Talk of the Village

by Rebecca Shaw

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  'When you think about it, establishments for staff training purposes won't need a full catering staff all year long will they? Times like August and Christmas and weekends there won't be any staff there to train, so the domestic people will be twiddling their thumbs. Being on the spot so to speak you could put staff in as and when.'

  'Of course, of course. Having put A in contact with B and got a sale I shall then be able to tender from a strong position. At least they will know that with my City background they're not dealing with a complete country bumpkin.'

  'I always knew I'd married a brilliant brain.'

  'Thank you and good night.'

  'I wonder if they could find a job for Venecia?'

  'Now that really is magnanimous of you.'

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  Chapter 22

  Sylvia was taking advantage of the twins having gone visiting with their mother, and the rector being out at a meeting in Culworth, to get some housework done without interruptions. She began by cleaning the bathroom Peter and Caroline used. She'd tidied up Caroline's bottles and jars, changed the towels for fresh pale green ones and given the taps an extra polish. Standing back to admire the sparkling bathroom Sylvia noticed the curtains needed a wash, so she took them down and opened a window to let in some air. It was late September but still quite mild. The Rectory garden, since Willie had worked on it, was looking splendid. Beyond it she saw a car wandering down Pipe and Nook Lane, and watched it till it disappeared behind Sir Ralph's hedge. Her little car was still going strong. Pity Willie had never learned to drive. She really preferred to see the man driving the car. That was just what Willie was. A MAN. A tender loving man. That fool she'd married in the first flush of her youth hadn't as much tenderness in the whole of him as Willie had in his little finger.

  She picked up the used towels and put them in the linen basket on the landing. It seemed an age since breakfast so she went downstairs for a drink. The kitchen felt warm and welcoming and when she'd made a coffee she decided to sit down and read the newspaper. With her

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  elbows resting on the table she sipped from her mug. It had some unknown tropical flower decorating it and Sylvia smoothed her fingers over the pinkness of the petals and thought about Willie and his garden. There couldn't be much wrong with a man who had green fingers. Sylvia added up Willie's qualities. Since she'd gone to live with him she'd found he was kind, considerate, tender, sensitive, thoughtful, a good laugh, and, surprisingly, she'd found him passionate. He did have a sense of humour, you needed that in a relationship. A loud hammering at the door made her jump and she spilled her coffee. That'll be Willie.

  She heard his footsteps coming down the hall and him shouting, 'It's me Sylvia, where are you?'

  'In the kitchen wiping coffee off my blouse.'

  'What made you spill your coffee?'

  'You, banging on the door like that. Is there a fire?'

  'Fire? No.'

  'You should really have waited for me to answer the door you know.'

  'Well, I knew they were both out, so I thought I'd come and cadge a coffee with my Sylvia.'

  'Nevertheless, I work here, Willie, it's not my house, and you should wait. It's only right.'

  'Give us a kiss and then I'll remember next time.' He grabbed her round the waist and pulled her to him. 'By Jove, Sylvia, but you're grand. You always taste so sweet.'

  'Willie.' Sylvia struggled to get free. 'At your time of life! Kissing in the middle of the morning. Really. Anyone would think you were in your teens.'

  'I am. Where's that drink, I'm a working man and I need it.'

  Willie sat at the other side of the table from Sylvia, stirring his coffee. He glanced at her from under his

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  eyebrows and relished what he saw. Sylvia became conscious of his penetrating eyes and looked up. For a moment, with not a word said, they spoke directly to each other from their souls. Time stayed its hand. Then Sylvia heard the kitchen clock begin ticking again and her heart righted itself. Willie's spoon rattled against the side of the mug because the hand that held it was trembling.

  Their silence was broken by the sound of Caroline's voice. 'Sylvia! Can you take Alex for me please?' Sylvia jumped up guiltily. 'Willie, you shouldn't be here.' Caroline was holding Alex and keeping the front door open with her foot to stop the wind banging it shut on her. 'You take him and I'll get Beth. Thanks.'

