Trouble and Temptation in Little Woodford by Catherine Jones

Author:Catherine Jones [Jones, Catherine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781784979812
Publisher: Head of Zeus

*

Heather rang the bell of Olivia’s new house. She had no idea if Olivia would be in or not, not now her friend worked shifts up at the hotel. The door opened – good.

‘Hi, Olivia, is this a good time?’ said Heather.

‘Perfect. Come in. Lovely to see you. Apart from at church, our paths never seem to cross these days.’

‘I know. And I miss you on my committees.’ Six months ago, Heather wouldn’t have ever believed that she would say such a thing, but it was true. Olivia could be opinionated and stubborn but, boy, she got things done.

‘How’s the bell fund?’ said Olivia as she led the way through to the kitchen-diner.

‘Getting there. The Heritage Lottery Fund is looking very hopeful. Brian and I have to work out how we can involve the community but the schools and groups like the Scouts and Guides seem to be keen to learn about change-ringing and we’re planning on producing a booklet about the history of our bells so it’s all coming together.’

‘As long,’ said Olivia, ‘as you’re allowed to teach kids about change-ringing because, if that Osborne woman gets her way, your plans will go belly up.’

‘Don’t,’ groaned Heather. ‘But… talking of that Osborne woman, I thought she was going to wind up in the clink yesterday.’

‘No! Tell.’

Heather related the incident at the market. ‘She certainly knows how to make herself popular. First the bells, then the wind turbine, now making waves at the market… And what is happening about the turbine?’

‘It’s all legal,’ said Olivia, gloomily. ‘I guessed it would be and, as far as the council knows, the contractors will be arriving in the next few days to erect it. I’m rather hoping they’ll get it monumentally wrong and the whole thing falls on her roof in the first winter storm.’

‘Hmmm,’ said Heather. ‘It’s an idea. I’m not sure I can ask Brian to intercede on your behalf, though.’

‘I don’t want anyone killed,’ added Olivia.

‘Absolutely not.’ Heather grinned.

‘And how’s my daughter?’

There was a momentary pause before Heather said, a bit too brightly, ‘Fine.’

‘Don’t lie,’ said Olivia. ‘Truthfully…?’

‘Challenging. She’s not the tidiest tenant.’

‘I’m sorry,’ said Olivia.

‘Don’t be.’

‘I’ll have a word.’

‘No. She’s our problem now. Brian is going to talk to her, set down some house rules. We should have done it from the start.’

‘Good luck with that.’

‘You’re not to worry. We get the rent, it’s up to us to make it work.’

‘Kids, eh?’

‘And talking of kids, have you heard anything about Bex?’

‘Like what?’

‘I heard it from Amy that she’s expecting a baby.’

Olivia’s eyes popped. ‘No!’

‘Well… according to Amy…’

‘Even so, that’s not the sort of thing even Amy would come out with, without there being some basis of truth. Although, she did confide in Belinda that she thinks Ash might be gay because he’s so keen on acting.’

‘Ash? Not if I’m any judge,’ said Heather.

‘No, I don’t think so either but you know what Amy’s like. If she can add up two and two and make seven and three quarters, she will.

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