Nora & Her Family
in the Caymans
Lovely crowd for the signing. A mix of locals and
tourists. The Book Nook has a strong regular customer base
for both the bookstore and their cafe next door. Barbara and
Ed own both places--and the Book Nook in Georgetown, and
Leo--short for Leona--is chief clerk or manager. I'm not
sure which. Lots of friendly staff and happy customers.
Wonderful kids' section.
We have piles of books and since there's a line already
waiting, I start early. Many have brought cameras, and for
those who haven't, Leo has hers. This is a fun and
interesting experience for me. First in line is the island's
lone RWA member, who also co-pilots the tourist submarine.
She gives me free passes. I tell her BW will most likely
love to do this, but she won't see me in there. LOL. Someone
else gives BW two free parasail rides. I'm not going up
there, either.
I talk to native Caymanians, and those who've settled
here from the States and England. Two people from Maryland.
Lots of people know each other, either well or slightly.
Many come in groups. Jody and Jim from the hotel stop by on
their way to the airport and buy a book for his mother. Dick
Francis comes in to meet me. Ed is writing an article for
Ingram's magazine on the store, and this event. We take lots
of pictures.
Dick is, as everyone has told me over the years,
absolutely wonderful. A gentleman with a charming manner. He
poses patiently for the pictures--and I note at one point as
we're sitting there that he holds up a copy of The Villa as
Leo snaps away. Very classy guy.
Some people come in late. Traffic from the air show is
thick and nasty. I stay overtime to sign stock and wait for
a few people who've frantically called in that they're stuck
in that traffic. BW and I watched the start of the show from
our terrace earlier. I don't know one sort of plane from the
other, but can report they were all very loud and agile.
When we leave it's with hugs all around.
Back to the hotel for a light lunch, a brief swim as it
looks like a storm's coming in.
Turns out to be a lot of lightning and thunder and about
five drops of rain.
Barbara and Ed are already at the table when we go down
for dinner. Barbara's been here on the island for about
twenty years, and Ed a slightly shorter time. They married,
started their business, and through it know everyone. Dick
comes in moments after we do. Most everyone knows Dick. The
waitress asks him if he'd like merlot or cabernet tonight.
This is one of his fave restaurants, and he comes here
often. They treat him with such affection, and it's easy to
see why.
Dick and I chat a bit about our mutual friend and
publisher, Phyllis Grann, about writing in general. A
reporter from the local newspaper comes in. Apparently
Barbara and Ed arranged for an interview but the woman
couldn't get to the signing due to a family emergency. We
step outside for a quick, easy five minute interview. She
also knows Dick, Barbara and Ed though she's only moved here
from South Africa about two years before.
I love listening to her voice. We do photos of all five
of us, others of the four of us--minus BW, and a couple of
me. Then it's back to dinner.
BW and Ed chat about photography, about bookstores. I
hear stories about island life. Dick talks about his wife,
Mary, and how she did all his research. They'd been married
for 53 years when he lost her. Dick and I talk about book
tours and signings. A couple of the staff stop by the table
through the evening to see how he is. I can see why Phyllis
and her husband come down to see him once a year or so. Not
only for the island, but because he's the kind of man who
makes you feel comfortable and content, and brings out an
urge to fuss over him while he remains a totally unfussy
individual.
I'm so glad I got the chance to spend some time with him.
Our little group breaks up, and I promise Barbara and Ed
to let them know when and if I plan to come back. All in
all, I'm glad the concierge doesn't know her right from her
left.
Nora
Nora's Cayman
reports are ©
2001 by Nora Roberts & ADWOFF
All Rights
Reserved
