“What are you talking about?”
“There’s something I’ve been trying to tell you for a while, and I need to say it now.”
June’s heart sank. As if today couldn’t get any worse, now this. “Please, you don’t need to explain anything. I understand.”
“I’m not sure you do, June.”
“But I do, Alex. I know about Ellie.”
His head swiveled to look at her. “Ellie? How?”
“I’ve known for months.”
“Who told you about her? Was it Stanley?”
“No, I saw a message from her on your phone and I know you were together when I called you in London. Why didn’t you just tell me you had a girlfriend?”
“Hang on, Ellie is my—”
“Does she know I tried to kiss you?” June asked, cringing. “I’m so sorry I did that, Alex. It was totally out of order. I was drunk and it was a huge mistake.”
There were a few seconds of silence. “A mistake?”
“Of course. I don’t see you in that way. I mean, you’re a friend but I don’t fancy you or anything.” June forced a laugh and then wished she hadn’t. It didn’t sound remotely real.
She looked over to Alex, expecting him to look relieved now it was all out in the open. But instead he was staring at his pint, looking utterly defeated. When he spoke again, he didn’t look at her.
“June, the thing I need to tell you is that I’m moving back to London.”
She felt as if someone had given her a karate kick to the chest, knocking all the wind out of her.
“Dad’s better now and doesn’t need my help at the takeaway, and I need to get back to my job.”
“Of course,” she said, trying to keep her voice level.
“My sabbatical’s over and I start work again on Monday, so I’m leaving tomorrow. I’m sorry to just spring this on you, but when I tried to tell you before, you changed the subject.”
“I’m happy for you, Alex. I bet you can’t wait to get back to your normal life.”
June couldn’t bear to look at him, so she stared across the road toward the library. She’d always known Alex would leave at some point, but she’d never expected the news to hurt like this. She closed her eyes, willing herself not to cry in front of him.
When she opened them again, she saw a figure running past the front of the library, a large handbag swinging from her side.
“Wait, isn’t that Marjorie?” June stood up and waved at her. “Marjorie. Marjorie! She’s going into the pub.”
June rushed inside, leaving Alex sitting at the table. She arrived at the group as Marjorie came bursting in. Everyone stopped talking.
“What’s the news?” June said.
Marjorie was bent over, panting from the running.
“For Christ’s sake, spit it out,” Mrs.B said.
Marjorie straightened up. “The meeting just finished. They’ve made their decision.”
“And?”
“They’re closing all six libraries, including Chalcot.”