out a clipping from the local newspaper, passing it over to her with a grin. ‘A couple of weeks ago, I decided to test the water. I placed this advert in the Erith Times, asking for people to get in touch if they were interested in selling their books. I was worried Mum and Dad would wonder why I received so many letters and start to ask questions, and want to tell them about my plans in my own time – when I have premises secured, and not before. So I started to hang about by the front door before heading off to work, to intercept the post. It’s always on time. I did have to take a chance Mum wouldn’t ask what I was up to if anything arrived in the other two post deliveries of the day, but I managed to get away with it. Ruby, I had over fifty letters! Some people want to get rid of whole collections of books that have been owned by deceased members of their family; other people enquired about me taking ten or twenty books off their hands.’
‘Have you bought any? Were any of them any good? How exciting!’
‘Well, so far I have one hundred and fifty books,’ he said.
‘Where have you put them? It’s not as if you can hide that many books in your bedroom. Stella would be extremely suspicious about your reading habits.’
Frank shook his head. ‘I’ve rented part of a barn up the top of Crayford Road. It’s clean and dry, so it will do for now. But I’ll need plenty more books before I even open the shop, and more than that to loan them out. I must admit, the idea of a lending library appeals to me too.’
‘Have you seen any shops you could rent? I assume that will be rather expensive,’ Ruby said thoughtfully.
Frank chuckled. He could see the enthusiasm shining from Ruby’s face and appreciated her questions. ‘There is a shop at the top end of Pier Road. I’ve spoken to the landlord, and as it has stood empty for a while and needs a lick of paint and a thorough clean inside, he said I can have it for half the rent for the first six months. Of course, I need to build bookshelves and sort out the counter – and most importantly, I need someone to work with me.’
‘Oh, Frank, it will be wonderful! I promise to be your first customer, and George will be your second. You will have reading material for children, won’t you? I’ll come and help clean the shop, and I’m a dab hand with a paintbrush these days.’
‘I just knew you’d be as excited as I am. But there is a question I need to ask in all of this. Will you come and work for me?’
Ruby was thoughtful for a short while. She enjoyed her job working in the Prince of Wales Hotel; she got on with the landlord and the customers, but couldn’t envisage being a cleaner and doing the odd shift behind the bar for many more years to come. She’d already been there nigh on five years and was beginning to get itchy feet for a change. ‘Oh, that would be a dream of a job – but can you afford to take on a shop assistant? All this will cost money, Frank.’
‘I know it will. I’ve put quite a bit away over the years and I know I can make a go of it, especially with the offer of six months’ cheap rent. I should know by the end of that time if I have the makings of being a bookshop owner or not. It is going to be such an adventure. I’m not so sure my parents will approve, but at my age, most men don’t live with their parents any more and already have a wife and a family. I’ve been thinking I may move into the rooms over the shop.’
‘You’ve certainly thought this over, haven’t you? I am a little worried for you, though. What if after six months the business fails? What will you do with your life then?’
‘If it fails, I reckon I can get another job as a bookkeeper at any one of the local coalyards, so don’t worry about that.’ Frank turned the pages of his notebook and showed Ruby his plans. She could see how much he’d saved, what he’d spent on books so far and how much he thought it would cost to have the shop ready to open. There was also a note of wages that would be paid to his assistant. ‘I have enough money in my savings to tide the business over for three months. I’m hoping by then to have enough customers. What do you think, Ruby? Could you become a shopkeeper’s assistant? Perhaps you’d like some time to think about it.’
‘I don’t need to think about it. It’s a wonderful idea, but there is a problem,’ she said, pointing to the row of figures showing how much Frank intended to pay his assistant each week.
Frank looked at it. ‘I’m sorry, Ruby – that’s the most I can afford to pay. I’d make it more if I could.’
‘Oh, you idiot,’ she laughed. ‘My problem is that it’s too much! I can live on a lot less, Frank.’
He took her hands in his and looked into her eyes. ‘Are you sure? I don’t want you and George going without just because I want to play at being a shopkeeper.’
‘Then let’s agree on a figure,’ she said, taking his pencil and jotting down a sum that was just over half of the
