Tilly and the Lost Fairy Tales
‘This way,’ Clara said, heading to an unremarkable door. On the stone wall there was a bell, and a discreet plaque with a gold circle round an intricate drawing of a feather. Above the illustration was written ‘The Faery Cabinet’. Clara pushed the door open and Tilly and Oskar followed, half expecting to be transported into a magical world. The room was small, with a desk stacked high with books and a till wedged in among them. Corridors and nooks and steps led off in several directions. As well as many, many bookshelves, the walls were covered with photos of smiling people, postcards and notes. A ladder that had seen better days was leaning against one wall, and Tilly could see a much larger room through an archway straight ahead of them. Handwritten signs were pinned to several of the shelves to mark different genres, and jazz music played quietly. Behind the desk was a threadbare armchair, and in it was a woman with short grey hair and large tortoiseshell glasses, absorbed in a book. Clara gave a polite cough and the woman looked up. - 126 -
Pages and Co.2_INSIDE PAGES.indd 126
18/07/2019 15:08
Pages and Co.2_INSIDE PAGES.indd 127
18/07/2019 15:08
Tilly and the Lost Fairy Tales
‘Clara! On est gâté!’ she said, standing up, knocking over several books that had been balanced on the arm of her chair in the process. ‘Et qui est-ce?’ she said, smiling at Tilly and Oskar, who looked at her in bemusement. ‘Not French, I see,’ she said in English, with, to Tilly’s surprise, an English accent. ‘Your grandson, by any chance?’ ‘He is indeed,’ Clara said, pushing Oskar forward to shake her hand. ‘A pleasure, Oskar,’ the woman said. ‘My name is Gretchen. It’s wonderful to meet you after so long. And who’s this?’ ‘This is my friend,’ Oskar explained. ‘She’s staying with us for a few days before Christmas.’ ‘Hello,’ Tilly said. ‘Your bookshop is very . . . full.’ Gretchen laughed loudly and without selfconsciousness. ‘You’re not wrong,’ she said. ‘Now, - 128 -
Pages and Co.2_INSIDE PAGES.indd 128
18/07/2019 15:08
What’s the Worst That Could Happen?
Oskar neglected to mention your name. What shall I call you?’ ‘I’m Matilda,’ she said. ‘Matilda Pages. But everyone calls me Tilly.’ ‘Matilda Pages,’ Gretchen said, looking intently at her. ‘Well, it is lovely to meet you. My name is Gretchen Stein. Welcome to the Faery Cabinet.’
Pages and Co.2_INSIDE PAGES.indd 129
18/07/2019 15:08