Page 51 of The Summer That Changed Us

‘Oh that, yes, thanks.’ She smiled shakily. ‘Lovely news.’

‘Oh that.’ Nula mimicked and rolled her eyes.

‘Barney is the editor of the Gazette,’ Katie told Nula.

‘You’ve done well to get this far,’ said Barney with a grin. ‘That’s what I always tell myself anyway when I’ve been nominated for a journalism award and don’t win. Which, by the way, is every time so far. And it’s great publicity for you.’

‘Yes, I know,’ said Katie flatly.

‘That’s what I keep saying,’ Nula exclaimed. ‘It’s your time to shine, pet.’

‘Hmm.’ Publicity was exactly what she didn’t want right now. The idea of sticking her head above the parapet made her want to run for the Cheviot Hills.

‘I’ll be doing some features on the nominees,’ said Barney. ‘And I know advertising won’t miss the opportunity to get in touch.’

‘Ooh!’ Nula’s eyes sparkled. ‘Imagine that, Katie. Us in the paper!’

Yeah, imagine. Katie’s stomach flipped; that was all she needed. ‘Glad to hear that you do do some work.’ Katie ignored Nula and arched an eyebrow playfully. ‘You never seem to be in the office.’

Barney laughed. ‘It’s a small team, which means that sometimes I get to go out and about and do my own reporting.’

‘Well, I’m happy to give you an interview.’ Nula folded her arms and leaned forward on the counter. ‘When Jean Small died, Katie thought sales would drop off. The shop being called Auntie Small’s, you know. But no, have they ’eck – sales are up! Katie has brought all sorts of new products into the shop, swimwear, hosiery, even men’s undies. I’ve had to increase my hours.’ She stopped to peer at Barney. ‘Don’t you want to get any of this down?’

Barney scratched his nose and gallantly hid a smile. ‘Sorry, I was planning on sitting down to do the feature.’ He hesitated and looked at Katie. ‘I was wondering if I could meet you for coffee, to do an interview?’

Katie’s insides fizzed with excitement. It was just business, she knew that. He’d be talking to all the nominees. But all the same, the thought of spending some time alone, away from the shop, in his company made her heart swoop.

‘Yes,’ she found herself saying, despite her aversion to publicity. ‘That would be lovely.’

Nula elbowed her way in front of Katie again. ‘You probably wouldn’t guess it but I’m sixty-eight, you know. I’d have retired by now, but—’ She paused to pat her hair. ‘I’m an indispensable part of this shop. Anyway, working keeps you young and fit. Look at this.’ Nula kicked her leg up high in the air and rested the heel of her court shoe on the counter like a geriatric ballerina. ‘I’m very flexible.’

A bubble of laughter escaped as Katie met Barney’s eye and she sent up a silent prayer of thanks that at least Nula was in her slacks today.

‘Impressive,’ said Barney, deadpan.

The bell above the door jangled as the door opened. Nula yelped and grabbed hold of her leg to lower it. The three of them turned to see Amber hovering in the doorway. Her school skirt looked a bit short and Katie wondered if she’d started rolling up the waistband like she and Rose used to do at her age.

‘Hello, trouble,’ Barney grinned and held his arm out to her.

‘Dad!’ Amber said, startled, her face flushing bright pink, but she dutifully tucked herself into his side and let him hug her.

Nula had gone a funny colour too – ash grey in her case. Katie led her over to a chair.

‘Serves you right, Darcey Bussell,’ she whispered to her. ‘What were you thinking, flinging yourself about like that?’

‘I wasn’t thinking at all,’ Nula muttered, rubbing her the back of her thigh. ‘I’m a silly old fool. A handsome man walks in and my hormones go wild.’

‘You get off home,’ said Katie, shaking her head fondly. ‘A hot bath with some Radox in it.’

Nula nodded and with Katie’s help got to her feet and limped into the storeroom at the back to collect her handbag.

‘Were you looking for me?’ Barney said to his daughter.

‘No, I … ’ She flashed Katie a look of panic. ‘I wondered if Katie wanted to come and see the kittens with me?’

‘Alice’s kittens, by any chance?’ Katie smiled.

Amber nodded. ‘We’re getting a black boy one. Dad wants to call him Elvis.’