Talk of the Village by Rebecca Shaw

Author:Rebecca Shaw [Shaw, Rebecca]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, General
ISBN: 0752836889
Google: LYupUTfNBJIC
Barnesnoble:
Goodreads: 92108
Publisher: Orion
Published: 1996-06-27T23:00:00+00:00

133

Chapter 11

Despite Caroline's anxiety about Flick she still felt as strongly about Jimmy and the rabbits and was determined to swing public opinion onto her side. She made a point of mentioning the subject to everyone she met. Some villagers met her idea with downright hostility. But aided and abetted by Pat, who made it her business to introduce the subject to as many of the school parents as she was able, many of the villagers came round to her way of thinking. Michael Palmer, having listened several times to the story of what had happened in The Royal Oak on the Saturday night, agreed with Caroline.

'Knew yer'd see it her way, Mr Palmer,' Pat commented gleefully as she tidied the hall after school dinners. 'She's a lovely lady is Dr Harris, she's really cut up about them rabbits, feels right bad about 'em. I don't understand how some people don't see her point of view. I tell yer who would be on her side . . . Mrs Meadows. Now she was always very keen on kindness to animals. She had that campaign d'yer remember? Not long after she got 'ere, about stopping foxhunting. Yer remember she got the Council to stop the hunt going across the Big House land. 'Spect that Health Club lot won't care too hoots about poor foxes. Do you ever 'ear from Mrs Meadows, Mr Palmer? I always thought you two got on really well.'

134

Michael Palmer hesitated for a moment and then gave an emphatic 'No'. Pat smiled to herself. She hadn't lived thirty-nine years without learning something about human nature. She guessed from his answer that it wasn't strictly the truth.

In his pocket Michael had the latest letter from Suzy's mother, this time at the bottom was a short note from Suzy herself sending him her good wishes. It was the first time she'd written anything at all and the first time he realised that she knew he'd been writing in response to her mother's request. In future he'd have to be careful what he said about the twins. It was one thing divulging news to a devoted grandmother, quite another telling a mother news of the babies she'd given away. He fingered the envelope, carefully tucked away in the pocket of his tweed jacket. One day perhaps she'd write a real letter to him. In his mind's eye he could see her long fair hair, her lovely rounded cheeks and the sweet, so sweet smile which lit up her face. He imagined his hands cupping her cheeks and himself placing a kiss on her dear mouth . . .

'Shall you be having football this afternoon, Mr Palmer, with it being wet? 'Cos if you are I'll put newspapers down in the cloakroom, that floor's murder to keep clean.'

'Shall I be having what?'

'Football, yer know with the boys.'

'Oh right, yes, I shall.'

'I hope you'll bring it into your nature and science lessons about cruelty to rabbits and explain to them children about using snares .

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