Village Accounts by Rachel Cray

Author:Rachel Cray
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: village romance, steamy romance
Publisher: Maryon Westerfield Publishing
Published: 2016-05-05T00:00:00+00:00

“WELCOME TO OUR LITTLE group,” said David the vicar when I walked into St Mark’s church in Buckford for the heritage society meeting on Thursday evening. “You won’t have met my wife, Hazel.”

Hazel the vicar’s wife smiled and moved forward to shake my hand. She was a prim, simpering, plain lady in tight curls; I imagined she had been the daughter of a clergyman and had been born into this environment. “I saw you last Sunday at the service, and I wanted to speak to you afterwards, but that rotter Arthur grabbed you before I had a chance.”

I smiled and said nothing.

“How did you like the service on Sunday?” asked David.

“I had expected a larger congregation,” I said, avoiding a direct answer. “Was that the normal number you can expect?”

“Yes. A lot of them like to go to St. Luke’s in Maybourne. It’s ‘high’ there, you see, and the flock out here prefer something more ‘middle-of-the-road’.”

“Then you’ve saved me a wasted journey, David. I’m happier in the middle. Which of your four churches is holding this Sunday’s service?”

Before he had a chance to speak, Arthur walked in with a loud “Good evening, everyone!” which turned all our heads to the door.

He brought with him an attractive woman, aged around thirty. I began to speculate who she might be – Arthur had assured me that he was single, and unattached – and I was faintly envious when I saw her look at him.

Then everything was explained. “Ladies and gentlemen, may I present – for those who may not have met her already – our guest speaker this evening, Lucy Godwin, the celebrated art historian.”

I breathed more easily. She was just another of Arthur’s galaxy of contacts.

“I gather Arthur’s been helping you get your feet under the table here,” smiled Hazel, moving beside me. “He knows so many friends, you know.”

Yes, Hazel, I thought. I’ve had my feet under his table, too. And my body’s been in his bed. “Your David introduced me to him,” I answered. “Arthur’s been a real diamond over the last week. Absolutely amazing.”

A few more people came into the church, and Hazel graciously introduced me to them. “Diane’s taken Singleton’s bungalow at Lambrook,” she invariably added.

Great, I thought. Now everyone knows where I live and they’ll be knocking on my door to gossip, and I won’t get any peace. I’d been warned that village life would be like this.

“And how’s my favourite accountant?” Arthur moved next to me. “I hope your move went without any problems?”

“Very well, thank you. I shall have to invite you to my house-warming – when I get everything straight.”

“I look forward to that. Diane, this is Lucy Godwin – she’ll be speaking to us tonight on medieval sculpture. A warning to you: a lot of people find Lucy just a little larger than life.”

Laughing, I shook Angela’s hand.

“I gather you’ve made quite an impression on Arthur,” she winked at me. “Look after him, won’t you. He’s very special.”

She set up her laptop

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