Talk of the Village

by Rebecca Shaw

  'Shall you be having football this afternoon, Mr Palmer, with it being wet? 'Cos if you are I'll put newspapers down in the cloakroom, that floor's murder to keep clean.'

  'Shall I be having what?'

  'Football, yer know with the boys.'

  'Oh right, yes, I shall.'

  'I hope you'll bring it into your nature and science lessons about cruelty to rabbits and explain to them children about using snares . . . Our Michelle can speak up about it, our Dean's explained it all to her.'

  'We'll see, we'll see.' Michael gazed out of the window and saw Caroline coming across the playground. Oh no, not more rabbits he thought.

  'Good afternoon Dr Harris, what can I do for you?'

  'Hello Michael. I want to know if I can persuade you to

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  talk to the children about cruelty to animals. Especially in connection with the way in which we kill them, in particular the killing of rabbits. If you don't feel able to, will you let me have a word?'

  'Mrs Duckett has already informed me several times as to my duty to the children concerning this matter. If you would like me to do it then I shall. I feel quite as strongly as you do.'

  'Oh thank you Michael, I do appreciate that. I've been so upset about it all. If we can teach the children that it's wrong then that's the most important thing, even if we can't convert diehards like Sir Ralph.'

  'Country people do see things differently Dr Harris.'

  'I know, I know.' One of the children came to Michael with a problem about his football kit. 'I won't keep you. Thanks anyway. Bye.'

  'Good afternoon.'

  Caroline, on her way back to the rectory, met Muriel out with Pericles for his afternoon walk. 'Hello Muriel. Isn't it a lovely day?'

  'It certainly is. Now, are you feeling any better? I thought you were quite drained on Saturday night, and greatly in need of a rest.'

  'Muriel! Is that how you saw my protest? As some kind of hysterical outburst?'

  'Oh no, I didn't mean it like that. I think you're quite right about Jimmy, but I did think at the same time you were needing a change.'

  'Well, perhaps I am, and perhaps not. But I'm still angry about Jimmy, it doesn't alter that does it?'

  'No, it doesn't. I'm afraid Ralph and I are on opposite sides. It's a bit uncomfortable.'

  'Oh Muriel, don't let it upset things for you, that's the last thing I want.'

  'I can't do as Ralph says all the time can I?'

  'No, that's right you can't, but don't let it come

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  between you. I can fight my own battles, you know, when it comes to it.'

  'I know that Caroline, but you must be careful. These last few days there's been an awful lot of upsets over this rabbit question. I understand there was a row in the Store in the pension queue on Monday. Jimbo had to step in and sort it out. He refuses to be drawn on the matter, of course, because he has customers on both sides, though we both know how he feels. Linda slapped the change down for some person who'd declared themselves on Jimmy's side and they complained to Jimbo and he had to tick her off in front of everyone and she had yesterday off, said she was sick, butjimbo's not too sure about that. First day's sickness she's taken in two and a half years. Lady Bissett's given someone a real telling off at the flower arrangement class because they criticised you. One of the members confided in me that she'd used language more suited to a saloon bar than the church hall. Some of the ladies quite ruined their arrangements they were so upset.'

  'Oh, Muriel, I'd no idea things were so serious. It won't affect Jimmy will it though? It won't make him change his mind?'

  'I doubt it, he's very thick skinned. Must go, Pericles is getting impatient.'

  Peter stormed into the rectory half an hour after Caroline got home. She was unprepared for the onslaught she got from him.

  'Cup of tea Peter?' she called from the kitchen. 'You've timed it nicely, darling.'

  He came into the kitchen and sat down at the table. 'Thank you.'

  'Biscuit?' She turned round to hand him the tin and saw how angry he was. His eyes were almost black with temper and his jaws were clamped so tight his cheeks

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  were white.

  'Peter, what's happened?'

  'What's happened? I'll tell you what's happened. I've spent, what is it, eighteen months? carefully nurturing this village back to life. Back to being a caring community, back to church, back to having some social life together. I've started Brownies and Cubs, a women's group, a luncheon club for the elderly, I've revitalised the choir and the music, I've improved the finances and heaven knows what else. And now you are destroying all my work. I can't believe it of you, Caroline, I really can't.'

