The Village Show (Tales from Turnham Malpas) Read online

  ‘Yer don’t marry for the sake of some nice cupboards, our Dean. And would you want his mother for a grandmother? I ask yer!’ Dean pulled a face, laughed and disappeared upstairs.

  Rather wistfully Michelle said, ‘Mum, I’d quite like having a dad.’

  Pat smiled indulgently at Michelle. ‘It would be nice for yer, love, with not remembering yer own dad, but that’s not the right reason for getting married, is it?’

  ‘No. I expect yer’ve got to marry for L-O-V-E. I can hear Grandad coming down. He’ll need a fresh pot, you know what he’s like.’

  ‘Yes – demanding, like all men.’

  Pat called at the rectory as soon as she’d finished at the school. Peter hadn’t yet returned so it was Sylvia who answered the door on her way back from the study where she’d been taking a coffee in to Louise.

  ‘Good morning, Sylvia. Just heard about Dr Harris’s mum and dad. Thought you might need a bit of ’elp and that, in the circumstances. Come to offer my services, I thought.’

  Sylvia caught Alex just as he was about to leap over the threshold into the road. ‘Come back, Alex, there’s a good boy. Thanks for calling in, Pat, we’ve got everything organised for now but if I do need any help then definitely I’ll give you a call. Louise is here today so she’s answering the telephone.’ Sylvia pulled a face and then carried on saying, ‘Perhaps you could sit in one night if the rector needs to go out?’

  ‘That would be great. Glad to be of help. I’ve always been fond of the twins. Any news from Northumberland this morning?’

  ‘Dr Harris called the hospital before she left. Still critical, I’m afraid. They’ve got terrible injuries. They’re both being operated on today. Look, come in or I shall be losing these two before the morning’s out.’ They stood in the hall while Sylvia listed their injuries. ‘So all told, they’ve broken bones, internal injuries and serious head injuries. So I don’t know when things will be back to normal.’

  ‘Still, once they’ve turned the corner she’ll come home, won’t she? These two’ll miss her; ’spect they’ll be playing up no end, poor little things.’

  Sounds of a furious argument in the kitchen made Sylvia terminate the conversation. ‘Must get on, Pat. Thanks for calling and I’ll let you know.’

  Pat stepped out into the road, waved and left, calling out from the lane, ‘Don’t forget to ring! I’m on the phone now since we moved.’

  Sylvia nodded her thanks and raced back into the kitchen. ‘No, Beth, that is Alex’s car; this one is yours. Here you are. Now no more shouting, please.’

  But the children wouldn’t be pacified and Sylvia was relieved to hear Peter’s key in the lock.

  ‘Now, Rector, caught the train all right?’

  ‘Yes, we did. Caroline’s promised to ring as soon as she has any further news. It’s been a terrible shock for her. She’s the eldest, you see – she’s always felt responsible for them all, so they lean on her.’ He turned to the children. ‘Now my little ones, what’s all this noise?’

  ‘They’re very upset, Rector. They’re not used to her leaving them and they’re missing her already.’

  ‘So am I.’ He stooped down to pick up the children, one on each arm, and he kissed them both soundly. ‘No more arguing, you’ve both to be good. Daddy misses Mummy too, and I’m not shouting and being cross, am I?’

  Louise stood in the doorway, her coffee cup in her hand. She strode forward and placing her hand on Peter’s, said, ‘Don’t worry, Peter, I’ll do the best I can to help. Anything, anything at all. I’ll come in every day if need be.’

  Peter thanked her and said he thought that between Willie, Sylvia and himself they’d manage. ‘But if we do have a crisis, I shall know who to call on.’

  Sylvia said, ‘Pat Duckett’s been already. I expect she’ll be the first of many. As soon as everyone knows, we’ll be inundated with offers of help, so don’t worry yourself, Louise. You confine your efforts to the computer – after all that’s what you’re best at.’ And Sylvia went to unload the washing machine, leaving Peter surprised by the sharpness of her tone.

  ‘Right then, children, down you go. Louise and I have a lot to do this morning. Be good.’

  Caroline rang that night to say both her parents had come through their major operations that day, and although they still weren’t out of the woods, things were looking a little more hopeful. She described the operations in so much detail she made Peter almost wish he hadn’t married a doctor. She knew far too much for his liking. ‘Mother’s opened her eyes and spoken to me, but Dad’s only looked round and then fallen asleep again. He didn’t know me really.’

