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‘That’s true, but we’re working on that and I’m hoping it’ll be cleaned before then.’ I make a mental note to check what happened with the carpet cleaning quote.
‘You’re doing this so I make friends, aren’t you?’
So much going on in that clever little head of his. ‘I hope it’ll lead to that and again, that will be totally up to you and if you connect with your “borrower” and if you decide you’d like to go for a bike ride, or pizza or something we could possibly arrange that. We are also looking at setting up a Minecraft coding club here, after school hours, so you could also arrange to meet them for that.’
‘Minecraft is my jam. It’s an expression.’
‘I get it and whodoesn’tlike Minecraft?’ I grin.
‘As for your proposal …’ He looks to his mum who gives him an almost imperceptible nod, as if to say she’s on board with it if he wants to try. ‘I’ll accept your invitation to be a real-life book as long as my mum is here with me.’
‘Of course I’ll be there, Alfie. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.’
‘Time’s up, if you’ll excuse me,’ he says so formally it’s hard not to smile.
‘I’ll leave you with it, and we can chat more later.’ Jo gives me a loose hug and I leave to find Maisie to tell her I’ll be out for a bit. There’s one other person I need to ask; I just need to find him.
Chapter 10
After searching up and down the high street I finally spot Pete through the window of the local supermarket. I watch him for a beat, before deciding to attack this head on. I have no idea if I’m out of line, but I figure there’s no time to waste and I can’t exactly strike up a friendship with the guy in time for the People Library to start.
Inside, I take a basket, and throw in a packet of chocolate biscuits and a handful of apples as I make my way down the aisle towards him. Pete appears slightly unkempt; his clothes hang off his large frame as if they’re a couple of sizes too big. Every few moments he darts a glance over his shoulder, which makes it look very obvious that’s he’s searching for staff, as if he’s about to smuggle something into his jeans pockets. Is that why his clothes are so voluminous? To hide his prizes? I find it strange that no one is watching him, if he’s truly the thief they peg him for. Perhaps they search him on the way out? As I get within a step of him, I see him take a bottle of chilli sauce and place it in his pocket. He does it so slowly, it’s almost as if hewantsto be caught. What’s that about then?
‘Hey,’ I say, and give him a friendly smile.
Pete shoots me a challenging look as if waiting for me to call him out.
I place my basket on the edge of the shelf so I can free up one hand. ‘I’m Elodie, the new librarian, and I wanted to give you this.’ I hand him the same card as the others. ‘IthinkI understand you, Pete, and why you do what you do. I’d love you to be involved in the People Library experiment. If you want to join in, my phone number is on the back.’ With one last supportive smile, I take my basket and walk to the checkout. Pretending to be engrossed in unloading my groceries I surreptitiously peek at Pete, who wears an expression of bewilderment as he reads the card.
I don’t yet know why Pete steals – there’s so many reasons aside from economic and I’m still doing my research into it – but I have a feeling it’s to do with other people’s expectations, rather than a genuine desire to do it. It’ll be interesting to find out and I only hope he’s agreeable to joining the People Library and opening up about his experiences.
Once I’ve paid for my goods, I dash back to the library and am hit with a glare from Maisie. I give her a winning smile, drop the biscuits and apples on Alfie’s desk before going to the computer to check membership numbers.
We still need 451 members. The number seems so high compared to the amount of effort we’ve put in. Despite our best intentions there hasn’t been the influx I’d hoped for. All hope rests on the People Library experiment. It’s the only way I can see us getting ahead while we have little to no funds to play with.
Even our pre-loved book sale isn’t working well and I’ve found plenty more to add to the collection, books that are so out of date I can’t fathom why they were never switched out before now.I change the sign and write:5 books for 5 pounds. While it’s peanuts, even a small bit of cash can be put towards new stock. I take some pictures and send them to Maisie’s email and ask her to post on our socials. I take a picture of the ‘Blind Date with a Book’ display and ask her to schedule that post for the evening so they’re not uploaded all at once.
Once that’s done, I get to work, designing posters for the experiment. I need to get Finn involved. I have to tell Maisie about it first, but something holds me back. I still don’t know if I can trust her and I don’t want the news spread around town and take the shine off the announcement before we’re ready.
Forcing a sunny expression, I wave her over and am met with an eyeroll. ‘You’re selling bundles of books for five lousy pounds now?’
‘They haven’t been borrowed in a decade or so, Maisie. The price is more than fair.’ I pick up one as an example. ‘One hundred and one ways to cook eggs in the microwave. Do you think we should keep this on the shelf?’
‘Well, not that one.’
I choose another. ‘The Roving Dick Detective. You’ve got to wonder what kind of detective doesn’t wear trousers but who am I to judge?’
She laughs. ‘OK, I see your point.’
‘I don’t like losing books either, but there’s so many here that need to go. Keep an eye out for anyone who wants to buy them, OK? I know it’s small change but we can really use it. Let’s go to the office. I’ve got some news.’
‘You’re leaving so soon?’ And just like that the same old Maisie returns and the smile vanishes.
It’s my turn to eyeroll. ‘Would you like that, Maisie?’ She shrugs. We sit at the desk and I take out one of the posters to show her. ‘I’m not leaving – sorry to burst your bubble. I’m implementing an initiative called “the People Library experiment”. We’re going to promotereallives. Members can visit the library and “borrow” a person for thirty minutes and hear their stories. We don’t have money for new stock until we get the grant, so until then we’ll lend people.’
‘We’ll … what?’
‘If Alfie, an eleven-year-old can understand the concept, I’m sure you can too, Maisie.’
