Page 46 of Plot Twist

I picked a couple of comparable titles that looked good, as well as a picture book to read to Ivy later.

‘My wee girl loves that book.’

It seemed like a very friendly bookstore, everyone wanted to talk. I looked up at the lady, who was smiling nostalgically, her short hair tucked behind an ear.

‘Does she?’ I smiled. ‘I’m buying it for my friend’s wee girl.’

‘I used to read it to my daughter every night before bed,’ she continued, as though she hadn’t even heard me.

‘It’s a popular one,’ I replied. ‘I’m a teacher. I read it to the younger kids. They always love it.’

She didn’t reply as she wandered to look over the balcony at the floor below and turned back round to face me.

‘Are you here for the event?’ she asked.

‘Sure am,’ I said. ‘You?’

‘I’ll maybe just watch from here,’ she replied, peering over the balcony. ‘I’m not a big fan of crowds.’

I nodded. ‘OK, well, I’ll just head down and buy these downstairs.’

‘I hope your friend’s wee girl enjoys the book. What age is she?’

‘Four,’ I said.

She smiled. ‘I’m sure she’ll love it.’

Everyone I’d come across in Ireland was so friendly. Well, apart from the creepy thriller author who looked like he wanted to murder me and fold me into his backpack when I confessed I hadn’t read his books. As I walked down the stairs, I realised the bookshop was starting to fill up as people were ushered to the front of the store, where a few rows of seats were set out facing a desk. Riley sat at one side, a red-haired older woman sat in the middle fawning over him (obviously), while Zander sat with a scowl on his face at the far end.

I went to the cash desk to pay for the books I’d selected.

‘Becca, is that you? Iknewyou’d be here!’

I could tell who it was before I even looked up. Eimear appeared at my side, sporting a tight crop top and baggy jeans, with a pair of trainers.

‘Hi Eimear, nice to see you.’

‘Isn’t it?’ She offered me a wide smile as I paid for the books. ‘Do you know Riley is really nervous about today, isn’t that sweet? We were textingallnight last night and I told him not to worry about it. We’re all here to support him. You know?’

‘I know.’ I nodded, flinching at the thought of Eimear and Riley texting back and forth all night, while looking over Eimear’s shoulder to catch a glimpse of Riley. The red-haired woman was apparently fitting a microphone to his chest and I could see her grazing his abs as she did so. I rolled my eyes inwardly.

I was getting used to having Riley all to myself but the minute we headed out in public, it was a different story. No one could keep their hands or eyes off him.

I snapped back to Eimear, who was flicking her hair over her shoulder.

‘So, I came for moral support. Not that he really needs it. I mean everyone lovedThe Fall Out, didn’t they? Have you read it?’ she asked sweetly.

‘I have,’ I replied, trying not to sound too smug as I continued. ‘I was a beta reader for the book. I read it just before it was published.’

‘Oh,’ she said, taking a slight step back, with a hand on her chest. I wondered if she might fall over. ‘I didn’t realise he needed help with that kind of thing. I’dloveto read for him. I’ll offer up my service. Anyway, I’ve got a friend reserving my front row seat. I’d better go.’

She turned and skipped away, her perfect little bum wiggling in her jeans the whole way up to the front row.

As the event started, I sighed and took the last empty seat on the back row at the side, where I could hardly see a thing aside from Eimear’s excited head bobbing up and down, blocking my view.

The event was a success.

Riley spoke confidently aboutThe Fall Outand answered questions from his legion of, mainly female, fans, who gushed over the book. As he read an extract from the novel, I smiled. He’d chosen the perfect part, where Alice and Leroy met again for the first time in years. The tension between the two characters was palpable, even from their first scene. I remembered reading it for the first time and being so taken in by their dialogue and chemistry. I grinned manically in my seat, as though I’d written the book myself.