  Sylvia propped open the door with the wedge and stood watching Caroline getting Beth out of her car seat. She'd have to apologise. She felt her face. It was still hot from the aftermath of that stare of Willie's.

  'I hope you don't mind Dr Harris but Willie came in for a coffee. We thought you wouldn't be back just yet.'

  Caroline looked at Sylvia's flushed face, with a twinkle in her eye she said, 'I hope I haven't interrupted something?'

  'Oh no, no, not at all.' They took the twins into the kitchen. Willie stood as she entered. 'Good morning Dr Harris.'

  'Good morning Willie. My friend had left a note pinned to the door. "Sorry gone to casualty, Piers has fallen and I think he's broken his arm." So I've come straight back home. I think these two could manage a drink, Sylvia, please and I'd like the coffee I missed. No, no, Willie you stay and finish yours.'

  Willie sat down again embarrassed by the tumultuous feelings he'd experienced when he'd looked into Sylvia's eyes and by the fact he'd been caught out doing his courting in the Rectory kitchen.

  With Alex and Beth seated in their high chairs each

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  with their feeding beakers and a biscuit, Caroline took time to speak to Willie. But he hadn't much to say and as quickly as he could he finished his drink and left.

  Caroline, bending down to the floor to pick up Alex's biscuit which he'd knocked off the tray said, 'You know, Sylvia, your face was the colour of a beetroot when I came in and the atmosphere in here was electric. You're going to have to capitulate and marry that man.'

  'I can't make up my mind.'

  'It seems to me the chemistry is right, oh so right. What's holding you back?'

  'I don't know.'

  'Neither do I. Don't break his heart, Sylvia. He's a good, kind man and he feels it quite badly you not being properly married, you know. Sometimes I see him look at you very wistfully. He doesn't just want his socks washing with no commitment on his part. Have courage.'

  'I know. I can't believe he's fallen in love like a young man would do. I'm so afraid he'll wake up one day and find he's been fooling himself.'

  'Have you fallen in love? That's the other half of the equation you know. Only time will tell. Now I must press on.' But the door bell rang and it was Muriel on the step.

  'Good morning Caroline, I've come about the fund raising for the refurbishing of the small hall.'

  'Come right in Muriel. Isn't it a lovely day?'

  'It certainly is.'

  Caroline showed Muriel to a chair in the sitting room and settled herself in another close by. 'I've been meaning to tell you Muriel, I've been to visit Beryl Baxter.'

  'No! You make me feel very guilty. I never gave her another thought. How is she and where is she?'

  'She's in a secure mental hospital in Brackley. Rather a grim place but they've done their best to make it bright

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  and homely. At first apparently, Beryl simply sat motionless and they had to do everything for her. Feed her, wash her, dress her, put her to bed. Then one day she disappeared from the ward and they couldn't find her. She'd wandered into the occupational therapy area and joined a class of people learning to paint watercolours. They gave her a brush but she sat staring at the paper and didn't paint. This went on for days, going in there, holding the brush staring at the paper. Sometimes she sat there for two hours without moving and then wandered off back to her bed again.'

  'Oh the poor thing.'

  'Then miracle of miracles one day she dipped the brush in some paint and painted like a small child would, just hectic b
rush strokes all over the paper. But the significant thing was that she smiled at it. It was the first emotion she'd shown.'

  'How wonderful.'

  'Now she goes in there every day and paints. There's no therapy at the weekends but it's doing her so much good and as it's the only way she can express herself, they allow her to sit in there unsupervised at the weekends. Gradually her painting is improving and one can see what she's trying to paint now, and they have great hopes that she is going to cure herself through it. Normally she doesn't speak to anyone at all, but when she paints she talks to herself, so there is a ray of hope there. Isn't that wonderful?'

  'Oh, it is Caroline. I don't think I'd be brave enough to go see her myself but, when you go again, would you let me know and I'll send her a present.'

  'Of course. I won't be going till next month but I'll let you know when I am.'

  'Harriet came round to see me you know.' Caroline looked questioningly at Muriel because the tone of her voice seemed strange. 'Yes, she came to apologise. It was

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  all a misunderstanding.'

  'Was it?' Caroline was nonplussed.

