by Tara Ford
“I just bumped into Alvin down the path.”
“Oh, did you?” Tiff grinned falsely.
“Yeah, miserable sod. Didn’t even say hello.”
“That’s probably because we… err… upset him.” Tiff smirked. “Sit down and we, or I…” Tiff flicked a reassuring gaze towards Georgie, “will tell you all about it and how Georgie now has the approval of Betty and Cyril again.”
“Oh,” said Joe, widening his eyes, “great news. I can’t wait to hear it.”
Chapter 34
3-bedroom semi-detached house for sale
Sycamore Close, Bashfield, Hampshire
Tenure: Freehold
£256,000
This end of terrace property, situated in a pleasant and quiet close in the heart of the countryside, boasts a spacious interior. It has 3 good-sized bedrooms and a bathroom to the first floor. The ground floor has a large kitchen/diner, a roomy living area and a large office/utility room. General repair and considerable decoration would be required to bring this property up to the standard of others in the area.
Outside, the property has a small garden to the front and a sizeable garden to the rear – both in need of some clearing.
Parking facilities can be located on the lay-by, close to the property as a small green is situated in the centre of the close, preventing vehicle access directly to the property.
An early viewing is highly recommended as this property has the potential to become a beautiful, family home, should it fall into the right hands.
Contact Bashfield Estate Agents for more details:
01794 748119
Ref no. BEA/9SycCl-2675
***
No one ever saw him again. Jeremy Greene aka Alvin Snodgrass vanished overnight, just as Tiff had predicted. His house went up for sale, just three weeks after the letter had been posted. The gossip around the close was interesting to listen to as the residents speculated on his sudden disappearance and the ‘For Sale’ sign standing in his front garden.
There were only a few who really knew where he would be. Tiff, Georgie and Joe had a jolly good idea where the lecherous coward had gone. But only Tiff and Georgie could truly surmise as to what might happen to him in the future…
Once the second letter arrived at Sainsbury’s in Salisbury.
***
Hello Georgie, Tiffy gave me your number. Hope you don’t mind. I’m interested in getting a buffet quote from you, for a family wedding coming up this October. We also have another one next June. I should have taken your business card when I was at Joe and Tiffy’s engagement party but I forgot. Would it be possible for you to contact me as I was very impressed with the buffet you provided for Joe and Tiffy? I’ve also passed your name on to a few of my friends. Kind regards Pat Slater (Tiffy’s boss).
***
I’m sure it must have been you who got rid of that nasty man, at number nine. I’ve seen what’s been going on there. It wasn’t right and I think you knew all the time. I saw you with your binoculars. Thank you, dearie.
Tiff sat in her car and read the note again. She smiled to herself. The author of yet another mysterious note, left under her windscreen wiper. Except this time, that person had just given themselves away. She now knew exactly who it was. She knew who she was.
***
Booking Confirmation
Dear Mr J Frey,
We are pleased to confirm that your provisional wedding booking has been changed to a fixed booking for Saturday 8th December from 11:00am.
Please ensure that full payment reaches us, no later than 2nd September.
Please see the enclosed set of forms to be filled in and returned to us no later than 8th November.
We look forward to spending your very special day with you and are proud of our achievements in providing a smooth-running, memorable day for all our wedding clients.
Yours sincerely
Jennifer Tomby
Operations Manager
***
Tiff waited as the extension number rang.
“Hello, is that the manager?”
“It is madam. Mr Hardy, how can I help you?”
“My name is Titianna Frey – from the Social Security Office.” Tiff’s heart beat heavily in her chest. She smiled at Georgie and winked her eye.
“Hello – what can I do for you?”
“I’m investigating a fraudulent claim and wondered if you could tell me whether you have a Jeremy Greene still working in your employment.”
“Absolutely not – he’s been sacked.”
Tiff’s eyes widened. “Oh, really? Could you tell me when and why? Obviously, I need this information in order to speed the process of the investigation at our end.”
“Yes, of course. We did some investigating of our own, once we’d received an anonymous letter regarding his activities on the south coast. He was given an instant dismissal just two weeks ago.”
“I see…” Tiff grimaced and nodded her head to Georgie. “And are you able to confirm his whereabouts at present?”
“I have absolutely no idea, nor wish to. All I can tell you is – he won’t ever be setting foot in this store again.”
“Thank you for your time, Mr Hardy. You have been very helpful.”
“You’re welcome. Goodbye.”
Neighbours
Good neighbours, bad neighbours
Some noisy, some quiet
Some peep through net curtains
Others friendly and polite
The Smiths down the road
like to party all night
And young Johnny Brown
picks a Saturday night fight
Old Mrs White
still gets quite a fright
When the kids enjoy kicking
a ball at her light
The Greens have a dog
that barks every day
While the boy at the end
has a drum kit to play
The Pennington-Smyths
like to travel abroad
But a day trip to Brighton
is all Jean can afford
Good neighbours, bad neighbours
Some noisy, some quiet
Some peep through net curtains
Others friendly and polite
Joan Stevens (2015)
I hope you have enjoyed this book
But even if you didn’t
Please leave a review at Amazon
Hugely appreciated
Tara Ford
