The Village Newcomers Read Online Free PDF Page A

have been growing longer and longer ever since he took over from me. This damn thing does the lot. And if Ford NatWest thinks he’s going to . . . that was my ankle you kicked, Dottie . . . what’s up?’
     
    To Willie’s horror Dottie was saying, ‘Good evening, Mr Barclay. Coming to join us?’
     
    ‘Uncommonly kind of you, Dottie. I’ll pull up another table and join it on to yours, because Mercedes is with me. That’ll make it more friendly, won’t it?’
     
    Dottie blushed when she found out she was on first-name terms with this huge man who had all the makings of being public enemy number one.
     
    By coincidence, all those at the table were at the point with their drinks when someone was going to have to get the second round in. In the hustle of moving a table and joining it on, and finding two extra chairs, no one offered.
     
    So it fell to Ford to offer. Dottie introduced everyone and as they shook hands they said, ‘And mine’s a home-brew’, or whatever they fancied. As Ford was about to head off to the bar, Mercedes put in an appearance.
     
    It would have been untrue to say she was a fine figure of a woman, because she wasn’t. She was scarcely less obese than Ford, and short with it. Sylvia guessed she’d be just over five feet tall, which cruelly emphasised her girth. Dottie judged her make-up excessive, Vera thought her clothes too loud to be permitted, and Vera’s Don decided she was common. But she had the sweetest smile, which compensated a little for all her drawbacks. She brought up the subject of the mower while Ford was buying the drinks.
     
    ‘Ford is so pleased to be able to do a good turn for poor old Zack. He’s delighted with the mower, he really is. Always looking for a chance to do good deeds, is my Ford.’
     
    Willie, determined to put the boot in, said, ‘Has he realised it won’t go in the churchyard shed?’
     
    Mercedes turned her large, slightly prominent hazel eyes on Willie and gave him a huge wink. ‘Of course, Willie. You’re Willie, aren’t you? There’s no flies on my Ford. New shed arriving Thursday.’ She smiled so sweetly at him that Willie almost knocked over his glass. Sylvia neatly retrieved it for him.
     
    ‘Oh! Right, well, that’s good. I’m pleased he’s realised.’ And strangely enough, he was pleased, because there was something about those hazel eyes that had nothing whatsoever to do with her lavish make-up and her outrageous gaudy clothes. It was almost as though there was a sweet, pleasing, much younger woman behind the lurid façade.
     
    Ford came back with the drinks and handed them out without a falter, as though he’d known them all for years. The time sped by because they were thoroughly enjoying themselves, mostly listening to Ford’s tales of his exploits at racecourses all over the country. Don and Willie between them got the next round in, Dottie and Mercedes the next, then Ford happened to mention that he and the wife were going to the races on Saturday. Would any of them like to go?
     
    Within minutes, everyone had agreed.
     
    Everyone ready for the off outside Glebe House at eleven-thirty, right?’
     
    They all nodded.
     
    ‘Will we be in time for the start?’
     
    ‘Of course, Sylvia. I’ll see to that. You’ll love it there. Very friendly and the food - mmwah.’ Ford bunched his fingers, put them to his lips and kissed them.
     
    Rather tentatively, Sylvia said, thinking of the expense, ‘Would sandwiches be out of place?’
     
    Mercedes said, surprised, ‘Sandwiches? When Ford’s footing the bill? I think not. You mustn’t think of sandwiches. Only the best for our friends, believe me. All you’ll need is money for betting and nothing else. My Ford is a generous host.’ She squeezed Willie’s hand where it lay on the table and gave him another of her smiles.
     
    Sylvia positively steamed at the foolish look on Willie’s flushed face. Because of it she almost said they weren’t going, but decided