Page 65 of The Library of Second Chances
‘Sorry.’ She giggled. ‘Oh boy, I sure feel better. You’re the best.’
There would be no other humans here until tomorrow, and the little girl was lost. He could tell by the way she glanced around, worry now entering her eyes. She was tall and skinny, and she looked fearful. ‘Where are the lights?’ she said.
Clementine forgot humans couldn’t see well in the dark. He supposed he should try to get the girl back. She wasn’t crying any more, but she didn’t seem to want to stay. Clementine ran towards the children’s section.
‘Hey, kitty! Where’re you going? I need you to help me find a way out of here! Hey!’ The girl ran after him, her hair streaming behind her. Clementine found the kids’ section and looked around at all the books. Surely one of them was the right one. It would be glowing.
He was startled when the key turned in the lock in the lobby. The girl gasped as Mrs Cook’s sweet, flowery scent entered the library.
Clementine trotted to the lobby, his jingling bell announcing his arrival. Mrs Cook would know what to do.
‘Hello, sweet boy.’ The librarian knelt to pet him. Clementine meowed at her, loud and purposeful, then trotted back to the children’s section. As he thought, the girl was still there, standing meekly and half hidden in shadow.
‘Another one, hmm?’ Mrs Cook sounded amused. ‘Come on, now, dearie, let’s get you home.’
‘You can get me back?’ The girl sounded so relieved. Clementine felt a little sorry for her. He rubbed himself against her bare leg until she giggled.
‘All you need to do is tell me your name, and we’ll get you back in no time,’ said Mrs Cook, laying down her bag. ‘It’s a good thing I forgot my purse, isn’t it, Clementine?’
‘What a sweet name.’ The girl petted Clementine again, smiling. The cat knew what human happiness looked like, or at least the simple version. He thought she looked happy now, and Mrs Cook seemed to have things under control.
‘Have you been crying?’ Mrs Cook asked the girl as she rifled through shelves. ‘Are you all right, love?’
The girl nodded. ‘I was lost. The kids were giving me a hard time. I was in the depths of despair, so I ran to the barn, but I woke up here. With your cat. I sure feel better now, though. What an adventure.’
‘Ah, here it is.’ Mrs Cook rose, an old book in her hand. ‘We’ll have you back in no time. Say goodbye to Clementine, dear.’
‘Bye, Clementine! This sure was fun.’ The girl beamed. When Mrs Cook had finished reading her line aloud, the waving girl was gone.
Thank goodness, thought the cat. There had been a few too many newcomers in the library lately for his liking.
Tail in the air, he left the human to it and went in search of the bowl of water Mrs Cook had likely left out for him. He found it in the kitchen.
‘You know, I could have sworn I put my purse in my bag before I left earlier.’ Mrs Cook cocked her head, looking down at Clementine. He stopped in front of her, mirroring her head tilt. That always made her laugh.
Her wrinkled face creased. ‘Well, hopefully it’s not a sign of dementia,’ she said cheerfully, then switched off the lights. ‘Goodnight, Clementine, love.’
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
CHLOE WAS ATAldi, pushing along a heavy trolley full of shopping. She had decided she was going to be more proactive about making sure they always had a full fridge and freezer and they planned their meals. Now Gwen was working too, they could start sharing the food expenses.
She was comparing brands of washing powder when she sensed someone watching her. Unnerved, Chloe glanced up to see a man walking towards her down the aisle. She recognised him at once. It was Jason, Julie’s brother.
Having no desire to speak to him, Chloe threw a random box of washing powder into her trolley and made to wheel it away.
‘Excuse me.’
Chloe knew he was talking to her; there was no one else on this aisle.
‘Excuse me,’ he said more loudly, following her with heavy steps.
Chloe sighed and turned around, using the trolley as a barrier between them. ‘Yes, Jason? Can I help you?’
Jason looked taken aback, clearly surprised that Chloe knew his name. ‘I was just wondering if you’d thought any more about what I said. About Harry.’
Chloe glared at him. Up close, Jason wasn’t really that intimidating, but she still didn’t want to be alone with him. Not even in the bright artificial lights of a supermarket aisle. Had he just seen her here by coincidence and decided to chat, or had he followed her here?
‘Are you going to stay away from him?’ Jason pressed.
