Page 56 of Will You Stay Another Day?
‘Advisable,’ she said and shot him a humorous look.
‘About the VCR player,’ she said. ‘A friend of mine is bringing it over to the shop tonight. It’ll be here waiting for you Monday, all sorted.’
‘Lili! I owe you one. That’s ace.’
‘I know you’ve been dropping in. Apologies for not texting, but I didn’t know until I was back from Vegas that the machine had been given the all-clear.’ She jerked her head towards the bag. ‘Father Christmas been shopping again?’
‘Kind of. Marge next door is looking after Jack.’ Callum hesitated. ‘But that’s not the reason I’ve been in. You see, I got talking to Marge a few days ago. She saw you leave the other week. What she said, about your Sunday afternoon events, sounded odd at first, but the more we talked… I know it’s late notice, and you’re probably busy, but I’ve been wanting to ask… are you holding one of your ceremonies tomorrow?’
No. She had a million things to do. Wrapping up presents for Manchester, baking the chocolate log she promised to take – Mum’s favourite.
‘As a matter of fact, yes. Two o’clock, it starts.’
‘Really? Is there any way I could come?’
‘It’s to do with the bin bags in your lounge?’
He nodded.
‘Of course.’
‘Really? That would be great!’
‘Normally I like a chat in person first, but without much time… can we have a phone call later tonight so that I can talk you through everything? I haven’t time now. In fact, I’d better get a shift on.’
He left just as Glenda came in, her coat wet from melting sleet. She hurried straight over to the book section. Lili wanted to chat but had to take over the till. Over half an hour later, and Glenda was still in the shop. This was unusual. She’d stopped looking around now. In fact, she was just standing, looking shattered. Lili went over.
‘Anything I can help you with?’ she asked gently.
‘Oh no, don’t mind me! Just got lost in my thoughts for a moment. I’ll be on my way!’
Lili frowned as Glenda’s smile dropped and she navigated the clothes rails and passed shelves of ornaments, stopping by the front door to pull down the unstylish but thick bobble hat Lili had never seen her wear before.
Oh Glenda. Of course. She was here to keep warm with the drop in temperature. The library was closed on a Saturday afternoon and she’d been trying to save her heating for Christmas Day. Lili hurried over.
‘Glenda, will you do me a favour?’ Lili’s mind raced. Yes. That would do it. ‘Fancy making a deal?’
‘Gosh. Sin City really got to you, didn’t it?’ said Glenda. ‘Was it everything I imagine it to be?’
‘More than, and…’ She shot Glenda an apologetic look. ‘I’m rushed off my feet at the moment, but I’ll tell you about it another time. I’m hoping you could help. We’ve been given a bundle of Christmas jigsaws at the last minute. They always sell quickly in the run up to the big day. I’d like to put them out on Monday. If you haven’t got anything on this afternoon, is there any way you’d consider checking each one for me? All you need to do is count the number of pieces, to make sure none are missing. You could do it in the staffroom, over a coffee. And Tommo brought in a Christmas cake he’s baked.’
Glenda’s eyes narrowed. ‘Are you sure this needs doing?’
Lili held eye contact. ‘Absolutely. It would take some pressure off me. I’d be very grateful. But no problem if you’re busy.’
Glenda paused and then stood a little taller and beamed. ‘Okay, dear. Happy to do my bit. I can see you’re all busy. You fetch those jigsaws and I’ll fill the kettle.’
‘You really are just an old softie, aren’t you?’ said Tommo as he put on his leather coat and put his bike helmet under his arm. She thought about his Christmas secret. Poor Tommo. She wished he would be more open about his festive plans.
It was almost six. He and Meg had stayed longer to help Lili tidy up from one of the busiest days of the year, reorganising items on the shelves and pricing up the jigsaws Glenda had checked, to make the start of the day on Monday easier.
‘Me old, says the man who raved about a Liberace vinyl that came in today? I’d never even heard of him!’
‘Don’t swerve the compliment,’ he said airily as Meg appeared with her anorak on.
‘I won’t. But back atcha. I saw you slip Glenda an extra slice of cake to take home.’
Tommo muttered goodbye gruffly and was about to leave Lili and Meg grinning when a face appeared outside, gorgeous, stubbly, and giving off fishing-boat-master vibes.