  ‘Well, he always has been a bit vague, hasn’t he?’

  ‘Peter!’

  ‘Well, he has. Remember that time when we came back from our honeymoon and he mistook me for a patient? I mean! His own son-in-law.’

  ‘He’d been on call all night and he was exhausted, OK? Darling, how are the children?’

  ‘Noisy and fractious. Missing their mother, like I’m missing my wife. Loads of parishioners have called to offer their services. Sylvia’s got so many promises of walks and minding and things, she’s having to keep a roster. I probably shan’t see the children at all. Louise has promised to come in every day …’

  ‘Naturally.’

  ‘Caroline, please! What she does is out of kindness. After all, she’s not getting paid.’

  ‘I know. I know. However, I’ve got something better to talk about than her. Like how much I love you, and I wish you were here.’

  ‘Look, would you like me to come up?’

  ‘Absolutely no. You’re better to be at home giving the children security. There’s nothing you can do anyway. Just pray for them, darling, please.’

  ‘I have been.’

  ‘Thank you.’ There was a pause. ‘Thank you for that. I’m exhausted, I’ve just got to get to bed.’

  ‘Of course. Take care, my darling, and good night. My love to Mum and Dad tomorrow when they can talk. Have the girls got there?’

  ‘Oh yes. Peter, I’m so worried! There’s nothing I can do and I wish there was.’ There was a moment’s silence and then she said shakily, ‘My love to you. I’ll ring tomorrow night.’

  ‘Good night, darling. Sleep tight. God bless you.’

  Peter put down the receiver and went to look out of his study window. He’d always admired his parents-in-law. Stout-hearted Northerners, down-to-earth, tough, humorous, compassionate and latterly so forgiving of him. He hoped more than anything that they would pull through.

  Just before he fell asleep that night it occurred to him to be careful where Louise was concerned while Caroline was away. He’d have to watch his step. The parish wouldn’t stand for any more nonsense from him; one foot wrong and that would be it. He couldn’t think of any possible reason to stop her helping with the parish work and she’d been a boon, no doubt about that. But helping with the children, no, definitely not. God’s work, yes, but not his. He thought about Caroline sleeping in Northumberland in her old bed and wished she was home in Turnham Malpas in his.

  Chapter 3

  ‘Mother, have you seen that file for the Show? You know, the red one. It’s got a blue label with “Show” written on it?’

  ‘No, dear, I haven’t.’ Sheila emerged from the kitchen, her stocky figure swathed in her latest negligée, pale pink with little bouquets of white flowers on it. Ron thought it too thin for decency, but he was no expert. Underneath she wore a matching nightie. Since she and Ron had restored, to use Ron’s words, ‘diplomatic relations’, she’d endeavoured to bring a touch of excitement to his life by wearing tempting nightdresses. ‘I’ll look in your room, dear. It can’t have gone far.’

  Louise, head down in the bottom drawer of her desk, shouted triumphantly: ‘Eureka!’

  Sheila flinched. ‘I don’t think that’s a word suitable for the drawing room, dear, do you?’

  ‘Mother, for heaven’s sake! Thank goodness I’ve found it. I can’t
think why I put it down there in the bottom drawer when it’s so urgent. I’ll just put these lists in the right place and then I’ll be off.’

  ‘How they managed before you came I shall never know. Peter must be really grateful for your help.’

  ‘He is. She isn’t.’

  ‘Don’t say that. I’ve a very soft spot for Caroline Harris.’

  ‘Can’t think why. I can feel she doesn’t like me every time I see her. And those clothes! Who does she think she is?’

  ‘Well, she was a doctor before the twins arrived, so she would be earning good money and then I have heard on the village grapevine that Peter has a private income, so he doesn’t have to rely on his stipend, you see.’

  Louise pretended disinterest. ‘Oh well, that accounts for it then. Now, where does this go? Oh there. Gilbert Johns says he knows some Morris Dancers. I’ve wondered about asking them to come to the Show.’

