Norwich Nights
"University librarian Adaeze works alone in the Norwich archives—until a thick Eritrean PhD student starts requesting private research sessions that have nothing to do with books."
The archive requests were always specific.
"Medieval manuscripts. Accessible only at night."
Miriam's research was legitimate—but her intentions weren't.
Adaeze noticed how the thick Eritrean PhD student watched her. How she requested materials that required Adaeze to climb ladders, bend over tables, reach high shelves.
"Enjoying the view?" Adaeze finally asked.
"Very much." No shame. "Is that a problem?"
"It's unprofessional."
"I'm not your student. Different department." Miriam stood from her research desk. "I'm just a researcher who finds the librarian fascinating."
"Fascinating?"
"Attractive. Distracting. The reason I've taken so long to finish this chapter."
Adaeze should have reported her. Instead, she locked the archive door.
"What are you doing?" Miriam asked.
"Making this professional." Adaeze approached. "If we're going to do this, it's not going to be stolen glances and frustration."
"What is it going to be?"
"Everything you've been imagining."
Among the medieval manuscripts, they created their own history.
Adaeze pushed Miriam against the stacks, kissing her deeply. Those thick curves pressed against her, months of tension finally releasing.
"I've wanted this so long," Miriam gasped.
"I know. I've been waiting for you to be brave."
"Show me what I've been missing."
On the reading table, surrounded by centuries of knowledge, they learned each other.
Miriam's gasps echoed off stone walls. Adaeze's name became a prayer in Tigrinya.
"Quiet," Adaeze warned. "The walls carry sound."
"I don't care."
Neither did Adaeze.
The PhD took another year.
The relationship continued throughout.
"Best research period of my life," Miriam said at her graduation.
"Best student I ever supervised," Adaeze replied.
"You didn't supervise me."
"Didn't I?"
Norwich's archives kept many secrets.
The affair between the librarian and the researcher was one of the better ones.
And the medieval manuscripts?
They'd seen worse. Much worse.