The Village Newcomers (Tales from Turnham Malpas) Page 13

  ‘No, but he was at the end of his tether and she was so bossy with him. She wasn’t like herself at all - demanding, you know, ordering him about. The real Muriel was gentle and considerate. ’

  ‘Well, it’s Ralph we have to think about now, Beth. He’s the one suffering.’

  ‘Poor Ralph. Always a gentleman in the real sense of the word.’

  Alex looked at his watch. ‘It’s almost five. Do you think we might get some sleep? Please?’

  ‘I’m not going to school tomorrow . . . today that is. If your house on fire isn’t a good excuse for not turning up I don’t know what is.’

  ‘It’s not really been on fire.’

  ‘The thatch probably still is. Can you see from the window?’

  ‘I’m not even looking.’

  ‘Please, Alex, just open the curtain a bit. You’re nearest.’

  Sighing loudly, Alex did as he was asked. ‘No, it isn’t. The firemen are standing about drinking tea and there isn’t a flame or cloud of smoke to be seen.’

  ‘All Mum’s memories in the loft will be soaked, I bet. Hope those red shorts I had when I was three will be OK. I loved those shorts.’

  ‘They’ll dry out.’

  ‘Will the water have got into the bedrooms, do you think?’

  ‘Beth! Shut up!’

  ‘You’re mean, you are.’

  ‘No, just tired.’

  ‘Sorry. I’m dying for a drink.’

  But Alex didn’t reply so Beth resettled herself and lay worrying about Ralph and wishing she hadn’t decided she’d never go and sit with Muriel again. Still, at least she hadn’t told them, so that was a good thing. Then Jake came to mind and she lay thinking about him and wishing it was Jake on the other sofa and not Alex. God, he was so handsome, Jake that was, not Alex. Although if he wasn’t her brother she probably would think Alex handsome, she supposed, because he was so like dad and he was the handsomest of men, really gorgeous. No wonder Mum had fallen for him and no wonder Suzy Meadows had fallen for him, too. Beth thought about that for the first time ever and quickly wished she hadn’t. Dad doing that! With her! She could just about manage thinking about Mum and Dad because it felt right, them still loving each other as they did, but Dad and Suzy? How did he manage the guilt? Because he must have felt guilty, with his principles, then when he found out abut the two of them being expected. She thought about herself as a baby and then somehow slid away to sleep.

  And none of those asleep in Grandmama’s cottage woke until half past nine, which made school definitely out of the question. So they spent the rest of the day exchanging fire news with everyone, sorting out the rectory attic and opening windows to get rid of the smell of smoke, and answering questions from the police. Beth said she thought that Muriel must have had the frying pan on and forgotten about it. Nothing quite like burning fat for producing a spectacular fire.

  Three days later the village received the most terrible shock when they learned that Ralph too had died. The news passed round the village faster than light and their distress about Muriel was multiplied tenfold. Muriel’s funeral had been planned for the Friday. Zack had used the newfangled digger to dig the grave for two coffins, and he’d cut the grass again for the very, very last time before the winter to make the graveyard fit for an important funeral. Jimbo had prepared the refreshments for the mourners and they were to be eaten in the Old Barn as they were expecting lots of people. Ralph was well known from the diplomatic service, and from being a magistrate and a church-warden, so they’d all want to support him.

  The entire village was determined to be at the church in good time, guessing, quite rightly, that there wouldn’t be sufficient room for everyone who wanted to be there. Fortunately, Peter had the forethought to organise loudspeakers in the churchyard, which many people thought was more than a little over the top. But it proved very necessary, for anyone arriving as early as ten minutes before the service was due to start found themselves, no matter who they were, standing outside. Orders of service were distributed and then the two coffins came in.

  First Muriel’s, as that would have been what Ralph would have wanted, and then Ralph’s. There simply hadn’t been time to inform everyone that Ralph had died only two days before the date of Muriel’s funeral, so a large number of people were in shock. Most people said it must have been a heart attack he died of, but the villagers knew better. They all declared very firmly that Ralph had died of a broken heart.

  It had been a difficult decision to make but Peter decided that being buried together on the same day was what they would have wanted, and as no relatives appeared there was no one he could ask if he was doing the right thing, so it was arranged with the best of intentions. The two of them, inseparable in life, were now to be inseparable in death. Years ago Ralph had bought a plot close to the little wicket gate which had given access to the Big House from the church for the Templeton family for generations, so they would be buried close to the gate where they had kissed as teenagers for the first time, not knowing that they would one day both return to the village and get married.

  Peter had officiated at funerals for more times than he wished to count, but this double funeral felt to be the most difficult. They wouldn’t have wanted to live without each other. Muriel was no longer enjoying her life and in a lot of ways her going was a blessing. But Ralph . . . that did hurt. And what does one say?

  He chose the hymns they both loved, and with Gilbert Johns choosing the incidental music in collaboration with their new and inspirational organist, Tamsin Goodenough, he just knew there wouldn’t be a dry eye in the church by the end of the service.