  ‘Oh, that would be so colourful! We’ve been in Turnham Malpas five years now and there’s never been Morris Dancers here, not even on Stocks Day. That would be a real draw! I thought you weren’t speaking to Gilbert since he’s being so awkward about having you in the choir?’

  ‘I’m not, but he doesn’t seem to have noticed. In any case I haven’t given up the idea at all. Just letting it lie dormant for a while till I get another chance. It’s perfectly ridiculous to refuse to have a woman in the choir. But then what else can you expect?’

  Sheila, who had been busy spraying leaf-shine on her rubber plant while she talked, stopped and looked at Louise. ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘Well, he’s always so mild and kind of soft, he wouldn’t know how to cope with having a woman in the choir.’

  ‘He’s always been very much the gentleman as far as I’ve been concerned.’

  ‘It doesn’t mean because he doesn’t make waves that he can’t be a gentleman as well, Mother.’

  ‘No, I suppose not. He never socialises at all, does he? Never stays for coffee after the service or anything. You never get to know him any better however many times you talk to him.’ She glanced at the clock under its glass dome, its little brass weights steadily rocking back and forth. ‘Look at the time, Louise, you’re going to be late at the rectory. How are they managing without Caroline?’

  ‘Pretty well. The children are being farmed out all over the place. They’re very naughty at the moment, you can’t leave them for a minute.’

  ‘Missing their mother, I expect. Well, she’s not really their mother, but you know what I mean.’

  Louise swung round from the mirror, her top lip lipsticked and the bottom still awaiting her ministrations.

  ‘Not their mother?’

  ‘I thought you knew. They’re his but not hers.’

  ‘Haven’t they been married long, then?’

  ‘Oh yes. A good long time like seven years or something. But those twins are his by someone who used to live here. It was quite a scandal at the time, but the village closed ranks and no one let on. She left immediately the twins were born. We never mention it now. I thought you knew.’

  ‘You mean he was unfaithful to her and they then adopted the twins?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘God! I didn’t think he could be tempted away. They’re so lovey-dovey with each other. Kiss here. Hug there. Darling this, darling that. Well, well! This puts a whole new light on the matter.’

  ‘On what matter?’

  Louise turned back to the mirror. ‘Oh, nothing. Just a figure of speech.’ Her hand trembled ever so slightly and she had to wipe away the lipstick on her bottom lip and apply it again.

  Louise studied her reflection in the mirror. She’d tried to soften her strong features, so like her father’s, by lightening her hair to a kind of ash-blonde, and she’d had it cut short in a severe bob to give her a more youthful look. She wore mascara to enhance her eyes but sometimes wondered if they were her best feature, after all. Fancy Peter Harris doing that … She could understand completely how someone could be attracted to him, but imagine a man of the cloth allowing such a thing to happen! And twins too! That seemed to make it worse, somehow. So Caroline hadn’t got as much of a hold over him as Louise had imagined. She pondered about how many times adultery had taken place; though she supposed it only needed once to conceive. She patted some powder over her lips. She hated shiny lips, they looked too aggressive. Then she imagined his arms around her, her hands caressing his wonderful red-gold hair, his strong athletic body pressed close to hers, inch for inch, his lips lingering in her hair, listening to him whispering …

  ‘Good morning, Louise. You’re up bright and early.’

  It was Dad. ‘Morning, Dad. I’m off – they need me at the rectory. You’ve promised to be the starter of the races at the Show, haven’t you, Dad? The tug of war and the children’s races? That’s what I’ve put you down for, anyway. See you. Shan’t be home for lunch, Mother. I’ve promised to give Sylvia a hand with the twins. They’re wearing her out. Where’s my briefcase? Oh, there it is. I’m off.’

  ‘I shan’t be here anyway. Dad and I have promised ourselves lunch at the pub.’ As Louise slammed the cottage door, Sheila smiled indulgently. ‘How Peter managed before she came I don’t know. I’ve never seen her so enthusiastic, have you?’

  ‘No. Where’s my breakfast?’

  ‘Won’t be a minute.’

  ‘I don’t like you wearing that … thing about the house. It’s all right for the bedroom but not downstairs.’

  ‘All right, keep your hair on. I’m not walking down the street in it, am I, only sitting in my own drawing room.’

  ‘And don’t encourage Louise so much with all this voluntary work. She needs a proper job. Money doesn’t grow on trees.’

