There was a ripple of dissent. Lorna had not judged her audience very well. Maggie calmed the masses with a wave of her hand. ‘Hi, Lorna and Alice, thanks for coming. The mobile library has not been confirmed so I would not put any store by that ever materialising. It’s simply the council trying to fob you off. Now, I’m sure your more mobile residents would enjoy a trip to the library and I’m certain we can rally support to get them ferried in. We also have online ordering and if you let us know we can easily get the books brought out to you. Your residents are part of the community and we are keen that they receive the same service as everyone else.’

Farah frantically scribbled notes while Lorna’s eyebrows appeared to be impressed with Maggie’s response.

Alice put her hand up and Lorna glared at her but Alice carried on undeterred. ‘I want to use the t’interweb,’ said Alice.

‘We would love to show you how, Alice. Maybe a special session for you and some fellow residents so we can go at a pace that’s right for you,’ said Maggie. ‘And that’s a lovely hairdo, by the way.’ Alice beamed at her.

‘I’m Bill,’ said a rotund man. ‘Landlord at the Limping Fox. Pensioners Tuesdays two meals for ten pounds. Anyway.’ He took a breath. ‘I want to help, I really do, but if this place is on a list to be closed then it’s a done deal. An old building like this has huge potential. Most worryingly it could reopen as a restaurant or worse still a bar, which would hit my business, so I genuinely want it to stay as a library, but the decision is made and no amount of reading is going to change it.’ The room was deathly silent. ‘Sorry. Oh…’ His tone brightened. ‘Don’t forget curry night on Thursdays. You get free naan bread and a small drink of your choice. Excludes real ales and spirits.’