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Chapter One
Jayden
“Uncle Jay’s here!”
I hear my six-year-old niece call as the front door flies open, and she jumps into my arms.
“Hey, Alice have you missed me?” I ask planting a kiss on her cheek.
“Of course she has, it’s been a month!”
I look to the doorway where my sister’s standing with her arms crossed over her chest.
“I’ve been busy, you know that,” I sigh as I step up and kiss her cheek. “How are you, Trudy?” I ask whilst placing my niece back on the floor.
“Fine,” she sighs closing the door behind her. “Thank you for watching Alice. I’m sure it’s cutting into your busy schedule.”
“Hey! What’s with the attitude? You know I’m happy to help.”
“Yeah I know, sorry. I’m just stressed,” she squeezes my arm as she walks past me into the house. I follow her through the lounge and into the kitchen where she goes about making us coffees. I sit at the table and start looking through a pile of books, that’s sitting there.
“Alice wants to go to the summer book club this afternoon. Can you take those back for me as well, please?”
“Really? The library? Can’t I take her somewhere fun?” I sigh sitting back in my chair.
“The library is fun. You know how much she loves to read.”
“But it’s always full of boring old librarians who shush you at the slightest noise,” I moan running my hand through my hair. Trudy looks at me and laughs.
“When was the last time you went to the library? They are nothing like that anymore. It’s Alice’s favourite place. Please don’t make her miss the book club she loves it.” When she gives me the puppy dog eyes I know I’ve lost.
“Fine I’ll take her, but when I have her again Thursday we’re going to the zoo or something,” I groan as I pick up my coffee.
“Thank you. You never know you might enjoy the library,” Trudy says with a smile as she sits back and hugs her mug. I shake my head, look at the books, and turn my nose up.
“I doubt that very much.”
???
“Come on Uncle Jay we’re going to be late!”
“All right, Alice hang on,” I call as I rush around the car and take her hand before she drags me to the old-looking building. Just seeing the library makes me shudder. I never liked this building it’s always given me the creeps. It’s so dark and dingy inside. My mum used to bring us every week until I was old enough to stand my ground and refuse.
“Are you sure you want to come here? If you want new books I’ll take you to the shop and buy you whatever you want,” I offer in the hope of deterring her from making me go in there.
“But Sadie isn’t in the book shop I want to see her, she’s fun! Now come on!”
I sigh as she drags me through the door and I stop in my tracks.
Everything was grey, dull and faded looking when I was last in here. What a contrast to what it looks like now. Everything is bright and full of life. People are gathered talking and laughing, and there is a Costa coffee shop. I can also see a play area and … what is this? Alice sees me looking at it and smiles.
“Is that what I think it is?” I ask amazed.
“It’s a yellow brick road! Haven’t you ever read The Wizard of Oz?” she asks giggling.
“I’ve seen the film,” I answer grinning at her.
“The books better,” Alice sighs sounding just like her mother. I chuckle as we follow the painted brick road together and find ourselves at a curtain that looks like a brick wall.
