“I couldn’t agree more. I’ve been thinking I’d say...”
June turned and crept away. The library’s potential closure was all anyone had talked about all day, and like Linda, they all seemed to expect that June would be leading the charge at the council meeting. She’d not slept last night because she’d been worrying about it, and now her head was throbbing, so she walked toward the back to get a drink of water. As she did, she saw the office door open and Marjorie stepped out, followed by a young woman in an expensive-looking suit, carrying a clipboard. She had sleek black hair and bright lipstick that made her look a bit like Mrs.Coulter fromHis Dark Materials. June half expected a golden monkey to jump onto her shoulder.
“One more thing,” the woman said. “Is there any outside space?”
“There’s a small staff car park out the back where we keep our bins,” Marjorie said, and the woman scribbled something down. June noticed she had perfectly manicured nails, painted a shiny red that matched the swirling red logo on her clipboard.
Marjorie spotted June watching them. “Have you finished doing the periodicals?”
“Not yet, sorry.” June shrank back as they both stared at her.
Marjorie turned to the woman and let out an exaggerated sigh.“Honestly, if I need anything done in this place, I have to do it myself.”
“I think I have everything I need for now; I’ll be in touch if I have any further questions.”
They shook hands and the woman strode toward the door, not even bothering to acknowledge June.
As soon as the woman had gone, Marjorie hurried up to June. “I need to talk to you about something, urgently.”
June followed her into the office and watched as Marjorie fiddled with the World’s Best Librarian mug on her desk. She seemed even more tightly wound up than usual.
“Are you okay, Marjorie?”
“I have something top secret to discuss with you, but you must swear you won’t tell a soul.”
Had Mrs.Coulter told Marjorie something about the future of the library? June braced herself for the bad news.
“It’s about Gayle’s hen do.”
June’s heart sank at the mention of her childhood best friend. Gayle was Marjorie and Brian’s daughter, and her upcoming wedding was all Marjorie had talked about for months. June had been bored with every little detail, from the grand proposal in the Maldives to the choice for the wedding favors and the drama with the caterers. Now she tried to contain a sigh.
“What’s the problem with the hen do, Marjorie?”
“So, I told you that they’re having it up the road at Oakford Park, didn’t I? Well, last night I was talking to my friend Pru, whose daughter works at the hotel, and she said that she’d been hearing all about the plans for Gayle’s hen do and how did I feel about the fact there was going to be a”—at this point Marjorie paused, her cheeks coloring, and lowered her voice—“a stripper. A naked man!”
“I’m sure it will be quite innocent,” June said, trying to sound as diplomatic as possible. A hysterical Marjorie was the last thing she needed on top of everything else.
“You don’t seem to appreciate the significance of this. As you know, my husband is the chair of the parish council, and, strictly entre nous, when his tenure is up next year, he’s being considered for the position of lord lieutenant. Do you know what that is, June? The Queen’s representative in the county. The Queen!”
June couldn’t work out how this was all connected, but she thought it best not to say. “I’m sure it will all be harmless fun.”
“Imagine if word got out that there had been a stripper at Gayle’s hen do. It could destroy Brian’s reputation; I can’t risk anything like that happening.”
“Maybe you should try speaking to the bridesmaids about it?” June said, glancing at her watch. They’d left the library floor unsupervised for far too long.
“There’s no point. Tara and Becky have never liked me—they’re probably doing this just to spite me.”
June didn’t say anything, but for once she suspected Marjorie might be right. She and Gayle had been inseparable at primary school, having bonded at the age of six over a shared love of Mildred Hubble. But when they reached secondary school, Gayle had become friends with Tara and Becky, who thought boys were more interesting than books, and who dressed as if they’d stepped off the pages of a Sweet Valley High novel. Overnight, Gayle had abandoned June for her new, cool friends, ignoring her in the corridors and turning a blind eye when Tara and Becky laughed at June in class.
“You have no idea of the headache this is giving me,” Marjorie said, oblivious to June’s discomfort. “I know you’re single, so you’llprobably never have to go through what I’m experiencing. But believe me, organizing a wedding is the most stressful thing that can ever happen to you.”
•••
June returned to the magazines she’d abandoned earlier, her face still burning at the painful memories of school. Marjorie was infuriating; she’d always reminded June of Mrs.Bennet inPride and Prejudice, but this had confirmed her suspicions beyond all doubt. Here they were, the future of the library and their jobs under threat, and all Marjorie could worry about was her daughter’s stupid hen do. June slammed a copy ofCountry Livingonto the rack with force. As she did, she caught sight of Alex walking toward her.
“Whatever that magazine has done to you, it can’t have been that bad.”
June smiled despite herself. “Sorry. My boss is driving me mad.” She lowered her voice and glanced over her shoulder to check that Marjorie was still safely in her office.
