Page 41 of The Best of Times

“Ah, you’re a mind reader. That’s my favourite.”

They sat. Jane arranged her hat, gloves and coat on the seat next to her. Aron noticed she didn’t rush or try to initiate conversation in the meantime. This was a woman used to being in control. He couldn’t take his eyes off her.

Once she had finished, she smiled at him.

“You must wonder why I’ve intruded on your family time. I really do appreciate you finding time for me.”

“To be honest, you’re a lifesaver. It’s all getting a bit intense.”

Jane sipped her coffee. “I’ve met Professor Higgs many times over the years. A lovely man.”

Aron wished she would get to the point. The anticipation was killing him. He fought to control his leg from wobbling.

“Anyway. I digress. I’ve been following your career, Aron. From all reports you’re doing very well in New York.”

“Thank you. I enjoy my work.”

“You’ve been there a while now?”

“A little over two years. Not so long.”

She regarded him. “Are you settled?”

Wow she was direct. He’d have to match her.

“To be honest, I’ve never seen it as a long-term thing. My visa isn’t infinite, after all.”

“True. Then these obstacles can be overcome if one really wants to.”

Such close scrutiny made him uncomfortable to say the least. “I guess. I suppose I’m leaving myself open to options for the time being.”

She nodded slowly. “What if I told you that the British Library were about to advertise for a new chief executive?”

Aron almost dropped the cup. Roberta Johnson, the current Chief Exec, was only in her early fifties. Most people had predicted she would be in post for at least another decade.

“What’s happened?”

“Ah, that’s confidential, I’m afraid. It’s all perfectly amicable. Roberta needs to be elsewhere right now.”

It was a blow to the organisation and very big shoes to fill.

I could do it. I bloody know I could.

“I’m stunned,” he said.

“You look it.”

To buy some time, he sipped slowly on his coffee.

“Seriously,” Jane said, relieving him of the duty of responding. “I have spoken to the Board and we really would encourage you to apply. I’m probably breaking a hundred rules telling you that. Oh well, I’ve done it now.”

Aron was overheating in the chunky jumper he’d chosen that morning. This was his dream job. Fuck.

“When will it be live?”

Jane glanced at her watch. “In about fifteen minutes. I’m not that much of a rulebreaker. You’ve plenty of time. The closing date isn’t until mid-January. Now tell me all about New York. Is Calvin Terry still a self-absorbed prick?”

On his way to the Underground station, he decided to take a detour.Gays The Wordwas a small LGBTQ+ book shop that had been open since the eighties. Inside it held a treasure trove of gay literature. Aron had been a regular ever since his teenage years although he hadn’t visited since his university days.