Page 54 of The Library of Second Chances
‘I need to take this library book back,’ she said eventually, even though she wasn’t working at the library today.
‘The fee, right?’ Hannah looked anxious. ‘Just let me know how much it is, and I’ll come in and pay during my break or something.’
She still looked so upset that Chloe took her shoulders. ‘Hey, listen. I’m not angry at you. A bit surprised, but that’s all. Liam and I had long since broken up.’ She smiled at her. ‘I got over Liam a long, long time ago. You haven’t done anything wrong.’
‘Oh, Chloe.’ Hannah sounded tearful as she hugged her. ‘You’re amazing, you know that?’
They talked about normal things as they reached their cars.Paw Patrolwas on the television so loud they could hear the cheery theme song through the living room window. It was still wild that the little girl in there was not only Hannah’s, but Liam’s, too. Chloe still wasn’t sure how it made her feel. It was weird. And kind of funny.
Chloe hugged Hannah goodbye, reassuring her again that she wasn’t upset with her, and drove back to the library to return the book. A few more days wouldn’t make much of a difference to the fee, but she might as well.
She supposed everyone did make mistakes. And any bad feelings she might have about the fact had been diminished by Hannah being so apologetic and embarrassed about it. At least it meant she hadn’t lusted after Liam while Chloe was with him. And if Liam and Chloe had gotten married, it was doubtful he and Hannah would have gotten together.
It wasn’t until she drove home and took a hot bath that Chloe realised why it didn’t bother her as much as it perhaps should. She had gotten over Liam a long time ago. Maybe she had still been upset about everything that had transpired, but she had felt nothing at seeing him except shock. There was no old flame rekindling, no heartache or pining for what they had lost.
No, when Chloe closed her eyes and let someone she liked wander into her mind, it was a brown-eyed construction worker who made her heart flutter and a smile tug on her lips. She wasn’t sure when it had happened, when Harry had gone from annoying stranger to a friend. Maybe more.
She dunked her head under the surface of the bathwater, the heat heavenly on her scalp.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
THE EVENING OFthe fifth proved cold but dry, and a little windy. It was the perfect condition for fireworks. Harry picked her up in his car, parking down the street so that Gwen wouldn’t see him and bother her with questions. Chloe rushed from the house before her sister could ask her where she was going, and sighed in relief at the warm interior of Harry’s car. She kept glancing at Harry as they drove, his large hands on the steering wheel, shifting gears now and then as they talked about books and films and music.
She felt strangely calm around Harry. And something else, too. A sense of excitement.
She looked out of the window at the passing houses, reminding herself not to lose her head. She and Harry were barely friends. A chaste peck on the cheek didn’t change that. Maybe she was looking at this too deeply.
Still, she couldn’t help sensing that there was a certain energy between them. She wondered if he felt it too. She couldn’t tell as she laughed at his jokes. All she knew was that she felt calm and well in his presence. That things didn’t matter so much.
The car park at Thornbridge Hall was full, and after circling around for ten minutes, Harry sighed.
‘Sorry, Chloe. Didn’t think this through.’
‘It’s all right,’ she reassured him.
They ended up parking somewhere else. The walk soon warmed them up, though, and as they approached the venue,the air smelled of smoke and crackled with excitement. People with children wrapped up in thick coats and gloves wandered around the hall grounds. There were dogs on leads, their owners’ breaths fogging in front of their lips as they talked and laughed.
‘I hope the poor doggies aren’t scared of the fireworks,’ said Chloe as a toy poodle trotted past on a lead.
‘You like dogs?’ said Harry, sounding delighted.
‘Yeah, I don’t know which I like more, dogs or cats.’ She thought of Clementine. ‘Cats are more aloof and make you work harder for their affection. Makes it more worth it when they let you pet them.’
‘So you like having to do some chasing?’ Harry asked slyly.
She burst out laughing. ‘Maybe.’
‘Noted.’ Harry looked around. There were several small fires going already. ‘I used to be scared of loud noises when I was a kid,’ he said. ‘When I was about five, I’d jump and start crying at the slightest thing. My mam brought me to a fireworks festival to cure me of it.’
‘Wow,’ said Chloe, not sure how to feel. ‘That seems, um, harsh?’
‘Maybe, but it worked,’ he assured her. ‘Though she told me I screamed the whole time and buried my face in her jacket. Then right at the end, I looked up and exclaimed, “Wow, it’s so pretty.” Then it was over.’
‘Your mum sounds strict,’ said Chloe as they climbed a grassy hill, people chattering all around them, the air smelling of smoke and cooking food.
‘She’s great. I’ll introduce you sometime.’
Harry casually mentioning Chloe meeting his mother brought on a swooping sensation in her stomach, but they were distracted by a young woman who looked half frozen asking to see their tickets. Harry produced them and they were told they could get a free jacket potato at a nearby stall.
