"I don't know if they will accept this."
"Well, they're going to have to, aren't they?" Crowley retorted, shoving his hands in his pockets. Aziraphale was rubbing has hands anxiously together, but nodded.
"Yes. Yes they shall."
"Well come on then," Crowley gestured impatiently towards the stairs, "Let's go!" With a why me glance over his shoulder as he went, Aziraphale led the way downstairs into the bookshop. It was, mercifully devoid of customers, and Crowley strode across to the door to flip the sign over to 'closed' as Aziraphale called,
"Muriel! Eric!" Simultaneously, their heads popped over the railing of the upper gallery, and the Demon Eric called out,
"What can we do you for, Mister Fell?"
"Would you two come down here, please?" Aziraphale turned to Crowley desperately. "Don't make me do this."
"It's our bookshop, Angel, you should be the one to tell them."
"Our bookshop," Aziraphale hissed, and Crowley smirked. Eric clattered down the stairs to join Muriel, and Aziraphale turned back to them, grinning nervously. "Ah! Well. I— that is, we have something to tell you."
"Has the boiler broken down again?" Muriel asked brightly, "Because I know how to fix that now you know—"
"No, no, Muriel, the utilities are all in order," Aziraphale laughed slightly, glancing sideways at Crowley, who raised his eyebrows. "Ah. Yes. Well. You see, Crowley and I have decided, to move out of London."
"Sweet!" said Eric, "When do we leave?"
"No, no, no," Aziraphale gabbled, raising his hands for forestall the eager Eric, "you misunderstand. Crowley and I are moving together, retiring to the South Downs—"
"And you are not invited," Crowley interjected, leaning around Aziraphale.
"Yet!" Aziraphale shot a sharp look over his shoulder at the demon, who was enjoying himself entirely too much. "We'll need to get settled in before you can come for a visit. But," this time he raised his hands in reassuring placation, for Muriel's lip had begun to tremble, "not to worry. It's only Sussex, so not too far away at all. Now, dear," Aziraphale reached out to Muriel, who came forward and took his outstretched hands. "You've done such a lovely job keeping the bookshop running. And seeing as I won't be around much anymore, I would like to formally hand it over to you."
"Really?" Muriel gasped, eyes lighting up in awe, "The whole bookshop?"
"Well, I hadn't exactly planned on selling off bits," Aziraphale chuckled, "Yes, and I'm sure with Eric to support you, you'll go on marvelously. And of course, I'm only a phone call away! Is that alright?" Muriel nodded furiously, and Aziraphale squeezed their hands before letting go. Muriel ran back to Eric, and they immediately began jumping up and down together in excitement, which provided the perfect cover for Crowley and Aziraphale to slide out the door.
"Phew!" Aziraphale exhaled in relief, "Well, that wasn't so bad after all."
"See Angel? Nothing to worry about."
"Oh really," Aziraphale looked levelly at the grinning demon beside him, "Well then, you can tell Mrs. Sandwich."