"How far is Clunes?"
"Not far," replied Grant to Valerie. "About another few minutes I think."
"Okay," replied Valerie. "I haven't been this way for years and one's advancing years can have an impact on one's memory."
Grant laughed.
"As I keep saying Valerie age is just a number."
Grant was a senior librarian at a municipal council library service responsible for collection development and acquisitions. Grant had met Valerie one day when he was on a reference desk shift at one of his libraries and the two of them had struck up a conversation about books and writing styles. It transpired that Valerie taught creative writing at university and had a number of textbooks published in her name. Over time they developed a casual friendship which prior to now really only extended to lengthy discussions about books in the library. Occasionally they would run into each other in the supermarket or the local shopping centre.
Valerie was 60, divorced and had one daughter who lived interstate and was a lawyer. Valerie looked after herself and cut a fine figure, was tall with curves in the right places, a nice round bottom, blue eyes and an infectious laugh. Valerie looked pretty good either in leisurewear or more formal attire.
Grant was 51, separated with two young adults, one at university and the other finding her way in the corporate world. Oddly enough they lived in the same suburb but at either end. Grant was more bookish in appearance, wore waistcoats and shirts with French cuffs. Valerie regularly commented about Grant's appearance in favourable terms and noted that his dress sense put other staff to shame.
Grant and Valerie were on their way to the Clunes Booktown festival at the town of the same name. Over the years it had developed into a world-famous event which drew large crowds, respected authors and well-known booksellers.
One day at the library, Grant ran into Valerie and mentioned he was going to Clunes.
"So am I," exclaimed Valerie. "I would have mentioned it earlier but I've been interstate for a while and haven't had a chance to catch up and tell you I am chairing an event on creative writing for textbooks. When are you going?"
"Sounds good," Grant replied. "Most likely Saturday just for the day as I am working Sunday or I should say I've volunteered for Sunday as we are a little down on staff at present. When is your workshop? I recall it was the Saturday morning?"
"Correct," said Valerie. "Would you care to attend and ask impertinent questions?"
"Ha!" laughed Grant. "I'll see what I can do. I really have a full agenda to visit some booksellers and spend some ratepayer money. If you like, we could travel together to save on driving. Normally I'd catch the train but I think I'll be coming back with lots of goodies so I'll be taking my car."
"Thank you Grant," replied Valerie. "I'd appreciate that. What time would you like to leave? You can either pick me up or I can meet you somewhere?"
"I don't know where you live," Grant said.
"You never asked," mused Valerie with a laugh. "How about we meet here instead? We can grab a coffee at Dose across the road. They open early on Saturdays."
"Agreed. I'd like to be on our way by 0730 if we can as it will take about two hours. Your workshop is at 1100 so it should give us time," Grant noted.
"It's a date," Valerie said with a twinkle in her eye. "See you on Saturday at Dose at 0700. You and your 24-hour time! Love it! Oh I need your number as well!"
So that is how Grant and Valerie came to be travelling to Clunes for the Booktown Festival. Grant felt relaxed and enjoyed listening to Valerie's stories about life as an author and being subjected to all the idiosyncrasies of the publishing industry from bullying editors to stalking fans and arrogant authors.
"You had a stalker over a textbook?" Grant asked incredulously.
Valerie laughed and launched into another story.
They arrived at Clunes and agreed to keep in touch during the day and perhaps meet for lunch. As it happened they didn't cross paths until towards the end of the day when Grant texted Valerie to ask if she was ready for departure and home.
"Yes. Sorry. Super fun day. See you at the coffee place on the corner Val," was the message received.
As Grant waited after loading the SUV up with boxes of books for his libraries, his phone pinged. It was Mike from the library.
"Hey Mike," said Grant. "What's up? I am still at Clunes but ready to head home."
"Don't bother rushing back. Did you get an alert? Most of Chelsea has lost power for at least 24 hours due to a fire. Water is out as well. Looks like we might have to shut Cheslea and Dingley tomorrow if it is not resolved."
"Gawd," Grant responded. "Are you the duty leader this weekend? Have you let Jo B know?"
"100% done and done. Libraries are closed. Updating socials as we speak. You might want to stay in Ballarat tonight," Mike reported. "Furthermore there is toxic smoke alerts from the fire across your end of town and many local roads are closed. You might have trouble getting home. Oh and I forgot to mention the Western Highway is closed until further notice due to an accident. Truck versus truck versus truck. A complete mess!"
"Noted," Grant said. "Thanks for the tip. I'll be in touch."
"Well hello there," Valerie sang as she arrived with a bag full of books. "Is there room for more?"
"Absolutely," Grant replied. He then launched into an update about what was happening in Chelsea.
"Oh dear," Valerie said. "Not good."
"Indeed. Do you have a friend or somewhere you can stay with?" Grant asked. "I am really at a loss as to what to do?"
"Fuck it," Valerie said. "Let's go to Ballarat. I'll spring for some rooms at the Craig Hotel in town. My treat. Besides, I'd like to continue to chat with some friends I've caught up with at Clunes in Ballarat. We would probably have to go shopping for essentials like toothpaste."
"Done," said Valerie. "We have apparently an adjourning set of suites. Last one two as they are fully booked."
Grant thought about this idea. Oh well. Something to tell the team about on Monday. Besides he could use the time wisely to finish some reports.
"Okay," Grant laughed. "Thanks for the offer. Let's get to Ballarat. I really appreciate it. I think there is a supermarket around the corner so we can grab what we need. The libraries are closed tomorrow in Chelsea and the Dingley area so there is no real rush to get home."
They headed across to Ballarat and checked in at Craig's one of Ballarat's finer hotels with old world charm after doing some shopping for last minute essentials such as toothpaste.
"I'm meeting my friends in the bar so feel free to join us," noted Valerie.
"I might but I'm pretty tired and I need to follow up on some work things," replied Grant. "I'll see how I go after I have a shower."
"OK all good, I'll text you or you can just pop down," said Valerie.
Grant let himself into his room and noted the door leading presumably into the next room. He put down his bag, undressed and headed to the shower that was bigger than his entire bathroom. It was clearly built for two or more given the shower had two large roses at either end.
Grant finished, dried off and walked into the main room naked just as Valerie was entering. "Arrrgh," exclaimed Grant and dived for the towel to cover his nakedness.