  'Oh, don't you know? I thought you would have heard. Yes, you see Venetia was very upset because the Health Club has failed andjimbo was comforting her.'

  'Oh I see. How do you know all this?'

  'Because I found them in the storeroom. I was so embarrassed I left my shopping and fled home to Ralph.'

  'Oh, Muriel.' Caroline collapsed with laughter. 'What a fix to be in! What's happening about the health club?'

  'I don't know. Jimbo's trying to rescue it but I don't know how. Venetia's not too bad when you get to know her. In fact I have developed quite a soft spot for her. She confided in me one day you see.'

  'You have been a busy person Muriel.'

  'I have, very busy in fact. You'll never guess what I've done this morning.'

  'No, tell me.'

  'Well, I met Michael Palmer in the Store and he asked me if I would play the piano for him at the school for a while as I used to do before I married. Doesn't that sound wonderful? "Before I married." I am glad I did what you said. Where was I? Oh yes. So we got talking, he's such a lovely man and so alone. However, I asked him if he ever heard from Suzy Meadows.' The moment the name was out of her mouth Muriel regretted it. 'Oh Caroline, I'm so sorry, I'd completely forgotten, how thoughtless of me. I'll leave and come back another time. I'm so sorry.'

  Caroline, knowing Muriel could never be guilty of duplicity, nor intentionally take any action which would cause distress, smiled painfully. She and Peter had an unspoken rule about not mentioning Suzy's name. To hear her name spoken in her own sitting room was shocking to her and Caroline had to struggle to keep control of her feelings. She covered the stress by taking time to remove an imaginary piece of thread from the

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  hem of her skirt. Having done that she looked up and said, 'That's all right, Muriel. I can talk about her and wish her well. After all, in one sense I owe her so much. But I never mention her name in front of the children, it's ridiculous but it feels almost indecent. I know when they are older we shall have to speak the truth, because Peter has promised he will, but for now her name is never mentioned in front of them.'

  'I see, well, I must apologise for causing you such distress. I just didn't think. I won't say any more.'

  'Please do. They're with Sylvia and not within earshot. I don't wish her harm you know, I do want her to be happy.'

  Her lovely piece of news had been spoiled for her but Muriel decided she would look silly if she didn't carry on telling it. 'Well, apparently he is in touch with her mother, you know the twins' grandmother, all because her mother wrote to him wanting to have news of her twins, because after all they are her grandchildren aren't they? So she would wouldn't she?'

  'Yes, she would.'

  Muriel cleared her throat. This was so difficult, why ever had she launched herself on this story. 'So I told Michael Palmer that they'd always got on well and that if he liked the idea why didn't he go ahead and begin courting her. He -went red and said she had started writing to him occasionally, you know, putting little messages on the bottom of her mother's letters, so I said, take life by the scruff Michael. We only have one life to lead why not plunge in and grasp the nettle. Oh dear, I seem to have got things mixed up but you know what I mean?'

  'Yes, I do and thank you for telling me. What did he say?'

  'Well, he said that was just what he was going to do and winked. So, yes, I am going to play the piano for him

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  until he gets a new permanent teacher who can play, which will be straight after Christmas, and it does look as if he is going to do something positive about . . . Suzy. Which will be lovely won't it?'

  'Yes, it will.'

  'Only what I've told you is in complete confidence, except of course you wouldn't want to talk to anyone about Suzy would you seeing as things are? Oh dear, I am sorry, that came out all wrong too. I'm so confused.'

  'No, I won't divulge it to a soul. Thank you for telling me. Now about the fund raising. I have been giving it a lot of thought and I wondered what you ..."

  'I really think I'm too exhausted to think about it now, and you're very busy, can I come back another time please?'

  'Of course. It truly is all right Muriel, honestly.'

  'Yes, well, I still think I will go. Ralph will be wondering where I am. I'll come back another day. Don't worry I'll see myself out.' Muriel let herself out thankful to have escaped. What a stupid silly thing to have done. So thoughtless. She shut the front door, stepped off the stone step into the road and bumped into Sir Ronald and Lady Bissett.

