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‘But we loan books, not people.’
‘Now we do both.’
‘And just who is going to agree to share their story? People around here are dull and boring. What makes you think anyone will be interested in hearing about their gardens, or their daily walks to the letterbox? Look, Elodie, Iwantto be excited, I want this place to work but this is just silly. We’ll be laughed out of town.’
Worry comes off her in waves but I let it float above me. ‘Actually, I’ve already invited four people to share their lives and they’re definitely not dull; they’re anything but. And we have to try something, Maisie, or else this place will close forever. We need a miracle at this point – so why not try this? Who cares if some people laugh – at least it means we tried.’
She sighs. ‘Who are the people you’ve chosen?’
‘Harry, Sofia, Alfie and Pete.’
Maisie cups her face and groans. ‘Homeless Harry and Pilferer Pete? Oh, it gets worse! Why can’t you choose locals that people actuallylike? Do you know anything about Sofia and what she’s done?’She doesn’t give me a chance to reply, just steamrolls ahead. ‘Her husband stole money from the council! Money that was meant for the library. There’s no way she wasn’t part of that. Have you seen her house? It’s a castle for crying out loud that was most likely purchased with stolen money! You’ll find that a lot of people are still very angry with Sofia, and including her will only keep them away from the library.’
I take a deep breath. ‘Come on, Maisie, have a listen to yourself. Sofia is the innocent party in all this. She was conned by that poor excuse of a man just like the rest of you were.’ Maisie clenches her jaw – talk about overwrought. ‘Look at your reaction to this. It’s the reason we need such an initiative.’ To think there’s people discussing the fact that Sofia could be part of her husband’s theft without ever sitting down and asking for her side of the story just astounds me.
Willow Grove residents need more than the People Library; they need a Doctor Phil intervention!
‘This is the worst idea I’ve ever heard. You should rethink it.’ She folds her arms as if the conversation is closed. I hope I haven’t made a mistake sharing it with her.
‘Just keep it to yourself for now, OK? No one knows about it yet, except the “books” and I’d prefer to keep it that way.’ I don’t bother showing Maisie the marketing materials for the People Library. ‘Forget about that, and let’s focus on today.’ Maisie stares at me like I’ve got bananas for brains, so I swallow a sigh and let it go for now. ‘We’ve got the first book club meeting in an hour. Have many registered?’
‘Two.’
A book club of two? ‘Including us, that’s four, and that’s enough to start with.’
‘I’m not discussing books with the likes of …’
‘Oh, Maisie, honestly, didn’t your mother ever teach you that if you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say it?’ I get up and stomp away. It’s like head-butting a wall at times. Perhaps I should give her a written warning about her conduct? I’m puzzled why she’d continue to work here if she’s going to argue with me every step of the way, not to mention the way she judges people. If only she’d approach these chats with a more professional demeanour, so we could nut out the pros and cons like adults, rather than the petulant child she comes across as. But it falls to me and I vow to do better. There must be a way to get through to Maisie. Surely she wasn’t like this with Agnes, who from all accounts was quite domineering? There’s no time to ponder it so I get to work, setting up an area for the book club in a quiet corner. Who am I kidding?! Every corner is quiet because people rarely visit the library!
I exhale all the angst.I can do this and I will do this. We might not be where I projected we’d be by week two, but that only means there’s plenty of room for improvement. At least two brave souls have registered for book club and I thank my lucky stars for that.
It doesn’t matter how many of us there are, I’m going to make it the best damn book club that ever was. I take out the collection of books that we have multiples of and which are new in terms of stock at Willow Grove library. Jenny O’Brien’sSilent Cryis the first in a police procedural/psychological thriller series that I’ve heard good things about and has been popular among members at the library.
The book club members duly arrive and I make a big fuss over them. Maisie has deigned not to attend but it’s probably better anyway,in case she manages to offend them with her curtness. We settle down to chat and despite us being a lonely trio of bibliophiles, we soon warm to one another.
Donald, a big boisterous man of about sixty speaks up. ‘I’ve been meaning to join the library for a long time. But there was never much new stock. Do you think that will be rectified?’
I nod. ‘Yes, that’s the plan. As soon as we secure more members we can apply for extra funding, so it might take a few more months, but I’m confident we’ll get there. What genres do you like?’ I try and focus the conversation on what I can control and hope that Donald will return again next month and perhaps with some friends.
Donald rubs his chin and says, ‘Historical fiction, true crime, even a soppy romance wouldn’t go astray. I do like happy ever afters if I’m honest.’
Janice, our second member, a slim elegantly dressed thirty-something says, ‘I love romance too, and cosy crime. But I’m happy to read any genre. I’m delighted that you’ve taken over, Elodie. I couldn’t imagine the library closing down. I used to come here with my mum when I was a toddler and I’ve been coming ever since. I’ll bring Mum to book club next month; she’ll enjoy it. Be warned though, she can talk the hind legs off a donkey …’
I laugh. ‘Your mum sounds like great fun. Definitely bring her along. The more the merrier! And I promise you we’re going to do everything in our power to save this place so our book club can continue for years to come …’
‘We believe in you! Right-oh,’ Donald says. ‘In the meantime we’ll readSilent Cryand then come back to discuss next month. Is that how these things work? My wife said something about book clubs being a front for drinking parties.I told her I’m certain that’s not the case, not in a library, but she insists that’s what they’re all about?’
I might just have the two sweetest book club members in the history of book clubs. ‘Well, Donald, to be honest, a lot of them are like that. I was a member of one in London once and it was all champagne and gossip. They never even read the book! Now I can handle a glass of bubbles and some chitchat, but I most certainly cannot handle book club members who don’t actually like to read. So in saying that, are you happy to continue the book club during the day where we have cake and coffee, or shall we move it to night-time and have cheese and champagne? I promise it won’t be a front for a drinking party – it’ll be all above board and very demure.’
Donald and Janice exchange a glance and a cheeky smile. ‘I like prosecco,’ Janice says. ‘In moderation, of course.’
‘Same with me,’ Donald agrees and grins.
‘Well, that’s settled then. We’ll meet next month, same day, at 6 p.m.? Does that work for you both?’
‘Works for me, and I can bring my neighbour, Onkah. He loves reading but can’t get to a daytime book club,’ says Donald.
‘And I’ll bring my mum. Looks like we’re expanding already!’
