Village Secrets (10 page)

‘Curiouser and curiouser!’ Caroline bent down to look at the rags, which turned out to consist of an old shirt and a woman’s blouse, dirty and wet.

Sylvia, still poking about with her boot in the soft loamy soil close to the ashes, suddenly glanced at Caroline to make sure she wasn’t looking, and bent down to pick up something and put it in her pocket. She said, ‘Let’s go. It’s nothing to do with us. Come on, Dr Harris, let’s leave it be. I don’t like it here. We shouldn’t go any further. Let’s turn back.’

‘Very well. Come along, children, we’ll go home. Mummy’s cold and I’m sure you must be too. We’ll have to forget looking for Mimi today.’

Sylvia was shuddering. ‘There’s something unpleasant here and no mistake. Hurry up, children, please. Come on, Dr Harris, let’s get away from this place!’

‘Why, you’re shaking!’

‘I am. There’s things here not for the likes of us.’

‘You mean it wasn’t the Scouts?’

‘I hope not. Baden Powell will be spinning in his grave if it was.’

‘Are you psychic or something?’

‘No, but there’s a funny feeling here I don’t like.’

‘Now I’m frightened. Two grown women getting the wind up, this is ridiculous.’ Nevertheless Caroline took the hands of Alex and Beth and hastened them along. Both she and Sylvia breathed a sigh of relief when they had climbed the stile and were standing out in the road. Then, they both burst out laughing.

‘We are stupid, really we are!’ Caroline kept tight hold of the children as Barry Jones hurtled by in his van. He waved, slammed on his brakes, came to a screeching halt, and then reversed dangerously up to them.

‘Morning! What’s up?’

‘Oh, nothing. We just talked ourselves into being frightened in the wood back there. Sylvia reckons there’s something there not for the likes of us. We’re searching for my cat Mimi – she’s been missing for three days now, and she’s the smallest of my Siamese, so I’m worried. Don’t suppose you’ve seen her on your travels?’

‘Sorry, no I haven’t. I’ll keep a look out for her though. Bye, Dr Harris, keep smiling. Bye, Sylvia, bye kids!’

‘There’s no two ways about it. I’m going to have to accept that my Mimi is gone for ever. It’s one whole week today since I last saw her.’

Jimbo offered his sympathy. ‘I’m really sorry. It’s downright awful not knowing, isn’t it?’

‘It is. Leave the card on the Village Voice noticeboard a little longer will you, Jimbo, please? Just in case. I’ve been round Rector’s Meadow twice and once into Sykes Wood but no luck. You never know, someone might have found her though and given her a home. They might even see the card.’

‘She was quite old?’

‘Twelve – no, thirteen. However, there we are. No Mimi.’

‘Shall you get another?’

‘No, I shan’t. Your two cats are all right, are they?’

‘Yes, why do you ask?’

‘Just wondered if we had a phantom cat-stealer, that’s all. Silly of me really, but you do wonder.’

Jimbo began adding up Caroline’s purchases. ‘Beth’s getting better at playgroup?’

‘Yes, thank you – a little. Alex is perfectly all right, that’s what’s so odd. You’d think they’d react the same, wouldn’t you?’

‘That’ll be ten pounds ninety-seven pence, please.’

‘Thanks. Flick liking her new teacher?’

‘Oh yes. Thinks she’s lovely.’

‘Good, I’m glad. I’ll be off then.’

Caroline carried home the shopping, put it away in the fridge and the cupboards. Having decided that Mimi was a closed chapter in her life she was feeling in need of sympathy, and Peter being the only one who could satisfy her need, she went to find him. But he’d left a note on his desk to say he’d ‘
gone to Penny Fawcett, back for lunch
’.

Caroline sat down in the easy chair in his study and thought about her cat. She’d been sweet and gentle in the house, but a holy terror where hunting was concerned. Chang and Tonga had always accepted that she was the senior cat and, if she so chose, they allowed her to push them aside and finish off their food. Now, as if in answer to her thoughts, the two of them stalked into the study.

