‘Coming on nicely. Came through the operation OK, just got to wait to find out how successful it’s been.’
Dicky put a hand on his arm and gave it a squeeze. ‘Lovely lady. It must be hard for you. I’m so sorry. Give her my regards won’t you? Must press on.’
‘Thank you, I will. Will you pay some heed to what I’ve said?’
‘Of course.’
‘There are four lives at risk not just yours, you know.’
Dicky nodded. ‘I know. I won’t use the church again for a banner or anything, but I can’t promise any more than that.’
‘Dicky!’
Dicky grinned. ‘My best wishes to Dr Harris. Very fond of her I am.’ His eyes twinkled and Peter had to laugh. Dicky handed Jimbo a loaf of bread. ‘That’s all this morning. Thanks. Be seeing yer! Bye!’ He dashed out of the door laughing.
As Jimbo totalled up Peter’s shopping he said, ‘I’m very very sorry about that rumour my mother spread. I told her not to say a word but there was no stopping her. I’m so grateful that Caroline didn’t hear it.’ He looked up anxiously. ‘She didn’t, did she?’
‘No. Mercifully. It was an understandable mistake.’
‘You’re too generous. She means well, just has this domineering streak you know. She’s very upset at what she’s done.’
‘Well, then, perhaps she’ll think twice next time.’
‘We should be so lucky. I’m dreading what she might get her teeth into next. I’ve an idea it could be opposition to the bells ringing. If I could just channel all her energy in the right direction before she …’
‘Don’t worry, Jimbo. How much?’
‘Twelve pounds ninety-seven.’
‘Thanks.’
Jimbo wrapped Caroline’s flowers. ‘Don’t forget the flowers! Here you are. Our love to her. She’s a great lady.’
‘Thank you, you and I, both of us have been very lucky.’
Jimbo couldn’t resist saying, ‘Well, looking at the two of us I should say they’ve been lucky too!’
Peter couldn’t help grinning, and as he left he said, ‘It always does me good coming in here, gets life in perspective, I don’t know how you do it.’
Caroline opened her eyes to see who had come in to visit her. ‘Darling! I hadn’t expected you tonight as well as this afternoon! How lovely! Are you sure you can spare the time?’
‘Of course I can. Saturday is my day off after all. These flowers are from Jimbo and Harriet with love, I forgot to bring them this afternoon.’
‘Of course. I’d forgotten it was Saturday. They’re lovely, how kind of them. I’ll get someone to put them in water. Were the children all right when you took them home?’
‘Absolutely.’ He didn’t tell her how they’d cried when it was bedtime, nor the way Alex had clung to him and asked when she’d be home, nor about Beth’s tantrum at bathtime when she’d laid on the floor and screamed and drummed her heels because he’d forgotten to put the bath bubbles in, when it was she who didn’t like them very much. Nor that Beth had gone to sleep with Caroline’s favourite scarf hidden under her pillow which for her sake he pretended not to notice, nor indeed that Alex had got his baby beaker out from the cupboard and insisted on having his bedtime drink in it.
‘Really?’
‘Well … they wanted you, naturally, but we got over that bit. How are you tonight, my darling? If you want me to go because you’re tired just say so.’
‘I am tired but I don’t want you to go. Sometimes I just fall asleep even when I’m talking to someone.’ She gazed somewhere behind his head and then said, ‘I’ve never had an operation before, you know.’
‘I know, neither have I. I think you’re being awfully brave.’
‘Not really. Peter …’
‘Yes?’
‘Peter, there’s nothing left of me now you know. Not the me that’s me!’
‘From where I’m sitting there seems to be all the bits left that I love, so what’s the problem?’ He reached out and lifted her hair at the front and pretended to inspect it. ‘They haven’t removed your brain too have they?’
‘Don’t make me laugh, it hurts!’
‘Sorry! Well, they haven’t have they? You’re still my Caroline whom I adore.’
Caroline turned her head away from him and stared at the wall. ‘But everything that makes me a woman has gone. I might as well be a hundred for what’s left that’s feminine. Whilst ever I had everything else intact there was, foolishly really, just a tiny bit of hope that I could possibly have your children even though my womb was tantamount to nonexistent. It was all very silly of me I know, because I couldn’t have carried a baby in fact, but now absolutely all hope is gone.’
