‘There are lots of new publications this week.’
‘Anyone we might know?’ asked Elle, knowing that the release of Noah’s new book was imminent. Before she’d got in the shower this morning, Elle had lain in bed with a brew scrolling through Noah’s Twitter feed. There’d been a couple of new posts from bloggers eagerly awaiting the new release, which of course he’d retweeted. Elle had hovered over the private message button a couple of times but she felt unsure about sending a message. What exactly would she say? It would be embarrassing if he didn’t remember who she was, and the follow back was just a goodwill gesture.
After stalking Noah for a while, she switched over to own profile and scrutinised it. She wasn’t into social media like Pippa and found it awkward taking a selfie but she realised Pippa was right, her profile picture lacked any sort of life.
Aiden interrupted her thoughts. ‘Did you recognise any of those names?’ he asked, looking over in Elle’s direction.
‘I don’t think so,’ replied Elle, who hadn’t heard a word he’d said, her mind having taken a wander.
‘Who are you trying to kid?’ Pippa whispered to her as she reached over the desk and changed the date on the stamp.
‘Huh?’ she replied.
Just then they heard a squeal of delight and looked over at the main entrance.
‘Theo!’ Aiden exclaimed. ‘I’d recognise that noise anywhere.’ He held out his arms while Theo stumbled towards him. Aiden promptly threw him up in the air and caught him.
‘Pippa, let me introduce you to Louisa’s parents.’
Pippa shook both their hands and smiled politely.
‘I hope you don’t mind, but we thought we’d bring Theo along to your children’s session this morning. Aiden has been singing your praises.’
‘Mind? Of course I don’t mind.’ Pippa beamed, holding out her hand to Theo as Aiden placed both his feet back on the floor.
‘Would you like to help me set up?’ she asked Theo, who nodded and grasped Pippa’s hand tightly.
Aiden and Elle watched them as they walked slowly behind the desk to grab the story sack before making their way over towards the colourful beanbags in the children’s area.
Louisa’s parents wandered after them, pulling out a couple of chairs and perching beside the beanbags.
‘Singing her praises?’ Elle repeated, smiling at Aiden.
‘What?’ he asked, suppressing a smile as he returned to the desk and began tapping away on the keyboard.
‘Here they all come now,’ Elle said as the library door swung open and a small army of children ran wildly towards the beanbags shouting Pippa’s name, only to be shushed by parents reminding them they were in a library.
‘She’s definitely got a way with the little people,’ she added.
Pippa’s animated voice filtered across the room to them. ‘Not only do I have a fantastic story for you today, but we have a special guest.’
Theo was sitting proudly on her knee.
‘This is Theo. Can we all give him a wave?’
Both Aiden and Elle smiled across the room as the session got underway.
‘You like her, don’t you?’ Elle probed.
‘I think so,’ he answered truthfully. ‘But it’s not that simple, is it?’
‘Why not?’
Aiden gazed back over towards the pair of them. Theo’s face was shining with joy as Pippa began to read this morning’s story, the puppet in her hand moving animatedly.
‘Theo will always come first – and then there’s Louisa.’
‘WhereisLouisa?’ Elle asked, wondering why her parents had brought Theo along to the session instead of her.
