Legacy of Greyladies Read Online Free PDF

all.’
    Her hostess put the kettle on, then cocked one eyebrow. ‘So … what’s been upsetting you, my dear Mrs Harbury?’
    Olivia didn’t like to be disloyal and didn’t know Mrs Simmons very well, so hesitated.
    Her hostess asked quietly, ‘Captain Ballam returned this afternoon, didn’t he? Is it something to do with him?’
    Why try to deny it? ‘Yes. My cousin hasn’t changed since he was a boy. He’s just as annoying. More!’
    Mrs Simmons laughed. ‘Let me guess. He’s been ordering you around.’
    ‘Trying to. How did you know?’
    ‘He kept telling my husband how to run this parish when we first came here. Fortunately, my husband has had many years’ experience of smiling blandly, saying very little and doing nothing unless he agrees with it.’
    ‘I wish I could be the same. Donald always tries to order people around, but when he said something about my husband, it was too much to bear, and I walked out. If he doesn’t stop carping, I shall have to leave earlier than planned.’
    ‘We’re going to miss your cheerful face in the shop when you do go.’
    ‘I wouldn’t like to spend my life behind a counter, but it’s very interesting to see how things are done and I’ve enjoyed meeting people.’
    They chatted together with the ease of old friends, and Olivia gradually calmed down.
    Only when Mr Simmons came in from visiting a parishioner did she realise it had grown completely darkoutside. ‘I’d better get back or my cousin will be sending out search parties. Thank you so much for the cup of tea … and the soothing chat.’
    ‘I’ll walk back with you,’ Mr Simmons offered.
    ‘It’s only three hundred yards and the village is quite peaceful. If I screamed for help, a dozen people would be with me in seconds. There really is no need. You look tired.’
    Mrs Simmons stood up. ‘I’ll see you to the door and watch you down the street.’ As they stood at the step, she hesitated then asked, ‘I wonder if you care about women’s position in society?’
    Olivia was surprised by this, so asked cautiously, ‘Do you mean votes for women, and – and things like that?’
    ‘Yes. I would never have gone as far as the sorts of things the suffragettes did because I abhor violence, but I very much agree with what they were trying to achieve. I do not consider my mind to be inferior to that of a man, and if a woman does the same sort of work, as they have during the war, and shows she can cope, I feel it’s only fair she should be paid the same amount of wages.’
    ‘I couldn’t agree more.’
    ‘Good. I meet with a small group of like-minded ladies every week and we discuss what we can do to change things and help other women, both now and after the war. We’ve helped quite a few people in the area. Would you like to join us?’
    ‘I’d love to, as long as the meetings are after my shop hours.’
    ‘They are. Um, I’m afraid I can’t include your sister-in-law in the invitation. Mrs Ballam holds rather different views on women’s role in the world.’
    Olivia chuckled. ‘She doesn’t hold any views whatsoeverof her own. It’s Donald who doesn’t believe in women getting the vote. And whatever he tells her, she believes. I promise not to bring her.’
    ‘We meet here on Wednesdays at four o’clock. Everyone brings a plate of food and we have tea together after our chat. Not too much food and nothing lavish because some of the women don’t have much money.’
    ‘I shall look forward to it.’
     
    When Olivia went into the living room Donald greeted her with, ‘You shouldn’t have been out on your own after dark.’
    Cecily nodded vigorously in agreement.
    Olivia tried to keep her tone light. ‘Why on earth not? You keep telling me how safe Nether Bassett is. And before you ask, I was chatting to the vicar’s wife. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go and finish eating my meal.’
    ‘One moment, if you please.’
    She waited, saying nothing, wondering what else he had