‘Come on then, come up.’ She patted her knee and they both jumped up onto her lap. She stroked them each in turn, enjoying their companionship. She thought about Mimi when she’d first got her, a small creamy-coloured tiny thing, soft and warm. The tears began to fall and she had to fumble in her pocket for her handkerchief. Sylvia came in.

‘There’s a letter come through the door for the rector. I’ll— Why, whatever’s the matter?’

Caroline sniffed. ‘I’m being silly. I’m thinking about Mimi and how I shall miss her. But she’s only a cat. I’ve got to keep things in perspective, haven’t I?’

‘Yes, but I can understand.’

‘She was my first cat before I met Peter, you see, and it was lovely to come home to my flat and find Mimi waiting; it made all the difference. It’s not knowing the end that’s the worst. I
know
she wouldn’t have gone off to live with someone else. Anyway, at least I’ve got these two.’

‘Indeed you have.’

The children came bursting in through the door.

‘And these two!!’

‘Mummy, play tiddlywinks. Come on.’

Caroline pushed the cats onto the floor and stood up. ‘I certainly shall. What else are mummies for? Come on.’ She grinned through her tears at Sylvia and said, ‘Sorry for being such a fool.’

‘Not at all. I can quite understand.’

‘Far be it from me, Ms Pascoe, to criticise your methods. Taking the children here there and everywhere is lovely, but when the end result is that it shortens the time the children spend on the three Rs, then it is
not
at all beneficial. In fact, I think it’s a retrograde step.’

‘Hetty! There’s more to life for children of this age than pen and paper. What on earth can they find to write about if their experiences are so narrow? If they lived in a city they’d be doing all sorts of exciting things, but country children’s horizons are so limited.’

‘But think of the money. I know it’s lovely to walk on the walls in Culworth and learn about the Romans first-hand as you might say, but that will be the second outing your children have had this term.’

‘So, what’s wrong with that? You can take
your
children whenever you like.’

‘I know that, but you see a lot of the children round here are not very well off. Two outings in the first half of the term is a lot for their parents.’

‘Nonsense! No parent minds providing money when it’s to the children’s advantage.’

‘What if they’re unemployed like the Watsons? They’ve got two in your class.’

‘Then we shall use school funds if they can’t afford it.’

‘We only used to have an outing in the summer term when Mr Palmer was here.’

‘Mr Palmer
isn’t
here, is he? I am. And I shall be obliged if you don’t keep telling me about what
used
to happen, Hetty! Now is now.’

Hetty turned to Margaret. ‘What do you think, Margaret?’

‘Well, I …’

But Hetty interrupted her. ‘This business of the children coming straight into school the moment they arrive in the mornings. We’ve never allowed it before.’

Kate grew impatient. ‘There you go again, Hetty. In the past. It won’t do.’

‘I’m thinking about our responsibilities. I was here at quarter past eight on Tuesday morning and there were already three children in the school. It’s not right.’

‘Pat Duckett is here.’

‘She is not legally responsible, as well you know.’

‘Oh really! What harm can come to them?’

‘Once the parents realise that the children can come straight into school they’ll be sending them at some ungodly hour, just to get them out of the way so they can get off to work. Speaking of ungodly, I took real exception to you talking about Hinduism in that manner yesterday. None of us are Hindu and the children must be very puzzled. They never see a coloured person from one week to the next.’

‘All the more reason why they should learn about them then.’

‘I disagree. What do you think, Margaret?’

‘Well, I …’

‘The rector won’t be at all pleased.’

Kate smiled. ‘Don’t tell him then. It
is
my school.’

Hetty encouraged Margaret to support her. ‘Say something, Margaret.’

‘I think—’

‘I have been employed as Head, and as far as I can, within the bounds of the national curriculum, I shall teach as I see fit, and if going on an expedition helps them to understand the world better, then on an expedition we shall go.’

‘My children will be complaining. It makes me look mean.’

