The Village Show (Tales from Turnham Malpas) by Shaw Rebecca

Author:Shaw, Rebecca [Shaw, Rebecca]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781409140092
Publisher: Orion
Published: 2010-12-29T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Pat, still chuckling about Louise’s dilemma, didn’t bother to cycle between the school and the Store. She left her bike in the school-shed and walked round. Barry was coming tonight for a meal. Dean and Michelle had persuaded her to invite him. It was a thank you for Dean’s cupboards, a talk about arrangements for the holiday, and a chance to get to know each other better. Grandad had agreed to go on holiday with them so long as he had a room of his own, and Dean was so delighted to be going away he’d not complained about sharing with Barry.

What was she to cook? Jimbo might have some ideas. She pushed open the door and picked up a wire basket. Jimbo was behind the meat counter sharpening a large carving knife.

‘Morning, Jimbo. Can yer knock off for a minute and let me pick yer brains.’

‘Just the person I want to see. I’ll pick yours first. What on earth happened at the meeting last night? I’ve just seen Louise racing across the Green, crying buckets, clutching to her ample bosom that file she always takes to the meetings. Is there something I ought to know?’

‘Well …’ Pat told jimbo the details of the upset. ‘So this morning I told her to go to the rectory if she wanted it.’

‘I say, what can have happened?’

‘Crying, you said? Serves ’er right.’

‘Yes, and running like hell.’

‘Blimey! He must have told her straight. Only right he should. Anyway, I’m making a special meal tonight. For five. Can you give me any ideas? Not too expensive, but just a bit special.’

‘Special meal?’ Jimbo eyed her speculatively, his eyebrows raised, his head to one side.

‘Now look, Jimbo, I know you like to know everything that goes on, but this time it’s secret.’

‘Won’t stay secret for long, not in Turnham Malpas.’

‘Maybe not.’

They discussed the meal at length and when Jimbo had packed her shopping for her and she was paying him, he said, ‘He’s all right, is Barry, a nice chap. Does the noble parent like him?’ He grinned at her and she couldn’t be angry.

‘Old Mrs Thornton that ’ad this place before you was a gossip, but you’re ten times worse.’

‘Such fun though and quite harmless. Sorry! I didn’t mean to pry.’

Pat settled her forearms on the ledge in front of the till and didn’t notice the doorbell jingle. ‘Yes, I’m asking him as a thank you for putting up some cupboards in Dean’s bedroom. I might as well tell you the rest. He’s going on holiday with us to Devon …’Jimbo coughed significantly and winked. Pat turned round to find Barry’s mother breathing fire down her neck.

‘Is that my Barry you’re talking about?’

‘It is.’

‘You’re no better than you should be, Pat Duckett. Going on holiday with him when you’re not married. Disgusting! Wait till he gets home.’

‘And what do you propose to do about it? He’s a grown man, he can do as he likes.’

‘Not when he’s under my roof he can’t.’

‘Well, he is going on holiday with us, and that’s final.

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