The Last Library

by Freya Sampson

  ‘Really, Stanley?’ June whispered. ‘They have the eviction order. There’s nothing we can do now.’

  ‘This is our last chance to fight.’

  ‘There’s no point resisting,’ Richard’s voice came back at them through the megaphone. ‘If you don’t leave now, you’ll be committing an offence and will be arrested.’

  ‘Chantal, you should go,’ Mrs B said. ‘Your mum would kill us if you got in trouble.’

  She hesitated, then nodded. ‘OK. Good luck, guys.’

  June unlocked the front door and Chantal walked out, glancing back over her shoulder with an attempt at a smile.

  ‘That’s right, out you come, nice and easy.’ Richard’s expression suggested he was enjoying this power. ‘Now, the rest of you have three minutes or I’m sending in the police.’

  June looked at Stanley. ‘Just because the occupation is ending doesn’t mean we have to stop fighting,’ she said. ‘Now that I’m in this with you, I won’t give up. We’ll find another way to protest.’

  ‘You know as well as I do that this is over,’ Stanley said. ‘The council haven’t once tried to negotiate with us this week – they haven’t shown any interest in hearing what we have to say. All they want is to get us out so they can shut this place down.’

  ‘But surely it must be harder for them to close the library after all of this?’

  Stanley shook his head. ‘I wish I had your youthful optimism, June.’

  ‘Two minutes,’ Richard’s voice blared through at them.

  ‘God, that man is a prick,’ Mrs B said. ‘Stanley, I hate to admit it, but I think June is right. This occupation is over, there’s no point in getting yourself arrested for the sake of it. We have to find other ways to keep the fight going.’

  ‘I agree, there’s no point in all of us getting arrested,’ Stanley said. ‘You two should leave now.’

  ‘No one’s getting arrested. Come on, let’s all get out of here.’ Mrs B walked towards the door. ‘It’s been a great occupation,’ she sighed, as she stepped outside.

  ‘One minute,’ Richard’s voice boomed.

  The library felt very empty now. June and Stanley looked at each other.

  ‘You go too, my dear,’ he said. ‘I’ll be fine on my own.’

  ‘I’m not going anywhere without you,’ June said. ‘We started this together and we’ll finish it together.’

  ‘You’re more stubborn than you look.’ Stanley began walking towards the door, and June felt a rush of relief.

  ‘Thank you,’ she said, following him. ‘Let’s all go home and have a proper rest, and next week we can regroup and plan what to do next.’

  He pulled the door open. Outside, June could see Richard, the police officers, the news camera.

  ‘Ladies first,’ Stanley said, and June took a deep breath and stepped outside. As she did, she felt a breeze of wind behind her and she turned back around as Stanley pulled the door shut.

  ‘No, Stanley!’ she cried, trying to pull it open, but he’d locked it from the inside already and was heaving the returns trolley in front of the door. June looked round to Richard and the police. ‘Please don’t arrest him. He just cares about the library.’

  ‘I’m sorry, ma’am, but the twenty-four hours is up,’ one of the police officers said, giving June an apologetic shrug. ‘He’s now breaking the law by not complying with the eviction order.’

  ‘But he’s an old man.’

  The officer took the megaphone off Richard. ‘Sir, unless you vacate this property now, we will be forced to enter it and arrest you.’

  On the other side of the door, Stanley shook his head.

  ‘Sir, I’m asking you one more time. Open the door and step outside.’

  Stanley didn’t move.

  ‘For god’s sake, get this over and done with before he becomes a martyr,’ Sarah muttered, nodding at Cleo, who was filming it all.

  Several police officers moved towards the door.

  ‘Everybody stand back,’ one of them shouted, and June found herself being pulled backwards by Mrs B.

  ‘Don’t damage my library,’ Marjorie shouted from somewhere behind them.

  The officers positioned themselves by the door. ‘Right, I’ll unlock it and we all push,’ one of them said.

  June looked at Stanley through the window. He was standing very tall, his head in the air, staring back at her. He gave her a small nod and she nodded back.

  ‘Right, three, two, one . . . Go!’

