Letters - Michael Gray

The Bookshop

                              -So often, a visit to a bookshop has cheered me, and reminded
                                             me that there are good things in the world- 
                                                                       -Vincent Van Gogh-

Valarie Solomons and her dad Alfie stepped out of the black car. The crisp cold air of Birmingham instantly hitting Valarie. Alfie could tell that his daughter didn't want to be in Birmingham much as him.
"Why do you look so glum darling?" Alfie asked Valarie.
"I'm fine dad honestly" replied Valarie.
"You're not darling I can tell" said Alfie "I tell you what darling why don't you go to the bookshop down the road and I'll have Ollie walk you there."
"Thanks dad but I think I'll be alright to walk on my own."
"I'm not happy about it but alright, meet me back here in an hour or I'll have Ollie come and look for you" Alfie warned.
Valarie didn't reply with words only with a small smile but Alfie knew what his daughter meant.
Although Valarie Solomons was a shy girl who always kept herself to herself and always had her nose in a book, she had her dads temper. Alfie knew she would be alright.
Valarie bit farewell and good luck to her dad and started her walk to the bookshop.

The bookshop was only down the road so Valarie knew she didn't have a long walk. As Valarie was walking down the street she was faced with stares from the people she passed. Valarie felt uncomfortable and unwelcome. All she wanted to do was to get to the bookshop as soon as she could so she wouldn't be a walking target anymore.
Without thinking the young Solomons wrapped her coat around her tighter for security and picked up her pace.

It wasn't long before Valarie reached the bookshop. The young girl placed her small hand on the rustic door handle and pushed open the wooden door.
As soon as Valarie stepped foot in the small bookshop she was met with the smell of antique books and her troubles were instantly gone. The bookshop wasn't big. It was dimly lit and only had a few aisles of books. The only thing letting the outside world into the shop was a large window located by the door. This window was the only thing that let outsiders know what treasures were held within the small shop. 

As Valarie took another step into the shop she was greeted by an elderly lady who looked friendly.
"Welcome dear" the elderly lady greeted.
Valarie only responded with a smile. She didn't want the lady to know she wasn't from Birmingham. Although Valarie hadn't spoken a word to her the lady was still kind enough to carry on talking to her.
"It's alright dear I can tell you're not from Birmingham. What genre are you looking for?" the frail old lady questioned.
Valarie didn't know what to say, she was lost for words. So, she said the only thing she could think of.
"I'm not too sure" Valarie said timidly.
"That's alright dear. Why don't you have a look around" suggested the lady.
Valarie smiled timidly and nodded her head. With that in mind the young girl made her way down the first aisle.

It was no secret that Valarie adored books. Her dad even had a small library for her at their house. So, whenever Valarie stepped foot in a bookshop she was excited to see what books she would discover.

The young girl must've been looking at the books for what felt like forever; when out of the corner of her eye she saw a handsome young man. Valarie couldn't help but turn her head to get a better look at the young man. The young man in question turned his head and saw Valarie looking at him through the bookshop window. The moment Valarie locked eyes with the young an she turned her head away with embarrassment. Although the young man was only on his was home he couldn't help but want to talk to the mesmerising girl. 

The young man made his way across the street to the bookshop and opened the door eager to meet the intriguing woman. The elderly lady smiled at the young man and pointed to where Valarie was standing with a book in her hand. The man nodded a thank you to the lady and made his way towards Valarie. 
Although Valarie wasn't facing the young man she could feel him approaching. She didn't know what to do with herself she had never spoken to a boy like this on her own before. Most boys were usually scared away by her dad before she even had the chase to talk to hem.
"Hello love what book you got there?" asked the young man.
For the second time that day Valarie was speechless. She didn't want to open her mouth and reveal her London accent.
"How rude of me, I'm Michael Gray" Michael introduced himself with a smirk and held out his hand for Valarie to shake.
"Valarie Solomons" Valarie replied and shook his hand.
Valarie though by the mention of her last name Michael would've ran away, but he didn't and this surprised her, even if she was in Birmingham. 
"So, what book you got there?" Michael questioned for the second time that day.
Valarie looked down to the book in her hand.
"The Professor by Charlotte Bronte " answered Valarie.
"The Bronte sisters were amazing authors."
"Defiantly" agreed Valarie. Confidence suddenly grew within Valarie and she didn't want Michael to go away. 
"What's your favourite book by them" she questioned suddenly.
Michael was taken back by the girls new found confidence but he couldn't help but smile.
"Pride and Prejudice" Michael replied with a smile giving Valarie the reassurance that he was going to stay. 

The next few minutes were filled with Michael and Valarie talking about books, they found each other fascinating. The elderly lady watched them and smiled to herself she knew it was love a first sight. While Michael was asking Valarie more about books she caught a glimpse of the clock by the counter. She had to meet her dad in 15 minutes!.
"I'm really sorry Michael but I've got to go and meet my dad in 15 minutes to go back to London" Valarie said frantically.
Michael looked disappointed but he understood.
Valarie still held The Professor in her hand and was about to put it back on the shelf when Michael stopped her.
"I'll buy you that, after all it did get us speaking" offered Michael.
"Only if you're sure" replied Valarie.
Michael laughed and shook his head. He took the book out of Valarie's hand and took it to the elderly lady to pay. Valarie didn't go with Michael to pay as she didn't want to seem like she was desperate. However, while Michael was paying Valarie saw him write something in the front of the book. Valarie didn't want to question Michael as he had already brought her the book. Suddenly, Michael was in front of Valarie again and he handed the book back to her. Just when Valarie was about to open the book to see what Michael had written inside he put his arm out and stopped her.
"Lets get you back then. Don't want your dad to get worried do we?."
"Guess not" laughed Valarie.
With a quick thank you to the elderly lady Michael and Valarie were on their way to Watery Lane. 

As soon as they reached Watery Lane they saw Michael's cousin Tommy Shelby and Valarie's dad Alfie Solomons emerging from the betting den.
Although Michael didn't know Alfie Solomons he knew if he was with Tommy then he must be bad news. Michael also guessed it was Valarie's dad. Valarie didn't know who Tommy was she just knew he was doing business with her dad. Michael stopped dead in his tracks he knew he couldn't be seen with Valarie. Valarie stopped and looked at Michael with worry in her eyes. All Michael did was nod towards Tommy and Alfie.  Valarie saw this and understood. She looked at Michael one last time before going to her dad.

As soon as Valarie got in the car she was eager to know what Michael had written in the book. Slowly she opened the book a tiny bit as she couldn't let her dad see. She was taken back by what Michael had written inside.

"Dear Valarie, 
                           I know we didn't speak for long today but it was long enough for me to know I want to keep in contact with you. The way you speak about books and the way you lit up the small bookshop fascinated me. 
Please write
Michael Gray x"

Michael had also attached his number and address. Valarie couldn't help but smile to herself. She knew she would defiantly be writing to Michael Gray soon.