Lucy's Book Club for the Lost and Found: A heartwarming feel good romance novel(3)

The carer stepped inside, giving Lia a friendly smile. ‘How are things?’

‘Oh, you know. Good days, not-so-good days.’

‘And today?’

‘Not too bad at all. She’s watching Strictly… again. Whoever invented that programme needs a medal. It’s on an almost permanent loop some days, but, well, you know…’

Gwen narrowed her eyes. ‘And how about you? How are you holding up?’

Lia touched a hand to her hair. ‘Oh, I’m fine. Absolutely.’

‘Well then, you get going and enjoy yourself. Your mum and me will be right as rain.’ She paused for a second. ‘Listen, Lia… I shouldn’t really do this, but I was supposed to be with another client this afternoon and I’ve just had a cancellation, which means I’m free for another two hours. Why don’t you take the extra time for yourself? Meet a friend, have a coffee. Go shopping – anything.’

‘I can’t do that,’ exclaimed Lia.

‘Who’s to know?’ replied Gwen. ‘I’m not about to tell anybody, and if you don’t…’

Lia bit her lip; the thought of four whole hours to herself was absolute bliss. ‘Well, I must pay you – and only if you’re sure.’

Gwen took hold of her arm. ‘Listen, love: I’m doing it as favour, as a friend, not because I want the money. If you don’t mind me saying, you look a little tired, and it will do you good.’ She watched Lia’s face. ‘And I know you want to, I can see it in your eyes.’

Lia smiled. She had never been able to hide how she was feeling. ‘You’ve got to promise you’ll ring me if anything happens.’

‘I will,’ said Gwen, almost pushing her out of the door. ‘Go on, go! You’ll be late.’

With one final check of her bag, Lia grinned, backing off down the path. ‘I owe you one, Gwen,’ she called.



* * *



Lucy studied the biscuits on the plate and wondered if there would be enough, adding three more just to be on the safe side. She’d bought proper biscuits this time, with her own money; big chunky cookies full of chocolate chips, and some sugar-covered shortbread. The library budget only ran to custard creams and Nice biscuits, but she hoped that these luxury treats might help to break the ice.

The book club had been her idea and although two others ran locally, they were each formed from existing groups of friends and Lucy imagined it must be hard for someone new to join them. She wanted her group to be one that anyone could come along to, whether they knew each other or not. As for the reading material, Lucy was a sucker for a happy ever after, and so by and large this was what they read. She had chosen this month’s title for that exact reason.

At the moment only three people regularly came to the meetings, but Lucy consoled herself with the thought that it had only been up and running for six weeks, so there was still time for it to get bigger. Just yesterday a young mum had enquired about joining and would be coming along this morning to see what it was like. The library needed more activities like this, and Lucy had a ton of ideas. It wasn’t that the place was underused, more that its potential wasn’t being fully explored, and Lucy was only too aware that cutbacks were looming. It didn’t do to rest on one’s laurels.

She looked up at the vaulted ceiling above her, not offering a prayer exactly, but recognising how she always felt in this building, as if help were just around the corner and all she had to do was call upon it. After all, wasn’t that exactly why she was here? When she had first stepped foot in the place it had been like walking into the home of an old friend. There had been no need to stand on ceremony or be on best behaviour, just a comforting acceptance of everything she was. It was the same for other people too, she knew, and now that she was working here she’d do everything she could to keep that atmosphere; if the library thrived, so did everyone else.

With a final nod of satisfaction, she placed the biscuits on the table. They were all set. Ten minutes later every chair was occupied, and Lucy waited for arms to be released from coats and bags to be placed on the floor before speaking. She smiled at the newcomer.

‘Hattie, it’s brilliant that you came. I’m so glad you’re here.’ She paused to catch the eye of one or two people in the group. ‘Everyone, this is Hattie, who’s come to see what we’re all about today. Perhaps we should introduce ourselves before getting stuck into the biscuits and then we can make a start.’

The young woman was looking around her, eyes focused a little nervously on the plate of biscuits.

‘Would you like to go first, Hattie?’ asked Lucy. ‘Just a few words about yourself.’

Her smile was returned as Hattie pushed a length of dark hair behind her ear. ‘Well, my name’s Hattie,’ she began, ‘obviously… I’ve got a little girl called Poppy, who just started school a few weeks ago. I’m not from round here, though – we only moved here in the summer, so I thought that as soon as she went to school and I had a bit more time during the day I would try to meet a few people.’ She looked down at her hands. ‘I’m on my own, you see, so it’s hard for me to get out of an evening. That’s why this group is so ideal. Up until recently, looking after Poppy’s been pretty much a full-time job, so I’m afraid I don’t do much else now besides reading.’