Page 80 of Twilight at Croftwood Library
‘It’s a far cry from the Hive or Croftwood Library, that’s for sure,’ said Oliver.
They walked through what felt like a tunnel of books, although shelves were stretching above and below them far higher and lower than they could reach until they came upon a gap in the shelves where there were a couple of easy chairs. It was a reading nook.
‘Shall we?’ asked Oliver.
Lois smiled and sat down, enjoying the feeling of being in a secret corner of the library where maybe no-one else would come across them.
‘I was a bit worried about tonight,’ she said, realising that the bubbly had loosened her tongue. ‘I thought things might be awkward between us.’
‘Oh. Why?’ He looked bemused.
‘Well, Christmas was so great and then we had to go back to normal…’ She stopped to gather her thoughts. ‘And I thought it might be weird for us to try and be friends again after having Christmas together.’
‘You haven’t been to the coffee house. Is that what you mean by normal?’ He looked sad.
He had noticed. She hadn’t thought it would be that obvious.
‘I loved Christmas, Oliver.’
‘I know, so did I.’ He reached out his hand. She took it.
‘The hardest thing I’ve ever had to do was settle for being friends with you,’ she said, trying to convey how she felt as she looked into his eyes. ‘I told myself I’d be all aloof and cool tonight then I would avoid you until the library closed and I’d never have to see you again.’
‘That’s not what you want is it?’ He was stroking his thumb across the back of her hand.
‘No, it’s not what I want but it’s the only thing I can do. Being here tonight is so magical that I can’t pretend to be aloof. I can’t pretend there’s nothing between us.’ She watched his face for a sign, anything that would tell her he felt the same way.
‘I’m glad, Lois. I want you to have the night you deserve and make sure we enjoy every minute of this together.’
What he was saying was perfect, but it wasn’t going to end up like that.
‘Just for tonight.’
‘For tonight.’ He leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. It was a lingering kiss, not in the same league as the kitchen kiss but more than she could have hoped for. Enough to give her the collywobbles from the smell of him and she suddenly realised she had nothing to lose. Maybe it was the bubbly or maybe she was finally ready to try and get what she wanted for once instead of settling for whatever was on offer to her.
‘Actually, tonight isn’t enough.’ She closed her eyes briefly so she could pretend to herself that she wasn’t talking to Oliver. ‘Trying to carry on like normal since Christmas has been the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Being friends when I want it to be more than that is killing me. I’m not doing it anymore, Oliver. I think there’s something special between us and if you think the same, then I’m here. If not, I’ve made the biggest idiot of myself and thank god I’ll be moving on from Croftwood soon.’ She held her breath, stunned by what she’d blurted out but really proud of herself.
‘I do feel the same. I spent Christmas with you, pretending that I didn’t have a life with Amy, and I’ve been miserable since. I’m going to talk to her tomorrow.’ He put his finger to her lips as she opened her mouth to protest, ‘I’d decided before I got on the train. I’m not doing it because of us, Lois. I’m doing it for me. Amy and I, we’re not working. I don’t know what I was thinking by letting it go this far. We’ve both been unhappier than we were when it ended last time.’
Tears sprang to her eyes when she heard him say he felt the same. She’d hoped but it had seemed impossible and admitting her feelings had been the last resort to find some closure for herself. She hadn’t dared to hope that he would be ready to change his life for her.
‘Okay. But you have to speak to Amy before anything else happens.’
‘Deal.’ He gave her the briefest of kisses on the cheek and they grinned at each other like fools until an announcement over the tannoy broke the spell.
They managed to find their way back to the reading room where the event was being held. Worcestershire County Libraries had a table to themselves which was near the back of the room. Was that a bad sign? David and his people were mingling around the table.
‘Lois! Welcome,’ he said, flamboyantly. He was dressed in evening dress as were the rest of his entourage, none of whom Lois had met before.
‘Hello, David.’ He insisted on doing the double kiss thing. ‘This is Oliver.’
‘Good to meet you, Oliver. Amazing contribution to the Croftwood book club,’ he said, pumping Oliver’s hand.
‘Thanks. It’s all Lois, though.’ He beamed at her with a look that summed up everything they’d said to each other. The best thing was, she knew he was proud of her, and she didn’t think anyone had thought that way about her before.
45
The libraries that had been shortlisted for the Community Spirit award were displayed on the screen behind the host of the ceremony, Sue Perkins.
