Page 36 of Home This Christmas

THIRTY-ONE

‘Amanda, hi!’ I say to Amanda Lewis, who gives me a hug, and I take in her floral, expensive perfume.

It’s bitterly cold and she is wearing a brown faux fur coat and heavy make-up, looking more a model than a TV presenter. The rest of the crew are muffled up with heavy coats, scarves and beanie hats as they set up their cameras.

In front of the library, quite a crowd have gathered, including children brandishing brightly coloured home-made banners bearing the words Save our library.

I do hope the publicity today will make the council realise how important it is to the village and revoke the planning permission on the new housing.

There is not quite the influx of people I imagined would appear, after the social media reminder, but there is still time, I guess.

Marilyn is chatting to a cameraman asking him if there is any possibility of getting in a shot of the church, as I join her. He tells her he will do if someone is chatting to Amanda about the library, and she immediately asks me if I will do the honours.

‘I mean, you grew up with that library,’ she reasons, when I remind her that I am hardly in a position to protest, as I don’t live here anymore. ‘What would you have done without those first books?’ she asks me. ‘You might never have gone to university, had you not discovered books.’

‘Maybe you have a point,’ I say, recalling the librarian ordering in books for my course at college.

‘And imagine what it might do for the cause, a famous person joining the fight to save a library. It would not do your reputation any harm either, would it?’ She eyes me.

‘There is nothing wrong with my reputation, thank you,’ I say, mock horrified.

‘You know what I mean. People would have a newfound respect for you, I’m sure, supporting the plight of a local village in danger of losing their library,’ she says, using all her powers of persuasion.

‘I’ll have a think about it…’ Really, there is no reason why I should not say a few words. It’s not as if I am endorsing anything dubious after all.

Before we know it, Amanda Lewis has given the backstory of the library and its possible demise, speaking confidently into the camera. She has come a long way since she covered for me during my illness.

Marilyn, who has been nominated as a spokesperson, appears then, ready to say a few words. As she speaks, a steady swarm of people begin to descend upon the village, carrying banners and chanting ‘No more government cuts.’

‘Gosh, where have all these people come from?’ Gerard asks, as they pour along the street towards the library. Their chanting is becoming so loud, I worry they will drown out the sound of Marilyn on camera. Once more I fear I may have invited a mob with extremist viewpoints.

‘Maybe it’s not a bad thing…’ I try and reassure myself, although I worry that if their protest becomes troublesome, there is barely a policeman in sight. I can only hope things remain civilised.

Marilyn beckons me over, as a cameraman follows her to a spot where the church is in full view in the background, just as Gerard duly walks into the camera shot.

‘So why is it important to you that Brindleford village library is saved?’ asks Amanda Lewis as she thrusts a microphone under my face.

‘I think it’s important every child has access to books from a young age,’ I say. ‘As a child, I was a frequent visitor to the library myself.’

The noise from the background protestors is gaining momentum and Amanda is struggling to hear, and places one hand over her ear as she speaks.

‘No more government cuts, no more government cuts!’

‘Having a library in the village as I grew up inspired my love of reading. Not to mention having access to books and a place to study as a college student,’ I say.

‘And it isn’t just for borrowing books; a whole host of activities take place there, especially in the school holidays,’ I add as the noise from the protestors grows louder.

‘I bet there is no such problem in London,’ Marilyn chimes in. ‘I bet the British Library is not under threat. It isn’t fair that up North money for the arts is usually at the bottom of the pile,’ she says firmly.

‘Talking of bottom!’ Gerard exclaims, his mouth gaping open.

We follow his gaze to a guy who is running in front of the crowd, as naked as the day he was born. As he draws closer to us, he raises his banner, before mooning in front of the camera.

Flashbulbs are going wild, as one of the few police officers in attendance manages to remove the unexpected streaker from the scene.

Marilyn has her hand over her mouth, but her shoulders are shaking with laughter; children are openly squealing with mirth, whilst their parents try and cover their eyes.

All I can think of is that the guy must be absolutely freezing to death.

As the news reel comes to an end, out of the corner of my eye, I spot Nathan across the road near the post office, taking in the whole scene. And standing next to him with a look of amusement on his face is Will Sutton.

‘You were great, a true professional,’ I say to Amanda, as the news item wraps up; and the protestors from outside the village seem to have disappeared as quickly as they appeared.

‘Do you think so?’ she asks doubtfully.

‘I do. You carried on like a real trooper, even when the flasher ran past.’

We both burst out laughing.

‘That was something I was most certainly not expecting.’ She shakes her head. ‘Especially in this weather. And it’s live too, so will have gone out to everyone in the Yorkshire region.’ She grimaces.

‘Honestly, I think it will not go unnoticed how well you handled the situation. Next stop, the national news.’

‘Well, I can but dream.’ She smiles.

I chat to Amanda for a few more minutes, wishing her well, before she heads off with the rest of the crew.

‘I think they got a good shot of the church. It’s a shame Gerard never got the opportunity to talk about the next service, though.’ Marilyn grins.

‘Maybe better to stay on topic,’ I gently remind her once more. ‘Although you at least got the church in shot and it looks marvellous with the Christmas tree and the nativity scene outside.’

‘I suppose so.’ She smiles. ‘Do you think the news item will have any effect on the council decision on the library?’

‘I’m not sure, but at least they will know how the people of the village really feel.’ I wonder if it will make any difference, but we have to try.

‘Anyway, let’s get home and watch it; I’ve recorded it. Are you coming?’ she asks.

‘Could you give me ten minutes?’ I say as I spot Nathan walking towards me.

‘Of course.’ Marilyn touches my hand. ‘And I will understand if you become otherwise engaged,’ she says, winking as she spots Nathan.