“I agree,” said Sally. “Count me in! My last book club had to be disbanded due to irrevocable political differences.”
“Blimey!” said Annie.
“Yes,” Sally mused. “All got a bit messy toward the end. We should never have pitted the Bront? sisters’ works against each other. Still, you live and learn. And you’d hardly know Olivia’s nose had even been broken now!”
Annie hoped the Victorian book club wouldn’t induce quite such passions. Gemma would be all right, but Maeve and Sally had feisty potential.
“So, what’s the first book?” asked Sally.
“The Woman in White,” said Annie.
“Ah, good old Wilkie,” said Sally. “That’s quite a tome! I read it a few years ago. I’ll dig it out and refresh my memory. When’s the meeting?”
“Next Wednesday evening,” said Annie. “Do you drive? Or will you get a lift?”
“I’ll drive down.”
“Okay, great, I’ll text you directions. When you get to the bottom of the hill, just drive straight along the promenade and stop when you reach the building. There’s a door to the old tearoom on that level, which will be much easier with your chair.”
“And it’s okay to just drive along the promenade?”
“Yes. I e-mailed the council this morning and they said vehicles are allowed for access.”
“How wide is the promenade? My car has a side ramp, I don’t want to be stuck in the car if the walkway is too narrow.”
“It’s thinner in some places than others, but up by the café, where you’ll be parking, is its widest point. Maybe eight meters?”
“Oh, that’s plenty of room. I’m not greedy.”
“Will you need help, with the ramp or anything?”
“Nope, it’s all good. The biggest danger is getting lost and rocking up at the wrong tearoom.”
Annie laughed. “Don’t worry about that, you can’t miss it; there is literally nothing but me and the abyss. You’ll see when you come down.”
“Where on earth have you moved to?” asked Sally, laughing.
* * *
—
The library lobby was plastered with flyers advertising everything from art classes and church times to private tutoring. In pride of place at the center of a large corkboard was the Willow Bay Historical Society manifesto, and surrounding it were details and times of meetings and agendas. Annie noted that almost every meeting featured a “Save Saltwater Nook” slot.
She wandered into the library and spied Emily methodically returning a stack of books to their rightful homes. Annie caught her eye and waved. Emily gave a curt nod.
“Hi,” Annie whispered. She didn’t want to be shushed by Emily. Emily looked like the kind of librarian who shushed patrons as a matter of course. “I’m looking for The Woman in White,” she said.
Emily pointed to the Classics section. “You know, Wilkie Collins wrote The Woman in White just along the coast in Broadstairs,” she said.
“I didn’t,” said Annie. “That’s interesting to know. What a lovely stroke of serendipity.”
“This coastline is steeped in history,” said Emily. “Be nice to keep it that way.”
Annie smiled enigmatically.
“You know, you could be our woman on the inside,” said Emily. “Gathering intel and garnering support for the cause from the people who use the beach.”
“Oh, I’m not sure I should get involved. It feels like a conflict of interest, what with me being a tenant and all.”
“You think you won’t be out on your ear the second Granger gets his money?” said Emily.
Mari had promised Annie the place was hers till the spring. Would John Granger honor that? Annie couldn’t be sure, but what she did know was that starting a campaign against Granger was unlikely to help her case.
“Regardless,” said Annie. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
* * *
—
After checking out her book, Annie made her way round to the Willow Bay Stores.
“Annie, hi!” called Samantha. “Tom’s just bringing in the Willow Farm delivery. We’ve got parsnips and an early sprout crop. Winter’s on its way!”
“Ooh, lovely,” said Annie. “I’ll take some sprouts. They’ll be my first ones since February!”
When Tom emerged from out the back laden with boxes of veg, Annie helped herself to a scoop of Brussels sprouts and a bunch of raw beetroot.