Page 95 of Twilight at Croftwood Library

‘Let’s hope so. Here goes.’

Lois headed over to the bar and took a glass of wine. Oliver was facing away from her, busy opening more wine. It was best to say it before they had any more chances to talk to each other. Otherwise, there was a risk she would blow the surprise.

‘Ladies and gentlemen!’ she shouted. There was an immediate hush. ‘Welcome to this special date-with-a-book club night. Tonight, we’re celebrating our win at the Library of the Year awards and the fact that we’ve saved Croftwood Library!’

There was a cacophony of cheers and claps. Lois glanced over at Oliver who was looking at her in much the same way he had when she made her speech at the awards evening, and it gave her shivers that made her want to scrunch her eyes up and squeal.

‘We couldn’t have done it without all of you supporting us so loyally and spreading the word to all those people from the Courtyard Café who are here tonight.’ Everyone laughed. ‘We also couldn’t have done it without some other amazing people, Linda and Rosemary.’ Everyone cheered and Lois produced two bouquets which she’d asked Patsy to sort out for her.

Linda and Rosemary were thrilled with their flowers and accepted them with blushes and tearful eyes.

‘And I also need to thank someone else. He was behind me from the minute I set foot in Croftwood. He championed every idea I had, telepathically knew when I needed coffee and muffins and was by my side on one of the best evenings of my career, and one of the best of my life.’ She looked over at him, seeing in his eyes how much he loved her and knowing he could see the same as he looked at her. ‘Oliver.’ The room erupted and Lois widened her eyes and tipped her head to the side to tell him to come over to her.

He came and stood by her side, taking her hand and squeezing it.

‘Oliver. I have a surprise for you which I hope you’re going to like. I’ve got a new job as the manager of Croftwood Library.’

While the room erupted again, Rosemary ushered them both over to a table for two. In contrast to all of the other tables, it was laid with two champagne glasses and a mass of flickering tea lights.

‘Where did this come from?’ Oliver said in surprise.

‘I’ll fetch the bubbles,’ Rosemary said as she left them.

A smile spread slowly over Oliver’s face as he sat down. ‘So, we’re not moving to London?’

‘No. We’re staying. If you want to?’

‘Of course I want to!’ He reached for her hands across the table. ‘What made you change your mind?’ he asked, his eyes sparkling.

‘You. Everything good in my life happened here. I want to see what happens next.’

‘What happens next is that I can’t believe it’s possible to love you any more than I do right now.’ Carefully avoiding the candles, he leant over and kissed her tenderly on the lips.

‘What happens next is that we finally get to have our date-with-a-book.’

‘I don’t want to burst your bubble but I never read the last book we picked.’

Lois gasped in mock horror. ‘Oliver Jones, you’re going to have to rethink your priorities now you’re going out with the manager of the library.’

’Is it too soon to admit that I only chose the romance book to try and win you over?’

‘It’s definitely too soon,’ Lois laughed. ‘But it worked.’

The End