The Magic of Stories | ONC 2024 shortlist

24 - The idea

The week after my talk with Cat brought better weather, and I enjoyed the days getting longer and the first hint of spring in the air. We still got occasional wet spells, but the sunny intermezzos were a relief after the greyness of the winter, and I appreciate the warmer season coming. Primulas joined the snowdrops and speckled the lawns with white, pale yellow, and pink blossoms while birds chirped in the still bare branches of the trees, spreading an optimism I was all too ready to adopt.

Despite this exciting development, I couldn't stop contemplating Luca's situation, and the longer I did, the more I got convinced I had to do something about it. But what? In the end, the interesting idea came from an unexpected side.

Monday afternoon, when I arrived in the library in another downpour, I found Conny whistling in the kitchen corner.

"Lynn, nice to see you. How was your weekend?"

I had never seen her so joyful and didn't want to spoil her mood by talking about a boring weekend spent cleaning my apartment and visiting my father under these circumstances. "Fine, and you? Is there a reason you're so upbeat today?"

Her brows arched. "Am I? Well, now you mention it—perhaps it's the smell of spring in the air." She poured tea into two cups and handed me one. I inhaled the strong fragrance and added some milk.

"Come on, Conny, it's raining outside. I know there must be something else."

Her cheeks flushed pink, and I knew I had hit home when she lowered her gaze and closed her hands around the cup. "Paco invited me for dinner."

"Wow, great news—did you accept?"

"Not yet, and if I think about it, I fear I shouldn't."

Not so good news after all. "And why is that?"

She stared into her cup as if it contained the wisdom of the universe. "It has been only three years since Marcel—you know. Also, I'm afraid Amber and Danny might disapprove of me moving on."

"Conny, it's not my business and I know I am too direct and whatnot, but I'm pretty sure the kids won't mind. If you worry about it, then you should stop presuming and ask them. Or do you want me to call your daughter?"

"No, you wouldn't dare."

"Believe me, I would. I'll go as far as offering to entertain Amber and Danny so you don't have to worry about them during your date."

A grin stole onto her lips. "Lynn, you're worse than Marjorie and my mum together. But you have a point, and I promise I'll ask the kids. Are you serious about babysitting?"

"Sure, but don't let them hear that word or thy will make you regret it."

She placed her empty cup in the sink, shaking her head, but her lips curved upwards, and she had an unusual skip in her step when she returned to her desk to pick up her phone.

I took my cup to the front desk, where Cat waited for me. "Well played, my dear assistant librarian and favourite trainee matchmaker."

I sighed and slammed down the cup next to my keyboard, harder than necessary. "Cat, please stop assuming everything I do has the goal of furthering your mysterious master-plan."

He grinned as broad as only the Cheshire Cat can. "Whatever your reasons, it's the outcome that matters."

"I agree, but just to answer your unavoidable next question, no, I don't think she'll sit down and continue writing Luca's story just because Paco is taking her out for a date."

The grin faded, and Cat took on his sphinx pose, paws under his chest. "Right, we need to move our engagement to the next level."

I groaned, getting ready for another argument. To my surprise, Luca came to my rescue, appearing in my office chair. "Cat, stop pressuring her. Lynn has done a lot already and if my story will remain unfinished, I can live with it. As you both pointed out, there are many people affected by abandoned storylines, probably more than we can imagine."