Page 56 of The Romance Library

You might be wondering why I was so insistent on having my library on the grounds of Seaview High. The answer is simple: that was where I first met my husband, Charlton Davis.

I knew from the first time our eyes met in our English lesson when I was just thirteen years old that he was the one for me.

We both shared a love of books, and during the two years I lived in Sunshine Bay, we were inseparable. But then my family moved away and sadly we lost contact.

During those years I used to devour romance books, hoping and praying that one day I’d find the love of my life again. Thanks to those novels, I never gave up hope. And twenty years later, what seemed like the impossible happened.

I was working at a library in London and one day Charlton walked in. I couldn’t believe my eyes. He was still as handsome as ever, and when we met that evening, our date lasted for twelve hours.

Three months later I was married and pregnant. Those early years together were blissful, but not long after our son started school, I became poorly. Illness plagued me for many years, and sadly I was unable to return to work at the library.

Charlton saw how much I missed it and how frustrated I was spending my days at home alone. So he said if I couldn’t go to the library, he’d bring the library to me.

As you saw when you visited, he built me my dream library in the basement (complete with a rolling ladder, just like Beauty and the Beast!). Every day he’d bring home a new book for me to add to the shelf, and by the next day I would’ve devoured it.

My love did that every day until the day he was cruelly taken away from me, before his fortieth birthday.

After Charlton died, I spiralled into depression, and books were the only thing that kept my spirits up.

The characters became my friends. And during my darkest days, reading about them getting their happy ending filled me with joy.

Books saved me. Without them, I would not have survived.

And that’s why this library is so important to me.

Seaview High was where I met my first and only love.

Books are what bonded us.

Romance novels gave me hope.

Now I want to pay it forward. I’d like others to experience the same joy that my precious books gave to me.

It’s too late for me to make this happen—that’s why I need your help, Jessica.

Please keep going. The hard work will be worth it.

Best wishes

Meredith Davis

A tear rolled down my cheek. That was a heart-breaking but beautiful story. I loved that she’d never given up hope of seeing Charlton again and that romance novels had given her so much comfort.

Cecil was right. This letter had helped. I’d been motivated before, but after reading that, I was even more determined to see this through. I couldn’t let her down. I had to do this.

Once I got off the train, I headed to Seaview High.

As I walked up to the building, Edwin waved from the window, then got up to let me in.

‘Welcome back!’ Edwin opened the door with his trademark cheery smile. I wondered if he ever got angry.

‘Thanks!’ I tried to match his enthusiasm as I stepped into the dimly lit corridor. ‘I really appreciate you letting me come back to see the building.’

‘No trouble at all. What exactly would you like to see?’

‘Everything!’

‘Right you are. Come with me.’

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