Jackson Books

"Orli!" Liss yelped, then took his burnt hand. "Run it under the cold tap, come on."

"Owwww! I was doing so well too." Orlando pouted as he ran his fingers under the tap.

Liss kissed his temple. "Next time."

Orlando blushed heavily and grumbled something about pans and fingers.

Liss chuckled softly.

Orlando plated up the remaining eggs and put them into the table. "Breakfast is served!" He grinned happily "coffee?"

"Decaf," Liss sighed, gesturing at her abdomen. "And keep running that finger under the tap."

Gray gripped the steering wheel tightly as he pulled up to the bookstore. He checked the piece of paper with the address again and then let out a nervous breath. After he had parked and turned off the car, he climbed out and shut the door. Eyes casting over the bookstore, he locked his car and rubbed his sweaty hands on his jeans. He wasn't exactly sure why he was nervous, but he was. He had promised Liss he would meet this Orlando and was pretty sure she'd kill him if he didn't. So, with a deep breath, he summoned up the courage to walk up to the door. He hesitated, wondering if he should just walk in or knock.

Orlando glared at the coffee packet trying to see if it was decaf with one finger still in the sink.

"I's fine, just make me cocoa," Liss sighed, running a tired hand through her hair. "Also, there's someone or something hovering by the door." She gestured to the blinking light in the board they'd set up which warned of lurkers by doors and windows.

Gray was still questioning how to make his entrance. Settling on knocking first, he tapped his knuckles against the wood of the door and waited.

"Well, at least whatever it is has manners," Liss shrugged, prompting Orli to the door.

"Oooh a customer we haven't had one of those in ages!" Orlando galloped towards the door skidding past it. He wrenched it open and grinned "Hello, hello welcome!"

Gray raised an eyebrow. "Is Elissa here?" he asked. "Blonde girl, about this high." He held his hand up to Liss' height. "Has a temper that makes you hate and love her at the same time?"

Liss facepalmed, then vacated her seat in a telling fashion, hoping Orli would remember their signal for 'I'm going out, catch you later' when they had a visitor.

Orlando looked from Liss to the stranger a few times before replying "she was just here. Do you want to come in for tea and pancakes?"

Liss crept out of the back and down into the cellar, tuning into the bug she'd left in the cushion to hear their conversations.

Orlando poured more tea clearing up the plates. "So what can I do for you?" He leant on a chair taking a sip of tea.

Liss pulled out a switchblade, cleaning under her nails as she listened.

Gray stepped in and walked over to the table. "I'm supposed to be meeting Elissa and she wanted to introduce me to her friend. I'm Graham Wright." Gray said.

"Orlando Jackson, enchanted to meet you." He shook Gray's hand excitedly "if you yell really loudly Liss might come back."

(I was wondering about why we named the book shop I'm such an idiot)

((Jackson, Jen xD))
Liss rolled her eyes as she heard this. She wasn't going to come back until she wanted to.

Graham nodded. "Ah. Well. Lovely to meet you." he said.

"Yes and now breakfast do you want toast?" Orlando asked excitedly bouncing around the kitchen.

Liss raised an eyebrow at Gray's reaction, sliding a hand over her abdomen as she listened.