  There was a sudden surge by the door as the police pushed forwards. June waited for the crash as the doors flew open, but to her amazement the old trolley held its own and was still standing, blocking the door.

  ‘Come on, push harder,’ an officer shouted, and there was a grunt as they increased their exertion. The trolley swayed and June willed it to remain upright, but the force was too much. It gave a final, belligerent wobble, then crashed onto its side. The doors swung open and within seconds, the police were inside the library and surrounding Stanley. One of them stepped towards him and pulled Stanley’s arms behind his back with what looked like a lot of force. June let out a cry as she lost sight of him in the mass of bodies. For a few moments she could see only the backs of police officers and then Stanley emerged again, an officer holding him on either side, his hands in cuffs.

  ‘Save Chalcot Library!’ he shouted as Cleo rushed forwards with her camera. ‘This library is a lifeline to hundreds of people.’

  ‘Get him in the van,’ one of the officers said.

  ‘Don’t let the government destroy our libraries!’ Stanley shouted even louder as they bundled him through the crowd.

  ‘Go, Stanley!’ Mrs B called, punching the air. ‘Down with library cuts!’

  The two officers on either side of Stanley half-lifted, half-pushed him into the van, and the back doors slammed shut as it pulled away. June watched it speed down The Parade. Everything had gone very quiet.

  ‘Let’s get this library secured,’ Richard said, and two men in overalls stepped forwards with a tool kit.

  ‘What will happen to the library now?’ June said, but Richard ignored her.

  ‘Bloody hell,’ Mrs B said, as the police van disappeared round the corner. ‘Yet again Stanley Phelps surprises us all.’

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  THE NEAREST POLICE STATION was in New Cowley. It was a half-hour bus journey, which June spent imagining Stanley trapped in a small cell, surrounded by hardened criminals. He’d be dragged into an interview room, where a handsome but bad-tempered officer would interrogate him, slamming his fist on the desk and knocking over a cup of water. Stanley would refuse to give up the names or details of his fellow protesters, enraging the officer until he stood up and shouted—

  ‘Next stop is New Cowley town centre.’

  June jumped off the bus and hurried across the road to the police station. There was no one in the waiting room, just a few blue plastic chairs and a large hatch in the wall, behind which sat a middle-aged police officer reading a Dan Brown book.

  June approached the window. ‘Excuse me?’

  The officer didn’t look up from his page. ‘Yes?’

  ‘I’m here to see Stanley Phelps.’

  ‘Your name?’

  ‘June Jones. Can I see him, please?’

  He glanced up at her. ‘Are you his solicitor?’

  ‘No. I’m his friend.’

  ‘Only solicitors are allowed to see people in custody.’

  ‘Has he got a solicitor?’

  ‘I’m afraid I’m not at liberty to discuss this with you.’

  June read his name badge and gave her most charming smile. ‘Please, Officer Riley. He’s an elderly gentleman and he has no family here. I just want to make sure he’s OK.’

  Officer Riley stared back at her, unsmiling. ‘As I said, only solicitors are allowed to visit a client in custody.’ His eyes returned to the dog-eared book.

  June stood there for a moment, but when it was clear
that he’d finished with her, she took a seat on one of the chairs. Would Stanley have a solicitor? And if he did, would they be good enough to stop him being charged?

  A thought occurred to June, and she reached into her pocket for her mobile phone, only to realise she didn’t have it on her. In the chaos of the eviction she must have left it in the library. She walked back to the hatch.

  ‘Excuse me?’

  Officer Riley raised his eyes grudgingly from the page. ‘Yes?’

  ‘Could I please borrow your phone?’

  ‘I’m afraid that’s not possible.’

  ‘But don’t people get one phone call at times like this?’

  ‘That’s people who’ve been arrested, not members of the public.’

  June could tell he wasn’t going to budge, but then a door opened behind him and another police officer walked in. He caught sight of June through the hatch. ‘Aren’t you a librarian at Chalcot Library?’

  ‘I’m the library assistant,’ she said.

  ‘I take my kids there sometimes. My daughter loves those Dr Seuss books. I was just there for the eviction.’

  ‘That’s why I’m here actually, Officer . . .?’

