‘The library is not designed for children’ – Irene shuddered as though the very thought disgusted her – ‘to be loitering about, blocking people’s way and preventing me from closing on time.’

‘There’s hardly anyone else here!’

I had a quick scan of the library. There was only the three of us, which wasn’t surprising given the warmth of Irene’s welcome.

She made a show of checking her watch. ‘Nine minutes. Come along.’

‘You can’t do this!’ the child begged. ‘All I’m asking for is the chance to read three more pages. Otherwise I’ll have to wait the whole weekend to find out what happens.’

Irene bristled. ‘If you want to find out what happens then you must check the book out. That’s how a library works.’

‘Fine! Please can I check out this book?’ The child sounded unnecessarily angry, given that this was surely a reasonable solution.

Irene clonked back to the reception desk. ‘No, you may not.’ She glared. ‘That is an adult book, and as we’ve discussed many times before, you have a children’s library card. Three minutes until the library is closing. Unless you want to have your children’s library card confiscated, please return your book to the correct location on the shelf and leave the premises.’

‘What about her?’ The child, who I could now see was a girl, stomped out from behind the bookshelf and pointed at me. ‘You aren’t ordering her to leave. This library is completely ageist and discriminatory and anti-children!’

‘I’m sure Ms Tennyson has no intention of abusing the library rules and regulations.’

The girl gave a defiant toss of her ponytail, slamming the copy of The Fellowship of the Ring on the counter, her library card quickly joining it. As she flounced out the door, she yelled, ‘You can confiscate my stupid children’s card all you want! I’ve already read every single book in the children’s section – twice!’

It was the hair toss that caused me to recognise her. I made a quick decision, and pointed to the clock on the wall behind Irene. ‘Your watch must be fast. That says five minutes until closing time.’

As she automatically turned to look, I swiped the library card from the counter, slipping it into my pocket. ‘I’m going to check out a couple of books before I go.’

I went straight to the fiction section and hurriedly grabbed two novels. Ignoring Irene vibrating with suppressed rage, I swiped my card in the self-service machine and used it to check out the books, alongside the one that the girl had left behind. I gave a cheery wave as I left, doing my utmost not to flinch when she slammed the door behind me.