Whispers in the Village

Home > Other > Whispers in the Village > Page 1
Whispers in the Village Page 1

by Shaw, Rebecca




  ‘Turnham Malpas rectory. Anna Sanderson speaking.’

  ‘Anna! Good morning. Craddock Fitch here. I’ve just heard some gossip about you and I think you ought to know. They’re saying in the village that Paddy Cleary is living with you. I mean really living, as in live-in lover.’ He left a pause, didn’t get an answer, so continued, ‘It needs scotching straight away, it’s very damaging gossip. Don’t know how, but scotch it otherwise it’ll be at the Abbey before nightfall, and the balloon will go up.’ Still no reply. ‘It’s not true, obviously, but it still needs dealing with, as of now. Good morning to you. Sorry to be giving you such bad news.’

  Anna put down the receiver, sick at heart.

  Rebecca Shaw is a former school teacher and the bestselling author of many novels. She lives with her husband in a beautiful Dorset village where she finds plenty of inspiration for her stories about rural life. She has four children and eight grandchildren.

  Educated at a co-educational Quaker boarding school, Rebecca Shaw went on to qualify as a teacher of deaf children. After her marriage, she spent the ensuing years enjoying bringing up her family. The departure of the last of her four children to university has given her the time and opportunity to write. Whispers in the Village is the latest in the highly popular Tales from Turnham Malpas series. Visit her website at www.rebeccashaw.co.uk.

  By Rebecca Shaw

  TALES FROM TURNHAM MALPAS

  The New Rector

  Talk of the Village

  Village Matters

  The Village Show

  Village Secrets

  Scandal in the Village

  Village Gossip

  Trouble in the Village

  A Village Dilemma

  Intrigue in the Village

  Whispers in the Village

  THE BARLEYBRIDGE SERIES

  A Country Affair

  Country Wives

  Country Lovers

  Country Passions

  Whispers in the Village

  Rebecca Shaw

  Contents

  Cover

  Title

  About the Author

  By Rebecca Shaw

  Inhabitants of Turnham Malpas

  Map

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Copyright

  INHABITANTS OF TURNHAM MALPAS

  Willie Biggs

  Retired verger

  Sylvia Biggs

  His wife and housekeeper at the Rectory

  Sir Ronald Bissett

  Retired Trade Union leader

  Lady Sheila Bissett

  His wife

  James ( Jimbo) Charter- Plackett

  Owner of the Village Store

  Harriet Charter-Plackett

  His wife

  Fergus, Finlay, Flick and Fran

  Their children

  Katherine Charter-Plackett

  Jimbo’s mother

  Alan Crimble

  Barman at the Royal Oak

  Linda Crimble

  His wife

  Lewis Crimble

  Their son

  H. Craddock Fitch

  Owner of Turnham House

  Kate Fitch

  Village school headteacher

  Maggie Dobbs

  School caretaker

  Jimmy Glover

  Taxi driver

  Mrs Jones

  A village gossip

  Vince Jones

  Her husband

  Barry Jones

  Her son and estate carpenter

  Pat Jones

  Barry’s wife

  Dean and Michelle

  Barry and Pat’s children

  Revd Peter Harris MA (Oxon)

  Rector of the parish

  Dr Caroline Harris

  His wife

  Alex and Beth

  Their children

  Jeremy Mayer

  Manager at Turnham House

  Venetia Mayer

  His wife

  Neville Neal

  Accountant and church treasurer

  Liz Neal

  His wife

  Guy and Hugh

  Their children

  Tom Nicholls

  Assistant in the Store

  Evie Nicholls

  His wife

  Anne Parkin

  Retired secretary

  Jenny Sweetapple

  Complementary medicine practitioner

  Sir Ralph Templeton

  Retired from the diplomatic service

  Lady Muriel Templeton

  His wife

  Andy Moorhouse

  Social Worker

  Dicky & Georgie Tutt

  Licensees at the Royal Oak

  Bel Tutt

  Assistant in the Village Store

  Don Wright

  Maintenance engineer (now retired)

  Vera Wright

  Cleaner at the nursing home in Penny Fawcett

  Rhett Wright

  Their grandson

  Chapter 1

  So, now they’d all got over saying au revoir to Peter, Caroline and the twins, and the rectory had stood empty and abandoned for a week, there were lights on once more. Some of the villagers had caught a glimpse now and then of her emptying the van she’d hired to transport her belongings and they had introduced themselves, but tonight everyone was going to a ‘get-to-know-you’ party in the church hall.

  It had been a serious shock when they found out their locum rector was a woman. A woman! They’d narrowly escaped having their own railway station, tolerated the coming of the wireless, then the telephone poles and TV, they’d embraced computers, mobile phones – and a blessed nuisance they were on the Saturday shopping bus – and digital this and DVD that, but a woman rector! This was one step too far.

