TAJ 35

Chapter 35

At Brenda’s request, Claire picked up a sack of cornmeal from a nearby grain store.

It wasn’t a large sack, so she lifted it without much thought—but the unexpectedly heavy weight surprised her.

“Claire?”

As she quickened her pace to return to Lemon House and set the sack down, someone called her name. She turned to see Russell.

“It really was you, Claire.”

With a bright smile, Russell approached and took the sack from her.

“It looks heavy—I’ll carry it for you.”

“Oh, thank you. I’d appreciate that.”

Claire gave a slightly awkward smile.

She had a vivid memory of seeing Russell walking down the street looking very familiar with a blonde young woman.

“You’re heading to Lemon House, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Claire walked beside Russell, keeping a slight distance.

“Um, actually, I was wondering…”

“Yes? Go ahead.”

She hesitated, unsure how to ask. Russell, oblivious, smiled lightly, as if encouraging her to speak without worry.

“I saw you walking with a blonde woman the other day.”

“Oh, you did?”

A faint flicker crossed Russell’s face and vanished, but Claire didn’t notice—she was walking beside him, eyes ahead.

“Would it be okay if I asked what your relationship is with her?”

Her voice was cautious but firm, showing clear intent to get an answer.

Russell tried to hold it in but ended up laughing through his lips.

“Why are you laughing?”

Claire’s voice turned sharp. Russell scratched the back of his head, looking sheepish.

“There’s nothing going on between us that would warrant suspicion.”

“Then what kind of relationship is it?”

“…We’re friends. We went to Havon Academy together.”

Claire caught the brief pause in his words.

“What kind of friend?”

“A friend Clive knows well, too.”

Russell’s eyes sparkled with anticipation as he spotted something ahead.

Claire, who hadn’t noticed, furrowed her brow slightly.

“Clive does too?”

“The three of us were close in our academy days.”

Russell leaned toward Claire, lowering his towering frame.

Startled, Claire tried to take a step back, but Russell, surprisingly quick for his size, placed a hand on her shoulder.

“I was actually on my way to meet Clive just now.”

Um… was that something that needed to be whispered right into her ear?

Claire gently pulled her shoulder away without making a fuss. Russell awkwardly dropped his hand.

“And?”

“There he is—Clive.”

Russell grinned mischievously, almost villain-like.

Claire looked in the direction he pointed and saw Clive not far off.

As Russell straightened his back and stepped away, Clive approached.

“You’re here?”

Clive gave no reaction to Russell’s casual greeting.

Weren’t they supposed to meet up? Claire looked between the two and spoke up.

“Hello.”

“What were you two doing?”

“Russell offered to carry my sack for me. It was a bit heavy.”

Claire pointed to the sack in Russell’s hands. Clive didn’t look particularly convinced but didn’t question further.

“Do you want to carry it instead?”

“Why would I?”

Clive shoved his hands in his pockets like he had no intention whatsoever.

Did something happen?

From what she read in the paper, the security force never seemed to catch a break, so that was likely.

As she glanced at Clive’s expression, he suddenly caught her gaze. Claire quickly turned her head away, stiff with embarrassment.

A brief smile tugged at Clive’s lips.

But as soon as he met Russell’s goofy grin, that smile vanished like a lie, replaced by his usual cool demeanor.

“Claire saw me walking with Daisy. She thought I might be cheating on Isabel.”

Russell explained in a calm tone, making Claire feel a bit guilty.

She still believed she was right to ask and clarify, but…

“Claire, Daisy’s actually closer to Clive than to me.”

“I am?”

Claire’s stomach turned at that.

Though Clive was currently showing interest in her, she had once wondered if he might one day fall for a beautiful, elegant lady like that.

While Claire tried to hide her uneasiness, more information slipped in.

“Of course you are. Daisy even confessed to you, remember?”

“Russell.”

Clive called him in a low voice.

Russell realized his mistake. In trying to tease his friend, he had forgotten to be considerate of the lady listening nearby.

And neither man noticed what was going through Claire’s mind.

Daisy—just as Claire had suspected—was the name of the baron’s daughter currently staying at the Selsmore Villa. A beautiful, noble-looking young woman.

And the one she had confessed to… was Clive.

