Page 5 of The Last Library of Paris

‘Thanks for collecting me,’ I said.

‘Need a hand with your bags?’

I shook my head. ‘There’s a lift.’

The lift didn’t always work but I felt I’d rather take my chance with the stairs and my luggage than spend any more time with Digby, who was beginning to get on my nerves.

‘I’ll see you at work tomorrow,’ he said.

I tried to sound enthusiastic. ‘I’ll be there.’

Fortunately, the lift was working, and I was soon back in my top-floor apartment.

Inside it was cool and dim, with the shutters partly closed. I dropped my suitcase as soon as I got into the living area and opened the window that led to my little balcony, pushing the shutters back against the wall.

I sat on the wide windowsill with my feet outside and breathed in the Lisbon air. The sun was warm on my face – such a delight after a dreary English spring where it never stopped raining. Outside I heard voices and the ting of tram bells, and I sighed in contentment. I was home.

I leaned forward on to the railings and looked up to my left towards Rossio – the square where the refugees gathered. I couldn’t see it from here though I could see a sign, directing people there. And beyond that, I knew, was the Tram Stop Bookshop, run by my friend Bea with some help from Lara.

I tapped my fingers on the railings for a minute, then I slid back through the window and went to unpack.

When I’d hung up my clothes, I thought about having a lie-down; it had been a long day of travelling. I sat down on the bed, but I felt unsettled and antsy, so I got up again. I had a wash, changed out of my grubby clothes, and went to look at the empty cupboards in my kitchen.

I needed food, that was definite. I’d go to the shops and get some bread and maybe some other things to keep me going. And perhaps I’d call in at the bookshop and see if Bea and Lara were there. I had brought some things back to Lisbon for them from London.

Despite my empty cupboards, when I got outside into the street, my shopping bag over my arm, I walked past the greengrocer, and the bakery. I paused by the little shop that sold everything, but then I didn’t go in there either. Instead, I carried on walking up the hill until the road widened out and a gap in the buildings rewarded me with a view across the rooftops of the Old Town and out over the river, which sparkled in the evening sunlight.

I leaned on the wall and breathed out, slowly. I had travelled all over Europe, but I loved Lisbon. I loved the scenery, the history and the people. I even loved their love of paperwork and form filling.

Once I’d had enough of the view, I turned. There, on the opposite side of the road, was the Tram Stop Bookshop, tucked away in a little row of stores. It had a revolving stand outside with today’s newspapers on it.

I looked at it for a few seconds. There was no real need for me to be cautious, but out of habit more than any real worries about who could be watching, I walked a little way up the hill, subtly taking in everyone I passed on the way.

I paused for a few minutes at the top, pretending to look in shop windows while I was actually checking out the people walking by. Then, confident no one was interested in me, I walked back down the hill again. I waited for another tram to pass by, then I crossed the road and went inside the bookshop.

The young woman behind the counter was serving two earnest-looking Portuguese students when I entered. She glanced up at me, her eyes widening as she saw me, and gave me a small nod, letting me know she’d seen me, but she wasn’t going to acknowledge me until her customers had left. I went behind one of the tall bookshelves and waited.

There was a bit of chatter, then I heard the door shut – the bell tinkling – and a second later the woman appeared at the end of the bookshelf.

She paused and then she launched herself at me, hugging me hard.

‘You’re back!’ she screeched in my ear. ‘I’ve missed you so much.’

I disentangled myself from her embrace and grinned at her. ‘It’s nice to see you, Lara.’

Lara held me at arm’s length and studied me.

‘You look good,’ she said. ‘As usual.’

I smiled at her. ‘Thanks.’

‘Did anyone see you come in?’

‘No.’

‘Sure?’

I gave her a withering look. ‘Yes, I’m sure.’