“Oh, you mean when RK travels to get the Catton children up?”
“Yes, they’re saying if RK can’t live in then she must live nearer.”
“That’s easier said than done,” commented Trixie, handing a curtain complete with hooks up to Christina who was standing on the steps.
“Yes, I know, but those most affected by it are fed up with the noise and want something done about it.”
“It’s a bit of a hike from the Jenner’s in Marsh Newton to the Catton’s in Newton Westerby.”
For a time, the two women worked in companionable silence, each concentrating on the task in hand yet mulling over the very real problem caused by RK lodging at Jenner’s Mill.
After a little while Trixie said, “One possible solution comes to mind.”
“Oh?”
“We could offer RK Ferry Cottage. It’s not ideal but it is within walking distance of the Catton’s house.”
“But Trixie…” Christina grimaced and looked at her aghast.
Trixie nodded her head. “I know, at the moment it’s in an appalling condition but it might fit the bill, pro tem, and get the grumblers off RK’s back.”
Christina shook her head, “I wouldn’t want it. Too much work needs to be done merely to make it habitable.”
However, when she heard about Ferry Cottage RK accepted the offer gratefully, without even viewing it.
“It’s one that is not used regularly because it’s earmarked for renovations so is in need of a thoroughly good clean,” explained Trixie. “We’ll come and give you a hand in the morning.”
For the time being, thoughts of easing up seemed to have escaped Trixie’s mind. She handed RK the key. “Maybe, you’d like to take a look when you’ve finished at the Catton’s this evening. If you change your mind I won’t be the least bit offended.”
RK was quite unperturbed by this less than rosy report on a possible new home and on her return to the Mill that evening eagerly relayed to the Jenner’s news of the offer of a cottage.
“I understand it hasn’t been used for some time so will need a good clean. I plan to go and have a look this evening to see what is required.”
“If you like we’ll come and give a hand,” suggested Tessa.
“Thanks. I’ll meet you there,” RK answered.
As soon as she had eaten her evening meal RK changed and then set out on the offending machine to view the property and see what was going to be necessary to spruce up the cottage.
The Jenner’s were sorry to learn she would be leaving them. The children particularly enjoyed RK’s company and zany sense of humour but understood the reason for the move. So, at the conclusion of supper they scurried around to complete their normal evening chores, then under Tessa’s direction, the family piled into the people carrier armed with all manner of cleaning utensils and prepared to help RK make her new quarters habitable.
“This is gross,” protested Gil as he stumbled down the shallow stone step on the threshold of the front door, through cobwebs, into the grimy living room of Ferry Cottage.
“You can’t live here, RK,” declared Lily, “It’s awful!”
“It stinks!” shouted Keir pulling a face.
“You’re right it is pretty disgusting, so let’s get to work. Together we’ll make it a pleasant place for RK to live in,” decided Tessa who then proceeded to detail everyone a specific task. “Chop, chop, off you go now and do the very best you can.”
“Mum,” Gil shouted down the stairs a few minutes later, “we can’t find the bathroom.”
Tessa looked at RK and raised her eyebrows.
RK nodded in the direction of the back door, “Outside, on the left.”
Rosie went out to investigate and returned in haste. “Oh, Mum, it’s dire, absolutely revolting. RK really can’t be expected to use that.”
“Stuart, please investigate,” said Tessa decisively.
The speed with which her husband returned confirmed Tessa’s worst fears, “Housing referral?”
“Yes, ASAP! I’ll call Lord Edmund, now.”
By bedtime, the cottage windows sparkled, walls and floors scrubbed clean, dust and cobwebs eradicated, tatty curtains taken down, the suite hoovered and sponged, dining chairs and table polished, the bed stripped and the mattress left to air, and the wheels were in motion for an emergency meeting of the village housing committee.
“Come on everyone, time for home,” Tessa called and her weary troupe of workers tumbled thankfully into the vehicle, glad to be finished.
