Maggie was the last of the book club group to arrive. She took her seat, pulled the book from her bag and looked about. The usual suspects were assembled but there was no sign of Tom. As if on cue he slunk in. This week he carefully placed his bag down and gave his usual shifty glance around. He handed over the books to Christine and went to study the shelves.

Maggie tried to keep her mind on the book club discussion but it was difficult with her concentration elsewhere and the novel hadn’t gripped her anyway. She chipped in occasionally but her attention was on Tom. She was relieved when they reached the end of the set questions and opened it up for general conversation about the book.

Maggie pushed back her chair and sidled over to Christine.

‘Does his mum not want any more?’ she asked, tilting her head at Tom who was engrossed in selecting books.

‘He says he’s going to choose them himself.’ Christine’s shoulder twitched in a half shrug but she did look a bit put out. Christine liked to think she knew all there was to know about books. It was true that she was the librarian; however, she did have a tendency to recommend the same tried and trusted novels.

Maggie kept watch on Tom until she could wait no more and went to peruse the shelves near to where he was. ‘Hello,’ she said.

‘All right?’ he asked, although it was doubtful he wanted a full and considered response.

‘Good thank you. What did your mum think of Me Before You? Did she say anything? I talked about it to everyone when I finished it.’ Maggie tried not to scrutinise him while she waited for his response.

‘Um. Yeah. She liked it.’ He gave a considered nod.

‘That’s great. I’m pleased. It’s always hard when you recommend a book and the person hates it. The heroine is my favourite character. I like quirky.’ Maggie splayed out her long colourful cardigan.

‘I see that,’ said Tom.

‘Hey. Don’t judge a book by its cover or a lady by her cardigan.’

‘It makes a change from beige.’ Tom nodded at the ladies around the table displaying all shades of the colour with a few pastels thrown in.

‘Matches their hearing aids,’ said Maggie.

Tom chuckled but stared hard at the bookshelf.

Perhaps she was getting too chatty for him. Maggie went back to the book chat. ‘She’s one of those characters who gets under your skin and doesn’t leave you. You know?’

‘Yeah.’

‘I liked how the story made you think. Made you put yourself in their situation.’

‘Uh-huh,’ said Tom, focusing on the book in his hand.

‘I didn’t like Will’s mother, but then mothers are controlling by nature.’

‘Maybe she was trying to help,’ said Tom. ‘Probably. I dunno.’