A Welcome in the Valley

by A Welcome in the Valley (retail) (epub)

  ‘Every stick, just like you told me to, Evie,’ Nelly lied cheerfully. ‘An’ that Mr Evans, what’s caretaker at your school, ’e’s ’avin’ me chickens and me dogs. Says we can go over an’ see them any time. We thought we’d go over of a Sunday, didn’t we, George?’

  There was a brief silence, Evie and Timothy exchanging worried glances, then Oliver’s voice, calling excitedly as he came through the kitchen made them all look up. Evie was still slumped against the front door.

  ‘Mother? Has she arrived? Has Gran come yet, Mum?’

  ‘Mother!’ Evie automatically corrected. ‘Yes, she is here.’

  ‘Hello, Gran. Hello, George.’ He was laughing excitedly.

  ‘Go to your room for a while, Oliver,’ Evie instructed firmly. ‘We have something to discuss.’

  ‘But – aren’t you going to tell me?’

  ‘Tell you what?’ Evie snapped.

  ‘Gran?’ Oliver looked at Nelly, then handed her an envelope. ‘This is for you.’ He looked from one to another, a frown on his young face, as Nelly opened the envelope.

  ‘It’s a card. Happy wedding day! Ollie! That’s lovely! Look, George. But, how did you know?’

  Oliver laughed, dancing about in his delight. ‘You left the certificate on the table and I read it!’

  Nelly and George congratulated him.

  ‘Well I never did. Just shows ’ow ’andy it is to be able to read proper, don’t it?’ Nelly said proudly.

  ‘What are we going to do?’ Evie whispered to Timothy.

  ‘Let them go home, dear. It’s best.’

  * * *

  The day was very hot, as if the summer had decided to give a final fling before accepting that autumn had come. Nelly and George began to walk slowly home. Nelly was carrying two cards. One made by Oliver and the other, signed by Johnny and Fay, their witnesses. On the card, Johnny had written, ‘Good luck in your very own home.’ The words were underlined. He had obviously checked and was reassuring her that all was well and the cottage was hers.

  Johnny and Fay were waiting as they climbed the lane and came in sight of the smoke rising from the chimney. He felt a bit guilty about telling Nelly the cottage was hers. But when he had spoken to the solicitor, the complications were so frightening, he decided it best to forget it. Fight it when and if it happened. No one had come to claim it in six years, there was little chance of anyone coming now.

  ‘Welcome back, you two,’ he shouted. ‘Fay and I have brought everything back, even the dogs.’ He took Fay’s hand. ‘We’ll be off now. See you later.’

  ‘The plan worked a treat,’ Nelly shouted as the young couple began to walk away from them. ‘Thanks fer yer ’elp.’ She laughed as the dogs bounded to greet her.

  George opened the door. ‘What a day. Wasn’t that a surprise, young Oliver making us a card?’

  ‘Yes,’ Nelly laughed. ‘A Happy Weeding day!’

  ‘You’ll be left in peace now, but don’t do anything they can complain of, just in case.’

  ‘I’ll save up for a night out fer you when you come back again. Nothin’ wrong with goin’ out with me legal ’usband. ’Ere, fancy you bein’ an ’Enry. Put you down fer a George any day I would.’

  George had set potatoes to bake in the ashes under the fire. ‘We’ll sit outside and eat, shall we? It’s still warm.’

  ‘It was fun, you buyin’ me a button’ole an’ all. I’m ever so grateful, George.’

  ‘Nonsense. I enjoyed it too.’

  ‘No, really, an’ if you ever want to come ’ere, in the winter per’aps, I’d be glad. It’s bin nice ’avin’ someone as easy to talk to as you about.’

  George looked uncomfortable. ‘I… er…’

  Nelly laughed her loud laugh. ‘Don’t worry, I’m not tryin’ to persuade yer. I’ve ’ad a taste of people makin’ plans for me, so I know. But, if ever you need a place…’

  ‘I’ll be back from time to time. Perhaps, one day, when I’m sure I won’t spoil things for you.’ He smiled then said more briskly, ‘I’ll stay for the weekend if you don’t mind. There are a few things I want to do before I go. I’ll fix the gate back on for a start. Then I’ll chop some more firewood,’ he patted her arm affectionately, ‘and then I’ll be off.’

  Nelly nodded. ‘That kettle’s singin’ so if you’ll make a cuppa, I’ll find the plates for the spuds.’ They sat near the door, the dogs waiting hopefully for scraps, and Nelly’s mmm’s and ahh’s as she ate were echoed by George. It grew quite dark before they moved.

  First published in the United Kingdom in 1988 by Headline Book Publishing

  This edition published in the United Kingdom in 2016 by

  Canelo Digital Publishing Limited

  57 Shepherds Lane

  Beaconsfield, Bucks HP9 2DU

  United Kingdom

  Copyright © 1988 by Grace Thompson

  The moral right of Grace Thompson to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

  ISBN 9781911420200

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places and events are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

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