Homes and Hearths in Little Woodford by Catherine Jones

Homes and Hearths in Little Woodford by Catherine Jones

Author:Catherine Jones [Jones, Catherine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781838938093
Publisher: Head of Zeus
Published: 2020-07-22T16:00:00+00:00


19

‘No Gordon?’ asked Belinda as Maxine ordered a glass of red wine.

‘I’m meeting Olivia for lunch.’

‘That’ll be nice.’

‘It will, won’t it? Of course I see her at the art club and I used to see her at the book club, when I had the time to read the wretched books, but they’re not things where we get to have a proper chat.’

‘You and Gordon always used to come together but I haven’t seen you here for weeks.’ She put Maxine’s order on the counter. ‘Is everything OK – I mean, I know your place is a bit… crowded.’

Maxine sighed and leaned in closer. The bar wasn’t full and the noise level was low and she wasn’t sure she wanted any of the punters to be able to indulge in a bit of casual eavesdropping. ‘To be honest, it’s been getting a bit heavy.’ She thought about telling Belinda she and Gordon had separate bedrooms but that would be over-share.

‘Because of the family?’

Max nodded. ‘You know that ditty – Lizzie Borden took an axe and gave her mother forty whacks—’

‘And when she saw what she had done, she gave her father forty-one,’ finished Belinda, gleefully. ‘It’s not that bad, surely?’

‘I’ve been tempted. Anyway, I’ve got a chance to escape for a few days so I’m going to stay with my sister.’

‘That’ll be nice. Six pounds, please.’

‘I think it may be a case of frying pans and fires but I’m prepared to risk it.’

‘I hope the risk pays off,’ said Belinda as Olivia pushed open the door to the pub.

‘Hello,’ said Olivia kissing her friend on the cheek. ‘What risk? I’m agog.’

‘I’ll tell you over lunch,’ said Maxine. ‘Now, what can I get you to drink?’

The pair had ordered their food and Maxine had updated a sympathetic Olivia as to the ups and downs of her family life when the door to the pub opened again and Amy sailed in.

‘Hi, Belinda,’ she called before she caught sight of her employer. ‘Oh, hiya, Mrs Laithwaite. Skiving again?’

‘No, Amy, I don’t skive. I’ve taken a few days leave to enjoy this lovely weather we’ve been having, and to catch up with some personal admin.’

‘That’s nice.’ She turned her attention back to Belinda. ‘I’ll have a large white, please. My Ryan’s off shift so he’s meeting me for lunch. Got just enough time to fit in a quick bite between the Post Office and cleaning for Miranda. Anyway, Miranda probably won’t mind if I’m a minute or two late.’

‘Really?’

‘She’s a lot better than she was when I started for her.’

‘I suppose. Want to start a tab?’

‘Yeah, that way Ryan might pay the whole bill.’

Belinda grinned, passed the wine over and entered the amount in the till.

Amy wandered over towards Olivia’s table and chose a seat at the one next door. ‘Lucky old you being able to pick and choose your days off.’

‘It doesn’t quite work like that.’

‘Now I do for you, I have to get all my stuff done at the weekends. No days off for me.



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