  ‘She’ll have to be blinking good to replace Peter,’ someone could be overheard saying in the pub, at the table nearest the bar.

  But then someone else added, ‘No one living could replace Peter. He was one in a million. And so was Caroline.’

  Sylvia Biggs dabbed at her eyes and sniffed loudly. ‘Well, there’s one thing certain: I shall miss them. I’ve worked at the rectory since the twins first came home from the hospital; they’re like my own grandchildren, and I’m worried to death. All that heat and them nasty crawly things. They could catch anything in a blasted hot place like Africa.’

  ‘They’ll be all right, kids is resilient.’ Willie patted her arm comfortingly. ‘Don’t fret yourself.’

  ‘They’re not any old kids, they’re children, Willie, my children, and very sensitive. I shan’t need to make their favourite for twelve whole months.’ Sylvia dabbed her eyes again.

  ‘What is their favourite?’

  ‘Pecan pie now. It used to be Farmhouse Delight and then it was Crunchie.’

  ‘Well, make it for me instead if things get desperate.’ By now Willie had an arm around her shoulder, because he could feel his Sylvia was about to cry. ‘Now, come on, love, there’s worse things at sea.’

  ‘Not much. When they come back they’ll have grown, and they won’t be mine any more.’

  ‘Of course they will. I bet they’ll be asking for pecan pie as they walk in the door.’

  ‘As for missing the rector and Doctor
Harris …’ Sylvia gulped. ‘It doesn’t bear thinking about.’

  Vera Wright, squeezed on the settle between her Don and Sylvia, said, ‘Still, you’ll be able to keep an eye on things, won’t you, while they’re away? Dust Doctor Harris’s ornaments and such?’

  Sylvia shook her head. ‘Says she couldn’t dream of having someone to clean when she’s perfectly capable of doing it herself. So, I’m out of a job.’

  ‘You’ll miss the money.’

  Sylvia drew herself up tall. ‘Actually it’s not the money I’m missing, it’s them. And dusting the flatback Staffordshire pottery Doctor Harris collects. Lovely, it is. We wash ’em together, her and me. They won’t get that kind of attention, not now.’

  ‘Never mind, you can always give ’em a good do when they get back. Well, if we’re to get something to eat at this get-to-know-you party, we’d better be off.’ Vera picked up her bag and said to Don, ‘Come on, love.’ Don stood up, then forgot why he had and sat down again. ‘Don, we’re off to the party. Get up.’

  ‘Yes, that’s right.’ The two of them, thinking Willie and Sylvia were following them, set off for the door.

  But Sylvia remained there, staring into space. Willie began to worry; she’d sat staring into space far too often these last few days.

  ‘We’ve got to face it, love, they’ve gone, but if we keep busy, they’ll be back before we know it. It’s only for a year and, like you said yourself, all four of them need a complete change. Young Alex and Beth especially. They seemed to grow up overnight after—’

  Sylvia turned on him, eyes blazing and fists clenched. ‘Don’t mention her name in my presence. She might have given birth to them, but she isn’t and never will be their mother. She needed horse-whipping, turning up like she did to meet the twins. It upset Doctor Harris something terrible. It’s all because of her they left and this party’s on tonight. Damn her. And damn and blast this Anna whatever-she’s-called. If you think I’m going to speak to her you’ve another think coming, because I’m not.’

  ‘Now see here, my Sylvia, it’s not her fault she’s been sent to look after us all. She didn’t ask to, she was sent from the Abbey, so you’ve to put a good face on it and smile. Maybe she’s dreading this evening as much as you.’

  Sylvia didn’t answer. Her hurt was far too deep to speak about. No one, not even Willie, knew how crushingly sad she felt. When your whole world has crashed about your ears, when you feel as though you’ve a raw, open wound inside yourself, it’s hard to carry on as though your world is hunky-dory. She got to her feet and led the way out, waving here and there to friends, hoping none of them could see the gaping hole inside her.

  The church hall was agog when she and Willie arrived. The new rector was standing at the door greeting everyone, with Sir Ralph at the side of her, introducing them all. So there was to be no avoiding her.

  ‘The rector and I’ve already met, Sir Ralph.’ There was a finality in Sylvia’s voice, which left nothing for anyone else to say.

  Ralph came to the rescue. ‘Of course you must have. You know, Anna, the rectory has relied on Sylvia since the twins first came home from the hospital. She was Caroline’s right-hand woman, weren’t you, Sylvia?’

  ‘I was. And proud to be, too.’

  Anna’s grip on Sylvia’s hand was firm, which instantly gave the impression she was a force to be reckoned with. ‘Delighted to see you again, Sylvia. And you, Willie.’

  Willie shook hands. ‘You’ve a good memory for names.’

  ‘One needs it in this game.’

