The day that Sally discovered Mr Duenicks Bookstore was the day that her life changed forever.  Sally had always had a love for reading, growing up as the daughter of an English teacher meant that there were always books in the house.  She was encouraged to read from an early age and had developed a passion for reading romantic fiction.  Her father used to say that he could not understand how anyone would want to read what he termed “story less trash.”  Sally cared little for his opinion as the stories offered her a glimpse of what real love could be like.  She had never been that lucky in love.  In fact, she had never found any man that matched up to her expectations.  The kind of man that Sally found herself attracted to was usually already loved up or married.  At the age of thirty-two she was beginning to think that she would never find that perfect soulmate.  All her close friends were either married or happily settled in long-term relationships.  Well, all of them except for Jayne.  Jayne had always been fiercely independent and told anyone who would listen that she did not need a man to be at her beck and call.  She had yet to have any kind of long-term relationship and stated that she was not planning on settling down anytime soon.  Sally and Jayne frequently socialised together, enjoying holidays in the sun, evenings at the local pub and occasionally city breaks that involved a theatre trip and too many cocktails. 

It was on one such escape that they stumbled upon Mr Duenicks Bookstore.  Tucked away at the end of a narrow-cobbled street in the heart of the city, the bookstore looked like it had been there forever.   The shopfront looked just like it had been transported from the set of a Harry Potter movie.  Victorian in appearance, it had two large, curved bay windows protruding from either side of a central doorway.  The door itself was intricately carved with what appeared at first glance to be small random shapes.  Upon closer inspection, the shapes were in fact characters from famous books.  Each character moulded seamlessly into the next one.  Sally found herself almost spellbound as she looked at the intricate carvings.  She managed to pick out several fictional characters that she knew well before proclaiming “Wow, what an incredible door.  I have never seen anything like it before.”  Sally and Jayne felt compelled to peer curiously into the windows and were transfixed by the amazing book displays held within.  Books were placed carefully on extremely old carved wooden bookcases, interspaced between a variety of strategically placed pieces.  These included quill pens positioned within jewel adorned inkwells, delicate silks draped over shelf edges and elaborately embroidered miniature tapestries portraying famous scenes in classic books. Each book had been positioned so that it was slightly open, enticing the reader to view its contents.  Jayne gasped “Oh my, have you ever seen such an awe-inspiring window display in a book shop before Sally?”  Sally was unable to reply as she was drawn to the centre display, a large glass dome suspended from the ceiling and filled with books that looked like they were centuries old.  Encased alongside the books were small bunches of what appeared to be dried flowers, hanging downwards by invisible threads.  “What did you say?  Sorry.” 

“I was asking if you have ever seen anything like this before?” Jayne said.

“No, I have not.  I wonder what kind of flowers are inside the dome.  I have never seen floral displays quite like them before.”  Sally replied. 

“I actually have no idea; I would hazard a guess at something exotic.” 

“Well, they certainly aren’t lavender that’s for sure,” Sally laughed. 

“Do you think the shop is open?” Jayne asked inquisitively.

“Well, there is only one way to find out.”  Sally whispered as she put her hand to the large brass handle on the side of the door.

Sally lowered the handle and gave the door a gentle push.  As it swung slowly open a small bell rang above the door, announcing their entry.  “After you.”  Sally said as she looked through the small sliver of light that had appeared as a result of opening the door.

“Gee, thanks.  Lord knows why I feel nervous about entering a bloody shop.  But I do.” Stated Jayne as she stepped over the threshold.  Neither Sally nor Jayne could have ever anticipated what they saw before them.  “Oh my, the shop looked amazing from the outside, but this is incredible!” exclaimed Jayne as Sally followed her through the door.  Both women stopped dead in their tracks to take in the sight before them.  Hanging from the ceiling behind the dark wood counter were more of the exquisite bunches of dried flowers.  An ornate black chandelier hung from the centre of the room, illuminating a small patterned circular rug and dark wood-stained floor below.  Every inch of wall space was shelved and housed with a vast array of books.  Two pairs of strategically placed burgundy velvet fauteuil chairs sat at opposing ends of the shop.  Large brass reading lamps stood proudly on elaborate legged tables between the pairs.  Behind the counter was a coffee machine that would rival any that you may find in an artisan café in Paris.  The heady scent of coffee and dried bouquets enticed the two women to enter the bookstore.

As they approached the counter a short portly man appeared through a door behind the counter.  “He certainly looks like he belongs here.” Whispered Jayne to Sally as she took in his attire.  The bookkeeper was sporting a grey checked suit with a matching waistcoat under which he wore a pale blue shirt.  He completed his outfit with a pastel pink tie and matching handkerchief.