“Cookbooks?”
June was about to say “Ten minutes” again but stopped herself. Marjorie was a stickler for not allowing patrons in before the official opening time, but perhaps June could bend the rules just this once.
“Sure, come on in,” she said, stepping aside. “I’m June, the library assistant.”
“Leila,” the woman said in a low voice.
“Hi, Leila. Cookery books are over here.”
“Cake... please,” Leila said.
“We have lots of baking books. How about this one?” June picked up a Paul Hollywood book and showed it to Leila, but the woman shook her head. They both studied the shelf.
“This?” Leila pointed at Mary Berry’s face smiling down at them.
“I’m not much of a baker myself, but Mary Berry is very popular. She’s on the TV.” June started to mime out the charades action for TV program. “You just need a library card and you can take it home.”
Leila frowned again.
“It’s fine; I can help you with that. Do you have proof of address? Your home?”
Leila nodded and June led her to the desk.
Fifteen minutes later, Leila walked out carryingMary Berry’s Baking Bibleand a library card, and June felt a thrill of satisfaction. It lasted approximately ten seconds, until Vera appeared at the desk.
“What did she want?”
“Good morning, Vera.”
“That’s the immigrant I was telling you about. Is she allowed to use the library?”
“Of course, the library’s open for everyone,” June said in her firmest voice.
“Was that a recipe book she was borrowing?”
“We’ve got the new Stephen King coming in this week—shall I reserve it for you?”
Vera just gave a grunt and turned to walk out of the library, leaning heavily on her walking stick.
June watched her go. Vera had always been a difficult customer, but recently her behavior seemed to be getting even more hostile, and June made a mental note to say something to Marjorie about it.
She felt a buzz in her pocket and pulled her phone out. Therewas an e-mail icon on the screen, and when June clicked on it her stomach dropped. It was from Gayle.
Hi stranger, long time no see! Mum’s told me you want to come to my hen do—that’s so sweet!! It’s at Oakford Park, two weeks on Saturday, starting at midday. Come in fancy dress, the theme is film heroines, and we’re going clubbing in the evening. I know the girls have got some wild stuff planned, so leave your inhibitions at home!!! See you then, Gx
June read the e-mail twice with a growing sense of dread. This was even worse than she’d feared: fancy dress... clubbing... wild stuff. She had to find an excuse not to go, even if it meant incurring the wrath of Marjorie. She went to put her phone back in her pocket, and as she did it slipped through her fingers and fell on the floor. Cursing under her breath, June got down on her hands and knees to retrieve it from under the desk.
“Hi. I’d like to take out the librarian.”
June jumped at the sound of Alex’s voice, banging her head on the bottom of the desk. “Ouch!” She sat up, rubbing her head. “Sorry... what did you just say?”
“I said I’d like to take out the librarian, please?”
June felt her face getting hot. She opened her mouth to speak, but as she did, Alex lifted up a copy ofThe Librarianby Salley Vickers.
“It’s for my auntie; she’s come to stay.”
“Oh right, of course,” June said, standing up and snatching the book from him.