Dependable Friends and Deceitful Neighbours in Little Mallow: A Little Mallow cosy mystery (Little Mallow cosy mysteries Book 2) by Patsy Collins

Author:Patsy Collins [Collins, Patsy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-07-12T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

Saturday 25th July

Frank Lancaster came as arranged to talk to Arnold about a secure cabinet for the silverware. Jerry just had time to greet him before heading off to bless an extension to the foodbank St Symeon's supported.

"It's a tragedy such places are needed and yet wonderful how many people give time, money or other resources, to help those most in need," the vicar said.

On hearing that, Frank wrote a cheque for £150. "Some friends and I went out for a meal last night and spent that much," he explained.

The gesture reminded Arnold of his reaction to how much Cameron once spent on a meal for the two of them, when others had less than that to feed themselves for a whole week. He'd not said anything to Cameron – he hadn't wanted to make him feel guilty for enjoying good food, paid for with money he'd earned, yet somehow felt guilty himself. He'd taken a few tins, representative of the meal he'd not had to provide for himself due to Cameron's generosity, into the food bank.

Arnold showed Frank the space which he and Jerry considered the most suitable location to display St Symeon's silverware.

"It's big enough I should think," Frank said. "Not well lit though. An illuminated cabinet would help, but I think we'd need more light here, and to change that step into a ramp if you want everyone to be able to see the treasures. Are you allowed to do things like that?"

"We need to get approval from the DAC, that's the diocesan advisory committee – not a quick or easy process. A bit like dealing with planning permission authorities I should imagine."

"Oh dear, as bad as that! I hope it goes better than my attempts to make Castle View viable."

Arnold was mortified. He'd used the comparison thinking it something Frank would understand, temporarily forgetting that his dealings with such people had contributed to the loss of his family home. "Sorry I didn't mean to remind you…"

Frank waved away his apology. "Water under the bridge. I understand that the lady I sold to had exactly the same issues. While sorry for her it did show me that my own ideas were rejected for real reasons. At the time it felt almost personal."

Arnold nodded. From what Aurora had told him, it had sounded like quite a battle. Hadn't he sold to his cousin, not a stranger? He thought that's what Aurora had said, but didn't risk putting his foot in it again by asking.

"It's a shame. By now I could afford one of the houses she'd wanted to build and I'd have liked to come back to Little Mallow."

"Could you? If you've moved away…"

"The covenant? I think maybe I could still buy in the village, as I was born here and have maintained a connection, but it doesn't actually apply – the proposed new builds would have been outside the area which carries the restriction."

"I hadn't realised." Arnold had been under the impression Castle View was 'inside'

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