“Thankyou all for your hard work,” said RK with heartfelt appreciation. “I’ll see you presently at the Mill and then come back tomorrow to finish off the cleaning and check to see what additional equipment I might need.”
“Don’t you go buying anything,” Tessa firmly insisted. “Just make a list of your requirements. Let me or Trixie Cooper have it and I’m sure by the end of the week you will have everything that is necessary, from one source or another,” she instructed.
RK waved them off, dusted down her hands then rubbed them together with glee as she strolled from room to room surveying what was now her own domain. After a while she stepped outside, locked the front door and with a smile on her lips turned to view her new home with a keen sense of satisfaction before returning to the B&B for what would probably be the last time.
On Saturday morning Stephen Cooper was working on a commissioned coffee table in a confined space in the Cooper’s garage when the front door intercom buzzed. His parents were out so he knew it was up to him to attend to the caller. He turned off the sander, removed his goggles, pressed the button and spoke through the grill. “Hi, how can I help you, today?”
“Good morning, is that you, Stephen? Hugh Darnell here. I was hoping you could help me tomorrow with…”
Stephen guffawed, “Oh, Vic, you’ve got the wrong guy. Preaching sermons is not my thing. Hang on a mo’.” He placed his tools safely, wiped down his hands and opened the garage door. Still laughing loudly at the thought of himself gracing the pulpit on Sunday morning he walked towards the house porch where the Reverend Hugh was standing.
“Well, young man, sorry to interrupt your work but I’m glad I’ve brightened your day,” Rev Hugh greeted Stephen heartily as he moved towards him.
“That’s OK, I’ll be glad of a break if you’d like a coffee. It will have to be in the kitchen.” Stephen grinned and shrugged his shoulders, “Mum won’t allow me in anywhere else in this clobber.”
“That’s fine, my boy,” said Hugh graciously as he followed Stephen through the garage past the woodwork corner and into the kitchen via the interconnecting door.
Stephen filled up the kettle and switched it on. “I hope you’re kidding about the sermonizing. I can hammer and saw, sand and turn, even paint and read a bit but the preaching I leave to folk like you.”
“You’re right we’re all gifted in different ways. I couldn’t produce the fine work that I know you achieve with the tools you mentioned. Actually, I had no thoughts of inviting you to take over the pulpit, what I came to ask of you was of quite a different nature. Would you be willing to come with me to visit Josh tomorrow afternoon?”
“Aaah!” Stephen gulped and almost spilled the coffee as he poured hot water into the mugs he’d set out on the kitchen work-top. This was not what he was expecting the vicar to request.
Hugh pulled out a chair from under the kitchen table, took the mug Stephen offered and sat down.
“I know it’s a big undertaking but I would appreciate your help.”
“Uhm, well…”
“I’ve been a couple of times to see him but Josh was sullen and uncooperative. He seems to have built a hard shell around himself which I find difficult to penetrate.”
Stephen chuckled, “Sounds as though he’s setting you a teaser, Vic.”
“You could be right. The only response I get is nods or monosyllables.”
“That’s Josh, alright,” Stephen nodded. “He’s posing a puzz
le which one of you will lose and it certainly won’t be him.”
“You seem to understand what makes him tick, Stephen, that’s why I think you, as one of his mates, might have a better rapport with him.”
Stephen took a slow sip of his coffee as he considered Hugh’s words.
“He might talk with you,” Hugh added.
“OK,” replied Stephen reticently, unsure what the inside of a youth prison might be like. “I’ll give it a go.”
At the conclusion of Sunday lunch the next day Stephen travelled with Hugh Darnell down the coast to the Young Offenders’ Institution at Hollesley Bay. His first visit was not an entire success.
“What yew a-doen’ ’ere?” Josh demanded gruffly as he slouched towards Stephen with his hands in his pockets.
“Come to see you, mate.”
“Yew could hev saved yourn time,” he said moodily and turned towards the door.
On the next visit Josh yelled at him from the doorway, “Yew needn’t a-bothered, mate, I hent a-comen’.”
