Page 10 of Twilight at Croftwood Library
‘It’s been okay. There was a tiny blip on the first morning when I turned up and the retired librarian was sat behind the desk, but I think I’ve got that sorted out now.’
‘Oh, god. I’ve come across her before. I think it was on a training course. Quite a tough old bird. Rosie is it?’
‘Rosemary. She is quite formidable. I thought Linda was scared to death of her, but she has talked me into letting Rosemary come back to help out.’
‘You’re not going to do that are you? It’ll be a nightmare with her telling you what to do and thinking experience beats anything else.’
‘I know, I thought the same, but Linda reckons she’s lonely and would come back on my terms. Anyway, she’s coming in on Monday, so I’ll see how receptive she is to a few new ideas before I offer anything.’
‘Be careful. I’ll be annoyed if you start moaning about how you couldn’t say no to her.’
Lois laughed. ‘I did throw her out that first morning, Steph. You would have been impressed.’
‘Good, that’s what we want. Take charge, Lois,’ Steph said confidently, slurping the last of her cocktail. ‘Ready for another?’
Lois nodded and finished the last of hers before fishing the slice of orange out of the bottom of the glass and furtively sucking the juice out of it.
‘Hi, Lois.’ She looked up to see Oliver standing next to her, amusement washing over his face as she hastily pulled the rind out of her mouth and deposited it back in the glass.
‘Hi. Sorry, just getting my money’s worth,’ she said blushing.
He laughed. ‘Quite right.’ Without his apron, he looked different. Smarter, Lois thought and although he had been well-groomed when he was at work, he looked extra polished tonight wearing smart jeans and a jacket. ‘I didn’t expect to come across any librarians in here.’
‘We’re allowed in most places, actually.
‘You’re not by yourself, are you?’ he asked, glancing around.
‘No, I’m not a sad librarian. My friend’s gone to get the drinks.’
Just as she was about to ask if he was alone, Steph arrived back with the drinks. She sat down, looking expectantly at Lois, waiting for an introduction.
‘Are you a librarian as well?’ Oliver asked her.
‘I am indeed. A roving librarian.’ She raised her eyebrows at Lois.
‘Oliver owns a coffee shop in Croftwood.’
‘It’s a coffee house, actually. You know, like inFriends.’
‘Ah, I see. Good job you said. Who knows the chaos that could have come from me getting that wrong,’ said Steph.
‘Well, you know, a coffee house is just cooler,’ said Oliver. ‘That’s important.’
‘Do you want to join us?’ Steph asked him, ignoring the daggers that Lois was making at her.
‘No, that’s okay. I’m with someone. I’d better go. Enjoy the rest of your evening.’
‘Oh my god,’ Steph began after Oliver had walked away. ‘No wonder you’re enjoying working there, you’ve already met the fittest man in town.’
Lois smiled. She couldn’t disagree. Oliver was good-looking and charismatic with it. ‘I’ll give you that. He’s really nice.’
‘He should have been at the top of your report about the first week, Lois. What is wrong with you?’ Steph said affectionately.
‘Just because I think he’s attractive, it doesn’t mean I want to go out with him. I’ve only met him twice.’ Three times now. Not that she was counting but that wasn’t enough times to know someone and despite her cringing when Steph asked him to join them, she was sorry that he hadn’t.
They finished their second cocktail and decided to find somewhere to have dinner. Lois scanned the bar as they left, hoping to catch a glimpse of Oliver, planning to wave goodbye. She spotted him standing at the bar with his back to her. Steph nudged her and nodded towards him. Lois nudged her back, shooting her an exasperated look which just made Steph laugh. Then as they walked past him, they could see that he was talking to a woman who was looking up at him in a way that told Lois she was in love with him. And the jolt that Lois felt as she realised that, made her wonder why it mattered to her so much.
‘Bloody hell, he’s got a girlfriend,’ said Steph and they linked arms and walked along Foregate Street towards their favourite Mexican restaurant. ‘Of course he has,’ she carried on. ‘There are no single blokes like him.’
