Lenny walked into the Vintage book store. There was something appealing about old ancient books, who hadn't seen the light of day from the first day they had been published, to the ever present day. She was fascinated by the showmanship of some of them and the stories they told. She loved first editions and loved pealing back to see the author's name emblazoned in gold on the front. Her heart always fluttered when she was handed an old copy of a long lost story by Albert, the Vintage shop owner. They had become close acquaintances since she'd delved into this part of the neighbourhood, like her, he shared the same common interest in books and ancient old things. He had inherited the book store from his father, and his father's father before him and was hoping to pass it down to his daughter, who was studying at Cambridge university, but he had suspected she wasn't that keen on inheriting a miserable run down shop. He had expressed his concerns with Lenny one afternoon about the future of his book store and she had sympathised with him tremendously and she had tried her best to convey to him, that his bookstore was a treasure and why wouldn't his daughter not want it? It was a historical landmark, an artifact that has stood the sands of time and of course, he had mentioned that if his daughter did not want ownership of it, he would gladly pass it to the hands of Lenny and Lenny paused.
"Me? I couldn't possibly... I mean, yes of course, I would be most honoured," she heard herself stammer. It was truly a unique gift, for one to pass down. An heirloom entrusted to someone with the same love and passion for all things written and published. She remembered the way Albert's eyes and face lit up when she had accepted on condition, if his daughter refused it and he had set about putting it in writing.
"Good morning Albert," she cheered, as she entered the shop.
Albert was reading the paper and he looked up, smiling diligently towards Lenny, "Good morning to you Lenora. How are you this morning?"
Lenny beamed, "I'm good and yourself?"
"Mighty dandy for seeing you today. Have you got any plans today or just enjoying the sun?" Albert asked.
"I think I may just see how it goes... have you got anything new in store?" Lenny asked, as she hovered around the book titles.
"Nothing new, as when you were last here," Albert chimed, "But I'm sure there's always something that'll tickle your fancy."
Lenny smiled, after several minutes she couldn't find anything to amuse herself, smiled and said goodbye to Albert. It was bustling outside, she stopped to admire the view and stepped out onto the pavement, not noticing the commotion taking place a few metres down the road. She began walking towards the bus stop when someone shoved her out of the way, it happened so fast she hit the brick wall head on and slid down it, blacking out.
*** ***
He watched as the thief made his way through the crowds of people, trying and failing to find a swift exit but in his haste, he'd attracted a crowd. There was no way, he was going to intervene and risk someone finding out his true identity. He watched the moment unravel, Lenny was leaving the Vintage Book store and threading the pavement when the thief pushed and shoved innocent bystanders out of the way, he was heading towards Lenny. She was completely unaware of the whole fiasco behind her and then he realised Lenny was in the path of this thief. He started to sprint towards her but he watched in horror as the burly thief swept through the street, knocking her head first into the wall. He watched as she slid down the wall like dripping paint. He ran towards her, as quick as he could, he bent over and saw a nasty gash on her forehead, her eyes were closed. He picked her up, she was lighter then he had expected and he carried her away and into a side street away from prying eyes.
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