“Stop that squit! I’m here now so come and sit down, Josh, I want to know how you’re doing.”
“What a joke,” he sneered. “what dew yew think? Looks like the Ritz, doan’t it?”
Despite his mood Josh did eventually sit at the table across from Stephen.
“Got any smokes?”
Stephen shook his head.
“Some mate yew are!” and he thumped his fist on the table. “ ‘Ow abaht them tools o’ yourn or a Big Mac.”
Stephen laughed and shook his head. Josh scowled. “Bet yourn ’ad a good ole Sunday lunch, ent yew? Roast Beef ’n Yorkies, eh?”
“Nut roast, actually.”
“Oh, yeah, f’got yew hev that veggie muck.” He continued to thump a beat upon the table.
At least he’s speaking to me.
On the following visit Josh spent the whole hour venting his resentment at being confined in the institution and the restrictions it placed upon him.
The bell rang. “Shall I come again?”
“It’s up to yew.”
Thereafter, Stephen faithfully accompanied Hugh Darnell most Sunday afternoons. Josh never said anything about his visits but Stephen got the impression that Josh looked forward to their time together as the highlight of his week.
On one occasion, many weeks later, it emerged that Josh was intensely jealous of the achievements of his group of friends.
“I started the breaken’ an’ enteren’ ‘thing’ to prove I could be good at somethen’ particularly if I could achieve it without be’en’ caught.
“Ryan be a whiz at mechanics an’ knows engines inside out. Nat be brill with animals an’ farmen’. Nicky be a real charmer an’ gits on with everybody but such a Holy Joe. An’ then there be yew. Yew’re a bookworm but can soon turn yourn ’and to anythen’ when yew’ve got a fistful o’ tools in ’em.
“Me? I’m good fer nothen’, hopeless at everythen’.”
“That’s not true, Josh and you know it. Look at the skill it required to do the breaking and entering.”
“Oh yeah!” Josh tossed his head back in disbelief.
“Yeah! You just need to channel that skill more constructively.”
“Doan’t yew juss like to joke, mate!”
“Stop putting yourself down, Josh. You’ve got a good brain, mate – use it!”
“Doen’ what?”
“You were good at IT at school, what about developing in that field?”
“Nice try mate but I doan’t ’ave a laptop so where do yew suppose I start? Can’t nick one in ’ere.”
“At this stage I shouldn’t worry about your own PC.” Visiting time was rapidly running out. Stephen thought wryly. This is the first time we’ve discussed anything other than Josh’s anger at being confined. Whatever can I say to him? He didn’t want to dampen Josh’s spirits and would prefer to leave him with some positive thoughts and possibly a plan of action.
“Why don’t you ask what classes or study sessions are available while you’re in here.”
“Ask who?” Josh feigned ignorance omitting to mention to his friend that though part of his sentence specified participation in educational study or a course to prepare him for work when he was released he had so far refused to attend.
“No idea, but I’d start with the chap who let me in here. If he doesn’t know he might suggest someone else who does. Or you could write to Mr Mitchell at school.”
“Naah! He’d tell me off for a-throwen’ my chances away and a-wasten’ his time.”
“You don’t know that until you ask. Try it and see. You’ve got nothing to lose.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
At a candlelit table Trixie sat across from John enjoying the cosy ambience of the Station Hotel restaurant. For midweek it was quietly busy and the piano music playing softly in the background created just the right atmosphere John felt Trixie needed as a respite from her constant activity. He was pleased to see his niece, Lizzie Piper, enchanting the diners with her skilful playing of Chopin. When she concluded a piece and glanced up, he gave her a wave of appreciation.
“I’m glad that young lady stuck to her guns, she has remarkable talent.”
“Mmm! It took tremendous courage to defy her Dad and accept a place at the Royal College of Music.”
“Yes, it goes against the grain to flout a parent’s wishes but I understand she’s surpassed all expectations in her entrance exams.”
“Indeed, but Maisie says that even now Jack won’t acknowledge his daughter’s ability. He would still prefer Lizzie to train as a needlewoman and work alongside her Mum in the family business.”
