Chapter 72. The Woman At The Front Of The Room

Three weeks after the disappointing Friday, Diana stood in Mrs. Bell's bookshop with a glass of water and the alarming discovery that there were no more empty chairs.

The article had appeared online that morning. Iris had sent the link before Diana finished breakfast, followed by a brief message saying the ending was right.

Mrs. Bell had organized the evening once the publication date was confirmed. Diana had expected a few customers, perhaps someone who wanted to ask about the shelves. Instead, neighbors had come, along with regular readers and a woman who remembered buying bread in the building thirty years earlier.

Eva sat in the second row.

Her mother sat beside Juliet.

Gabriel stood near the back, their coats folded over one arm, looking at Diana as though the evening belonged to her in a way she had not quite accepted yet.

She swallowed.

Mrs. Bell leaned closer.

“They aren't examiners. Most of them have bought books the