Page 43 of Twilight at Croftwood Library
‘I’m not sure he ever expected me to come back to him. He hasn’t said that to me, he said he hoped we’d be able to pick up where we left off…’
‘Have you spoken to him about it?’ she asked.
Amy’s watery eyes looked up at the sky as she sighed. ‘I’ve tried, he just won’t open up to me.’
Lois sat on the edge of the bench. ‘I’m sure it’s hard for both of you.’
‘I didn’t think it would be like this. I hadn’t stopped loving him, but I think he’d given up a long time ago and he’s moved on without me.’
‘Maybe it seems like that but I think he’s trying his best to make it work.’ Lois didn’t doubt that was true.
‘Do you think so? I find it so hard seeing him being friends with you. Sometimes I wonder if he’d rather be with you.’
Lois hoped she hadn’t blushed. ‘We’re just friends, Amy. There’s nothing to worry about.’ It surprised her that Amy was so frank, though she seemed much softer than she had when she’d come to the library.
‘It’s just, the book club seems so out of character for him. I know it’s been a while since I’ve been involved enough to know what he’s up to but honestly, books are not him at all.’
Lois tried not to take that as a personal insult. As if there was ever anything wrong with anyone liking books. ‘I think it’s the benefit it brings to the coffee house more than anything else,’ she said tactfully.
‘Hmm. Or maybe he’s changed more than I realised.’
Lois thought that was probably true. ‘Try to talk to him again, Amy. Tell him what you’ve told me, I’m sure he’ll understand how you feel.’
‘Thanks, Lois.’ Amy stood up and smiled. ‘Pop in for a coffee sometime.’
‘Will do.’ She almost definitely wouldn’t.
Lois watched Amy walk back towards the coffee house, wondering whether she would talk to Oliver about how she felt. He was so easy to talk to, she could imagine them sitting down together and him earnestly listening to Amy’s worries. But it was an image that was too painful to think about. Too close to how it had been that night after the kiss when she’d gone round to his flat and he’d told her everything. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, pushing Oliver from her mind as she suddenly remembered that she was supposed to be looking for Rosemary. She headed towards the Post Office which would be on Rosemary’s way home and glancing at the window, saw a poster. ‘Vote for Croftwood Library!’ it said, with the details underneath about how to vote.
Lois’s heart sank momentarily until she thought, what’s the worst that could happen? Nothing that would be worse than the library closing. It might ruffle a few feathers but if the County Library bosses disapproved, it would be more embarrassing for them to pull them out of the competition. They might as well go along with it and see what happened. Chances were that Croftwood wouldn’t make the cut but they had to try.
There didn’t seem much point in trying to find Rosemary now so she turned back, walking down the high street. As she passed the coffee house she could see Oliver and Amy sitting at a table talking. Being honest with each other was the best thing they could do although she couldn’t stop herself from hoping that might not be enough to save their relationship. It went against the grain to wish the worst for anyone but for once, Lois was going to look out for herself and anyway, she thought that if they were honest with each other they’d probably realise they were trying to resurrect something which had died long ago.
Thankfully it was a quiet morning in the coffee house. Oliver was sitting on the stairs to the flat, looking at his phone and listening for the door. He was so tired, he didn’t think he would make it through the whole day. Why couldn’t Amy have picked a fight the night before one of Patsy’s shifts?
He needed an espresso so stood up, stretched and pushed his phone into his apron pocket. He hadn’t heard the door so was surprised to see Lois waiting at the counter.
‘Oh, hi Lois. What can I do for you,’ he said, failing to sound as upbeat as he’d intended to.
‘Are you all right, Oliver?’ Her brow was furrowed with concern.
He knew he looked terrible. His eyes were puffy, giving away the fact that he hadn’t slept at all and he hadn’t had the time or energy to sort his bedhead out.
‘Yeah, yeah, fine.’ He raked his hand through his hair, making it stick up in all directions. ‘Well, you know…’ He could just tell Lois what had happened. He needed a friend but it was hardly fair to start moaning to her about the problems he and Amy were having.
Nevertheless, she said, ‘If you want to talk…if now’s not a good time, you know where I am.’
He looked at her intently for a second, wondering whether he could. It might make him feel better. He thought better of it, shook his head briefly and said, ‘Breakfast is it?’
‘Yes, please. A latte and an egg and avocado bagel to go.’
‘Coming up.’
He busied himself with preparing her order and managed not to make eye contact or conversation again.
When Lois left, instead of his spot on the stairs, he went and sat on one of the stools at the window bar, just in case he didn’t hear someone else come in.
He watched her walk down the road, seeing her turn and glance back at the coffee house, with a worried expression on her face.
