Trouble in the Village (Tales from Turnham Malpas) Read Online Free PDF

best.’
    Alex got up from his chair. ‘Come on, Beth, it’s no good. We’ll go.’ He tugged at Beth’s arm, took her handkerchief from her and wiped her eyes. ‘Come on. ’Bye, Sylvie. See you soon.’
    Beth put her hand in his hand and the two of them left the kitchen by the back door, wandering slowly down to the back gate like two lost souls. Sylvia watched them, remembering how many times she’d ironed those red shorts and the red and white shirt Alex was wearing and how she’d had to mend the split in Beth’s shorts because they were her favourites and she couldn’t bear to throw them away. And that little T-shirt Beth was wearing was the one Willie had chosen for her when he and Sylvia had taken a holiday in Spain last year; sunny yellow with a wavy white stripe, it really suited Beth’s fair colouring.
    The two dear little things. It was no good. She’d have to go back: she’d accused Caroline of almost breaking their hearts and here she was doing the very same thing all because of anger and pride. First thing tomorrow she’d go next door and ask for her job back. Yes, definitely she would.
Sylvia didn’t tell Willie what she intended because if they didn’t want her back she’d look a right fool and she wasn’t having that. But school holidays! Just how would those children cope, passed about everywhere? That mustn’t be allowed to happen.
    Sylvia had had a key for the front door all the time she’d worked at the Rectory but, of course, now she hadn’t and she wasn’t sure if knocking on the front door was quite the right thing to be doing in the circumstances: it made it all official like and one thing she didn’t want was the Rector answering the door and taking her into the study. No, she preferred the kitchen and as it was Tuesday Caroline would most likely be around.
    The back door was standing open when she got there so Sylvia called out, ‘Helloooo! Anyone at home?’
    Chang and Tonga, the two cats, came out of their basket and condescended to weave around her legs mewing. Well, at least the cats remembered her. No one was about so she called out again, ‘Helloooo! It’s only me.’
    The door from the hall opened and there was Caroline. A short silence followed and then Caroline greeted her: ‘Why, Sylvia, how nice. Do come in. I was just going to make coffee for Peter, would you like some? Do you have time?’
    ‘That would be nice. Thank you.’
    ‘Do sit down.’ But Sylvia remained standing, uncertain and nervous.
    They were silent while Caroline filled the kettle and got out the mugs. Sylvia had almost offered to make it, but thought better of it. Take things steadily, she reminded herself.
With her back to her Caroline said, ‘Lovely long summer we’re having, aren’t we?
    ‘Yes, we are. We could do with some rain for the garden though.’
    ‘We could, you’re right. The pleasure of watering it every evening soon palls.’
    ‘It does. Your roses are looking wonderful.’
    ‘I’ve really made an effort with them this year, pruned them back hard and fed them well. Here we are. I’ll just take this to Peter, won’t be a moment. Please, do sit down.’
    ‘Where are the …’ but Caroline had gone. Perhaps they’d manage better if the issue wasn’t clouded by Alex and Beth being around. When she came back Caroline sat opposite her at the table. They sipped their coffee without speaking. Well, the silence couldn’t go on for ever so Sylvia cleared her throat and said, ‘Are you serious about getting Mr Fitch to change his mind? About the hedge?’
    ‘Oh, yes. I am. It’s tantamount to sacrilege to destroy such a wonderful old piece of village history.’
    Sylvia hadn’t seen it quite like that but she agreed it was. All went quiet again and Sylvia knew she must brace herself and come to the point. She flushed bright red and then out it all came in a rush. ‘I was wondering what arrangements you had made for the school holidays. For the children, I