Village Matters (21 page)

Muriel came from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. ‘Oh Ralph, doesn’t it look lovely! I shall feel like the Queen.’ Muriel held the handle with both hands and rested her foot on the spade. ‘I declare . . .’ She laughed and put the spade back against the wall. ‘It’s so shiny and new, and I love the words you’ve chosen. Hipkin Gardens, it does sound grand. My father would have been delighted if he knew.’

‘Maybe the dead do know what the living are doing, so perhaps he does know.’

‘Yes, maybe you’re right. I’m well on with the nibbles and organising the table and the cutlery and things. I just need you to attend to the drinks side and I’m nearly ready. What’s it like out?’

‘Mild for the time of year, but most important, it’s fine.’

‘I do hope I don’t let you down.’

‘Of course you won’t. You’ll be just right. Memorised your speech?’

‘Doesn’t need to be. I’m going for a rest after I’ve done the drinks. I’ll lie on the bed and watch you getting ready.’

‘That won’t take long, I’m all clean on underneath. I’ve only got to take my dress off and put my new suit on. I’ve been thinking of buying trousers to wear on cold days in the winter. Would I look silly, do you think?’

‘With your figure, Muriel, you’ll look enchanting.’

‘Thank you. You’re so good for my self-esteem. I’d none before we married.’

‘I’ve done you a good turn then?’

‘Oh yes, indeed you have. I’m so pleased about Arthur and the farm. You did the right thing there.’

‘It was your idea.’

‘No it wasn’t, it was yours.’

‘You may not have suggested it, but you planted the seed.’

‘Ralph, we must stop talking, I’m going to be late!’

‘Muriel, you’ve never been late in your life!’

‘Ladies and gentlemen. It gives me great pleasure on this wonderfully special day to plunge in the ceremonial spade, beautifully inscribed to commemorate this special occasion to which Ralph and I have looked forward for so long. As many of you will know, my father, and generations of my family before him, were head gardeners at the Big House. When the estate was sold we moved away and at the time I had no idea that I would ever come back here again. But life has come full circle and I’m standing here with Ralph my husband, whom I have to confess was a childhood sweetheart of mine’ – the crowd cheered goodnaturedly at this – ‘to inaugurate the start of the building of houses for the village. The two of us have planned and schemed and worried about the designs, because we so wanted the houses to be exactly right for country people to live in. A glazed porch over the back door for boots and the dog’s water bowl, central heating, good-sized bedrooms, not rabbit hutches, two bathrooms so there’s no queue in the mornings, and a good-sized garage because country people need cars nowadays, and if you haven’t got one then you can always put the things you’re saving for the scout jumble sale in there, and lovely pleasant gardens too. We shall be retaining most of the lovely trees which we all find so delightful, so Hipkin Gardens will be a lovely leafy place to live. We’ve already got three names on our list of people interested in renting, so hopefully they will all be occupied as they become ready. I do hope they will be a useful and pleasant addition to our village. I hereby declare the commencement of the building of Hipkin Gardens.’

Cheering and clapping broke out amongst the crowd and Muriel, having had her moment in the limelight, quietly stood back for Ralph to say a few words. He mentioned the opposition, but in a kindly and understanding way, and said how pleased he was that now everyone agreed that the eight houses would be of great benefit to the village. He caught Arthur’s eye and smiled. A few of the crowd craned their necks to see who he was smiling at, and glanced at each other with knowing looks.

Finally, Peter said a prayer for the happiness and well-being of the people who would be living in the houses, and then Ralph asked everyone home for champagne.

Muriel and he led the way across the green to their house. She still missed Pericles running to greet her when she came home, but the press of all their friends and neighbours pouring up the lane behind them put him out of her mind.

For the first half an hour Muriel was frantically busy attending to everyone’s needs. Ralph and Peter opened the champagne and Ralph proposed a toast ‘To Hipkin Gardens!’ They all clinked their glasses and drank the toast and then flocked to the dining room, where Muriel had laid out the food. There were people everywhere, in the sitting room, squeezed in the study, sitting on the stairs, and the hubbub was deafening.

Deep in conversation on the stairs were Venetia Mayer and Pat. Ralph offered to refill their glasses. ‘Oh, yes please, Sir Ralph. Thank you very much.’ Pat took a sip of her champagne and listened to Venetia chatting up her host.

Ralph bowed in acknowledgement. Pat nudged Venetia. ‘I don’t know how you dare to speak to him like that.’

‘Like what? I was only making him feel good. I read somewhere that you should try to make everyone you meet feel better for having spoken to you, so that’s what I was doing.’

‘Oh yes, sometimes you do go over the top with it though. Especially with one person I could mention.’

‘Who’s that?’

‘Craddock Fitch.’

At the mention of his name Venetia jumped and knocked Pat’s elbow, whereupon she spilled her champagne and it splashed on Venetia’s suit.

‘Oh, I’m so sorry, it hasn’t spoiled it, has it?’

‘No, I’ll dab it off, it’ll be all right.’

Pat watched her drying the splashes and, not to be put off by the incident, pressed home with her quest for some inside information.

‘He seems to come to the Big House a lot.’

‘Well, he’s interested in making sure everyone is satisfied.’

‘Is
he
satisfied?’ Pat said with a knowing wink.

