Village Gossip Read Online Free PDF Page B

She heard laughter coming from the study and went to stand in the hall to hear better.
    It was Hugo talking to Peter. She hoped he wasn’t using his amateur psychoanalysis on Peter. Better take the bull by the horns.
    As she opened the study door she said, ‘I thought I heard a voice I recognised.’
    ‘Hello, darling, had a good day? Hugo’s called to return your jacket, you left it in the restaurant.’
    ‘Oh! Thank you. I hadn’t realised. Thank you very much.’
    Hugo bowed slightly. ‘Not at all, my pleasure.’ A silence fell.
Caroline filled it by offering to make tea before she went to meet the children.
    Hugo refused. Peter accepted.
    ‘I’ll go make one, then. Won’t be long.’
    She could hear Peter seeing Hugo out and heaved a sigh of relief.
    Peter came in the kitchen for his tea. ‘You know he really is very pleasant. Considering his fame, he is a very modest chap, doesn’t push it in your face like some would.’ He saw her making a sandwich. ‘That’s not for me, is it?’
    ‘No. It’s for me.’
    ‘I thought you’d had lunch with Hugo.’
    ‘No, I walked out.’
    ‘Walked out? Why?’ He saw her shopping on the table. ‘That a new dress? It looks extremely eyecatching.’
    ‘It is. I walked out because he got me very angry and I’m not telling you why.’
    ‘Oh, I see. I won’t ask, then.’
    ‘No, don’t. Here’s your tea. I’ll move my shopping.’
    Caroline devoured her sandwich with one eye on the clock.
    Peter drank his tea. ‘I’ll collect the children, if you like.’
    ‘Thanks. We’ve been invited to Harriet’s on Wednesday. I checked the parish diary, you’re free and Sylvia’s promised to sit in.’
    ‘Oh good, I shall look forward to that.’
    ‘Yes, I expect you shall.’
    ‘Shall I be taking you in that dress?’
    ‘You shall. If I dare to wear it. Not quite the thing for a Rector’s wife, is it, do you think?’
    Peter heard the challenge in her voice. ‘I don’t see why not.’
    ‘Oh good. Because I’m wearing it, and damn the lot of them.’
‘My darling girl! What lot?’
    ‘Your parishioners. Your prim, narrow-minded, gossiping, trouble-making parishioners, that’s who.’
    ‘What’s brought this on? It’s not like you to be so miserable. We’ll talk about it, shall we, when the children are in bed?’
    ‘We won’t, you’ve a meeting.’
    Peter stood up. ‘Must go get the children. So I have. Damn meetings. Well, tonight then, when I get back.’
    ‘Perhaps.’
    Wednesday evening came round all too quickly. Sylvia had admired the dress, though privately she thought it unsuitable for a Rector’s wife, but it appeared to be something Caroline needed and as far as Sylvia was concerned if Dr Harris wanted to wear it, it was all right by her. When she saw her actually wearing it Sylvia was very surprised, it was even more out of character than she had first thought. But the Rector seemed pleased with it, so it must be all right. ‘Have a good time! Forget everything and just enjoy yourselves!’
    When Caroline and Peter left the Rectory to walk to Harriet’s they met a total of four villagers on their way. They all greeted them with something just short of surprise.
    ‘Evening, Rector. Evening, Dr Harris.’ This from Anne Parkin who typed for the parish.
    ‘Good evening, Caroline! How lovely you look.’ This from Muriel who was popping round with a cake for her new neighbour. ‘Enjoy yourselves.’
    Barry Jones heading for the pub gave Caroline a thumbs up, his face twitching with a grin. ‘Good evening, Rector. Dr Harris. Nice evening!’
    Jimmy also heading towards the pub raised his cap and at the same time eyed Caroline from head to toe. He grinned and commented, ‘Going somewhere smart, eh? Wish I was thirty years younger! You’re a lucky man, Rector.’
‘I am. You’re right.’
    Peter and Caroline were the last to arrive. Gathered in the sitting room when they went in were Gilbert and Louise Johns, Craddock Fitch,