‘You arrange an outing for them, then. Broaden their outlook, encompass the world if you can. Isn’t that so, Margaret?’

‘Oh! Yes, I supp—’

Realising she was fighting a losing battle, Hetty asked Margaret: ‘Whose side are you on?’

‘I don’t—’

Kate got up to go. ‘Time I was off. Got people coming for a meal. I’ll love you and leave you.’

Hetty Hardaker waited till she was out of earshot then said bitterly, ‘Well, some support I got from you, I must say.’

‘You didn’t give me a chance to speak.’

‘I asked your opinion.’

‘I know, but you interrupted or Kate did.’

‘It’s not right. I
know
it’s not right.’

‘Where shall you take your class then?’

‘Heaven alone knows; I’ll have to think of somewhere. I hate school outings, it’s the worry of losing someone.’

Margaret gathered her things together. ‘I’m off. She’s only trying to do her best and she does have a point.’

‘About what?’

‘About the children’s limited experiences.’

‘You could be right.’

‘I am. She’s like a breath of fresh air.’

‘Hmm.’

‘Mr Palmer was not at all flexible, you know.’

‘Yes, but the children were well-taught. We shan’t be getting anyone into Prince Henry’s or Lady Wortley’s is if we do as she says. We’ve three children sitting the entrance exams next week; there’s not a word about that, is there?’

‘There’s more to life than academic success.’

‘You try telling the parents that!’

‘Harriet? Kate Pascoe here. Hello. Would it be possible to pop into school to see me this week? Round about four when the children have gone?’

‘Why, yes, of course. Is there a problem with Flick?’

‘Nothing serious, just wanted a chat.’

‘I’ll come today then. About four?’

‘Lovely, thanks. Be seeing you!’

Harriet replaced the receiver and stood watching Fran who was glued to the children’s TV. What on earth did Kate want to see her about? Flick hadn’t said anything.

She dialled Jimbo’s mobile phone number. ‘Hello, Jimbo? Could you come home early today? Well, Kate Pascoe from the school has rung and wants me to go and see her this afternoon about four. I don’t know what for, but she does. You don’t have a clue, do you? No, I haven’t either. Be home just before four, darling? OK, bye.’

When Flick got home Harriet asked her if she’d done anything naughty at school.

‘No, of course not, Mummy. As if I would.’

‘Well, no, of course I know you wouldn’t, but do you have any idea why Miss Pascoe wants to see me?’

‘Ms Pascoe? No, I haven’t. It’s my entrance exam next week – maybe it’s something to do with that.’

‘Oh, yes. That’ll be it. Of course.’

Harriet left Jimbo with instructions about Fran and wended her way to the school.

Kate offered her a coffee but Harriet declined. ‘You have one if you wish. Don’t let me stop you.’

‘I will, if that’s all right. Hard work, teaching.’

‘I’m sure it is. Do we have a problem? Is that why you’ve asked to see me?’

‘Not a problem as such.’ She stirred her coffee while she found the right words. ‘I do worry about Flick, do you?’

‘Not particularly.’

‘I see. She’s very uptight, isn’t she?’

‘I wouldn’t have said so.’

‘That’s how she comes across in school. Always a bundle of energy, first with her hand up, eager to please. Very competitive.’

‘She comes from a competitive family.’

Kate smiled. ‘Of course. But I think she needs to relax a little and let the world go by, don’t you know.’

‘She does, at home. Reads books by the score, laid on her bed.’

‘That’s it, you see. Reading … not very relaxing, is it?’

‘What do you suggest?’

‘My suggestion is,’ Kate paused and eyed Harriet carefully as though debating the wisdom of what she was going to say next, ‘she doesn’t go ahead with the entrance exam.’

Harriet was startled. ‘Not go ahead! What can you possibly mean?’

‘I mean she should go to a school where, unlike Lady Wortley’s, there will be less pressure to succeed. I’m pretty sure she’ll find the stress of a high-flying school too much and she could have serious problems.’