‘As Rhett Butler would say “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn”. You and I will continue having a wonderful married life together and no surgeon, whoever he is, is going to put a stop to that.’
Caroline shuffled painfully about in the bed trying to get herself more comfortable. She was silent for a while and Peter thought she must be falling asleep again but she said, ‘What I’m so afraid of is that I feel less of a person than I was before. How can you possibly want me after this?’
‘Caroline, I’m not going to stop loving you just because, as Sheila Bissett would say, you’ve had everything taken away. It won’t make one jot of difference to me and we won’t let it make one jot of difference to you either.’
‘Do they all know?’
‘I expect so by now.’
‘I wish they didn’t have to.’
‘Unavoidable. By the way, your mother’s been on the phone, four times. She’s phoned the consultant twice and threatened what she’ll do to him if anything goes wrong. Apparently they’ve realised he was in the same year as your father at medical school. She’s coming down when you come out.’
‘Oh right. I can understand her wanting to come, and I’m grateful that she is, but I wish she wouldn’t, I shan’t feel like being stirred up.’ She fell silent and lay with her eyes closed. Without opening them she continued speaking. ‘I felt you pray for me yesterday. Well, not pray but kind of call out to me. I can’t remember when it was. Were you here when they brought me back from theatre?’
‘A while after.’
‘You said my name twice and I came back into the room to see what you wanted, it was really very odd.’
‘Ah, right! I see my flowers have come.’
She smiled at him. ‘They’re beautiful. Thank Jimbo and Harriet for theirs for me will you?’
‘Of course. Shall I sit with you until you sleep?’
‘Yes, please. I’ll go to sleep now.’
Peter rested his elbows on the edge of the mattress and held her hand close to his cheek and then kissed it. ‘God bless you.’
‘And you. Give my two little ones a kiss from me. I hope they’re not being too difficult.’
‘No, not at all. Good as gold. Between us Sylvia and I are managing very nicely, though we shall all be glad when you’re back.’
‘I do love them. So much. And you. I love you dearly.’
‘I know, and I love you.’
Faintly he heard her say, ‘We’re so lucky aren’t we, you and I?’ She squeezed his hand and smiled and then fell asleep.
In church on Sunday when Peter was saying prayers he told the congregation about Caroline’s operation, that it was for cancer and would they give thanks with him for her safe recovery.
No one prayed more fervently than Grandmama. She’d lived a thousand years since she’d met Peter on the Friday morning and he’d told her the real truth of the matter. Thank heavens she hadn’t met Caroline and said something. That didn’t bear thinking about. If only she’d listened to Jimbo and done as he’d said. But she hadn’t and she’d blundered on in her usual bossy way. But she was right about some things. After all he often took notice of her ideas for the Store. He never said he would, but next time she went in he’d have done whatever she’d suggested. Not always, but a suffic
ient number of times to make her feel useful. But for now she’d pray. Between her fingers she could take a peep at the twins sitting With Sylvia because they’d made a commotion in Sunday School and had to be brought out. Dear, dear little things. Wriggling about a lot, but then who wouldn’t at their age?
When the service was concluded Grandmama made her way to the twins and gave them each a pound coin. ‘Now this is for you to spend in the Store when Sylvia gets a chance to take you after school. It’s closed today but you can go in tomorrow, can’t you? Something nice, remember?’
Through tight lips Sylvia forced herself to say ‘What do you say children?’
‘Thank you, Mrs Charter-Plackett.’ The two of them studied the shiny coins for a moment and then stored them away in their pockets.
Having made sure the children had behaved politely Sylvia turned her attention to Grandmama. ‘I can’t disappoint the children when they’re so upset about their mother, but if it was my decision I’d throw that money back at you. You can’t buy favour with us, not with none of us.’
‘How dare you!’
