Village Matters by Shaw Rebecca

Author:Shaw, Rebecca [Shaw, Rebecca]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781409140214
Publisher: Orion
Published: 2010-12-29T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

Pat placed herself next to Vera on the settle and put her orange juice down on the nearest beer mat. Vera inspected her glass and said ‘Orange juice! Since when ’ave you, Pat Duckett, drunk orange juice? That’s a turn-up for the book.’

‘Mi dad’s ’ere, isn’t he? Staunch teetotal he is, Lord ’elp us. Went on the bottle when mum died, straight down the slippery slope. Alcoholic he was and no mistake. Took himself in hand and hasn’t touched a drop since. We shan’t be seeing him in ’ere, believe me.’

Jimmy expressed himself as being disappointed. ‘Fancied ’aving another chap to talk to, make a change from all you women.’

‘Cheek. At least you get to know all the latest. That taxi job of yours takes up all yer time. There’s only me and Vera to tell you anything. Isn’t it hot tonight? Hardly slept a wink last night, tossing and turning, all the windows open and I was still too hot. Mind you, with our Michelle’s bed in my room and her restless too, I didn’t have much hope.’

‘So, what is the latest then?’

‘Well.’ Pat took a long draught of her orange juice and pulled a face. ‘I shan’t last long on this game. It’s only a token gesture to mi dad. Well, little Flick is doing fine. Been home two weeks now. Did yer see ’er this morning, sitting out in the sun watching your geese? Well, yer wouldn’t ’cos yer were working, but she was. Two crutches she has, bless her heart. Jimbo, I call him that now, we’re very close . . .’

‘Close? You and Mr Charter-Plackett? That’s rich!’ Vera shook her head at this flight of fancy on her friend’s part.

‘Less of yer cheek, Vera Wright. I’m one of his most reliable staff. He’s told me so. And now mi dad’s come I shall be doing more work for him. So . . .’

Jimmy interrupted. ‘You were telling us about little Flick.’

‘Right, I was. Jimbo was saying she’s so disappointed not to have got back to school in time for the start of term, but she’s determined she’ll be back before long. Mr Palmer says she can go mornings at first and see how she gets on. She goes for therapy in the afternoons. She adores that baby. And no wonder, that little Fran is beautiful. I could take ’er ’ome with me.’

‘Yer’d soon change yer mind.’

Pat laughed. ‘Yes, I expect I should! She ’asn’t ’alf got some grit she ’as, that Flick. When yer think ’ow badly knocked about she was, and ’ere she is fighting to get back to school. Jimbo, as I call ’im now, is that anxious about ’er. But then so would I be if it was our Michelle.’

‘I’ve been thinking, where’s yer dad sleeping?’

Pat’s face fell. ‘With our Dean. He’s none too pleased and I don’t suppose mi dad is either, ’aving to share with a teenager.’

‘Where yer working this week?’ Vera asked, wondering if she might offer her services.

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