“Seat belts on!” Alex shouted, as the driver slammed on the brakes and executed a three-point turn in the middle of the road. There was a cheer around the vehicle.
“Put your foot down, sod the speed limit,” Mrs.B yelled as they almost jumped a red light.
“You lot run on ahead and I’ll catch you up,” Vera said as they pulled into the council car park.
They piled out of the taxi and raced through the rain toward the building.
“Where’s the committee meeting?” June called to the woman on reception as they burst through the doors.
“It’s in the main chamber, but it’s well underway,” the woman replied, but they were already running up the stairs.
As they approached the chamber, June saw a young security guard standing by the door. He looked up in alarm as he saw them charging down the corridor toward him.
“I’m sorry, the meeting started an hour ago,” he said as they reached the door. “You’re too late to go in.”
“Please, we really need to be in there,” June said.
“Those are the rules, I’m afraid.”
“Please, sir?” Jackson said in his most innocent voice.
The guard shook his head. He couldn’t have been much older than eighteen. “I’m sorry, there’s nothing I can do.”
“What about if we slipped you twenty pounds?” Chantal said.
Mrs.B stepped forward to read his name badge. “Now, you listen to me, Sam Tucker. I’m going to report you for obstructing my democratic rights.”
“I’m just doing my job.” He backed away. “Now, please, can you all step away from the door so you don’t disturb the meeting?”
They all turned and started walking back along the corridor.
“Well, I guess at least we tried,” Alex said.
“I can’t believe we got this close,” Mrs.B said, shaking her head.
“Hang on.” June spun back round to the guard. “Your name is Sam Tucker?”
He nodded and she walked back toward him.
“This is a long shot, but are you any relation of Jim Tucker?”
“He was my grandpa,” Sam said, looking confused.
“Who the hell is Jim Tucker?” Mrs.B said.
“Sam, did your grandpa used to take you to Chalcot Library when you were little?” June asked.
Now he looked terrified. “Yes, why?”
“This might sound weird, but do you remember when he started to read you stories?”
Sam’s eyes were wide. “He learned to read when I was nine. What is all this about?”
“My name is June. I’m the library assistant at Chalcot. I’m the person who taught your grandpa to read.”
The young man’s face lit up. “You’re June Jones?” She nodded and he laughed. “You’re a hero in my family. My grandpa used to talk about you all the time; he thought you were amazing.”
June smiled back. “Your grandpa worked so hard to learn to read for you and your sister.”
