Eyes shifted from Bill back to Maggie who drew in a long slow breath. ‘You could be right, Bill. And you are most likely voicing what some people here are thinking and what a lot of others who didn’t bother to come tonight believe too. But if we do nothing then it definitely will close and once it closes it’s gone forever, for this generation and all the others to come. But,’ said Maggie raising a slightly bent index finger, ‘if we stand up to the council and if we come together as a community to use and cherish this beautiful building and all that it represents, then we might stand a chance of saving it. And I for one want to be able to say that at least I tried.’ There was a brief silence and then a wave of “hear, hears” and clapping. Farah even put down her pen to applaud. She was looking at Maggie like she was a film star.

After that there were lots of other positive suggestions. Tom’s old primary school teacher was keen to bring a class in, the postmaster wanted to return the support he’d received when the post office had been under threat and the florist offered to give out flyers but what Bill had said hung heavy in the room. One lady said the city libraries hosted author events, which she often wanted to attend but couldn’t due to transport issues.

‘Yeah,’ said Tom. Eyes shifted in his direction and his colour deepened. ‘I like that idea. I’d love to meet authors.’ His voice tailed off to a mumble. Farah gave him an indulgent smile and he retreated under his fringe. There was a muttering of agreement that this would be something lots of people would like.

‘Excellent!’ said Maggie. ‘We will look into all of those things. Now in return we need you to support whatever we put on, we need you to use your library and we need your attendance at further meetings. Are you with us?’

There was a positive response of mumbles and a hearty round of applause. Tom looked at Maggie with renewed respect.

Once the stragglers had departed Christine, Maggie, Tom and Farah were having a debrief over a round of tea and the last few Hobnobs Tom had managed to hold in reserve.

‘Four new people signed up for book club,’ said Farah. ‘And three people showed interest in reading time for toddlers.’

‘We used to do that but people didn’t come regularly,’ said Christine.

‘Looks to me like if you offer them a biscuit they turn out,’ said Tom, taking the last Hobnob and screwing up the empty packet.

‘We could do squash quite cheaply,’ added Farah. ‘And I’d like to read to the children.’

‘You’d be great at that,’ said Tom.