Strangers into Lovers [antikvár]

The passers-by stopped, gazed admiringly through the shop window, then went on their way. From her flat over the shop3 Gillian looked down intő the narrow side Street. It was early on Monday moming and the 'Closed* sign had not yet been turnéd to 'Open*. Even when it was3 few oistomers came in,Everett's stock was good. He had a name in the town fór reliability and honesty in his dealings. Even so5 antiques were not a necessity of everyday life. People bought such things when there was money to spare; when they- wanted something reliable in which to invest* or when they sincerely loved the articles, to which time and fine workmanship had added a patina* an elusive beauty.%Sighingj Gillian went down the stairs leading to the Street* securing her persona! entrance door behind her, What a pity5 she thought as she unlocked the shop door5 that there were na eager would-be customers föl-lowing her in.Everett had told her he would be away for most of the day. He had gone to London overnight* seeking new stock; the capital city was teo far away from the bustling Dorset country town to crowd such a journey into one day. Gillian looked forward with contented expeetation to his return. Their fríendship* and sub~ sequently their engagement, was warm and affection-ate.This was the way she wanted it. Ali her passión* all her capacity for rapturous loving had fiared* roared and burnt itself out four years ago when she had been nineíeen. The man she had loved had been eight years her senior. Her memory of him was like a shadow*5