MY SISTER,retail tycoon

Deb has an idea for the bookshop completely by accident

Finding myself in town at a bit of a loose end, I thought I'd visit the new bookshop that has recently opened in one of its more picturesque side streets.

It's brightly painted in a sort of turquoise with a gold trim, and is one of those places that manages to look modern but somehow Victorian or Edwardian.

The shop sells both new and secondhand books, and is so large, with so many rooms, that if you want to explore the dark recesses of the rear, you should probably take a packed lunch and lay down a paper trail.

The old-fashioned doorbell tinkled as I entered, and the lady assistant appeared from behind one of the bookcases.

'Good grief!' she snapped.

'What on earth are you doing here?' 'I thought I might buy a book.' Pu othe you'v to S 'Pull the other one,' she said. "You've come to snoop, haven't you?' Regular readers might recognise the diplomatic tones of Deb, my naughty little sister.

I think I mentioned not long ago that she started work here after passing by one morning, looking through the window, and taking a fancy to Miles, the shop owner.