Venetia wriggled out of that by saying, ‘Jeremy would be sacked and so would I if he wasn’t satisfied with our work.’

‘I’m quite envious of you Pat. It’s a lovely house. That view across Sykes Wood!’

‘I know. I’ve looked round it with the kids and mi dad. Our Michelle’s in ’er element. She’s in charge of the gardening at the school, yer know. Green fingers, Mr Palmer says she has. So she’s looking forward to ’elping Dad. And really it’s you I’ve got to thank for putting in a good word for us.’

‘That’s all right, Pat. You can invite me to tea one day when you get settled.’

‘Oh, right I will. Can’t invite yer where I live now, but when we’ve moved I will, that’s a date. Just going to find the bathroom.’

‘With the new house, and working for Jimbo and the school, things are looking up for you, aren’t they?’

Pat gave Venetia a thumbs-up and wandered off. She requested directions and Muriel pointed her the way. As she went up the stairs she heard voices. Rounding the bend she came upon Linda from the Store and Alan Crimble. They were standing close together on the landing. Alan was holding Linda’s hand and she was straightening his hair. ‘You should comb it over to this side, Alan, it looks more modern like that. Oh!’ They hastily broke apart when they saw Pat.

‘What are you two up to then? Canoodling, eh? Whatever next?’

Linda retorted, ‘You mind your own business, Pat Duckett.’

Alan patted Linda’s arm. ‘Now, now, Linda.’ He spoke to Pat. ‘Linda and me’s going out together.’

Rather defiantly, Linda began to say, ‘We’ve been going out since . . .’

‘Since that day I saved Sir Ralph’s life. That’s when it started.’

‘I thought how wonderful he was. Saving a life like that.’ She gazed up at him adoringly.

‘Well, he was wonderful. Certainly redeemed himself, and no mistake.’

‘In fact, you can be the first to know.’ Alan took hold of Linda’s hand. ‘We’re getting engaged at Christmas.’

‘Engaged! That’s quick work, I must say. Still neither of yer’s spring chickens. You must be thirty-seven or eight, Linda, if yer a day. Yer’ve worked in the Store since before I got married. You’ve seen some changes there, and not half. Remember old Mrs Thornton? Disgusting it was. No hygiene at all. And you, Alan, ’ow old are you?’

‘Thirty-two.’

‘Well then, there you are. Why waste time ’anging about. Get on with it, I say. Have yer planned where yer going to live?’

‘We’re thinking of asking to rent one of Sir Ralph’s houses.’

‘Good idea. Considering what you did for ’im, yer should be top of the list. Got to go, I’m dying.’

As Pat returned downstairs into the fray she found the rectory twins sitting side by side on the bottom step. Alex had a piece of cake in his hand, and Beth a small bowl filled with crisps. She was feeding them to Alex, who was obediently eating them. In between she kept popping one into her own mouth.

Beth offered her a crisp. ‘Cri’p, Aun’ie Pa’?’

‘Oh, thank you, Beth. Talking, are yer now?’

Alex shouted. ‘Yes!’

Caroline came rushing out of the dining room. ‘Oh! Thank goodness they’re there. I need eyes at the back of my head with these two. They’re into everything.’

‘Aren’t they growing up? Beth’s just given me a crisp. She called me Auntie Pat.’

‘Really? She’s just begun talking, actually. Peter’s been quite worried about her. She’s always let Alex do it all up until now. So pleased to hear about the house, Pat. You must be delighted. I haven’t met your father, is he here?’

‘No. Doesn’t socialise much. And he’s a teetotaller, so you won’t be seeing him in The Royal Oak either. Soon as the paperwork’s gone through we’ll be moving in. Can’t wait.’

‘You deserve it, Pat.’

‘Can I ask something? Will you and the rector be going to the Bonfire Party up at the Big House?’

‘Exactly. I mean, I can’t refuse in the circumstances. Do you know if Sir Ralph’s going?’

‘No idea. Haven’t mentioned it. Bit tricky really.’ Caroline smiled at her, scooped up the twins, one under each arm, because they’d begun to sprinkle crisps on Muriel’s hall carpet, and went to find Peter. It was time they went; the twins had behaved well for quite long enough, and she could see problems arising shortly.

‘Excuse me, darling, I think it’s time we went home.’ The twins began protesting, wriggling and shouting to get down. Peter took Beth from under Caroline’s right arm and swung her up into the air. Alex shouted, ‘Alex. Dada. Alex. Up.’ He swung Beth up twice more and then put her down and picked up Alex. He swung him up into the air and Alex screamed his delight.

‘Peter! We really must go!’

‘Yes, we must. Before trouble starts. Right, Alex, that’s enough. Off we go. Go find Auntie Moo and Uncle Ralph.’ They found them by the front door saying goodbyes.

Sheila Bissett and Ron were just leaving. ‘Thank you so much for inviting us, we have enjoyed ourselves, haven’t we Ron? These houses can only be good for the village, I’m so pleased it’s all going ahead. See you at the Bonfire Party!’ She twinkled her fingers at Ralph and stepped out into the road. Ron shook hands with Muriel and Ralph and followed her across the green.

Caroline kissed Muriel and thanked her. ‘Do hope the twins haven’t made too much mess. They’re just at that age. Sorry.’