Page 82 of The Library of Second Chances
Chloe was horrified. ‘You’re letting him watch theTVshow of the book?’
‘I thought it might give him some confidence,’ Gwen argued. ‘I was in the middle of explaining it to him. Look.’ She strode past Chloe and plopped herself on the couch, squeezing herself between the nobleman and Eric, who quickly made room for her. ‘See how handsome the actor is? You’re super popular in this world.’
‘Heishandsome.’ He appeared deep in thought. ‘And she is lovely,’ he said, when the actress appeared on screen. ‘Though I’m afraid they cannot do justice to her beautiful eyes.’
‘Of course they can’t,’ said Chloe, her mind racing. How would this affect his character? What if he came across a partin the show that hadn’t happened for him yet? The characters remembered her when they came out of the story, that much was clear. What if they took memories back to the story? Would it change the book? This wouldn’t do at all.
She reached for the remote to switch off theTV, feeling that was the first problem they could solve.
‘Oh, no, don’t!’ said Gwen. ‘This is a good part.’
‘You’ve watched it?’ Chloe asked, grumbling as she set the remote back down.
‘Of course I’ve watched it. Just because I haven’t read the book.’ Gwen tutted then said, ‘Look, this part is great. She didn’t like him at first. But she does in the end. Enemies to lovers, a classic trope.’
Chloe snorted. What did Gwen know about tropes?
The nobleman, sandwiched between Gwen and the side of the couch, watched theTVin riveted silence. ‘Remarkable,’ he said finally. ‘I remember all this happening. It’s like a dream.’
‘I think we need to talk,’ said Chloe firmly. ‘Gwen? How about you make everyone some tea?’
The sisters stared at each other for a moment. ‘Fine,’ Gwen sighed.
‘I’ll come,’ said Harry, then grabbed Eric’s skinny shoulder. ‘C’mon, let’s help Gwen make tea.’
They all made as much noise as they could in the kitchen, clattering mugs and talking loudly about nothing. The nobleman gave a little groan of disappointment when Chloe finally switched off theTV, but she sensed it would be a bad idea to let him watch any more. It was irresponsible of Gwen to let him in the first place. Gwen had even less knowledge of the magic of the library than they did.
Eric’s hand appeared around the corner of the archway leading to the kitchen, holding the glowing book. Chloe hastilyplucked it from his fingers then set it in her lap, taking a seat in the armchair.
She found she didn’t want to send him back right away. Instead, she asked, ‘This must be very strange. Are you all right?’
The nobleman looked thoughtful. ‘Well, this is indeed all very strange. Will it happen again?’
‘I don’t know. I don’t fully understand it myself,’ Chloe confessed. She hesitated, then asked, ‘And . . . um, what about the lady you mentioned last time we met? Did she see past the first impression?’
His face lit up. It was a marvel to see his brown eyes twinkle with joy at the mention of the woman he loved, a sight that made Chloe’s heart warm. ‘Oh, yes. It was a torment. I had to learn so much. But I realised the inferiority of her rank, my family’s wishes, none of it matters. I’m afraid I blundered it quite horribly. When I try to express my feelings, I end up saying the wrong thing.’ He looked both sad and angry at himself. ‘This dream, or vision, is quite a relief.’ He pointed at the now blackTVscreen.
Chloe was torn between wanting to send him back to his story and to reassure him things would all turn out all right. The kettle was boiling in the kitchen, Harry and Eric talking about football. Part of Chloe wanted to keep him here for a bit longer; everyone was here, and there were no more characters that needed sending back. But . . .
‘I think it’s time you went home,’ said Chloe finally. ‘I can’t explain it all, but it’s been a busy day, and there were a lot of people like you here.’
‘Like me?’
‘From other places,’ said Chloe.
‘Do you have any advice for me? About the woman I love?’
Chloe hesitated. How much could she tell him? ‘What happened the last time you talked?’ If she could work out exactlywhere in the story he was . . . ‘What were you doing before you found yourself here?’
‘We had a disagreement. I was writing her a letter. Her family has acted appallingly, but I haven’t behaved much better. Then I found myself here. That lady – Miss Gwen? – found me. And then . . .’ He gestured towards theTV.
Chloe brightened, knowing which part of the story he meant. It was the turning point of their relationship, the beginning of the enemies becoming lovers. Chloe couldn’t help tensing up, hugging the book to her chest as a giggle burst from her. She was suddenly in her first year of university again, the story a comfort to her after the heartbreak with Liam, knowing that the happily ever after was just around the corner. ‘Please don’t worry,’ she said. ‘She will forgive you.’
‘You think so?’ He didn’t look convinced.
‘I know so. Just . . . keep doing what you’re doing. All I can say is that first impressions don’t matter, not that much. So long as you get a second chance.’
‘And what about you?’ he asked, to her surprise. ‘Have things improved for you?’
