‘My story?’ quizzed Elle.
‘Against all odds, the girl did well. You could have easily ended up on the streets or bitter about life. But look at you! You’re kind, beautiful … the list is endless. And when your story is written and you win the competition, you can add being a published writer to your many achievements,’ Irene said proudly, patting her knee.
‘But no one knows my story, not even Pippa. People only know what I choose to tell them.’
‘When you came to my door, you’d hardly been to school, you had moved homes that many times. You could barely read and write – and now look at you, you’re chief librarian! You could have easily given up on life but you didn’t, you fought every step of the way.’
For most of her childhood, Elle had been illiterate. Over the years it had become easier and easier for her to hide it as she’d never stayed in one school long enough to be assessed or for anyone to care. Over time she adapted and learned to cope but Irene had quickly discovered Elle’s secret and secured her a Saturday job working alongside her at Glensheil Library when she was sixteen, so that she could take Elle under her wing and invest the time that was needed in teaching Elle to read and write.
Elle owed Irene a debt of gratitude. She’d guided Elle to become the independent woman she was today and Elle loved her for that with all her heart.
‘Think about it. You’re an inspiration to me and you could be to others,’ encouraged Irene. ‘Your story gives other people in your situation hope. They might struggle with not knowing who they are, or where they’ve come from. Like you, they may feel there is a piece missing from the jigsaw. But as you’ve proved, you don’t have to let your past define you.’
‘But we don’t know the ending yet, do we?’ Elle said, her voice suddenly emotional as she thought about the search for her biological mother.
‘No, we don’t, but you don’t need to mention that if you don’t want to,’ Irene said thoughtfully. ‘Personally, I think it would make a very emotive read and could help inspire other young people in the same situation.’
Elle glanced back at the leaflet, mulling over what Irene had just said. She liked the idea of helping anyone to be the best that they could be, and especially helping those who were or had been in the same situation as her. Despite her uncertainty about who she was, Elle knew that since meeting Irene her life had turned around – and that could give people hope.
‘When’s the closing date?’ Irene asked.
‘Mid-March,’ Elle replied, before slipping the leaflet into her bag.
‘That gives you plenty of time if you want to enter, and I’m here to help. You can do this, Elle – give it a go. What’s the worst that can happen?’
Elle looked up to see Pippa and Aiden wandering back towards them. ‘Shush, here’s the others.’
Irene nodded.
‘I can’t believe this one has kept his contact with Noah Jones a secret,’ Pippa said as she looked at Aiden.
‘I haven’t kept it a secret. I’ve just rearranged things at short notice so that my favourite author visits our library on his tour rather than the one I used to work at. I mean, who doesn’t want to come to Heartcross when it has everything? He’ll probably thank me for the change of venue!’ Aiden smiled at Pippa and Elle noticed her blush.
‘Looks like we have yet another cake to eat,’ said Elle. ‘It does look amazing though.’
‘Oh, the hardship,’ replied Pippa.
Irene stood up. ‘I’m just going to catch up with Mim and Rona before we head off.’
‘And I need to get home too,’ added Aiden, picking up his copy of Noah’s new book.
He shouted goodbye to Mim and thanked her for a wonderful evening before he headed out the door and crossed the lane to his whitewashed terraced house on the other side.
‘I mean, who doesn’t want to come to Heartcross when it has everything?’ teased Elle, repeating Aiden’s words.
‘Mmm, this isn’t about me,’ mused Pippa, handing Noah’s book to Elle. ‘Now hold it up.’
‘Why?’
‘Just hold it up and smile.’
Pippa picked up Elle’s phone off the table and with a click she took a photo.
Elle stole a puzzled glance at Pippa, who was still grinning but now tapping frantically on her phone.
‘What are you doing?’
‘Just adding a post to your Instagram… #WelcometotheLibraryonLoveHeartLane #NoahJonesNewBook’