  'What have I done?'

  'You know full well what you've done. It's these damned rabbits.'

  'Peter!'

  He dragged the lid off the biscuit tin, chose a biscuit and banged the lid back on again. But he was so enraged he had to put it down uneaten, his hand shaking with anger as he laid the biscuit on the table. 'I've said nothing these last three days, but I can keep my own counsel no longer.' He began ticking off facts on his fingers. 'One, Bagheera and Brown Owl aren't speaking, so thejumble Sale they are supposed to be holding jointly a week on Saturday to raise money to help parents who can't afford uniforms, is in jeopardy. Two, two of my senior choirmen have resigned because the choir master has instructed the boys about the cruelty of snaring rabbits and they think it is none of his business to indoctrinate them, which it isn't. Three, Mrs Peel has had a row with Willie and he refuses to unlock the church early and to make sure the electric is switched on so she can practise first thing on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. And four, old Mrs Woods' son and daughter, who were coming to see me about their choice of some elaborate kind of headstone for her grave, have argued so fiercely

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  about the rights and wrongs of killing rabbits, the daughter has declared she is about to become vegetarian, and neither of them can keep the appointment about the headstone because, though they live in the same house, they are no longer speaking. You knew my calling from the first day we met in your surgery. I cannot lay that calling aside as you well know. As my wife, Caroline, you should behave more circumspectly. Your actions are causing serious damage to the parish, and I must ask you to reconsider before it all becomes irretrievable and, for me, unforgivable.'

  Caroline was defiant. 'Because I am the wife of a priest I am not permitted to have opinions then? I must allow things I disapprove of to happen and stay silent? None of this is my fault anyway.'

  'Whose fault is it then? I've just met Pat Duckett and she was praising you to the skies for having got Michael Palmer to instruct the children in the school on the rights and wrongs of the situation. Is there no end to your activity on behalf of these rabbits?'

  'The fault is Jimmy's not mine.'

  'Jimmy has been killing rabbits in this way for years. Until you decided to begin this crusade nobody minded.'

  'Then it was time their consciences were woken up.'

  'Woken up? They've certainly been that. Caroline, I don't know when I have been so angry. The repercussions have been far beyond anything I expected. Far beyond. Irreparable damage is being done.'

  'Go and see Jimmy then and persuade him to stop. I can't.'

  'Oh no, you go and see Jimmy. This hornet's nest is all your doing.' Peter stood up, and taking his cup of tea with him stormed off to his study. Sylvia put her head around the kitchen door and asked if there was any tea going or should she beat a hasty retreat?

  'Come in Sylvia, the storm clouds have departed. Are

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  the children OK?'

  'Yes, they're asleep in the garden in their pram and yes the cat net is on.'

  After a moment Caroline said, 'Peter has never spoken to me like that in all the time I've known him. I have never seen him in such a temper. It's very ..." Caroline got out her handkerchief and blew her nose.

  Sylvia
poured herself a cup of tea. 'Well, to be honest, Dr Harris, it has caused a lot of trouble believe me.'

  'It would all blow over if I could just get him to stop it.'

  'You won't, only an instruction from the Almighty could stop Jimmy. I'm sorry, Dr Harris, but you're going to have to let it go.'

  'My conscience won't let me.'

  'Willie says Jimmy is such a law unto himelf anyway, that all this trouble will bother him not one jot. Seeing that the rector is so upset, maybe you'd better just let matters rest.'

  'But that's it, that way nothing gets done, no reforms are made, no bills through parliament, no injustices righted. When I think of eating those rabbits I feel so sickened.'

  Sylvia took a deep breath and spoke her mind. 'If it had been Beth missing on Sunday instead of Flick, believe me, Dr Harris, you wouldn't be worrying your head about rabbits this week.'