  'Oh I'm so sorry, I didn't see you there.'

  'Are you all right Lady Templeton?' Sir Ronald took her elbow and steadied her.

  'Why, yes, of course. My goodness Sir Ronald you look to me as if you've lost weight.'

  Lady Bissett answered on his behalf, 'He has, a whole stone and a quarter and our best bit of news is we're off to the States, aren't we Ron. .aid. We've been married forty years this year so it's a kind of second honeymoon.'

  Muriel blushed. 'Oh, how lovely. It certainly suits you being slimmer Sir Ronald. How long will you be gone?'

  'Four weeks, coast to coast we're going.'

  'How lovely. I've never been to the United States.

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  Would it be helpful if I have Pom for you?'

  Sheila looked grateful. 'Oh it would! I was dreading

  him going into kennels, he's not used to it you see, and I

  didn't like to ask.'

  'Of course I'll have him. Pericles will be delighted.' Sheila patted Muriel's arm. 'I've been thinking, how

  would it be if you called us Ron and Sheila? We're not

  really titled in the proper sense of the word and it would

  be much more friendly wouldn't it?'

  'Well, yes, it would, in that case you call me Muriel.' 'Very well we will. Bye bye Muriel. Be seeing you.' 'Bye bye Sheila, and bye bye . . . Ron.' At home

  Muriel sank gratefully into her favourite armchair and

  consoled herself with a cup of tea and a biscuit. She'd had

  just about all she could take this morning. There were

  times when she wished she was a hermit.

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  Chapter 23

  'Good afternon, Turnham House Health Club. Venetia speaking. How may I help you?' Venetia gripped the receiver between her jaw and her shoulder while she hitched herself onto Jeremy's desk.

  'Hi Venetia. Jimbo Charter-Plackett here. How are you this fine bright day?'

  'Bloody awful.'

  'You don't sound too perky.'

  'I'm not and neither is Jeremy. We are completely at the end of our tether.'

  'Hold on Venetia, surely things can't be as bad as that?'

  'You know full well they are. I wish I was in Timbuktoo, anywhere but here.'

  'I jolly well hope you won't be in
Timbuktoo on Monday.'

  'On Monday? Why?'

  'Because I have been incurring a huge phone bill beavering away on your behalf.'

  'Yes?'

  'Ann-n-n-d on Monday of this week, at precisely eleven thirty a certain company chairman in the City will be coming to give the Big House the once over.'

  'The once over?'

  'Venetia, you're not very bright eyed and bushy tailed this morning.'

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  'Run it past me again and then it might sink in.'

  'A person by the name of Craddock Fitch is coming to look over Turnham House with a view to purchasing it for his company. He'll be arriving at eleven thirty on Monday morning.' His announcement was met with total silence. 'Hello. Hello. Venetia are you there? Hello. Hello.' It sounded as though the receiver had crashed to the floor. After a moment Jimbo could hear a voice quite unlike Venetia's screaming, 'Sid, Sid.' He heard footsteps and then faintly, 'Sid, get up and come down.' The footsteps returned.

  'Are you still there Jimbo? Oh God, I can't believe it. A buyer at last. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I don't know what else to say.'

  'Now see here, I only said he was coming to look. There are no promises at all. A sale depends on the impression he gets. Can I be brutally frank?'

  'Of course.'

  'He is a very important person, Venetia, really important. He's coming because he is seriously interested. I happened to speak to him on the right day at the right moment, and he happens to be in the area at a weekend house party and is calling on his way back to London. You must, absolutely must give a good impression. On no account wear your screamingly dazzling track suit or bikini. Get out your darkest suit, your whitest blouse, tone down the old makeup, hide the gold jewellery in the drawer and wear only one small well chosen piece. In other words behave like a nun. Right? Get Jeremy togged to the nines in a dark suit, white shirt, restrained tie, well polished shoes. Have everywhere totally spick and span. Clear Jeremy's desk and in particular make sure there are no Snickers bars evident. Lots of flowers about, cushions plumped et cetera, create a kind of country house atmosphere. Get the picture?'