Page 46 of The Library of Second Chances
It wasn’t as terrible as she anticipated, though. Still studying for his A-Levels, Eric wasn’t a full-time worker, and through the week they only bumped into each other twice. He did look a little embarrassed, but she caught relief on his face that she wasn’t going to mention what had happened. That was fine by her.
The library roof was patched up, the space used as a fenced-off play area for Clementine. Chloe used some of the library’s budget to invest in a kitty’s play area and a brand-new bed. She even managed to find a three-tier cat tree from a charity shop.
‘Mr Ashcroft gave us a discount for the roof repair, you know,’ remarked Mrs Cook with a knowing smile, while Eric played with the cat, waving a plastic stick with a fluffy, tail-like toy at the end of it for him to chase. Chloe had never seen Clementine so interested in a game before. He made for the toy with his paws, then when Eric pulled it out of his way, Clementine straightened, a look of dignified disapproval on his face that made them all laugh.
CHAPTER TWENTY
IT WASN’T LONGuntil the big event for the school. The days had slipped by so quickly, Chloe could hardly believe that it was already upon them, and though she, Eric and Mrs Cook had planned and prepared for everything they could think of, Chloe still felt strangely unprepared and terribly nervous.
She and Eric arrived early to make sure everything was prepared, from the book-themed streamers Chloe had printed from the internet, hanging from the bookshelves on the bottom floor, to the long tables with jugs of juice and water, plates ready for the baked goods, and enough coins to provide change for purchases.
The children’s corner, a soft play area with bookcases and bean bags, was ready. This entire area would be enough for a dozen or so people.
‘Good morning,’ said Hannah brightly from the doorway. As promised, she held several boxes in her free hand, the delicious scent of chocolate and cinnamon following her inside. ‘Don’t worry, this is just the first batch,’ she added, lowering the boxes onto the nearest table. ‘I’ve got regular, vegan, gluten-free, and no-nuts versions, Chloe. Hi,’ she added, seeing Eric.
Chloe introduced them, Eric giving a nervous wave and then helping to unpack the boxes. ‘Wow, Hannah, this is amazing,’ Chloe said. Inside the first box were wrapped croissants. Squares of millionaire’s shortbread took up the second. In the third were slices of chocolate cake, and in the fourth and fifth, whenHannah brought them in from her car, were cheesecake and Bakewell tarts.
‘This is enough to feed an army,’ Eric laughed as they arranged them on trays. With the juice and sweets all arranged, and the books ready, Chloe started to feel excited.
They had decided to only use the ground floor, the event easily visible from the lobby area in case any other visitors came inside. The upstairs fiction area was empty, and there weren’t enough decorations to prepare the entire place, but Mrs Cook reminded them that people were welcome to explore if they wished to.
The idea was to get everyone interested in the library again, not only the children. If they could get people to make library cards and check some books out today, Chloe would count it as a success.
The library, too, quivered with anticipation, or so it felt to Chloe. The dark corners and shelves of the building filled the air with scents of flowers and herbs. She could almost feel its delight pouring from the walls, reflecting her own anticipation.
‘Take it easy,’ Chloe whispered out of the corner of her mouth as she pulled some kids’ books off the shelves to lay out on the tables. An almost intoxicating scent of jasmine washed over her. ‘These scents are lovely, but we can’t explain them to the teachers and parents.’
The air filled with the scent of paper and coffee, and Chloe inhaled slowly. ‘Oh, yeah. That’s better.’
Mrs Cook arrived, exclaiming her appreciation for the treats available. She hugged Hannah around her middle, squeezing her close like she was her own daughter, not someone she’d just met. Hannah laughed, patting her on the back.
‘It’s my pleasure,’ said the young baker. ‘And not entirely selfless.’ She held up some business cards.
‘We’re all here to help each other,’ said Mrs Cook, beaming. She checked her watch. ‘Just twenty minutes until they’re here.’
The headteacher, Miss Jordan, arrived at the library at the stroke of ten o’clock, accompanied by the chattering voices of the children. Chloe couldn’t hide her smile as a gaggle of small kids followed Mrs Jordan inside like a row of ducklings, looking around the lobby area with wide eyes. They were around six or seven years old, and they were too adorable in their school uniforms.
Mrs Cook greeted them with enthusiasm and soon the event was underway. ‘Hi, everyone.’ Chloe waved at the kids as they approached the children’s corner, leaving their shoes to step into the soft play area, glancing hungrily or exclaiming aloud at the baked treats on the tables.
Some parents had joined in, smiling politely, and Chloe was relieved to see there was an adult for every four children, leaving little opportunity for things to get out of hand. Chloe liked kids, but she didn’t have much experience with them. So she stuck to what she knew best and talked about books.
They started by having a question-and-answer session, and some children told them what books they liked. Then Chloe and Eric spread out some and said they could go and look at them. Some children went to choose a sweet treat. Hannah leaped up from her seat with experienced enthusiasm, and soon coins clinked in the collection box they had prepared.
Chloe found a little girl looking at old adventure books, a woman kneeling beside her. Their identical straight, black hair and high cheekbones told Chloe they were mother and daughter.
‘This was one of my favourites when I was your age,’ she said, holding up a copy.‘It’s about a magic tree that has different worlds at the top, and they’re always changing. There’s one that has all kinds of ice cream flavours, whatever you want. Chocolate, mint, strawberry, or if you’re feeling crazy, you canask for anything. Like salmon or steak. Do you think you’d like salmon ice cream?’
The girl giggled and took the book, looking at the pictures inside. Happiness filled Chloe as she watched her. There was something wonderful about seeing a child with a book.
‘What ice cream flavour do you think you would ask for?’ the little girl’s mum asked.
‘Hmm.’ The girl looked so cute and thoughtful it took all of Chloe’s willpower not to squeal and hug her. ‘Hamburger flavour.’
Chloe burst into laughter. ‘That sounds . . . interesting.’
Some of the boys took interest in a huge copy of theGuinness Book of World Records, crowding around it and giggling at the outrageous statistics. Another boy was reading a book about trucks with a teacher. A parent went to help Hannah with organising selling the baked goods. Many children sat eating, using paper plates Hannah had brought, as a teacher showed them a large picture book about a mischievous dog. Chloe found herself listening, entranced by the story.
Later, Eric read from a book in the soft play area, sitting in a bean bag chair. Most of the kids were cross-legged on the floor in front of him, listening. Eric did all sorts of funny voices and gesticulated to make the little ones laugh. Chloe walked around, checking that everyone was busy, and returning the adults’ warm smiles. She couldn’t help noticing that the jugs of juice never seemed to run dry, the cakes and treats refilling themselves on the plates.