  Caroline looked at her in horror. As she leapt to her feet, her chair crashed over onto the floor, but she ignored it and rushed out into the garden. Sylvia stood the chair up and went to the window. She saw Caroline lift Beth from the pram and hold her tightly to her chest. Sylvia watched as she began to sob, deep, searing sobs which tore at Sylvia's heart. She tapped on the study door. 'Excuse me, Rector, but I think Dr Harris needs a hand.'

  Peter looked up from his desk. 'Needs a hand?'

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  'Yes, she's in the garden crying, sir.'

  Peter strode out and gathered Caroline and Beth into his arms. He stood stroking her hair and kissing her, hushing her as though she was a little girl.

  'My darling, my darling, I'm so sorry for what I said. Please forgive me, please. I can't bear you being so upset. Please, please stop. I should never have spoken to you like that. I know how devastated you felt about the rabbits and I'm deeply sorry for the way I spoke. If you want to crusade for the rabbits you can, I shan't mind.'

  Caroline raised her head from his chest and looked up at him. 'Oh Peter, what if it had been Beth missing on Sunday?' Peter felt as though he'd been kicked in the solar plexis: the breath went from his body. He forced air back into his lungs with a great heave of his chest. He couldn't trust himself to speak, so he took out his handkerchief and wiped her face dry with his trembling hand. When he'd composed himself he said, 'Caroline, I'm sorry it was Flick, and, I sound selfish, but I thank God it wasn't Beth. She's here safe and sound with us, loved and cherished, fast asleep in her mother's arms. What more could a baby ask?'

  He bent down to kiss his little Beth, who was blissfully asleep and unaware of the crisis unfolding around her. Peter stood holding the two of them closely in his arms comforting Caroline, hugging her and telling her she was safe with him. When he felt her relax and no longer shaking with sobs, he stood back from her and said, 'There we are, now let's put her back in the pram with Alex, and we'll leave them to sleep the afternoon away.'

  They walked back together into the kitchen. Sylvia had gone.

  'Come and sit on my knee, and we'll finish that cup of tea you were having.' He refilled her cup and the two of them took turns drinking from it. The hot tea gave Caroline back her voice. 'I'm so tired Peter, so tired.'

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  'I've been thinking about that. Can I be in charge for a while and make some positive suggestions?'

  'Anything you like.'

  'I'm going to do some ringing up and some organising and hopefully you're going up to your mother's for a few days.'

  'Oh, I couldn't manage driving all that way with the children. I couldn't face it.'

  'I know that. You're going on the train by yourself, and Sylvia and I will look after the children between us, and if we get desperate Willie can come in as support troops. Or Harriet or someone. We shan't be short of volunteers believe me. Three or four days walking along your beloved cliffs, with the wind blowing your cobwebs away, will do you all the good in the world.'

  'It sounds wonderful. But I've been such a failure. How can an intelligent woman, with a loving husband, with all the help I have available and the babies I desperately longed for, be so hopeless?'

  'My darling girl, you're not hopeless, you're a brilliant mother, and that's the problem. You're suffering from exhaustion, brought on by hard work and lack of sleep, that's what.'

  'I would be so grateful for a respite. Mother will be pleased. Please forgive me for this rabbit business, I shouldn't have been so persistent. Never having lived in a village before I didn't realise that everyone would be taking sides. I still mean it about the rabbits though, it must be stopped.'

  'Of course.' He held her close, then said, 'I don't know how I shall manage without you.'

  'Don't worry, you'll be so busy I shall be back before you know it! Thanks for being so wonderfully understanding. Give me a kiss, a real proper humdinger of a kiss.'When he released her she said,'M..m.. m.. m. m. Let' s have another.'

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  Chapter 12

  Pat Duckett sat waiting on her favourite settle right by the door where she could see people coming in. Her port and lemon stood on a little brewery mat in front of her. If she sipped it slowly it might last half the evening and then Jimmy or Willie might buy her another one. No good hoping Vera might, for Vera was as strapped for cash as herself. She was tired, she'd had a hard day. It had been raining and the school floors had got muddy footprints all over. It had taken her ages to get them cleaned up. Sometimes she wished she could give the job up, but what would she do for money then? Bringing up two children on your own wasn't much fun and the bigger they got the more they ate and the more it cost for their bally clothes. The door opened and in came Vera and Jimmy.