“What a shame to stifle such a gift.”
“He says piano playing won’t pay the bills.”
“And I suppose he thinks sewing upholstery for the boats will, even though it’s a dying craft.”
“What do you mean?”
“The popularity of holidaying in boats on the river or the Norfolk Broads is diminishing.”
“Getting too expensive, I suppose.”
“Well, certainly beyond the pocket of the ordinary man in the street.”
“Oh, look there’s Kaitlin and Donald.”
John inclined his head in greeting as a young couple came through the door into the restaurant.
Both were Doctors at the Norfolk and Norwich hospital and had spent some time at Barts in training with their son, Roger. Kaitlin was a gynaecologist whilst Donald’s skills lay in surgery. Kaitlin smiled across at the Coopers as Donald carefully guided her to their table. Following their marriage the young couple had settled in Newton Lokesby and Kaitlin occasionally acted as locum for John when he and Trixie embarked on one of their infrequent holidays.
As their young friends were seated at a table on the far side of the restaurant Trixie’s eyes drifted back to their own table.
“This is such a pleasant evening, John, thankyou for suggesting it.”
“You deserve it, my dear. You work so tirelessly for others I felt you ought to have a treat yourself.”
“Well, it’s certainly that. It’s a real delight to be waited on.” Trixie smiled up at the face that was so dear to her, conscious of the flecks of grey that were beginning to pepper John’s dark brown hair.
“I do appreciate your thoughtfulness.”
“The pleasure’s all mine. I’m so pleased you are easing up in your busyness. I just want you to relax and enjoy the evening.”
“Oh I am. I’ve nothing pressing at the moment. The problem of accommodation for RK is on the way to being solved…”
“That is good news.”
“…the alterations at the Catton’s home are well in hand ready for Laura’s pending discharge…”
“That shouldn’t be too long now.”
“Christina is also ahead with the preparations for the Holiday Cottages Summer lets. I haven’t any outstanding concerns relating to either PCC or PC matters and I haven’t had to prepare the veg or set the table this e
vening and I won’t have to do the washing up.”
“Don’t be too sure about that. If I haven’t sufficient funds…” He playfully patted his pockets.
“John, you’re such a tease. It’s good to see you so relaxed.”
“Well, the company is very special and the food really quite delicious. I must confess I was a little dubious whether it would come up to par because you are such a superb cook.”
“Oh, my dear,” Trixie reached for his hand. “Thankyou for such a pleasing compliment but the chef here does have a good reputation, you know. I believe he trained with Jilly Briggs who’s now helping out Emma using her prowess in the kitchen at the Village Stores. He certainly has some very innovative ideas.”
“Oh, I agree. In fact I thought the starter was a rather unusual combination of flavours…”
“… but quite appetising,” Trixie finished off for him.
John nodded thoughtfully, “Yes, you’re right.”
“I wouldn’t have dared to put ginger and apricots with salmon, as well as, what tasted like a hint of aniseed but I’m really enjoying what has been prepared for us. It’s nice to have something different.”
“I’m glad you like things to be different because that thought nicely brings us to the reason we’re here. I have some ideas you may think are very different but I would appreciate your honest opinion on them.”
“That sounds a little ominous, John.”
“Oh, no, my dear, just different,” he smiled.
“I see.”
“It concerns our three children…”
“Well, they are certainly all different,” Trixie said emphatically.
“Excuse me, Doctor, may I clear?” the young waiter hovered, waiting for a nod from John.
“Yes, please do.”
The plates were quickly removed and Trixie looked at John expectantly.
“So?”
“I think we’re agreed that the situation regarding Jansy is not at all what we expected but we’ll deal with it as we’ve already discussed – prayer and trust.” John paused and reached across the table to gently squeeze her hand. Trixie nodded so he continued, “I propose we put the funds we earmarked for the wedding expenses and their wedding gift into a separate account. It will then be available as and when it is required.”
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