meanwhile-at-the-bookshop

[meanwhile-at-the-bookshop]

Today Muriel said they wanted to see how other places decorated for the holidays, since Nina had so kindly agreed to let Muriel and Mr. Crowley organize the lights on Whickber Street. The grumpy demon refused absolutely to go anywhere, and yet somehow they found themselves both wandering the Kew Garden displays that evening. Muriel loved it, and suspected the grumpy demon wasn’t nearly as irritated by being there as he pretended.

@meanwhile-at-crowleys-flat

[meanwhile-at-the-bookshop]

Today Muriel realised they could get things through their mobile, and immediately ordered six new books that they wanted to read.

[meanwhile-at-the-bookshop]

Today it snowed! Muriel couldn't remember experiencing it directly before, and even though it didn't last long before turning to rain they happily took a chilly walk through the park, enjoying feeling the few flakes landing on their face and hair.

[meanwhile-at-the-bookshop]

Today Muriel went for a walk, and saw someone wearing a pink and blue beanie standing on the edge of the pavement waiting to cross the road from the other side. A car sped past, creating a huge wave from a puddle... but miraculously, the wave missed them completely.

[meanwhile-at-the-bookshop]

Today Muriel went upstairs and found the door to the bedroom ajar, the bed was unmade and the missing tartan blanket was on the floor. Muriel set the room to rights, and took the blanket back downstairs, in case the grump the supr someone stopped by and needed it for comfort wanted to rest for a few minutes again.

@meanwhile-in-heaven @meanwhile-at-crowleys-flat

[meanwhile-at-the-bookshop]

Today Maggie brought some new records over and showed Muriel how to have an impromptu dance party.

[meanwhile-at-the-bookshop]

Today was the monthly meeting of the Whickber Street Shopkeepers and Street Traders Association. There was a lively discussion about this year’s holiday decorations, and Mr. Brown organized everybody into volunteering to help. Everyone was happy with the plan until the grumpy demon started disagreeing with Nina’s ideas for the lights, and there was a brief argument before Nina said that if he had such strong feelings, he could do them, and Muriel cheerfully offered to help also.

@meanwhile-at-crowleys-flat

[meanwhile-at-the-bookshop]

Today Muriel found a tarnished medal with a faded ribbon in an empty chocolate box hidden behind a stack of books. It said Congratulations on Your Promotion! on one side, and Earth's Most Devoted Thwarter of Demons! on the other.

[meanwhile-at-the-bookshop]

Today Muriel practiced making a cupperty, with some milk and sugar. They stood in the bookshop doorway, warming their hands on the mug and inhaled the steam. It actually smelled quite nice; perhaps a taste wouldn't be so bad.

[meanwhile-at-the-bookshop]

Today Muriel finally took down the last of the halloween decorations, including the miraculously wandering ghosts, after Maggie had rounded a corner and unexpectedly run into one. Maggie had screamed and Nina had laughed, but then had invited her over to the coffeeshop in apology, and they had both been smiling as they left.

[meanwhile-at-the-bookshop]

Today Muriel discovered the British Library, and realized there were many more books in the world than they had imagined. They instantly signed up for a Reader Pass.

[meanwhile-at-the-bookshop]

Today Muriel reorganized the natural history books, and found that there were a surprising number on how to take care of snakes.

[meanwhile-at-the-bookshop]

Today for movie night Maggie wanted Muriel to start watching a show about a blue police box that traveled through time. Muriel really liked it, and they later found themselves muttering moisturize me, moisturize me! as they misted the windowsill plant.

[meanwhile-at-the-bookshop]

Today the grumpy demon visited the bookshop, and threw himself down on the sofa, muttering about humanity and it wasn't his fault or even hell's fault this time... the grumbling trailed off after a few minutes, and when Muriel checked he was asleep. When he woke up a while later he vehemently denied this (and Muriel decided not to ask how he had gotten wrapped up in a tartan blanket), but he did seem to be feeling a little better when he left.

Muriel had barely started back on their organizing when the bookshop bell jangled again and the Supreme Archangel arrived looking worried, but visibly relaxing when he walked through the door. He pulled a book off the shelf, and Muriel made him a cuperty, and he settled into the armchair (just a few pages, my dear); an hour later he sighed and looked a bit happier, set down the book, and said he needed to be getting back. After he left, Muriel reshelved the copy of Pride and Prejudice, and wondered where the tartan blanket had gone.

@meanwhile-at-crowleys-flat @meanwhile-in-heaven

[meanwhile-at-the-bookshop]

Today Muriel opened the door of the bookshop, looked out at the world sadly, and wondered at the way some humans treated each other. They used as big a miracle as they had available, to spread a blessing as far as possible, trying to take some comfort in doing what they could.

[meanwhile-at-the-bookshop]

Today Muriel sat on the roof of the bookshop and watched the fireworks.

[meanwhile-at-the-bookshop]

Today a shipment arrived at the bookshop, all the way from California. When Muriel opened it, there were multiple bottles of wine, and a note for Mr. Fell. Muriel thought the Supreme Archangel would probably want to know it had arrived - but would he want to have a bottle of wine named Cup of Demons in heaven?