A Right Old Fiasco in Borrington
Page 26
With that, he kicks open the staff room door and storms out.
"He didn't mean to take it out on you, hon."
"Yer, I know that Jess. It's getting to all of us, and we all deal with it in our own way. Let’s be honest, none of us came into this profession for the money, that sure as hell wasn't the appeal. We all love what we do, and we all know that we make a difference to the local community. And Robbie is one of the most committed librarians I've ever come across."
Both fall silent momentarily, Jess looking deep in thought. His attention is suddenly drawn towards the beeping sound coming from his sports bag. Reaching in for his mobile, his hand brushes across the newspaper he'd been given earlier, the letter for Jess still tucked inside. Pulls both the letter and the mobile out, now it's a text from Cathy, she'll have to wait too.
Jason sighs, but he knows that he needs to get this done, no point in delaying it any longer. Takes a coffee across for himself and a herbal tea for Jess, and sits opposite her. She is playing with the colourful beads around her neck, a pink floral scarf now tied around her curly, auburn hair. He remembers that she'd been totally mortified a few years ago when the council had introduced a dress code. Black skirt or trousers and a white blouse for females, with black footwear. Black trousers and white shirts for men, with black shoes. Quite possibly the only time he'd ever seen her angry, normally, she's so placid. Prior to then, she'd normally come to work wearing a brightly coloured poncho, over one of her full length flowery dresses, and always wearing sandals. Even now, she would flout the rules by wearing one of her incredibly long necklaces with the colourful love beads and a brightly coloured headscarf. Claimed there were cultural reasons for doing so.
She smiles at him in gratitude as he puts down the mugs. He can't help but notice at just how pretty she is looking, not that she ever has to make any effort to do so, much to the annoyance of the other female members of staff. Never wears cosmetics, doesn't need to, she really is a natural beauty. Unblemished skin with a sprinkling of freckles across her cheeks and cute button nose that, if anything, enhance her features.
"Thanks, hon. Give him a few minutes to calm down and he'll be back to apologise. But how you holding out?"
"Had better days, Jess, that's for sure. You?"
"Your pants sure have," she chuckles. "Yup, guess I'm doing okay, all things considered."
He looks down at his black trousers, badly scuffed around his knees, courtesy of being knocked to the floor by the idiotic DI Jordan, and shrugs. A concerned expression on his face as he looks across at Jess.
"Seriously, I am doing fine, hon. Just that I never," she hesitates, now almost whispering. "I just dunno what I will do if I lose this job, Jay. Never had need to think about it before. Jeez, and the girls, what will they do? And as for Robbie, you saw the state he's in ..."
Jason grimaces as he takes a sip from the mug, too hot.
"They're more resilient than you realise, and life has to go on Jess. They'll be okay. But look, if all else fails, we could always use the redundancy money to travel across to California with you. A month holidaying across there has a certain appeal. You got friends, or family, who can put us up?"
His heart drops at seeing the half-hearted smile from Jessie who looks anything but amused.
"Not sure about that, hon. I haven't been back in over ten years. And am not exactly close to my family, not now."
"I was only joking, Jess, but don't go giving up, nothing has been finalised. Look, if you think about it, we've had the threat of closure hanging over our heads for the past few years and so there's still hope. And you never know, maybe the campaign will make a difference. Could still be a light at the end of the tunnel."
"Yup, but knowing our luck hon, that light will be an oncoming train."
Jason chuckles, and blows at his coffee.
"You heard what Robbie said Jess, and he’s right you know, we won't go quietly. Despite what I said earlier, if any opportunities present themselves, I’ll put a spanner in the works.”
"Am kinda resigned to the thought of it now, hon. That Fuker just doesn’t seem the type to back down, and now he has made the press release. Jeez, I just dunno anymore."
"I swear to you, Jess, that if worst comes to worst, I will do all I can to get you all transferred elsewhere. And there are still unfilled vacancies at Knarlswood. I will chat to Sue in HR, suggest that she looks into holding back on advertising the positions until our future gets resolved."
Knows that he will have to accept a compulsory redundancy himself, definitely won't be any openings for a library manager, but he will cross that bridge as and when.
"Meant to ask, love, who tidied the staff room up? Was in a right mess earlier."
"Tammy mostly, although she got those cheeky brothers of hers to help. The little monsters kept asking me if I was a Hippy chick, you believe that?"
She laughs, and he can't help but think that they might have a point.
"Look, Jess, I know it has been a tough day but I need to, well, to tell you something and just don't know how. I..."
Still clutching the letter tightly, he struggles to find the right words. Jess knew Ellie extremely well, they were always very close and he knows that it will come as a terrible shock to her. In fact, he doesn't understand as to why she hasn't already been told, but then again, poor old Harry probably wasn't in a fit state to organise the funeral himself. Most likely his daughter who'd made all the arrangements, and not as though she'd have known anybody at the library.
