Page 21 of Always Be My Pumpkin

The meeting has gone more smoothly than I expected, thanks to the fact that Moll and Barty have just come down with nasty colds and have taken to their beds. We have a jam-packed schedule for the Friday afternoon, but I have made sure to include a Scary Stingy Jack contest using Barty’s turnips, as well as Pat’s pumpkins, so I’m hoping that will be enough to keep them off my back when they’re up and about again.

‘Last on the list,’ I announce, ‘is our Pumpkin Sculpture Contest, Oakwood style. We’ll need donations of pumpkins, if anyone can help with that. But you can use whatever you like for the sculpture. Timber, wire, old clothes, crochet yarn. And of course, pumpkins. Anything at all, as long as the finished sculpture resembles a pumpkin, or pumpkins.’

I smile around the room to let everyone know there’s no need to take this competition too seriously. ‘The main thing is to get creative, express yourself, and have fun. Oh, and by the way, the theme is Pumpkin Love. You can interpret that anyway you choose.’

Finbarr rolls his eyes, but I ignore him.

‘We’re going to need an empty shed or covered space where the teams can work on their sculptures. In case it rains.’ I look around hopefully.

Flynn’s in the front row and he raises his hand. And my eyes widen as I wonder how he can possibly help.

He stands, turns to smile at the crowd, then back to me, and says, ‘I can help you with that.’

‘Really?’ My eyes pop wider. I can’t imagine where he has in mind, unless he’s going to offer the garden at Hazel Cottage. But that’s not very big and it only has a tiny shed.

‘Sure. You can use the yard directly behind Pat’s shop, and the main shed. I cleared it out completely this week, so there’s plenty of space, and you’re welcome to it.’

He sits down again, and I stand here frowning, about to ask if he’s sure, and should he not check with Pat before he promises. But then a chair scrapes down the back, and a familiar, confident voice booms out, ‘And what about the new plastics factory? Are you sure they won’t have moved in by Halloween?’

Jamie? When did Jamie get here? And what is he on about? Plastics factory? There’s no plastics factory in Oakwood. I realise I’ve said this last part out loud as he pushes back his chair, marches up the aisle, and on to the stage. He eases the mic from my fingers as if he’s doing me a favour before he turns to address the crowd.

‘Not yet.’ He presses his palm to his chest and sighs heavily. Those after-school drama classes weren’t wasted. ‘I hate to be the one to break this to you all.’ He carries on as though every word is causing him pain. ‘And I hope it’s only a rumour, but you know what they say, there’s no smoke without fire.’

‘Spit it out, for goodness’ sake,’ Gertrude snaps, and I wheel around to see her scowling. He shoots her a benevolent smile, then focuses on the front row. Flynn leans back and arches his brows. As if to say Go on then, give us your best shot.

The rest of the crowd don’t look nearly as relaxed, and Finbarr jumps to his feet to face Jamie. ‘What are you on about, man? If you know something we don’t, and if it is what it sounds like, then you’d better speak up. And speak up fast.’

Jamie nods and holds up his palm to shush his audience. At least a third of them are on their feet, shouting at him to tell them what he knows. I wish Sarah was here – she’d march Jamie right back to his seat. Or even Pat – he’d put him in his place with a witty takedown. But Sarah has a late meeting and Pat’s off sunning himself in Spain. I scan the room for any sign of support, and my eyes land on Flynn. He gives me a reassuring nod as if he’s telling me I can handle this. Can I?

‘I have it on good authority,’ Jamie lifts his chin as he booms haughtily, ‘that Patrick McArdle intends to sell his land and his premises to an international plastics company. I’m sure Mr McArdle would prefer that nobody finds out and has a chance to stop him destroying our village. But I couldn’t keep this from you all.’ He glares down at Flynn. ‘I may have been away for a while, but at least I still care enough to stand up for what’s right.’

Gertrude sways to one side, and I reach out to grab her before she falls off her chair. ‘But the library, our plans,’ she keens like she’s lamenting at a wake. ‘Surely, Pat wouldn’t do this.’

Finbarr rushes over, wraps his arm around her shoulders, and tells her not to worry; it’s only a rumour, and he doubts that it’s true. But she stares up at me, her eyes pleading for answers. And all I have are questions of my own. What plans? Nobody mentioned any plans to me. Gemma, the county librarian, did say she’d set up a meeting with me soon, but I’ve only been back in Oakwood a month, so she hasn’t had time yet.

I was hoping it might be about assigning another library assistant. We’re getting busier by the week. But I can’t worry about that now, because, according to Jamie, my beloved library is in danger of being swallowed by a monstrous plastics giant. But I can’t imagine Pat ever allowing that.

I look up to see Flynn walking towards the stage, and I mouth the question I’m almost afraid to ask, Is this true?

He shakes his head, but before he reaches me, Jamie starts again.

‘And so, everybody, what I want to say to you—’

No. No way. I’ve had ten years of Jamie taking centre stage. But being back in Oakwood, and working on this festival, has made me feel part of something special again, and I’m not prepared to let Jamie take that away from me.

I dart over and take the mic from his hand. ‘No! We’ve heard more than enough.’

He jerks back in surprise, but I ignore him and step up to the lectern. Gertrude’s in bits, and Finbarr needs to focus on her. Somebody has to take charge. Looks like it’s me.

‘Excuse me, everyone,’ I call. And nobody pays the slightest bit of attention. They’re all head down in huddles, moaning and groaning, as though Jamie’s announced the village is about to blow up.

‘Ciúnas!’ I yell as loud as I can.

Silence descends and I stare at a sea of shocked faces. I may be a librarian, but I’m not the type to call for quiet, and nobody in Oakwood has even heard me say shush. I fire a glance to my side, and I see Flynn has stepped up to block Jamie now. He gives me a reassuring nod, and I take a deep breath.

‘Thank you.’ I address the crowd again, a bit more softly this time. ‘I know Jamie has told you he heard a rumour, and I’m sure we’ve all heard lots of rumours over the last few months. Only last week it was a pound shop, or a euro store, or whatever, and next week it’ll probably be an Aldi or a Tesco, or maybe even a space station, who knows. My point is these are all just rumours, and Pat will be back next week, and we can ask him then if any of them are true.’

I look over at Flynn. He’s still blocking Jamie, and he mouths you’ve got this, and I feel a bit more strength seep into my bones. Jamie scowls over Flynn’s shoulder, and I shake my head furiously to let him know I have no intention of listening to anything else he has to say. I turn and face the crowd again.