‘Ah, he can’t be all bad. He’s Lyra’s brother, after all.’
‘I’ll remember that when Claudette starts frantically texting you about the cursed cat in her bedroom.’
Tessa laughed. ‘At least Claudette will get some good viral video content out of it. Which means dear old Ozzy will, too.’
Effie blanched. ‘Uncle Oswald does social media?’
‘Wow, Effie, we need to get you into the twenty-first century.’
‘I’ve posted photos!’ Effie did some simple posting for the library’s social media accounts, which had been stuck at under twenty followers for three years. However, she’d never ventured into the world of short-form video. That was more Bonnie’s realm.
‘Anyway,’ Tessa went on, ‘he did this rant about how Gen Z’s obsession with the New Age movement was bad for society. It was a full boomer moment. I wish I’d screenshotted it. He took it down almost immediately.’
‘Sounds like a repeat of the infamous Chalmers familydinner party five years ago when he got into the after-dinner port,’ said Effie wryly. ‘Mom had to drive him home.’
But Tessa had turned her attention to the door. ‘Ooh, we’ve got some crafters!’
A small cluster of baggy-clothed teens loafed into the room, shouldering novelty tote bags adorned with fluffy animal keyrings and sparkly beaded adornments. From their woollen beanies and bracelets, they all looked as though they were old hands at crocheting.
‘Welcome to craft night!’ exclaimed Tessa, clapping her hands. Tessa loved a crowd almost as much as Bonnie, just a different type.
Then she faltered, for Alana was peeking around the open doorframe. She looked slightly nervous, as though she’d been swept up by a tornado and deposited into a strange land. A giant takeaway coffee cup from The Winged Monkey wavered slightly in her hand.
‘Iwant coffee,’ said one of the teens enviously. ‘Being awake is so hard.’
‘It’s the worst,’ agreed another, who was twirling the crochet yarn between their fingers.
‘Come on in, Alana.’ Effie pulled up a chair for Bonnie’s friend, surprised to see one of Bonnie’s entourage, who were well known for their preference for photos over words. But the library was for everyone, and it was Effie’s goal to make sure every single person who entered was greeted with the kindness and inclusion that only a library could offer.
Alana perched at the edge of the seat, her floaty kaftan wafting like a peacock’s feathers. She fiddled with the large wooden crochet hook that Tessa had set out before her.
‘Hi,’ said Tessa shyly. ‘I really enjoyed yoga the other day. I think I discover new muscles every time.’
Alana idly spun the crochet hook on the table. When it stopped, pointing at Tessa, she clapped her hands over it, her cheeks growing red.
Effie felt a light twist of jealousy, but pushed it deep back down inside her where it belonged. Tessa was her best friend, and always would be.
‘So, we’re making turtles, huh?’ Alana said finally, tapping the pattern with her rainbow nails.
Tessa nodded. ‘In honour of Shelby’s centenary, plus or minus ten years.’
Alana grinned. ‘Hey, when you hit that age, you deserve every celebration. Anyway, my uncle has a tortoise habitat in his backyard. He has a whole arrangement with the zoo in Emerald. His birthday is coming up, and I thought he’d like one. And when I saw that you—’
She broke off as a knock at the doorframe interrupted them.
‘Room for one more?’ Theo shot the crafters a crooked smile filled with decidedly uncrooked teeth.
The pair of scissors Effie had been holding snapped shut. What was he doing here? When she’d said the library was for everyone, she hadn’t meant interlopers from the city in fancy loafers and extremely well-fitting shirts that were most definitely professionally tailored. Even if they did read poetry and have lovely eyes.
‘Always,’ said Tessa, patting the empty chair next to Effie, who drummed her scissors on the table. ‘Have you guys crocheted before?’
‘Nuh-uh.’ Alana rolled a length of wool between her fingers.
‘A bit.’ In demonstration, Theo made a slipknot and quickly knocked out a chain stitch. ‘My mom is really into it. When I visited on weekends during college we’d watch 80s movies and make creatures to donate to local non-profits.’
Tessa, standing behind Theo, raised an eyebrow at Effie. ‘A keeper,’ she mouthed, jabbing a finger.
Standing, Effie set her hands on her hips. Everything felt unsettled and odd, like she’d been drawn into a game of musical chairs without knowing it. ‘I have to do somereshelving. Let me know if things get unruly, and I’ll bring the spray bottle.’
