A Ordinary Girl by Betty Neels

Author:Betty Neels [Neels, Betty]
Language: nld
Format: epub
Published: 2010-10-07T18:44:46.121000+00:00

CHAPTER FOUR

THERE was a moment's silence, then everyone spoke at once. Mrs Selby hushed them. 'Katie, we all know that you didn't mean to upset Philly. She regards the Professor as a friend. Remember that he is to marry Sybil—she hasn't had much opportunity to meet people—men—as you and your sisters have had, and I'm quite sure that she thinks of him as a friend and nothing more. She's a sensible girl, long past teenage daydreams.' Of course Mrs Selby was wrong there. 'But you did embarrass her, making a joke of a casual acquaintance whom she will probably never see again.'

The Vicar said thoughtfully, 'I'm afraid that we've taken Philly for granted. Perhaps we can arrange for her to meet more people—young people. I am ashamed to own that I have always thought that Philly was content to stay here in the village, but of course she needs young society—which she would have if she had a job and met other people.'

There was a chorus of assent. 'If she could just go away and stay with someone?' suggested Rose. 'It doesn't have to be a job; she would hate that after village life. Don't we know anyone she could visit?'

After several minutes' cogitating they had to admit that there wasn't anyone. True, there was Aunt Dora, who lived in Balham, but she was in her seventies, deaf, and unlikely to know anyone younger than sixty. Then there was Cousin Maud, recently widowed and unsociable by nature—even

`I'm sorry,' burst out Katie. 'I was only teasing her a bit. And he did stare at her 'a lot, and when she's with him she sort of lights up...'

He looked round the table. 'You all agree with me, I'm sure.'

more so now. That left Cousin Elizabeth, quite young still, never in a job for more than a few months and boasting a host of unsuitable friends. Besides, she had only last week written to the Vicar and asked him to lend her five hundred pounds. This was an impossibility, for the heavy snow in March had damaged the roof and Noakes, the builder, had shaken his head over it and sent an estimate which precluded lending a farthing to anyone...

So it was the general regretful opinion that, for the time being at least, Philly would have to stay at home.

And then, the very next day, the unexpected happened.

Mrs Selby had a letter from a friend with whom she had kept in touch since they had been at school together. After they married—she to the Vicar, Mary to a wealthy businessman—they had remained firm friends, exchanging news several times a year.

Mrs Selby opened the letter at the breakfast table and read it slowly. When she had finished she said, 'Listen to this—a letter from Mary Lovell.' She waited until they were all looking at her. 'Her daughter Susan—remember her—a bit younger than Philly?—well, Mary's husband has to go to America on business and Mary is going with him Susan was to have gone, too, but she has been very ill with shingles and the doctor won't allow her to go.

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