‘You don’t look sad today, Jo,’ Clara said, as they walked hand in hand through the school gates, having sung most of the Frozen soundtrack on the way.

‘You know what? I don’t think I am sad today and I’m not even tired because I had cuddles with my best girl all night.’

A bright smile beaming across her face, Clara skipped into school and Jo turned and headed for the bookshop.

‘I’ve kept our next big famous author her favourite spot by the window,’ Libby crowed as Jo arrived. ‘And your first coffee and bun is on the house. As is the use of the writing nook. All I ask is that when you get your book made into a HUGE movie, you invite me to the Oscars with you so I can bag a celebrity husband.’

Jo laughed. ‘Won’t Noah have a problem with that?’

‘Not if I bring him back Charlize Theron. We have an agreement.’

‘I don’t think the Oscars are like Build-A-Bear. You don’t get to nab a celebrity of your own and bring them home with you,’ Jo smiled. ‘But I suppose it’s worth a try. Not that I think I’ll ever get to the Oscars…’

’Ssh!’ Libby said, raising her finger in front of her mouth. ‘Dream big and remember the universe is listening. Express your hopes and wishes out loud, keep your doubts bottled up.’

‘I think you might have been spending too much time with Mum and Auntie Mags,’ Jo laughed.

‘They have a point, you know,’ Libby said, as she walked towards the coffee bar to make a cappuccino for her friend. ‘I’ve been reading up on it. It’s called cosmic ordering or something. View the world and your goals as a great big Argos catalogue in the sky, then order what you want.’

‘Do they do next day delivery?’ Jo asked, amused at Libby but also thinking it would be wonderful if the concept were true.

‘If only,’ Libby said. ‘But look how far you’ve come. We’re so proud of you. All of us. And it makes me feel validated in opening this shop and creating these lovely spaces for people to work from.’

If Jo wasn’t mistaken, Libby had become misty-eyed, which in turn made Jo feel more than a little emotional.

‘God, look at us, like two big eejits!’ she said. ‘Let’s just say we’re both doing okay and be glad of it.’

‘Sounds like a plan,’ Libby said, as she lifted a caramel square and put it on a side plate. ‘Go get yourself settled in and I’ll bring this over. We want to get you writing this book and get us all closer to Hollywood.’