The Golden Oldies' Book Club by Judy Leigh

Author:Judy Leigh [Leigh, Judy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Boldwood Books

Several hours later, Aurora was wiping the table tops clean in The Hard-Core Café and Gift Shop, scooping up crumbs from the free cakes that had been heartily consumed by a family of four who had just left. They hadn’t bought anything in the shop, although the youngest child had been constantly yelling for sweets throughout their stay. Aurora moved to the CD player and put on Motörhead’s ‘Overkill’. It would blow away any cobwebs – she was still half asleep; the day was still young. Then the door was flung wide and Danielle breezed in, her face animated and bright. ‘Coffee, please, and a doughnut. I’m on my morning break. I’ve left Scott in charge – it’s the least he can do to mind the office after taking most of the summer off to swan around the Balearics with Chloe.’

‘Coffee coming up.’ Aurora moved to the coffee machine. ‘Chocolate or jam doughnut?’

‘Chocolate – is there anything better?’

‘You’re in a good mood, Danielle – it’s nice to see you with that smile on your face.’

‘I bring words of gossip,’ Danielle said. ‘It’s about Verity though, and, I have to admit, I’m really worried.’

‘Oh?’ Aurora poured them both a coffee, brought two doughnuts over and sat down with an anxious face. ‘Is she all right?’

‘I’m not sure.’ Danielle bit into the doughnut and leaned forward. ‘You know the Wheatcrofts weren’t at the reading group when we did Madame Bovary?’ Aurora nodded and Danielle lowered her voice. ‘Well, Mark Wheatcroft came in this morning asking for a valuation on their house, The Firs. I’m going round there first thing tomorrow.’

‘A valuation?’ Aurora was puzzled.

‘He’s thinking of putting it on the market.’ Danielle’s voice was even more confidential. ‘Ruth said that Verity and Antony Palmer have been into Bridgwater for a coffee together – just the two of them.’

‘A coffee?’ Aurora said. ‘You and I are having a coffee now but that doesn’t mean…’

‘Verity wanted someone to talk to about how annoyed she was with Mark. Ruth didn’t want to discuss it with me – you know how lovely and loyal she is – but she did let on that Verity is furious with Mark, and there was a real spark between her and Antony. So, Verity having coffee with Antony can only mean one thing.’

‘They need the caffeine?’ Aurora suggested.

‘No – they are having an affair. I’m sure of it. I think Verity and Mark may be splitting up, and she’s taking up with Antony. Mind you, he’d treat her better than Mark does…’

‘Danielle,’ Aurora began gently. ‘Do you think Scott’s unreliable ways have left you believing that men are not to be trusted?’

‘Maybe, but…’ Danielle pulled a face. ‘Do you remember Antony talking in the reading group about Madame Bovary, how her husband was—?’

‘Plodding and clumsy?’

‘That’s right.’ Danielle raised a hand in triumph; it still contained half a doughnut. ‘What he really meant was that Mark Wheatcroft was plodding and clumsy and that Verity – like Emma Bovary – needed a man worthy of her.

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