“What?”
“During the occupation, Stanley told me that I should learn to seize opportunities, that otherwise I’d end up sad and alone with a life full of regrets.”
Alex raised his eyebrows. “Whoa, that was pretty brutal.”
“I think he knew there was something I wanted, even though I didn’t realize I wanted it myself.”
“But still, don’t you think telling someone they’ll end up sad and alone is a bit full-on? I mean, talk about projecting—”
June sighed; this was not how she’d imagined it would go. “Alex, you’re missing the point,” she interrupted. “He was talking about you.”
She watched his expression go from indignation to surprise. His cheeks flushed and for once he didn’t seem to know what to say.
“I tried ‘seizing the opportunity’ once before, after the wedding,” June said, to fill the silence. “But that was . . . Well, you know what happened then. It was a disaster.”
Alex looked mortified. “I’m sorry, I just wasn’t expecting you to kiss me. And you were so drunk, I didn’t want to take advantage of you.”
“You don’t have to apologize; I was a mess. And I felt so guilty because I thought you had a girlfriend.”
“I tried to tell you that Ellie’s just my flatmate.”
“I know that now. I’m sorry.”
“No, I’m the one who’s sorry,” Alex said. “I really wish I could’ve told you back then what Ellie was doing to help Stanley secure his land, but he’d made us promise we wouldn’t tell a soul. I felt terrible keeping it a secret from you.”
“It’s fine, I understand. And it’s amazing what she did for him.”
“Can I ask you something?” Alex paused, and June could see him weighing something up in his mind. “After Stanley’s funeral, you told me you regretted kissing me and that it was a mistake. Did you mean that?”
Now it was June’s turn to cringe. “I thought you weren’t interested in me. I just couldn’t face more rejection.”
“Oh. I really thought you meant it.”
“No, quite the opposite. I . . .” June faltered. It was all very well seizing opportunities, but what if she’d still got it wrong? She could completely humiliate herself right here in front of Alex and . . . June stopped herself and looked him in the eye. “I’ve been attracted to you ever since you came back to Chalcot, Alex, but for so many reasons I was too scared to say anything. So, I was wondering, would you like to go out with me sometime?”
Alex didn’t immediately reply, and June felt heat spread through her body. She wanted to close her eyes and sink into the ground, but she forced herself to keep looking at him. She couldn’t read his expression, and when his shoulders moved, she thought for a horrible second he was about to turn and walk away. But then he stepped toward her, and June felt his hands reach for her and then his face was close, and his lips were on hers. Now June did close her eyes as she sank forward into him. For a moment they were locked together, and June wasn’t aware of anything except Alex, his lips, and the sensation of his heart pounding against hers.
“For fuck’s sake, would you two get a room?”
June was dragged back down to earth by the sound of Mrs. B’s voice. She and Alex pulled apart to see everyone grinning at them.
“About time,” Chantal said. “We’ve all had bets on when you two would finally get together.”
June felt her cheeks flushing and she glanced across at Alex, who was looking dazed.
“Why is everyone just standing around out here?” Marjorie was marching over toward them. “We have a busy library to run, for goodness’ sake.” She turned to June. “You see what I mean? Useless, the lot of them.”
“Are you sure we can’t tempt you back to Chalcot?” Mrs. B asked.
June looked around her. There were hanging baskets up outside the library, their flowers a shock of yellow against the redbrick walls. Next door was the village shop, where she’d bought hundreds of microwave meals over the years. And across the road was the bench where she and her mum used to sit when she was a child, eating their jam doughnuts on Saturday mornings.
“I love Chalcot, but I’m not coming back. I’ve started a new life now and I’m happy.” June glanced over at Alex, who smiled at her.
“I can’t believe you’ve deserted us for a big fancy library,” Marjorie said, shaking her head.
“Actually, I have some news,” June said.
“Really? What?”
Everyone looked at June and she pulled herself up a little taller. “I always dreamed of going to university and one day becoming a writer, but when Mum died I let that dream die too. But I’ve realized it’s time to stop living in fear and take some risks. So I’ve enrolled in a part-time degree course for mature students, and I’ve started writing again.”
“Oh, June, that’s wonderful,” Alex said. “Stanley would have been so proud of you, and your mum.”
“Well, make sure you send us a copy of your book when it’s written,” Mrs. B said. “I just hope it’s better than the rest of the crap we have here. What a load of rubbish—I’ve a good mind to hand my library card back in protest.”
June looked at Alex and rolled her eyes, laughing.