‘I dare all right. I’ve found out it was you who started that rumour about Dr Harris being … you know. How could you? How could you?’ Sylvia stamped her foot and a small crowd, beginning to gather in the aisle because they couldn’t get past, were paying delighted attention to Grandmama getting told off.
‘It wasn’t done maliciously, I just put the facts together.’
‘But they weren’t facts were they?’
‘They seemed like it.’
‘Well, they weren’t. Can you imagine how she would have felt if you’d met her and said that and her knowing what she was having to face? If we still had a ducking stool that’s exactly where you’d be, in the pond and drowned for your wicked ways. It happened more than once in that pond in years gone by to nasty old gossips like you.’
Someone in the crowd contributed to the discussion with ‘And for what she did to Sheila Bissett. That was cruel that was.’
‘It was. Downright cruel.’
Grandmama began to feel in need of help, things were getting very ugly. To her relief Jimbo came to her rescue.
He declared rather more loudly than there was any need, ‘Mother! There are you. Coming home for lunch?’ He elbowed his way to the middle of the crowd and took her arm.
Sylvia found she had a lot of support. ‘Sylvia’s right. You tell her, Mr Charter-Plackett, you tell her to keep her meddling ways to herself. Nasty she’s been, real nasty.’
‘We all make mistakes. It wasn’t done to be nasty,’ Jimbo retorted sharply.
‘Go on, get off home with your Jimbo, it’s only because we all like him so much that we can excuse yer, but don’t you try us too far. Else Sylvia’ull be right, they’ll find yer floating in the pond.’
There was a bit of elbowing and nudging and Jimbo knew he had to get her out of the way before things got uglier still. ‘Come along, Mother, right now.’ She looked tempted to stay a moment and give them a piece of her mind from the security of Jimbo’s arm, but he led her off and as they went down the aisle they could hear some of the congregation saying, ‘Spreading such tales.’
‘Disgusting.’
‘Poor Dr Harris.’
In his usual forgiving way Peter shook hands with Grandmama and asked after her health but she couldn’t face him and lowering her eyes, thanked him and went quietly away with Jimbo.
Sunday lunch at Jimbo and Harriet’s was a boisterous meal but it gave Grandmama the opportunity for reflection. The children didn’t appear to notice how quiet she was but Harriet did and when they’d reached the coffee stage and the two girls had left the table she enquired from Grandmama how she was feeling. ‘Are you not well, you’re very quiet.’
‘I’m quite well, thank you.’
‘Not like you, that’s all.’
Fergus passed her the sugar and said ‘It’s all right, Grandmama, we all know what’s up. I saw Sylvia giving you a drubbing. Didn’t know she had such a temper.’
‘Fergus!’ Jimbo couldn’t face another smoothing of Mother’s ruffled feathers.
‘Be quiet, Jimbo, he’s quite right.’
Harriet raised her eyebrows and Finlay grinned. ‘Your face was red!’ Fergus began to laugh uproariously.
Under the table Jimbo kicked Fergus’ ankle, but Grandmama gave a tight little smile and answered, ‘It was very embarrassing. But she was quite right. I should never have said it. I should have waited to see.’
‘Never mind, Mother, we have to be thankful Caroline’s come through the operation OK.’
‘Indeed. Now boys it will soon be half-term. Have you any plans? I’ve money going spare if you’re fancying a day out somewhere or a visit to the cinema or something.’
They began discussing how best to spend their Grandmama’s money and no one mentioned the matter of her rumour-mongering again, except Harriet and Jimbo in the kitchen after his mother had left.
‘My word! That’s a turn-up for the book! Your mother feeling apologetic! Don’t forget the dishwasher powder. Here.’
‘Well, perhaps this time she will have learned her lesson. I understand she also has had a tiff with Muriel, so she’s got that to sort yet.’
‘Do you think we might be sailing into calmer waters with your mother now?’
‘Since when has she ever sailed in calm waters? that’s just wishful thinking.’
Harriet sighed. ‘You’re right, but I do believe it’s brought her up short. She’s never been so apologetic.’
‘Right that’s it, everything’s done. I don’t know how seven people can use so many dishes and pans. I didn’t even know we had so many.’
‘So many children or so many pans?’