  'Hello, get yourselves a drink and come and sit down.'

  'Hello Pat.'

  'Evening Pat.'

  When Jimmy and Vera had settled down with their drinks Pat said, 'Have you heard that Dr Harris has gone up 'ome for a few days?'

  Vera looked surprised. 'No, I hadn't. Has she taken the twins with her?'

  'No, the rector's looking after 'em with Sylvia.'

  'Sounds as if he's put his foot down then about her

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  rabbit crusade.'

  'Well, it did cause a lot of bother and, come to think of it, I don't know why I'm drinking with you, Jimmy. Anyways, I understand they had a blazing row, and then she cried and next day she's off to Northumberland.'

  'Last time she went there was when . . . '

  'That's right, when she found out about . . . ' Pat glanced round to make sure she wasn't being overheard, 'about Suzy Meadows and them twins. Heaven's above you don't think it's happened again?'

  Jimmy scoffed at their speculation. 'For crying out loud you two, I'm not that keen on Dr Harris at the moment as you well know, but he can't be straying again. Surely to goodness 'e's learned 'is lesson.'

  'You have to admit Jimmy, he's very handsome. There's many a one would fancy 'im and no mistake.'

  Jimmy laughed. 'You're wrong. She's gone away for a rest, believe me.'

  'Who says?'

  'Willie, 'cos he and Sylvia are giving a hand at sitting in when the rector has to go out.'

  '1 wouldn't be sur . . . '

  The door burst open and in came Vera's Don. 'Guess what?' he panted. 'Them two's released pending trial.'

  'What two?'

  'Gwen and Beryl.'

  'Released? Never.'

  The news flashed round the bar in a trice.

  'Disgusting.'

  'Whatever next?'

  'Them courts have a lot to answer for.'

  'We shan't be safe in our beds.'

  'We don't want 'em 'ere.'

  'Definitely not.'

  'They should be locked up forever.'

  'That's right, locked up till they're dead and gone.'

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  'The nasty wicked beggars that they are.'

  'Have you ever been in their house? Willie says it's disgusting.'

  'I bet it is.'

  'We don't want them in Turnham Malpas with their dirty
ways.'

  'We should get rid of'em.'

  'That's right we should.'

  And their voices rose to a crescendo, filling the bar with clamour.

  Bryn and Georgie tried to lighten the atmosphere but the customers wouldn't listen.

  'Now ladies and gentlemen let's take this calmly please. We'll all have a drink on the house and settle down. The two of them do belong here and they haven't been proved guilty yet.'

  'Not been proved guilty? It doesn't need a trial, we were all there when they brought little Flick out. Double whisky for me.'

  Bryn and Georgie regretted offering drinks all round. The whole bar was inflamed at the news, and the extra alcohol only made matters worse.

  The more hotheaded among the regulars came to the conclusion that the police wouldn't do a thing to make sure Gwen and Beryl didn't do worse than hiding Flick in the cupboard. 'Murder it'll be next,' they said. 'Let's clear 'em out ourselves,' they said. 'Right come on then! We'll soon see off two old bats like them. Let's be rid of them. We want our village to be safe.'

  There was a concerted dash for the door and the bar emptied. Bryn and Georgie decided to ring the Sergeant. The crowd surged down Stocks Row and into Culworth Road. They stood outside Gwen and Beryl's cottage chanting, 'Out out out. Out Out Out. OUT OUT OUT.' Someone found a stone on the road and threw it at the house. By chance it hit a downstairs window and

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  broke it. Someone else found a bigger stone and aimed it deliberately at another window which shattered with a resounding crack. Incensed by the injustice of Gwen and Beryl's release and inflamed by the sound of the breaking glass the crowd began throwing stones in earnest. Being so close to the road the windows were an easy target. The chanting began again, 'Child molesters. Filthy women you are. Get out get out get out.' The sound of their chanting rose to a crescendo.