‘See you tomorrow,’ Pippa shouted after him.
For a moment, Elle stood by the desk and scanned the familiar space. Everywhere looked spick and span. Just then customers began to filter through the door, with Felicity from Bonnie’s Teashop running towards the front desk.
‘Elle, I need a favour, in return for…’ She pushed a white cardboard box over the desk towards her.
‘Ooh, what have we here?’ asked Elle with a smile, opening the lid of the box to discover freshly baked chocolate flapjacks.
‘The use of your photocopier if possible. I need to print off some new menus.’ Felicity put her hands together in a prayer-like stance.
This is what Elle loved about this community, everyone helped each other out as much as possible.
‘You know that you can use the photocopier any time, but these are most welcome, thank you.’
‘You’re a superstar. We missed you at book club last night. There were only a few of us … due to the weather, I’m guessing.’
‘I feel guilty for not coming but once I get home…’
‘I hear you.’
‘What did I miss?’
‘We’re all waiting for the new Sam Stone book to be released.’
‘It’s going to be a good read as usual. I’ll definitely be there next week, come rain or shine.’
As Felicity made her way over to the photocopier, Elle felt a blast of cool air as the library door swung open. A woman stumbled towards the desk, barely able to see over the pile of books she was juggling.
‘Steady! Let me help you.’ Elle rushed towards her. She reached out just in time to stop the books toppling from the woman’s arms.
‘Thank you so much.’
‘That’s a lot of books you have there.’
‘It is, but I always think you can never have too many books. Elle, isn’t it? I’m Jenny. I know all about you from your mum, Irene.’
‘All good, I hope.’
‘Of course!’ Jenny smiled. ‘I do miss her behind that desk. We used to catch up on all the gossip.’
‘I miss her behind this desk too. I’m surprised we’ve not met before.’
‘I usually come in on your day off, as it fits in better around my own work, but I’m off today. And I believe you also know my son.’
‘Your son?’
‘Wilson. He started working for UPS at Christmas time.’
‘Wilson! Yes! You’ve just missed him. He’s already part of the family. Let me get all these books stamped back in for you’ said Elle, taking the first book off the pile and opening the cover.
Thud.She stamped the first book back in.
‘There’s something quite therapeutic about that sound, isn’t there? I’m so glad we still do some things the old-fashioned way. Wilson was in a little earlier than usual today.’
‘He was up and out with the larks. He has an earlier finish because he and Jack have their first suit fittings this afternoon.’
‘For Eleni and Jack’s wedding?’
Jenny beamed. ‘Yes, it’s coming round quickly, isn’t it?’