‘Both. Do you ever fancy having another one? Make it five, eh? How about it?’ He had pinned her against the dishwasher and, with both hands resting on the cupboard above, he kissed her soundly. When they’d finished she answered him. ‘Definitely not.’
‘Go on. Let’s.’
‘At your age? Or mine come to that. No, Jimbo, I’ve just got back into the swing of things and I’m not being tied to the house yet again. Four children is enough for anyone.’ She pushed him away and went to see if anyone fancied going for a walk.
While they were out at Bicker by Rocks only Harriet saw Dicky and Georgie hand in hand disappearing out of sight down the hill towards the car park.
Chapter 11
When Bel went over to the school at eight o’clock on Monday morning to open up and check the heating had come on she was unprepared for what she saw chalked in letters two feet high out in Jacks Lane. The words were strung in a line along the tarmac. ‘I LOVE GEORGIE’. The letters were written in a kind of dancing, prancing, sprightly style which added to the potency of their message.
Her lovely open friendly country woman’s face became flushed from her hairline right down to her throat. She’d kill him she would. There was a limit. She’d wondered why he hadn’t been in the house when she got up, they usually left together, him for his newspaper and then work and her for the school. She’d scrub it off with the playground broom. But she’d have to do her own jobs first. No, she wouldn’t. She’d scrub it off first and then see to the school.
Bel did check the heating before she collected the broom and bucket from her broom cupboard in the school kitchen and went out, the water in the bucket sending up swirls of steam into the early winter cold. She began with I and then progressed to LOVE …
‘What’s this then?’
Bel looked up to see who was speaking to her. It was the postman, Ted.
‘You can read I’m sure, at least I hope you can.’
‘Oh, I can. Don’t need to see it all anyways. I’ve already read it.’
‘You’re early this morning then.’
‘No, not really, it’s outside the pub as well, saw it there first. Bryn done it has he?’
Bel seethed. ‘Outside the pub as well?’
‘Just
seen it.’
She snapped, ‘No, it isn’t Bryn.’
‘Who is it then? Who’s daft enough?’
Bel pondered for a moment and then answered by denying all knowledge of who it could be.
Ted laughed. ‘Whoever it is they’re stupid to do it right outside the pub. Bryn’s like a bear with a sore head just lately, tore me off a strip just for delivering a letter of his to one of the weekender’s cottages by mistake. Course they didn’t come back for two weeks did they, so his letter was really late. Weren’t my fault. Didn’t do it on purpose. He can have a nasty temper and not half.’
Bel finished scrubbing of GEORGIE, picked up the bucket and left Ted to ruminate on his own. He delivered the school post, and two letters to Miss Pascoe and then went to the Store. There was quite a pile of post for Jimbo, he heaved it onto the counter and shouted into the back.
‘Mr Charter-Plackett! I’ve left the post on the counter.’
Jimbo came through from the storeroom carrying a box of apples.
‘Morning Ted. Thanks.’ Ted reached into the box and chose an apple. He raised his eyebrows at Jimbo who nodded and Ted sunk his teeth into the reddest part of it. When he’d swallowed his first mouthful he said ‘Someone’s written “I love Georgie” on the road outside the school. In chalk. In big letters.’
Jimbo swung round to face him. ‘Has Bel seen it yet?’
‘Just scrubbing it off. Was her face red!’
‘I’m not surprised.’
‘Know who did it then, do yer?’
‘I can give a good guess.’
Ted took another large bite of his apple. By the time he’d emptied his mouth sufficiently to be able to speak Jimbo had disappeared into the storeroom again. Ted saw the lovely Comice pears. He tested one for ripeness checked Jimbo wasn’t about to come back in and popped it in his mail bag, but only just in time.
Ted asked, ‘Who is it then?’
‘I expect you’ll know soon enough. It’ll be Dicky Tutt.’
Ted’s jaw fell open. ‘Dicky Tutt! Dicky Tutt! Never.’
‘On your bike, Ted, I’m busy.’
‘In yer van, yer mean. I’m mechanised now. Well, I never. Poor Bel.’
Scandal in the Village Page 11