  ‘Inspector Parks.’

  ‘My friend from the protest has been arrested.’

  ‘Mr Phelps? I’ve been interviewing him.’

  ‘Is he OK? I’m trying to sort out some help for him. I was asking your nice colleague here if he could find me a phone number and let me use the phone so I could make a quick call.’

  ‘Course we can. Help this young lady, Riley.’

  The officer scowled at being bossed around in front of her. ‘What number do you want?’

  ‘The Golden Dragon, please, in Chalcot.’

  Both police officers looked at June in surprise.

  ‘You want a number for a Chinese takeaway?’ Parks said.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘You’re going to order food? Now?’

  The two men exchanged glances, and Parks reached for his mobile phone and searched for the number before writing it down and handing the piece of paper to June. She typed the number into the phone on the desk, her hands shaking. They were both still watching her. June heard the ringing on the line and held her breath, praying someone would answer.

  ‘You know, I’m a bit peckish,’ Officer Riley said. ‘If you’re ordering, I wouldn’t mind some spring rolls.’

  ‘Shhh,’ June said.

  ‘Hello, Golden Dragon.’

  ‘George, it’s me, June.’

  George let out a grunt. ‘Your usual?’

  ‘Not now, thanks. Is Alex there?’

  ‘Sure, you want delivery? Your usual?’

  ‘George, please can I talk to Alex?’

  He grunted again and hollered, ‘Al!’

  ‘Duck pancakes,’ Officer Riley mouthed through the glass.

  There was a muffled sound on the line and June heard Alex’s voice. ‘Hello?’

  June wasn’t sure she’d ever been so relieved to hear a voice in her life. ‘Alex, I need your help.’

  ‘June, is everything all right?’

  ‘Stanley’s been arrested.’

  ‘What happened?’

  ‘I don’t have time to explain. Please can you come down to New Cowley police station?’

  ‘Of course. I’m on my way.’

  June hung up the phone.

  ‘Did you order the food?’ Riley said.

  ‘Seriously?’

  ‘Well, if he’s coming all this way . . .’

  June picked up the phone and dialled the number again.

  *

  Half an hour later, Alex ran into the police station, still wearing his apron and carrying a plastic bag. When June saw him, she had an overwhelming urge to rush over and give him a hug, but she hung back.

  ‘Ah, nice one,’ Riley said, as Alex handed over the bag. He’d been marginally nicer to June since she’d placed his food order. ‘How much do I owe you?’

  ‘Nine pounds twenty,’ Alex said. ‘Now, can I see Stanley Phelps?’

  ‘Look, lad. I told your friend here, no one can see him except a solicitor. Don’t think you can soften me up with a few duck pancakes.’

  ‘I am a solicitor,’ Alex said.

  June saw Riley eye him up and down. ‘Is this some kind of joke?’

  Alex reached into his pocket, pulled out a business card and handed it over. The officer read it and stood up.

  ‘Right, come this way,’ he said, walking round to open the interconnecting door.

  ‘Let me know if I can do anything to help,’ June said, and Alex nodded as he went through the door.

  The waiting room was empty again. Officer Riley returned to his seat and began to eat. June sat down on a hard plastic chair and tried to ignore the noisy slurps and chewing. There was no clock on the wall and without her phone she had no idea what the time was. The only indicator was her growling stomach as the smell of spring rolls and Peking duck wafted over. Every now and then people came in and out of the waiting room, receiving the same charmless welcome from Officer Riley, but there was no sign of her friends.

  ‘So, why do the council want to shut this library anyway?’ Riley said, when he’d finished eating.

  ‘Funding cuts.’

  ‘It’s the one in Chalcot, isn’t it? Last time I drove past it was looking pretty run-down.’

  June thought she might have preferred his unfriendly silence. ‘It hasn’t had any money spent on it for years. The council keep cutting our budget.’

  ‘Same with us,’ he said, raising his eyebrows. ‘Our budget was slashed nine years ago. This place is falling apart.’

  ‘Do you think my friend will be here much longer?’

  ‘All depends.’

  ‘On what?’