“Are you busy tonight or do you fancy dinner together?” he said as they turned and walked down the Parade, away from Chalcot Library.
“Good idea,” June said, taking his hand. “I’ve heard about a great place that does an excellent hot-and-numbing beef.”
“Sounds perfect. Now, June Jones, I need to pick your brain on a book recommendation . . .”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
When I was a child, I used to go to my local library every week and take out six books. It was there that I first discovered Matilda; where I worked my way through the St. Clare’s, Nancy Drew, and Point Horror series; and where I borrowed my first Jane Austen novel. So I have to start by thanking every librarian who ever recommended a book to me, or took the time to ask me what I thought of something I’d just read. Without you, this story would not exist.
While writing this book I spoke to a number of librarians, library campaigners, and volunteers who generously shared their stories and experiences with me. Particular thanks to Sylvia Davis, Krystal Vittles, Dawn Finch, David Wolstenholme, Jim Brooks, Mary Palmer, and Rashid Iqbal. And thanks to Lotte Pitcher, crossword extraordinaire, and Abigail Palmer-Page for the invaluable advice on technical issues.
To my incredible agent, Hayley Steed, for first believing in me and June and for all your support, enthusiasm, and endless patience ever since. There is no one I’d rather have in my corner. Thanks as well to everyone at the Madeleine Milburn Agency, in particular Liane-Louise Smith, Georgina Simmonds, and Sophie Pélissier, the rights dream team.
To my wonderful editor, Kerry Donovan, who since day one has blown me away with her passion and vision for The Last Chance Library. And thank you to the brilliant team at Berkley who have worked so hard to get this book out into the world, especially Bridget O’Toole, Elisha Katz, Diana Franco, Tara O’Connor, Christine Legon, Dan Walsh, and Mary Baker. And thanks to Sanny Chiu and Anthony Ramondo for the beautiful cover art.
To the Berkletes, my fellow Berkley debut authors, thank you for all the advice, the hand-holding, and the Chris Evans photos. Meeting you all has been one of the unexpected joys of publishing a book this year.
To the very first Friends of Chalcot Library, my classmates at the Faber Academy. Thank you for all the encouragement on the dark days and for the prosecco-fueled celebrations on the good ones. Special thanks to Hannah Tovey, Tamzin Cuming, Sophie Binns, Bryan Glick, Ben Ross, and Lissa Price for reading various drafts and giving me such honest feedback. And to Richard Skinner, our teacher, whose “just keep going” mantra still rings in my ears every time I struggle with a scene.
Finally, a huge, slightly tearful thank-you
to my parents and brother for filling my childhood with magic and always encouraging me to tell stories at the bottom of the garden. To Bethany for lifting me up when I need it and making sure I never take myself too seriously. To Olive and Sid for all the love and laughter, and for being (mostly) patient while I struggled to write a book and homeschool you this past crazy year. And to Andy for believing in me when this felt like a pipe dream, for giving me the space and time to give it my best shot, and for never complaining about the piles of books that have overtaken our home. This one’s for you.
READERS GUIDE
THE
LAST CHANCE
LIBRARY
Freya Sampson
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
At the start of the novel June prefers to be alone with her books rather than to interact with her neighbors. How do her feelings toward solitude evolve by the end of the novel?
The library is the center of the community in the small village of Chalcot. What is the center of your community?
Many of June’s childhood memories center around specific books such as Matilda. Did you read any books as a child that shaped who you are today? Have you revisited them since?
June’s grief for her mother causes her to push friends away. What events and people in the book help her navigate the grief? How?
June has certain books she reads and rereads to comfort herself in times of stress. Do you have books (or movies or TV shows) that you return to? Why?
Many of the characters who spend time at the library have secrets. Whose surprised you the most?
For June, the library is not just a place where one can borrow books but a place to grow, learn, and change as well as make human connections. If you frequent your local library, do you make use of all the resources that a library can provide? Have you been going your whole life?
Have you seen small businesses and neighborhood institutions bought up by national chains in your town? How does it make you feel?
June and her friends must break the rules to save the library. Have you ever had to bend the rules to work toward a bigger purpose? How did it make you feel?
If Alex asked you for a book recommendation, what would you recommend that he check out from the library?
Author photo by John Sanders Photography
Freya Sampson works in television as a creator and executive producer. Her credits include two documentary series for the BBC about the British royal family and a number of factual and entertainment series. She studied history at Cambridge University and in 2018 was short-listed for the Exeter Novel Prize. She lives in London with her husband, two young children, and an antisocial cat. The Last Chance Library is her debut novel.
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