‘Honestly, it’s okay. My mum was the reason I ended up going to university to study for a degree in librarianship.’
‘Was she a librarian?’
‘No, but she always encouraged me to read everything and anything. It was something we always did together. After she died, my dad brought me up. He is amazing and did a superb job of being two parents at once. I was lucky to have the supportive, stable family home that I did, and that my dad never once grumbled about anything. He taxied me from football games to swimming lessons – I even attempted the cricket team but I was a wimp. I used to run in the opposite direction of the ball instead of trying to catch it.’ He laughed. ‘I was always at my best when I was reading though. Anyway, he was the type of parent that some children could only wish for. I was very lucky.’
His words resonated with Elle in a way she was sure he hadn’t intended. Growing up in a stable home was all she’d ever wished for, and that wish came true when she was placed in Irene’s care.
‘As you can imagine, we’re extremely close.’
‘I bet he adores Theo too.’
‘Without a doubt, but a couple of years ago he moved down to the coast for work. It’s a beautiful place he’s settled in, and he lives in a little cottage by the sea. I’m taking Theo there for a week in the summer to visit him.’
‘That sounds idyllic.’
‘What about you? Tell me about Elle. Husband? Boyfriend? Children?’
‘Simple answer to that one is no, no and no!’ she said, taking a bite of her sandwich.
‘Parents? Brothers and sisters?’ Now it was Aiden’s turn to gently probe before he tucked into his lunch.
‘Just my mum, Irene.’ Elle always referred to Irene as her mum. Everyone in Heartcross thought that Irene was her biological mum and given that Elle loved her with all her heart, she didn’t mind if that’s what they believed. As soon as Irene had welcomed Elle to her family, she knew she was going to be settled for life, and when Irene suggested that Elle changed her surname to match hers, Elle had been swamped with emotion, overwhelmed by the feeling of happiness – of belonging.
‘Irene. Why does that name sound familiar?’
‘You will probably have met her. Mum would have trained you on some of the customer services courses.’
‘Tall, lean, with mousy hair?’
'Yes, that’s her.’
‘I never knew she was your mum. I’ve met her on a few occasions. She seemed lovely.’
‘She is. Mum has just retired.’
‘Is that how you ended up working here? Was it always something you wanted to do – follow in your mum’s footsteps?’ Aiden asked, taking the empty mugs to the sink to rinse them out.
‘Yes, when Mum worked over at Glensheil Library, I got a Saturday job there as a teen and loved it that much that I went on to get my degree in librarianship. When this library opened up and they were looking for staff, I knew I wanted to work here. I mean, look at those views!’ She glanced towards the window.
‘How long has Pippa been here?’
‘Just over six months,’ Elle replied.
Glancing towards the clock, she was surprised to see that the lunch hour had flown by. Pippa popped her head round the staffroom door.
‘We’re just coming.’ Elle stood up and pushed her chair under the table.
‘It’s fairly quiet out there. Anyway, what’s the verdict?’
Elle and Aiden exchanged a puzzled look.
‘Verdict about what? You’ve lost me,’ replied Elle.
‘The bag!’ Pippa exclaimed, wide-eyed, nodding towards the rucksack on the chair.
‘Oh my gosh, I’d forgotten all about it.’
‘You mean you seriously haven’t had a peek?’ Pippa looked amazed.