Thinks back to happier days. Harry entertaining him and Robbie with stories about his exploits in the RAF, and Ellie making a beeline for Jess. He'd often seen them deep in conversation, Jessie producing the new vegetarian cookery books that she'd keep tucked away behind the counter in readiness. He runs his hand through his beard, now feeling apprehensive, he just doesn't know how she'll react. In all honesty, he really knows so little about her. Jess is a very private person and as warm and friendly as she is in work, she rarely socialises with the library staff outside of work. In the whole time that he'd known her, just under eight years that they've now worked together, she has never once mentioned having a date, let alone seeing anybody. And despite never having actually been there himself, he knows that she lives in a flat, or as she'd say, an apartment, in Knotston and judging by the way her eyes light up whenever she talks about it, is very contented living there. She drives a tiny, two seated yellow hatchback car and, much to everybody's amusement, named it Eirene, apparently after the Greek Goddess of peace and tranquillity. She certainly puts him to shame in that she lives an extremely healthy lifestyle, but then again when compared to him, that wouldn't be too difficult. She's certainly very careful with what she eats, doesn't smoke, rarely drinks alcohol, and she definitely doesn't hide that fact that she disapproves of his over indulgences. Has told him on many occasions, and in no uncertain terms, that he should quit smoking, cut out the drinking and take regular exercise. That he needs to start looking after himself far better, especially now that he is in his thirties. Not that he'd been offended, just the opposite, because he respects the fact that she is always so open and honest with him. And he knows better than anybody that she really does have a heart of gold. After he'd split with Cathy, she'd been incredibly caring and supportive. Had sat and listened to him for hours as he'd poured his heart out to her, had covered for him on the many occasions that he'd needed to slip out of the library for personal reasons, and had even contacted a few letting agents on his behalf. She'd ultimately helped him to find a studio flat close to the library which would have been ideal, but much to their disappointment, that had fallen through for financial reasons and he'd eventually ended up living in the rat infested hole he now calls home.
"Earth to Jay. I am still here, hon. Look, I promise not to bite so just shoot."
She is now looking at him in eager anticipation. Her huge green eyes boring into him. He has to say something.
"Look, Jess, I meant to give you th
is earlier. I... Well, I bumped into Harry on the way into work and he gave me this."
Reaches across placing the letter in front of her. She glances down it, silently mouthing her hand written name, wondering why the handwriting is so familiar to her. He then proceeds to tell her all about the chance meeting with Harry and the strange warning that he'd given to him. How Harry had insisted that he take the book with the letter inside. He hesitates momentarily before finally informing her that Ellie has passed away.
Jess looks up at him, obviously distressed,
"Ellie is dead? When? How?"
Jason explains that Harry really wasn't in a fit state of mind to answer any questions. That he is obviously struggling to adjust to a life without Ellie. That he may even be in denial as to her having passed away.
"As in how?"
"Harry had a copy of the Informer, Jess, and was in a hurry to get it home to her. He was still in his house slippers and, well, under his coat, I could see that he was still wearing his pyjamas. It's as though his mind just can't cope with the loss."
She snaps at him,
“And you just left him there, in that state, miles from home?”
Startled at her outburst,
“I… look I didn’t think, I took him in the cafe for a coffee and then he was gone before I…”
Her voice still raised, and eyes blazing.
"How could you, Jay? It sounds like Alzheimer's to me. He needs help. I have their address, have been meaning to go visit her… But I… I just haven't had the time."
Clearly distraught, she thumps the table with the palm of her hand. Jason jumps, spilling his coffee. With tears in her eyes,
"Am so sorry, hon, it really isn’t your fault. I know that. After everything else today… I... I am just so pissed at myself. I should of made the effort. A few hours of my time was all and I couldn't even find that. Ellie was a wonderful lady and she was my friend. I should... Could have…"
Jess stands, turns away from him to face the wall, her hands covering her face, crying uncontrollably. Jason approaches her, reaches out, tentatively placing his hand on her shoulder. She turns, wavers momentarily before burying her head in his shoulder, hands still covering her face, sobbing her heart out.
18 Regrets
Jess now finds herself alone in the staffroom, Jason having apologised for having to leave but said that he'd had a prior engagement he needed to attend. Once again she looks at the letter and feels a coldness creeping down her spine, admonishing herself for being so foolish. After all, it was her dear friend Ellie who’d insisted that she have it. Or was she? But still she struggles to open it, something nagging away in her subconscious. The responsibility that might come with what it will reveal to her. The sound of children singing, ‘The wheels on the Bus’ interrupts her train of thought. Smiles to herself, Tammy’s still keeping the kids entertained.