  Tamsin gave a wonderfully impressive rendering of ‘Abide With Me’ and everyone both inside and outside the church found it difficult to keep singing. That two such well-loved and respected village people should be laid to rest together touched everyone’s hearts. The singing was tremulous, but full of feeling and sung with great heart.

  Then everyone settled down to hear Peter’s address. He spoke of their popularity, of their wisdom, of their mutual love of the village and its life, of their laughter and generosity, and the uprightness of their way of life: ‘Together in death as in life, we thank you Lord for their lives. God bless us all.’

  Then came a surprise. Some people who’d known Ralph all their lives stood up in turn, without being asked, to say something about the two of them, recalling episodes of their lives and the admiration in which they had both been held by everyone who’d been privileged to know them.

  Tamsin played a wonderfully tender but triumphant piece to accompany the two coffins going out into the churchyard for committal. It had been thought that they might be laid to rest in one of the Templeton tombs in church but apparently, the word went round, Ralph had bought the plot so that he and Muriel would be sleeping for ever under the giant trees which had sheltered the graves for centuries, the trees which Muriel so loved.

  Chapter 10

  Of all the people who’d attended the funeral service, the one who had escaped notice was Suzy Meadows. It was Alex who first realised she was there in the Old Barn where the post-funeral refreshments were being served. She tapped his arm, and he turned and found himself looking straight at her. For a split second he didn’t recognise her. Then she spoke and he did. Good manners made him reply, ‘Yes, it’s terribly sad.’ Then, like a fool, he added, ‘My dad’s been very upset about it all. I’m glad for his sake it’s over. How did you know?’

  ‘Of course he’ll be upset. He’d a lot of respect for Ralph. I had a phone call from Hetty at the school; we’ve kept in touch since Michael left. He’d have been sad, too. He always—’

  Thinking he’d be caught listening to her reminiscing, which he didn’t want, Alex interrupted. ‘I’ll get you a cup of tea, shall I? Sandwich?’

  ‘Yes, please. I don’t think I could fight my way through the crowd. You’re so like your father, you know. Handsome, too, just like him, and so very considerate.’ She smiled up at him and A
lex flushed. This wasn’t what he wanted and if Beth saw them talking . . . he fled towards the sandwiches.

  When he got back to her, Suzy was talking to Grandmama Charter-Plackett. Sensing that Alex was embarrassed, Grandmama took charge.

  ‘Come with me, Suzy, there’s a table here. I’m no good at balancing cup and plate and talking and eating, too. Come along.’ She swiftly turned her back on Suzy for a split second and winked at Alex. Grateful for her understanding, he departed rapidly to get his own cup of tea.

  But he’d been seen by Beth. ‘I’d no idea she was here. Had you?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Cheek. That’s what. I bet she said she’d come because of Ralph and Muriel and not for any other reason. She’s a liar. I’m not speaking to her.’

  ‘Do as you choose. As you told me not long ago, we’re not joined at the hip.’ He turned away from Beth and surveyed the crowd.

  ‘You don’t seem bothered.’

  ‘About what?’

  ‘Me not speaking to her.’

  ‘Like I said, it’s your decision. We’re not under any obligation to speak to her. I just wish she hadn’t come.’

  ‘Has Mum seen her?’

  ‘I don’t know. She’s busy doing her wife-of-the-Rector bit, so possibly she hasn’t.’

  Beth spotted Caroline standing at Peter’s side, doing just as Alex had said, and she wandered off to catch up with her. She took her chance and whispered, knowing it wasn’t a good idea but dreading her Mum coming across Suzy without any warning.

  ‘Mum, did you know she’s here? Suzy Meadows. Have you seen her?’

  Already tense after the funeral and having to deal with all these strangers who’d come to pay their respects, when all she wanted was to go home to grieve, Caroline reached the end of her tether when she heard that. ‘No, I haven’t, and I don’t want to. I shall avoid her at all costs.’ But Caroline was not going to be allowed to ignore Suzy for there she was, standing beside her and Beth, waiting to speak.

  The steady look Caroline gave Suzy was unfathomable. She was both troubled and angry, endeavouring to be polite because these were not the right circumstances for arguing out loud, but above all defenceless. She wanted to hide behind Peter and leave him to deal with her, but he was speaking intently to someone who’d known Ralph in his diplomatic service days. So she spoke her mind. ‘I wish you hadn’t come. Appearing like this, uninvited and unwanted. You’re making a nuisance of yourself, causing us all a lot of pain, especially the children, and it simply isn’t fair. Just leave me and my family alone.’

  Caroline very pointedly turned her back on Suzy then, and promptly spilt tea in her saucer and down her skirt. Beth used her napkin to dry her up, and squeezed her mum’s arm to reassure her, but Suzy was determined this moment was not to be lost, and she’d take whatever was coming to her.

  ‘Beth! I’m not causing you pain, am I? Just coming and bumping into you like this? I’ve only come to pay my respects to Ralph and Muriel, you know. You don’t mind, do you?’

  Beth forced herself to speak, knowing she was causing pain to this person who’d given birth to her, but knowing too that not hurting her own mum took precedence. She took deep breaths to control her emotions and said, ‘Please . . . I’m . . . not . . . don’t want . . . to get to know you. I wish you wouldn’t . . . try. Alex told you in his letter we weren’t interested. Can you not take no for an answer?’

