The Magic of Stories | ONC 2024 shortlist

9 - A parent's view

Thursday morning, the sky was overcast, and the icy drizzle turning into sleet had me longing for the pristine snow from a few days ago. On the short way from my apartment to the bus stop, the chilly rain soaked my parka and in the crowded space in the bus, the smell of wet clothes challenged my nose. Rain made winter even more depressing.

I was glad to get off the bus in front of the library and hurried to the door. It was still locked, and I dug in my pocket for my keys, glad Marjorie had trusted me with a key the night before. At least I didn't have to wait in the cold for Conny.

With the dark clouds obscuring the sky, the interior of was still gloomy, and I hurried to switch on the lights before too many ghosts could pop up. Well, if my friend Becca was right, they should be banned from here now and haunt the hospital where Marjorie was treated. I wondered how the staff there would cope with the Cheshire Cat. Confident I wouldn't have to deal with visitors of the supernatural kind during the next weeks, I hung my parka to dry and switched on the computer terminal on the reception desk. Before I could sit down, a blue shimmer appeared beside my keyboard. I gasped and stepped back while the blue cat manifested on the desk, showing its pointy teeth in a yawn.

"Good morning, Miss Assistant Librarian."

So much for Becca's theory and my hope for the strange visits to cease when Marjorie was gone. I swallowed my shock and disappointment and dropped into the chair.

"Good morning, Sir Cheshire."

The cat licked a paw and blinked. "Cat will do. Everyone calls me Cat around here."

"Okay, nice to meet you then, Cat. My name is Lynn. How did I earn the honour of your visit?"

"I have already gathered your name." Cat stood and stretched his back, his blue fur bristling, before he sat down and folded his paws under his chest. "Well, the pleasure is all mine, Lynn. And now we're done with the proper introductions—how can I help you?"

"Help me?" I logged into the library application and leaned back while the program started. "Why would you need to help me?"

"I could answer your nosy questions or show you the ominous treasures and secrets of the library."

I wasn't sure I could stomach more secrets, not without the support of Marjorie, or at least Paco's down-to-Earth presence. Where was Conny, by the way? Once she arrived, the library would be back to normal, I hoped.

Cat's mouth twitched into his trademark grin as he seemed to read my thoughts. "Ah, I'd have taken someone as gifted as you for a tad more adventurous. But don't fret, there are no bodies hidden underneath the floorboards."

As if on cue, I stared at the polished floor. "Such a relief. But why gifted?"

"Only a few adults can see and accept my presence with such perfect ease as you, my dearest Lynn."

As much as I tried to see this as a gift, I couldn't help but tasting a sour twang in my mouth. My life had been less complicated before I began seeing ghosts. Unfortunately, this was beyond my control, and I might as well benefit from Cat's talkative mood.

"Cat, since you're the local expert and offered to answer my nosy questions—what can you tell me about Luca?"

His eyes grew round. "Fascinating. You have a talent for steering straight to the core. I must admit, you catch up faster than anyone we had visiting the library in years."

Did I? I had my doubts, since I felt I wasn't quick witted, but I had no plan to admit my insecurities to Cat. "Luca was kind of hard to overlook the other day, and since Marjorie couldn't tell me much about him, I wondered if you might."