Legacy of Death by Judith Cutler

Author:Judith Cutler [Cutler, Judith]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Severn House
Published: 2020-10-27T00:00:00+00:00

SEVENTEEN

The snug at the Royal Oak lived up to its name. Marty Baines had arranged chairs round a table made by dint of putting stools together and placing a door on them. He had made up a welcoming fire, and even brewed a hot punch for us all, which, he confided, had only the barest sniff of alcohol. He wanted our guests to be happy, not merry. While I paid him – he showed a generous reluctance to take any money till I insisted it came from the estate, not my own pocket – Bea and Harriet unpacked the baskets of refreshments they had thought necessary. Bea herself had agreed to come, largely, she said, to comment on the women’s notions of kitchens and ranges.

I propped up two blackboards on the shelves behind the bar. On one were pinned my original drawings, on the other was blank paper, on which I would record their suggestions – for my benefit, largely, since I doubted if any of them could read. I was truly anxious – what if Sunday’s anger had been increased, not dissipated, by the chance to express their needs? Would the meeting turn into a litany of grievances, not a list of hopes for the near future? More to the point, would anyone bother to come?

That fear at least was assuaged. Marty politely ushered our guests into the room, settling them round the ad hoc table and putting a tankard of punch and a plate in front of each guest. Bea and Harriet passed round thick sandwiches and slices of pie. Then silence fell. All eyes were on me, some clearly accusing.

At least I had done them the courtesy of learning their names. ‘Sukey, Meg, Bob and Ted – welcome and thank you for coming. First I want to thank Marty for allowing us to meet here and for providing the hot drink and the fire. I’m all too aware that you don’t always have such home comforts. From the moment I saw Stammerton I believed that this was wrong, and persuaded his lordship to build a replacement village with better houses and gardens and all manner of things I thought important. But before anyone says it, I don’t live in Stammerton. You do. And I should have consulted you before I drew up the plans. The slight delay caused by the discovery of the Roman ruins is a nuisance – more than a nuisance for you, I grant – but it means you can be properly consulted. There are my suggestions.’ I pointed to the drawings. ‘These are the cottages Prince Albert designed – and with a royal brain behind them they must be worth considering. One large dwelling with apartments for four families. Each has two bedrooms for boys and girls, a larger parental one, a family sitting room and a kitchen. A privy, too.’ I smiled but noted they did not look notably impressed. ‘Here is space for us to write down what you want.’

Silence again. The vocal young woman of Sunday, Sukey, was too busy eating to speak.

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