  Then she spoilt it all by bursting helplessly into tears.

  Grandmama Charter-Plackett appeared in full sail. ‘Suzy, come with me. Come on, leave the child alone.’

  Suzy snapped loudly, ‘She isn’t a child. She’s a young woman, with a right to get to know me, and why not? Come along, Beth, sit over here and talk to me. Let’s dry your tears. There’s no need for tears, you know, not with me.’ Suzy took out a handkerchief and tried to dry Beth’s cheeks, but she snatched herself away. Then Suzy tried to pull her to the table she’d just vacated, but Peter intervened.

  ‘Suzy! This must stop immediately! Beth, do you wish to sit and talk?’

  Beth shook her head emphatically.

  ‘Then please, Suzy, leave her be. You stay here with your mother, Beth. Come, Suzy, we’ll talk.’

  He marched purposefully towards the table Suzy had vacated and sat down. Alex appeared from nowhere and sat down with his dad. Keeping his feelings well under control, he continued drinking his cup of tea as though nothing serious were afoot.

  Suzy, delighted she’d got the attention of both male members of the family, willingly sat with them. Beth and Caroline walked away, arms around each other’s waists, the picture of filial love.

  ‘Well?’ This was Peter asking for an explanation.

  ‘It’s not much to ask for a chance to get to know my twins. That’s all it is. I know what’s making the two of them refuse me.’

  ‘You do?’ Peter sceptically raised his eyebrows.

  ‘Yes. Caroline is putting every possible stumbling block in my way. She’s been viciously against me having contact with my twins ever since the beginning.’

  Alex sprung to his mother’s defence. ‘That is absolutely not the case. Mum has never tried to influence how we think about you. Never. We have not heard from you for over sixteen years. That letter you sent each of us was the very first communication we’ve had from you. How’s that for caring? Just because you have a great gap in your life now does not justify opening up old wounds. Beth and I have talked long and hard about this situation, and neither of us wishes to get to know you better. We know how hard it must be for you, but it’s also hard for the two of us. We are perfectly happy to be with our dad and our mum, and that’s how we want it to stay. Trying to tear us apart makes us even more determined.’

  ‘But that is ridiculous—’

  ‘No, it isn’t, it’s what we want.’

  ‘But it isn’t what I want.’

  ‘No, you want us, but we don’t want to be four people. Alex and Beth who belong at the Rectory . . . and . . . Alex and Beth who belong to you. Will you not understand? Please?’ He gazed steadily at her, his eyes frank and honest, his face passionate, and sounding more like his father than she’d thought possible.

  Suzy laid a gentle hand on his forearm. ‘I’d be content with just a teeny-weeny bit of you.’

  Alex got to his feet. Leaning his hands on the table, he bent over her and said, ‘Not even a teeny-weeny bit, because then you’d want more. I’ve listened to boys at school who have divorced parents. They say they belong in two houses all at the same time, and neither of them feel like home, and when they wake up each morning they have to remember which house they’re actually in. It makes them two people all wrapped in one, and the opportunity for playing one set of parents off against the other is just too tempting, and they blatantly admit to doing it. Beth and I are not putting up with that.’

  ‘You don’t know what Beth wants, not deep down.’

  ‘I most certainly do and I’m not having her upset any more. This is our final word. Our . . . final . . . word! In the unlikely event of us changing our minds we’ll be in touch. Until then, just bloody well stay away!’

  ‘Alex!’

  But Alex had rushed away, deeply angry and seriously distressed by what he’d said, and he went to sit out in Turnham House Park by himself under the trees until he’d calmed down, leaving Peter with a distraught and horrified Suzy.

  ‘How could he? How could he speak to me like that?’ Out came her handkerchief.

  ‘Because he feels passionately about what he said, and you’ve to let them go. You don’t listen because it’s simply not what you want to hear. I’m sick and tired of this whole business. The children have told you that at this moment they don’t want to get to know you, and as far as Caroline and I are concerned that’s how it is. It’s their decision, not ours. Do as he says and bloody well stay away.’

  He heard her sharp intake of breath when he swore, but he didn’t care.

  ‘Peter! Please!’ />
  ‘Has the message not gone home, then? Are you still going to keep persuading them to build a relationship with you? Despite Alex’s anger? Despite Beth’s tears?’

  ‘It’s so lonely, you see, with my three girls away from home. They hardly ever come to see me. And Beth and Alex are the children of the man I love. Had you forgotten that? What love did I ever get from Patrick? None at all. From Michael? Huh! I should have known not to marry a dyed-in-the-wool bachelor. But you . . . I have loved you ever since that day we made love, every hour of every day.’

  Peter was devastated. A declaration of love from her was not what he wanted after the week he’d had. He didn’t want confrontation and protests and promises of undying love, not today. What he wanted was Caroline’s common sense, Caroline’s uncomplicated love and understanding, not the over-the-top emotional desire of this apparently obsessed woman. What he’d done that day long ago was to answer her need as well as his own; that the twins had been the result was both shocking and wonderful, but for certain he wanted an end to this.