  Louise hastened on winged feet across the Green to the rectory. Fancy the twins not being Caroline’s. She found it hard to believe. Amazing what you learned about people. Everything all wonderful on the surface but underneath … Today she had the opportunity to help him, to make herself indispensable – yes, that was it, indispensable while Caroline was away. She knocked impatiently on the door.

  It was Peter who opened it. ‘Good morning, Louise. Snow’s going at last. I like it when it first comes but then after a while one wishes it anywhere but where one is.’ He took her coat and hung it in the hall cupboard. Louise noticed that before he shut the door he smoothed the back of his hand down the sleeve of a coat of Caroline’s. She could have burned that coat there and then. He opened the door to the study. ‘I’ve dictated a lot of stuff but you’ll soon whizz through it. If you’ve work to do for the Show, today could be the day.’

  ‘Don’t you worry about that, I’m staying for lunch to help Sylvia, we arranged it yesterday.’

  ‘I really don’t want to put on you any more than I have to. I thoroughly appreciate what you do for the parish and I’m sorry the church can’t afford to pay you for doing it, but I really can’t have you spending time looking after my children. It simply is not right. Thank you all the same.’

  Louise blushed bright red. Partly with anger and partly with disappointment. ‘But I’ve promised Sylvia. She has no chance to get her housework done now with Caroline being away.’

  ‘The twins are going to Harriet Charter-Plackett this afternoon straight after lunch, so Sylvia will be able to catch up then. The twins love playing with baby Frances. They’re staying there for tea.’

  ‘When was this arranged?’

  ‘Sylvia organised it yesterday afternoon, why?’

  Louise left the study and went to find Sylvia. She was upstairs stripping the two cots and putting clean sheets on. Alex and Beth were playing with some old soft toys they’d found stored away in the nursery cupboard.

  ‘Loo’ Lulu, it BooBoo, Beth’s BooBoo.’ Beth held up a tatty well-worn rabbit with one ear missing for Louise to see, but she hadn’t time for her.

  ‘Look here, Sylvia,’ she burst out, ‘we had it all planned. I was going to stay for lunch and look after the t
wins this afternoon. You knew all about it. Now I hear they’re going to Harriet for the afternoon.’

  Sylvia picked up Beth’s counterpane from the carpet and without pausing in her work to look at her said, ‘I know, but Mrs Charter-Plackett offered and it was the most convenient day for her so I said yes.’ Sylvia finished smoothing the counterpane on Beth’s cot and turned to look at Louise. ‘Let’s face it, you really much prefer the computer to children. I know exactly why you want to take care of the twins, don’t I?’ Sylvia stared meaningfully at Louise, who glared back.

  ‘What exactly do you mean by that remark? Speak plainly, I don’t like innuendos.’

  ‘Very well then. I know you want to look after the twins to usurp Dr Harris’s place here while she’s away …’

  ‘Well, really! You’re being ridiculous! Why should I want to do that?’

  ‘I can’t put it plainer than that, and I won’t have it. Come, children, help Sylvie put these toys away and then we’ll go to the Store. Mr Charter-Plackett says he’ll have that Jungle Book video in he promised.’

  Louise protested. ‘All I’m doing is trying to help while this family is in difficulties. I can’t think what can be wrong with that.’

  Alex slammed the toy-cupboard door shut and shouted, ‘Sylvie, done. Come on, Sylvie. Bimbo’s Bimbo’s.’

  Sylvia bent down to pick him up. ‘In future the only domestic thing you may do is make your own coffee and that’s that. I’m sorry.’ She called Beth and the three of them went off down the stairs.

  Louise took a deep breath and followed them down. She found Peter keeping a low profile in his study.

  ‘Peter! Sylvia has deliberately arranged for Harriet Charter-Plackett to have the children later today when she knew we’d arranged for me to help her look after them. I’m very hurt. They know me, and they’d be quite happy with me. I’m only trying to help.’

  ‘I know you are, and I’m grateful for all you do, but the house and the children are Sylvia’s responsibility whilst Caroline is away, and well … that’s how it must stay.’ He looked pleadingly at her and her heart melted. The poor dear man, dominated by two bossy women. What some men have to put up with. If he was hers he’d have the last word on everything. If he was hers …