We all love a modern day love story, but who would have predicted that one would take place in a shop on Coney Street?
A York book lover’s brief encounter in Waterstones has left the whole city – and far beyond – on tenterhooks as to the outcome.
Toria Emily was on the first floor when the fateful moment happened, which she shared in this tweet:
Exchanged pleasantries w/ a tall, well-spoken, bespectacled man in a queue @WaterstonesYork yesterday who I should have asked to go for a drink. ????????☕️ It was on the 1st floor at around 3. Are you out there fellow book-lover? (There’s a possibility I’ve watched too many rom-coms)
— Toria Emily (@Toria_Morris) December 8, 2019
The time of the chance meeting was about 3pm on Saturday. And now Toria’s search has everyone gripped.
At the time of writing her original message has been retweeted 1.7K times and been liked by more than 4,000 romantics. And Toria, who works at City of York Council, has hundreds of new followers waiting to discover what happens.
People are desperate for her to find the ‘tall, well spoken, bespectacled man’ (even though a few unkind folk have suggested it might be Jacob Rees-Mogg).
‘A welcome relief from Brexit!’
It is restoring people’s faith in humanity
Tweets like this restore my faith in life and love. Good luck in your search!
— Keith Trudgeon (@chattykeith) December 8, 2019
Some had met their own true loves in similar fashion
I met my husband at a Waterstones. Good luck ❤️
— Sarah Taylor Peace (@Peacey_1) December 8, 2019
We sat in a Waterstones on our first date and now married. There is love definitely to be found between those books. Good luck!
— Layla (@Layla_Mire) December 9, 2019
Others speculated about whether the mystery man was a ‘keeper’ or not…
What was he buying? If it was a book about trout farming or something for a Christmas present for his wife, maybe reconsider.
— KatharineOfTarragon (@KateOfTarragon) December 8, 2019
Many felt this was story was just waiting for the Hollywood treatment
This is the opening sequence in a room com. I'll grab the over-priced popcorn and snacks and settle down for the film.
I really, really hope you find him. ????????— Catherine (@c4th3r1n3B) December 8, 2019
Ooh it would be lovely if this works out. I love a cheesy Christmas romcom! ????☃️????????????❤️ @lyndakwillans A potential real life Christmas movie! ????????
— Tracy JJ (@Tracyjj) December 8, 2019
Hopefully the film (based on a true love story) will be out for next Christmas!
— Phil the Fluter (@MrBlueSkyFluter) December 8, 2019
A welcome relief from all the politics and Brexit bollocks. Following now as would like to know how this pans out. Fingers crossed he's not already coupled up. I'm not a big fan of rom coms but I'm all pro-love ????
— Nubianah (@LilBluLambUK) December 9, 2019
Others had helpful suggestions
If social media doesn't help, the only vaguely obvious course of action I can suggest is that you go back to the shop at the same time, a week later. A long shot but, if he felt the same, it's something I'd try.
— John Gass (@thejohngass) December 8, 2019
You could make a Subject Access Request to @WaterstonesYork under GDPR requesting CCTV footage featuring you. They will be obliged to blur the faces of any other individuals but you may be able to get a better look at what he was wearing. May help with the search #GDPRLoveStories
— Dan Mullen (@danmullen) December 9, 2019
But most people just want to know if the story has a happy ending
I’ve just finally convinced myself that the “two people meeting in a bookstore” trope was a thing of legend.
Which is to say this is something I’m now more invested in than anything on television.
— Eldritch Lake Lit (Open for subs) (@EldritchLake) December 8, 2019
Get MI5, BellingCat and Sherlock on the case… we need a result!
— David hambling (@David_Hambling) December 8, 2019
*sets reminder to check @Toria_Morris's Twitter every 6 hours*
— Dr Rachel Ramsey (@DrRachelRamsey1) December 9, 2019
Oh, how wonderful. Following from across the pond!!!! ❤️????❤️
— bostonnanc (@Nancym34472265) December 8, 2019