That Man Simon Read Online Free PDF Page A

using some new techniques which are faster than conventional methods.’
    ‘Yes, we’ve heard you have some revolutionary ideas,’ Jenny put in coldly.
    ‘Do I detect a note of censure, Miss Shannon?’
    Before she could answer, her grandmother gave her a reproving look, and said quickly, ‘You have children, Mr.
    Gilchrist?’
    ‘I’m not married,’ he told her pleasantly.
    This seemed to startle Mrs. Shannon, but it did not surprise Jenny. She had already assessed him as the type of professional bachelor who amused himself with a series of decorative girl-friends, but who was far too much of an egoist to commit himself to marriage. What did astonish her was that her grandmother should be disarmed by his palpably calculated charm.
    ‘I imagine one of my problems is going to be finding someone to run the house for me,’ he said. ‘Is it easy to get domestic help in the village, Mrs. Shannon?’
    So that was it, Jenny thought angrily. He was ingratiating himself in order to make use of them.
    ‘Well, most of the local women who want a job go to work at the turkey packing station. But if you like I can put it about that you will be needing a daily later on,’ her grandmother offered.
    ‘Would you? That’s very kind of you.’ He slanted a challenging glance at Jenny. ‘I was afraid I might find the established residents rather hostile towards an outsider. I’ve already met some antagonism — but I daresay I shall survive it.’
    ‘Oh, I think on the whole the village is a friendly little place,’ Mrs. Shannon said cheerfully, unaware that his last remark had been a barb aimed at her granddaughter. ‘The trades people are always delighted to see newcomers settling among us. Some of the very old people are inclined to be reserved with strangers, but television has had a broadening influence.’
    ‘Yes, I suppose so. Is there much social life in the village?’
    ‘Not of the kind which would appeal to you, Mr.
    Gilchrist,’ Jenny informed him sweetly.
    ‘No? How do you know?’ he asked equably.
    She managed to hold his eyes. ‘There’s a weekly Bingo session at the Methodist Rooms, and a “hop” every other Friday at the Church Youth Centre.’
    ‘I must admit I’m not a Bingo devotee, but I daresay I shall find some congenial pursuit,’ he said, with a gleam of devilment.
    Jenny bristled. Was he actually having the nerve to try and flirt with her? Hot colour surged into her cheeks, and she bent to pick up her bag and pretended to be looking for something in it.
    ‘I have an appointment at two, so I must go now. It’s been a great pleasure meeting you, Mrs. Shannon.’ He pushed back his chair and stood up. ‘Good-bye ... good-bye, Miss Shannon.’

    Watching his tall erect figure as he made his way between the tables towards the entrance, her grandmother said, ‘I can’t understand why you have taken such a dislike to him, Jenny dear. I think he’s a most affable young man, and extremely personable.’ She chuckled suddenly. ‘I wonder if Fenella has seen him about. If she has, it won’t be long before he finds himself invited to one of the Warings’
    dreadful overcrowded wine and cheese parties.’
    ‘I should think he and Fenella would be ideally suited,’
    Jenny said witheringly. ‘He’ll probably throw wine and cheese parties too. There’ll be car doors slamming half the night, and jazz blaring till all hours ... and probably his smart friends will peer through the fence for a glimpse of the quaint old country parson and his family.’
    On Sunday, neither James nor his mother attended morning service and Jenny considered calling on them on her way home from church. Then she decided that, in view of his abrupt departure on Thursday night, it might be wiser to wait until he sought her out.
    She spent all Monday stripping the old wallpaper in her grandparents’ bedroom. On Tuesday she filled in the tracks in the plaster, sized the walls, and washed down all the paintwork in