Jess lets her mind drift back to the last time she’d seen Ellie and the bizarre conversation that they’d shared. Ellie had known far too much about Jess, was disclosing information to her that nobody could possibly have known. It was all so surreal. Then Ellie revealed that she’d received the information in a series of dreams. Jess never discussed her religious or political persuasions with anybody. It was something very personal to her. Many mistook her for a hippy and although she most definitely had an affinity with the culture, it was an incorrect assumption. But Ellie had already known that. Had known far too much. Had actually spoken it aloud and Jess had been anything but happy.
‘Jessica Pewter, Librarian by day. Holly Bush, Eco-Terrorist by night.’
And strictly speaking, it wasn’t even correct. Yes, come the evening, Jess would dress in nothing but a thick green robe, hood pulled down to disguise her face, wandering joyously through the local woods. Yes, she had participated in many environmental protests, handcuffed herself to trees, hidden out in tunnels with comrades in arms, anything to help preserve and protect the environment. She’d even participated in a demonstration just weeks prior to speaking to Ellie. If that became common knowledge, she’d most likely get fired, a conflict of interests, because it had been a protest against her current employer. The council had wanted to destroy some ancient woodland in order to build a new housing development. But an Eco Terrorist, hardly that, unless illegal trespassing was classed as such.
Ellie had placed her in such an awkward position. Jess wasn’t prepared to discuss anything relating to her beliefs, not with anybody. She had chosen a solitary existence for a reason. Unfortunately, they hadn’t exactly parted on good terms. Jess had meant to visit her. To clear the air. But there was always something she’d needed to do, a prior commitment and then the weeks quickly became months. Jess feels the pangs of guilt mercilessly piercing at her very being. And the confusion as to why, all things considered, Ellie would pass anything on to her. Her fingers hover tentatively over the envelope. But still she dithers.
The very last thing she can afford for is to have further problems with the UK Authorities. She could still be deported back to the States, at least, she thinks she can. Not something she wants to put to the test. And it’s not as though she’d be welcomed back to California by her family. Not after what had happened, the stigma attached to the family name and even now, a decade later, her own father still not speaking to her. She had tried to explain back then but her words had fallen on deaf ears. Her mama’s tears, her papa’s anger, Jessica pleading for their understanding. But never forthcoming. Butterflies now in her stomach as she starts to unseal the envelope. But on hearing the voices of fifteen children suddenly yelling at the top of their voices,
“Eh Oh
Say it
Eh Oh
Singing it
Eh Oh
Feel it"
Jessica drops the envelope, smacks her leg against the table and knocks her cup flying in a desperate hurry to reach the Reference library. Staff door flung open, she can but stand and stare as she struggles to comprehend exactly what she is witnessing. Tammy is no longer in the room and the large rocking chair that the staff use for story time has been pushed to one side. And then she sees Lewis and Leroy, both wearing black bandanas under their red baseball caps, baggy jeans, and sneakers that now have the tongues jutting out. The kids are all seated on the floor in front of them, the two boys strutting up and down in front of them performing what she can only describe as a totally inappropriate song.
Eh Oh
Say it
Eh Oh
Singing it
Eh Oh
Feeling it
(Rapping) Mood is Set… Time is Right
My girl on me bod….All through the night
She got me sweating…Am good an’ hot
Her wild an’ begging…..Not to stop.
Singing it
Eh Oh
Feeling it
Eh Ho
Saying It
Eh Oh
Jess gasps in horror at seeing the kids all leaping up to their feet and start to dance around wildly, all wearing their green school baseball caps back to front and, to Jessica’s total dismay, all singing along vociferously with Lewis and Leroy. She takes a few steps into the room and steadies herself against the shelving with her hand. Is about to shriek at them when Tammy suddenly appears through the far door, parents of the children following behind.
And then both her and Tammy yell in tandem, “STOP!”
The kids are far too absorbed in the song to pay them any attention. However, Leroy and Lewis immediately freeze on the spot. Tammy rushes into the room, five mums and a dad following close behind. Jessica looks at Tammy, their eyes meet, both of them powerless and clueless as to what to do. And then comes the laughter. The parents burst into hysterics, clapping and openly encouraging the children. Fortunately, it's just the,
Eh Oh
Saying it
Eh Oh
Singing it
Eh Oh
Feeling it
Eh Oh
that the
kids are shouting. Relief floods over Jess and she grins. Tammy, however, looks anything but amused and is still staring daggers at the two boys who drop their heads, now looking very sheepish. The pair of them back slowly towards Jess and the staffroom, before eventually turning and darting into the room. Jessica waves at Tammy before following them in.
Having listened to Tammy graciously accepting the gushing gratitude from the parents, the two boys watch as Tammy leads them towards the stairwell leading up to the main library. They are both in the process of high-fiving each other when the staffroom door crashes open, Tammy stood there with her hands on her hips, glaring at her brothers.