The Little Local LIBRARY
Had Max’s words really started a rumour?
GOOD morning, Max. I’ve come to pay my library fine.” Max looked up from the display he was arranging to see Mrs Welling waving her library card at him.
“Hello, Mrs Welling,” he replied. “Come to the desk with me and I’ll have a look.”
“I came as soon as I heard,” the woman replied. “I didn’t have any money the last time I was in.”
Max scanned the library card, and the details flashed on to the computer screen. “That’s one pound twenty, please.” “I’ve been ever so worried,” Mrs Welling continued. “I know things are tight. As soon as I heard the library might be closing, I knew I had to pay my fine straight away.”
Max glanced up from the computer screen, confused.
“The library isn’t closing. Don’t worry –” “Young man,” Mrs Welling interrupted. “I’ve been a library member for over seventy-five years. I am ready to fight. There’s nothing more important than being able to access books.
“I’ve already written to the mayor, the town council and our MP.”
“But Mrs Welling –” Max attempted to speak again, but Mrs Welling was having none of it.
“I posted my letters on the way here,” she said, “and I’m on my way into town to buy some handcuffs. It’s been years since I chained myself to anything in protest, but I think it might be fun!”
Max watched open-mouthed as she straightened her shoulders and marched out of the library.
“I think you need a coffee,” Polly said, coming up behind him.
“Did you hear any of that?” Max asked, and she chuckled.
“We’ve had people saying the same all week. You really started a rumour.”
Max shook his head.
“All I said was everybody should support the library.”
“I’ve got something to run by you,” Polly said, and Max followed the library manager into the kitchen, wondering what it could be this time.
There was no way he would let Polly talk him into anything else.
Polly made the drinks and motioned for
Max to sit.
“I’ve booked you to go to library headquarters for a day’s training next Monday. I’ve e-mailed you the details.” Max exhaled. That didn’t sound too bad. “It starts at nine-thirty,” she added. “I’ve booked an extra place for Lucy. You can travel together. You both seemed to be getting along the other day.
“In fact, I thought you made a nice couple. Lucy’s a lovely girl. She’s happy to volunteer for now, but I’m hoping there might be paid hours for her eventually.”
Polly smiled and reached for a bourbon biscuit.
“She’s single, you know. Divorced. She needs a good man. You’d be perfect for each other.”
And there we have it, Max thought.
Polly leaned back in her chair, trying not to laugh.
Max was hilarious. He was a complete deer in the headlights at the library.
That was why she liked him. He had a good heart and tried his best.
People like Max and Lucy were precisely what the library needed.
New blood, new ideas, new romance! Polly knew mutual attraction when she saw it.
That’s what Max and Lucy had in spades. They were both bringing different skills to the library.
If she helped them fall in love in the meantime, where was the harm in that?
“We had another problem earlier,” Max said, changing the subject. “More things going missing.
“One of the kids lost a squishy dinosaur, and a woman lost her scarf.”
“Oh no!” Polly put her head in her hands. “It’s happening too often.”
Max grimaced.
“I want to say it’s nothing, but I’m beginning to worry.”
“Me, too,” Polly admitted. “It’s bad enough that everyone thinks the library is closing.
“Wouldn’t it be dreadful if word got out there was a library thief?”