Page 46 of All Wrapped Up
His eyes met mine in the rear-view mirror and I could tell he was grinning.
‘A bit,’ he laughed.
‘Fine,’ I huffed, sitting back and folding my arms.
‘There,’ he infuriatingly but justifiably said, when he’d driven a little further on and my traitorous friend had settled down completely. ‘She’s perfectly happy now.’
I stuck my tongue out at him and, catching sight of me in the mirror, he laughed again.
The library was towards the edge of town and Ash was lucky enough to secure a parking space right outside the door. In the spirit of not fussing, I let him lift Pixie out and attach her lead to walk her in.
‘I hope we aren’t going to disturb anyone while we’re talking to Hayley,’ I began to say, but then the automatic doors swung open and a cacophony of singing and clapping met our ears.
‘I think we’ll get away with saying a few words,’ Ash said loudly, as he smiled down at me. ‘If anything, we’re going to struggle to make ourselves heard above what sounds like a very noisy Bounce and Rhyme session.’
‘I think you’re right,’ I agreed, as we walked in and Pixie made a beeline straight towards the reception desk.
‘Pixie!’ The woman who had been working at a computer smiled in greeting. ‘And you must be Clemmie,’ she added, addressing me, ‘her new owner?’
‘I am,’ I confirmed, thinking how cool the woman, who was probably about my mum’s age, looked with cropped grey hair and lots of silver jewellery.
‘And I’m Kay,’ she told me. ‘I’m delighted to meet you and equally delighted to learn that you’ve taken the festival on.’
‘That’s very kind,’ I responded. ‘And I’m pleased to meet you, too. I was already planning to call in to talk to you about the possibility of setting up some sort of autumn reads book club or reading group when Hayley from Wynthorpe Hall suggested we meet here to discuss something else.’
I looked around, but there was no sign of her yet, but then we were a few minutes early.
‘I think a specific autumn book club is a wonderful idea,’ said Kay. ‘I already had lots of non-fiction books on order to make a wonderful seasonal display and, when I heard the festival was back on, I started to put a list of fiction titles together, too. Would you like to see it and let me know what you think people might like?’
I was thrilled that she was so keen and already a step ahead of me.
‘I’d love to see it,’ I therefore enthusiastically said, ‘but I’m sure you’re the better judge of what the local library members might like to read than I am. Would you be happy to pick the titles?’
‘Of course,’ she said, handing me a printed-out sheet. The action made her bangles melodiously chime together. ‘And I’ll take on the running of it, too, if that suits you? I have a couple of keen new volunteers who could help me. I haven’t been the manager here all that long and I’m trying to shake things up a bit.’
‘That suits me perfectly. Thank you, Kay.’
All the while I had been chatting to her, Ash had been bobbed down behind the desk and when I peered over the top, I found him stroking both Pixie and a golden Labrador who had an almost completely white face. The two dogs were happily settled together and Pixie was receiving a very thorough wash from her canine friend.
‘I’m guessing this is Sandy?’ I smiled.
The dog looked up at me with kind eyes and thumped his thick tail in response to his name.
‘It is.’ Ash nodded. ‘He’s the oldest member of Wynbridge library.’
‘And the most popular member of staff!’ Kay laughed, just as another bout of singing struck up, this time supported by a host of noisy instruments. ‘He’s also a bit deaf, which is a blessing on mornings like these.’
Pixie had no problems with her hearing, but didn’t appear bothered by the noise.
‘How’s the new medication working out?’ Ash asked Kay as he straightened up.
‘I haven’t seen any improvement in him yet, but you did say it might take a little while. Sandy’s hips aren’t what they were,’ she added for my benefit.
‘Keep me posted,’ Ash sighed. ‘I’m hoping you’ll notice a change soon.’
‘Will do,’ she said. ‘You can leave Pixie here with me while you talk to Hayley if you like? She seems settled back there.’
‘Clemmie?’ Ash said, looking at me.