Claire once again realized the towering, solid wall between her and Clive.

As soon as Lemon House came into view, Claire quickly snatched the sack of cornmeal from Russell.

“Thanks for helping. I’ll be going in now.”

The sack was definitely heavy, but wanting to get away fast, Claire hugged it tight and ran into Lemon House with all her strength.

*

That morning, Marion suddenly showed up at the Rom Book Salon—with Gemma in tow.

Seeing Gemma’s gaunt face made Isabel uneasy. Vera felt the same.

“It’s been a while.”

Gemma noticed their concern and greeted them brightly on purpose—but that only made it more heartbreaking.

“I’m thinking of leaving Shudehill for a while. I want to spend more time with Gemma. Go see nice places, eat good food, take a break.”

They had come to say goodbye before their trip. It would help to cover the bad memories of this place with newer, better ones.

“I just wanted to tell you I’m okay. I heard you were really worried.”

Moved by Gemma’s maturity, Isabel reached out. Gemma took her hand, and Vera’s hand covered them both.

Gemma had gone through something awful, yet here she was comforting everyone else. Isabel’s eyes turned red.

Gemma, startled, asked, “Isabel, are you about to cry?”

But it was Vera who burst into tears first.

“Vera, come on. It’s not like we’ll never see each other again.”

Marion tried to soothe her, but Vera suddenly wailed loudly, catching everyone off guard.

Gemma hugged her tightly.

Customers browsing books peeked over at the noise.

“Vera, don’t cry. I’m really okay. I mean it.”

“Yeah, Vera. Come on now.”

Isabel patted Vera’s back gently. Marion gave an incredulous chuckle.

“When did the three of you get so close?”

Gemma wiped Vera’s tear-streaked face with her sleeve.

“You’ll be embarrassed later, so better stop now. Everyone’s looking.”

At Isabel’s whisper, Vera forced herself to stop crying.

“I’m so glad you came back safely, Gemma. From now on, I won’t complain when you keep asking about books.”

“You mean you’ve been annoyed all this time?”

Gemma teased, and Vera laughed through her messy, tear-streaked face.

“Even if I’m not in Shudehill, I expect regular updates by letter. Don’t get too happy.”

At Marion’s warning, Morris—who had been in the storage room—appeared, looking puzzled.

“Marion, are you going somewhere?”

“I’m going on a trip with Gemma. I’ve been too focused on work lately.”

“Then take a proper break. Why would you need updates by letter?”

“Because I can’t stand the thought of you slacking off while I’m gone.”

“I don’t slack off just because you’re not here. That’s unfair.”

As Marion and Morris bantered, Vera finally calmed herself and said in a stuffy nose voice,

“Have a good trip.”

“We will.”

“And bring back souvenirs!”

Isabel added playfully. Gemma grinned and said her goodbyes. Marion and Gemma left. Morris teased Vera about her puffy eyes.

After they were gone, the usual routine resumed.

Find the books customers asked for, restock from the storage, ring up the purchases—

“Isabel.”

A familiar voice called.

“Oh, Max. You’ve been scarce lately.”

“I’ve been busy here and there. How have you been?”

“Same as always. Every day is pretty routine.”

Though Isabel smiled like nothing was wrong, she remembered her talk with Claire.

She had decided to keep some distance from Max—not because she suspected him, but because she understood Claire’s concern.

Yet now, face to face with him, she felt uneasy.

Fortunately, a customer came to check out before the conversation dragged on.

“Go ahead, I’ll browse around.”

Max wandered over to the history section. Isabel rang up the customer’s books and said, “Come again!”

Max lingered quite a while in the history corner. Though he taught literature, he seemed to read more historical texts than novels.

A chubby little boy browsing books with his mom spotted Max between the shelves.

“Mr. Max!”

Max didn’t respond.

“Mr. Max Davis!”

At the louder call, Max finally looked up.

Nearby in the science section, Gedin overheard the name and glanced over.

The hair color, height, and slim build matched—but something felt off.

Was it just the passage of time? Gedin studied him carefully.

The overall impression was similar, but… no. This wasn’t the Max Davis Gedin knew.

He returned the book to the shelf.

He needed to stop by the security office and report the name of Dolores’s boyfriend, which had just now come to mind.