  ‘Well, let’s see. First off, there’s refusal to leave the property when told to do so by the court. Then there’s resisting arrest.’

  ‘He didn’t resist arrest.’

  ‘Apparently there was a tussle in the van.’

  June put her head in her hands. ‘Oh god.’

  ‘Let’s hope that solicitor friend of yours is as good as his spring rolls. Speak of the devil . . .’

  The door swung open and Alex walked in.

  ‘What happened . . . ?’ June started to say, but the door opened again, and Stanley walked through. He looked grey, his brow furrowed, and this time June couldn’t stop herself from running across the room and throwing her arms round him. ‘Oh, Stanley, are you all right?’

  ‘Of course I am,’ he said, looking embarrassed.

  ‘Let’s get outside, shall we?’ said Alex.

  June turned to say goodbye to Riley, but his head was buried in the book again. She noticed he had a plum sauce stain on his shirt.

  ‘What happened?’ she said, when they got out into the car park.

  ‘Not a thing,’ Stanley said.

  ‘Really? What about the charges?’

  ‘It turns out Inspector Parks is a fan of the library,’ Alex said. ‘He agreed to let Stanley off with a warning. Although he asked that you consider dropping his wife’s charge for an overdue Michael McIntyre DVD.’

  June was so relieved she laughed out loud. ‘That’s amazing.’

  ‘It was all thanks to young Alex,’ Stanley said. ‘He was most impressive in there.’

  ‘Parks just likes my dad’s cooking. He’s a regular at the takeaway,’ Alex said.

  ‘Have you been waiting here this whole time?’ Stanley asked June. ‘You didn’t need to.’

  Alex walked towards his car. ‘I’m afraid I’ve got to get back to the Golden Dragon, Dad’s on his own and he’s still meant to be off work. Can I give either of you a lift back to Chalcot?’

  ‘I’ll get the bus,’ Stanley said. He was leaning on a bollard and June noticed for the first time how tired he looked.

  ‘Why don’t we get a lift with Alex?’ she said.

  ‘The bus is fine.’


  June shrugged. ‘I’ll get the bus back with Stanley then. Thanks so much for helping, Alex.’

  ‘You’re more than welcome.’ He gave her a wave, got into his car and drove off.

  ‘You should have gone with him,’ Stanley said.

  ‘Don’t be silly, I’ll come back with you.’

  ‘There’s no need – I’m perfectly capable of getting home on my own.’ He turned and started walking towards the bus stop.

  June rushed to catch up with him. ‘I can’t believe you did that at the library. You’re Mrs Bransworth’s new hero,’ she said, but he didn’t respond. ‘Are you all right, Stanley?’

  ‘I’m fine, my dear. Just a little tired.’

  The bus pulled up and they got on. Stanley slumped down in a seat next to the window and closed his eyes. He’d seemed so buoyant throughout the occupation, but June could see now the toll it had taken on him. They didn’t talk the whole journey back to Chalcot and, as they started down the hill towards the village, June wondered if Stanley had fallen asleep. She didn’t know where he lived and she didn’t want him to miss his stop, but at the same time she didn’t want to disturb him. As she was about to touch his arm to wake him, Stanley’s eyes snapped open and he stood up.

  ‘This is my stop,’ he said, leaning forwards to ring the bell.

  ‘You live out here?’ They were still a good mile out of the village, surrounded by open fields.

  The bus slowed down and Stanley stood up to get off.

  ‘Would you like me to come back with you?’ June asked.

  ‘I’m fine, thank you.’

  ‘But you don’t look great, why don’t I walk you home?’

  ‘I said, I’m fine.’ June had never heard Stanley use such a curt tone. ‘Thank you for your concern but I really am all right. Now go home and we shall regroup at the library next week.’

  He disembarked and June turned in her seat to watch him as the bus drew away. He took a few steps forwards and paused to lean on a fence post, before setting off along a footpath that led into a field. June turned back to face the front. She’d never known Stanley to be so abrupt with her, but maybe he was simply tired after the occupation and being arrested. Besides, he wouldn’t appreciate her following him home like some kind of stalker, and it was really none of her business where he—

  ‘Stop the bus!’