Alex laughed and began unloading cartons onto the table. “I’ve decided it’s time you expanded your repertoire. My dad’s family come from the Sichuan Province, so that’s his specialty.” He opened a container. “This is fish-fragrant aubergine.”
“Fish-fragrant?”
“And these are green beans with pork and chili, one of my favorites.”
June fetched a plate and sat down as Alex spooned some aubergine onto it. She ate a mouthful. “Wow, that’s delicious.”
“See, what did I tell you?” Alex said with satisfaction. “Now try the hot-and-numbing beef, but only if you can handle spicy food. My dad always says chili is a natural antidepressant...” He paused, looking uncomfortable. “Not that I’m suggesting you’re depressed, but I heard about you getting suspended. Why didn’t you call me?”
“Sorry. I’ve been here all week, thinking everyone must blame me.”
“God no, quite the opposite.”
“Stanley told me about people borrowing books.”
“I’ve never seen the library so busy. I’ve taken twelve books out on my card, although without you there to advise me I panicked and took out the most random selection. I even came home with a Julia Quinn novel.”
June chuckled. “I’m so glad people are doing this. If we have high visitor and issue numbers it’ll make it much harder for the council to close us down.”
“I wish it were that simple,” Alex said.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, there’s still the whole Cuppa Coffee issue.”
“But how will the council justify closing the library if it’s clearly well used?”
“They could find a way,” Alex said. “After all, this whole consultation has been about the council trying to save money, not how popular the library is.”
June felt all the positivity of this afternoon fading away. “I just wish we knew what Brian and Marjorie are up to with Cuppa Coffee.”
“Do you think it’s time for you to confront Marjorie about it directly?”
June shook her head. “There’s no way she’d tell me anything—she must hate me after the occupation. Besides, I’m banned from the library and it’s not as if I can just turn up at her house.”
“I’d offer to help, but I’m not sure what I can do either,” Alex said.
June took another a mouthful of the beans. “Oh my god, Gayle’s wedding!” she said, almost choking on her food.
“You’re not going to that, are you?”
“It might be my only chance to talk to Brian and Marjorie.”
Alex looked skeptical. “They’re hardly going to confess everything at their daughter’s wedding.”
“No, but Marjorie has told me repeatedly that they’ve invited the great and the good of Dunningshire. If I go in the evening, once people have had a few drinks, maybe someone will let something slip about Cuppa Coffee?” Even as she said it, June knew it sounded ridiculous.
Alex was watching her with a pained expression. “Are you sure you want to go, after what happened at the hen do?”
Was she sure? It would be so much easier to carry on hiding at home, never putting herself out there or taking any risks. “Yes, I’msure. This feels like my last chance to try to do something to save the library.”
“When is the wedding?”
“A week from Saturday.”
“Well, I’m happy to be your plus one, if you want some moral support?”
June was so surprised by the offer that she stuffed a piece of beef into her mouth. Within seconds the heat exploded on her tongue like a fireball and she let out a gasp, making Alex jump.