  Willie was captivated by Anna’s green eyes; they looked so directly at him, giving the clear-cut impression she had nothing to hide. He liked that. Her dark hair and flawless complexion were very attractive, though she wasn’t beautiful at all. Then she really smiled at him and in a split second had won him over.

  ‘There’s tea and refreshments in the small hall, and they look delicious. Help yourselves.’

  ‘Thank you, we will. We both of us is looking forward to enjoying your time with us. See you soon.’ Willie shook hands with her again and turned to allow Sylvia to do the same, but she’d already left his side and was heading for the refreshments. As he went after her he thought he’d better play his cards close to his chest. He wouldn’t tell her how wholesomely good the new rector appeared to be to him.

  Anna Sanderson ran a finger around her clerical collar as though it felt tight. ‘I’m afraid Sylvia is upset about me. But I can’t help it. I’m one of those people who needs their own space to retreat to, and Sylvia cleaning for me wouldn’t help to make the rectory my own.’

  ‘Don’t worry, please. A year off won’t harm.’

  ‘There’d always be comparisons, you know.’

  ‘Of course.’ Ralph introduced the people who’d just arrived. ‘This is Sir Ronald and Lady Bissett.’

  Anna only just stopped herself from commenting on Lady Bissett’s outfit. It was startling to say the least; a leopard-skin fur coat (Was it real?), leopard-patterned dress (more suitable for a cocktail party), and a pair of faux leopard-skin shoes, which Anna was sure she’d last seen on TV at one of the party conferences.

  ‘Delighted to meet you, Lady Bissett, and you, Sir Ronald. So pleased you could come.’

  Sheila Bissett gushed her greetings. ‘We wouldn’t have missed it for the world, so looked forward to meeting you. A pleasure to see a lady in a clerical collar. I’m all for it.’ She glanced sideways at Ron and saw the sickly grin on his face. Well, really!

  Ron said, holding Anna’s hand for longer than was necessary, ‘Pleased to meet you I’m sure.’ And when he let go of her hand he stood there, speechless, looking an idiot.

  ‘Everyone calls me Sheila and I’d be pleased if you did the same.’ She nudged Ron into action. ‘We’ll head for the refreshments, if you don’t mind. Don’t want to hold up the queue.’ Ron trudged after her, noting from her back view that she was furious with him.

  While they stood queueing for the gateaux and coffee, Sheila said, ‘Well?’

  ‘What?’

  ‘What do you think of her?’

  ‘Seems OK to me.’

  ‘There was no need to gawk. Made yourself look a right fool, you did. I knew you were impressed, but I think she’s very ordinary. Not a patch on Peter for charisma.’ She dwelt silently on Peter’s good looks and magnetism, and remembered the time when her heart had gone head over heels as he’d held her hand while appealing to her better nature. He’d truly brought out the best in her. Well, this Anna wouldn’t be bringing out the best in her, because she wouldn’t give her the chance. Not likely. ‘She’ll have to earn her Brownie points as far as I’m concerned. But at least her eyes are not as perceptive as Peter’s. He knew my every thought, I’m sure.’

  Ron said, ‘Look, there’s Don.’

  ‘So there is. Vera’s determined to make it look as though everything’s all right, but it isn’t. How he drives that car I don’t know, I’m sure it’s illegal, him as he is.’

  ‘Wonder he survived, falling from that height.’

  ‘You’re right there. I feel sorry for Vera; she’s not quite in our class but she means well. For heaven’s sake, shove up, Ron, you’re holding the queue up. And you’ve chosen the creamiest, richest cake on the table. Will you never learn sense? No wonder your gut is like it is.’

  Ron ignored her bullying as he always did. It was no good her pretending the two of them were from the higher echelons. He was a pragmatist and knew he only had his title because it was the easiest way to get rid of him from his union, ‘for services rendered, thirty years a union man, a champion of the underdog, always the peacemaker, his valued contributions …’ And so it went on. He knew exactly where he stood, very close to the bottom of the pile, but if it pleased Sheila to think otherwise then why not let her? Kept her off his back. He glanced at her and decided she wasn’t such a bad old thing, although she hardly ever got her clothes right.

  Relieved, Ron spotted his son-in-law. �
��Gilbert!’ Now here was someone who called a spade a spade and never pretended anything else. ‘Gilbert!’ He waved furiously and at last Gilbert saw them. He strode across, another one who didn’t know how to dress. Here was he, Ron, in his countryman’s ginger tweed suit, itched to death by the roughness of it, and strangled by his collar and tie, all worn to please Sheila. But Gilbert pleased himself and he was dressed casually as he always was except on Sundays when he wore his choirmaster’s outfit. Tonight it was a brick-red shirt, open almost to his navel, with a pair of black cord trousers, fitting where they touched and his everyday open sandals without socks. But he had presence, had Gilbert.

 

‹ Prev