Page 33 of The Breakup Bookshop

‘Do you know the impact social media could have on your business? We don’t all have your dedicated fanbase in the village so I need all the help I can get.’

‘Ah, come on.’ He puts his paintbrush down on the counter. ‘It’s all bullshit. Influencers parading around, sponsored ads and Big Brother spying on your every click.’

‘I worked for a creative agency in London specializing in social media. It can increase business revenue massively. My business strategy is based on it.’

‘It’s not about social media and all that nonsense around here.’ He leans back on the counter. ‘It’s about supporting people in real life. Helping people with the things they need, like finding the right size of cable, ordering something in when you don’t have it in stock or changing a plug for them when they can’t do it for themselves. It’s about—’

‘I think you’re right,’ I interrupt.

‘You do?’ He raises his eyebrows.

‘Yes, you can tone down your righteous speech, I’ve got it covered. Social media is a big part of my business strategy, but it’s not the whole thing. I’ve been working on this other idea that could be great. In fact, I think it’s going to be amazing, for the whole community. Even your fangirl Margaret. She might end up liking me more than you.’

‘That’s a bold statement. Go on then. I’m all ears.’

‘A support group. In the bookshop,’ I announce, proudly. ‘The Ullapool bookshop breakup and grief support group.’

‘Well, that’s a bit of a mouthful, for a start. What do you mean, a breakup and grief support group?’

‘I want the bookshop to be a space that the community really needs, as well as somewhere they can discover their next read. It would be somewhere people can go to talk about whatever they’re going through. From my short time in Ullapool, I feel something like that is really missing from here.’

‘You’ve completely lost me.’

‘This village has so much heart, but also a lot of heartache: breakups, affairs, grief. People like Donna and Pete, even Margaret, they’re all missing someone and want to talk about it. Every person I’ve spoken to has a story of something they’re working through. Well, except you. You have a heart of stone.’

‘Abreakup bookshop.You really have lost it.’

‘Rory, I’m telling you,’ I say, putting my hands on my hips. ‘People need a space to gather and share their stories.’

‘They already do. It’s called the pub.’

‘It’s not healthy, though, to go to the pub and drown your sorrows, is it? People around here are crying out for a space to open up and a shoulder to cry on.’

‘Alright, Oprah Winfrey. You’ve got these big ideas with your woo-woo city therapy speak, but we don’t need that kind of thing here. This is the Highlands. We don’t need social media and support groups and breakup bookshops. We just get on with things.’

‘You said yourself that people appreciate help,’ I point out. ‘It’s not fixing their washing lines or whatever you do, but this is a different way of helping them. Plus, it brings the community together. Surely that’s not a bad thing?’

‘Next, you’ll be suggesting we replace Fiona’s caff with artisan coffee shops and bougie restaurants with minuscule small-plates you need to remortgage your house to afford. Fish and chips served in wee metal trays, just to be posh.’

‘You’re just scared that I’m going to take your halo,’ I say. ‘I’ll be the new favourite.’

‘There’s no way that’s going to happen because of a support group.’

‘Just because you’re dead inside doesn’t mean everyone else is.’

‘I don’t want to see you crash and burn, Ava. I’m trying to helpyouhere.’

‘You want to help me? Come along to the first breakup support group and open up about what turned you into such a negative Nigel,’ I snap. ‘And get the mural finished. I’m paying you for that.’

I can’t quite bring myself to leave it at that. I bite my lip to try to stop, but find myself adding, ‘Please.’

12

Following my several requests for Rory to move his head to the left while I film, look like he is concentrating more, smile a little but not too much, and make sure there are some books in the background of the shot, he finally loses the plot and asks me to leave. I have enough content for the video, which I manage to edit in between customer chats at The Toolbox. I invite everyone to the opening of the bookshop. Rory relieves me of my duties at 5 p.m. on the dot.

Hanging outside around by the bins to get reception, I post the video, then go back inside to unpack more boxes of books. The website seller described them as a ‘pick and mix of popular books’ and my inner nerd can’t wait to see what they’ve sent. I thought the novelty of book deliveries would have quickly worn off, but I still get that rush every single time. I read the blurbs of the books, one by one, and pick one I haven’t read before. Scanning the first page, I find myself hooked and abandon the box to curl up on the lumpy couch in my flat, reading as the late afternoon turns into evening.

I’d never have been able to do this in London, just abandon the rest of my day to read. A pang of pleasure fills my stomach as I realize how lucky I am to have entered this new phase of my life.