Talk of the Village
Page 24
When he'd finished kissing and shaking hands Jeremy shouted, 'Out with the glasses Jimbo, I've had the champagne in the fridge at the Club, so it's all ready for drinking.' He gave several blasts on his trumpet as Venetia opened up a roll of streamers and threw them across the room. The streamers caught Peter and Ralph so that the two of them stood entwined, with the curly coloured strands decorating their heads and shoulders. Muriel relaxed when she saw Ralph was catching the mood of the evening and was looking amused. While Jimbo opened the champagne Harriet thanked Venetia for her watch. Taking it from its box she said, 'This is absolutely lovely, there really was no need to be so generous.'
'Of course there was, you've saved our lives.'
'Look Venetia, why don't you and Jeremy stay for dinner? It's only a scratch one, but there's plenty. Do say you'll stay, we can soon lay two more places.'
Venetia couldn't hide the delight she felt at being
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invited to stay.
'Oh Harriet we'd love to, really love to, thank you very much. Jeremy will be delighted.'
The sound of the sitting room door opening made Venetia look up. Standing in the doorway were the three children, blinking in the bright light, and looking puzzled by the noise and excitement.
'Drinkies for the children,' she shouted. Venetia asked Harriet for three more glasses and poured a small amount of champagne into each one. 'Here you are children, you can drink a toast as well.' She patted Flick's head and kissed the two boys, whereupon they blushed and vigorously rubbed their cheeks where her lips had touched.
Venetia climbed on a chair and raised her glass.
'Ladies and gentlemen and children drink a toast to the future of Turnham House and to all our very good friends.'
They all clinked their glasses with each other's and then drank.
Jimbo helped Venetia down from the chair and then said, 'May I propose a toast?'
'Everyone shouted, 'Yes!'
'To Venetia and Jeremy! Long may they be with us here in Turnham Malpas.'
'Hear! Hear!'
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