A Bed in the Gap

The brass clip held fast under the book's spine, but the hour grew late. Night had settled over the quiet planks below. I pushed further into the narrow horizontal alcove behind the volumes. A folded square of thick felt cloth lay wedged between the back wall and a hardback cover. I tested its edge with my thumb. Soft, dry, and dense. I pulled it flat across the shelf, smoothed the creases with both palms, and sat down against the solid timber upright. My joints relaxed. A secure post for the night.