‘And we got to meet Irene,’ Kyle said, before showing her that the pictures they’d steamrollered her into appearing in earlier had already got hundreds of likes and dozens of comments. ‘You’ve got almost as many fans as us already!’
‘We should totally set you up with your own account,’ Kyron squealed.
When I showed Joan after picking her up from the holiday club, #IreneTheLibraryLady already had over a thousand followers.
‘This world is crazy,’ she pronounced. ‘That’s why I prefer books, because they make more sense.’
I eyed her current read, about a gang of chameleon people who go back in time to save the dinosaurs, and was inclined to agree.
* * *
That evening we were in for an absolute treat. Ginger, who owned Hatherstone Hall, brought round a three-course dinner that if possible rivalled the one I’d eaten when Sam had gatecrashed my dinner for one.
Joan didn’t agree. ‘That looks weird. And there’s bits of mushroom. I hate mushrooms.’ She peered into each foil container in turn and sniffed. ‘I might try the pudding.’
I stuck some fish fingers in the oven and dashed next door.
‘Yes?’ Ebenezer automatically glanced at my hands, no doubt expecting to find them bearing food.
‘Hi, how are you, Ebenezer?’ I asked, deliberately mentioning his friendly nickname with a smile that dared him to tell me it was none of my business.
‘Been better. Been worse,’ he growled. ‘Did you want something, other than forcing me out of my chair after I’ve spent all afternoon pruning our roses.’
‘Ourroses?’
He grunted. ‘The big thorny flowers that climb up the side fence.’
I said nothing. He knew what I meant.
‘I’ve got a three-course dinner from Hatherstone Hall keeping warm in my top oven. Joan is opting for fish fingers and chips.’
‘Sensible of her.’
‘It’s far too nice to eat alone.’
‘That’s a shame.’
‘Dinner will be served at the outside table in ten minutes. There’s also a very expensive bottle of wine.’
Ebenezer’s face remained a grizzled scowl, but his beard twitched, which I knew to be a good sign.
‘The dessert is white chocolate and sticky toffee pudding.’ Joan could try my portion. If she liked it, I’d have a biscuit instead.
Ebenezer shut the door. It was hard to tell, but I thought it might be slower than when he slammed it, so I took that as a yes.
* * *
Fifteen minutes later, as I sat, heart in my mouth, feeling more nervous than I had on my first ever date, Ebenezer’s back door creaked open.
As soon as he shuffled outside, I saw the reason for his delay, causing my throat to constrict with emotion. Dressed in a faded, crumpled dinner jacket and white shirt, with a paisley pocket square and matching tie, Ebenezer had even tidied his beard.
Joan wolf-whistled, causing an eye roll, but there was that beard twitch again, and I felt such a rush of warmth I had to blot my eyes on my napkin.
‘Well, I’m glad I got changed, now.’ It was another warm evening, and I’d swapped my work trousers for a strappy dress with a full skirt.
He grunted again. ‘It’s only respectful to look smart for a lady.’
‘You look an absolute dish.’
