While it wasn't entirely out of the realm of possibility that Ben had met Mr. Binns and formed such a negative opinion, it didn't fit any of what Melody knew of the bookshop owner. The man loved literature and cats, for fuck's sake! No person — male or female — who spent that much time hunched over novels could possibly be a prick. "Well, he's not." Melody said.

She wasn't sure how Ben would react to the next bit. Since returning to Scotland their discussions on financial matters had dwindled to a non-existent amount, though Melody didn't know how they could've improved dramatically. After all, they were living in this tiny house paid for by his brother. The minuscule amount she was to make in the bookshop could be treated as her allowance, to improve the house or buy a new dress as she saw fit.

"He offered to hire me at his shop." She said bluntly before taking a sip of her wine. "We were friendly before ... this. I used to frequent the bookstore often."