The Village Show (Tales from Turnham Malpas) (14 page)

She put on the handbrake, picked up her new leather handbag and her briefcase and leaped out ready for what could be the best day of her life so far. Because today things would happen. She was vague about exactly what, but today she was taking a big step forward of some kind.

When she opened the door in response to Louise’s knock, Caroline was taken aback but strove not to show it.

‘Good morning. Isn’t it lovely today? Like the hair. What a transformation. Makes you look completely different!’

Louise hung her suede coat, with the new scarf tucked down the sleeve, in the cupboard and smiled. ‘Thought it was time I smartened up, seeing as I shall be going for interviews soon. Don’t want to look like a country bumpkin.’

‘Absolutely not. They couldn’t think that about you before and certainly not now. You’ve got interviews then?’

She couldn’t downright lie so she said, ‘In the pipeline, thank goodness. I’ll do an hour and then go and finish the photocopying. Has Peter shown you the front cover?’

‘Yes, I’m so pleased with it. When the magazine’s finished I’d like a copy to send to my friend.’

‘Of course. That design on yellow paper has worked really well. We make a good team, don’t we, Peter and I?’

Tongue in cheek Caroline agreed and said, ‘Sylvia’s making coffee. I’ll ask her to bring it in.’

Caroline was constructing a tent for the children with a couple of blankets and the kitchen table when Sylvia returned from taking Peter and Louise their coffee.

When Caroline emerged from under the table Sylvia said, ‘There’s your coffee, Dr Harris, on the corner by your rocking chair. I’ll sit in the other one, otherwise we’ll spoil the tent.’

Usually Caroline and Sylvia chatted while they had their morning break but today Sylvia was silent. The only sound in the kitchen was the slight creaking of Caroline’s chair as she rocked and the chattering of the children having their own drink and biscuit in their makeshift tent.

‘Is there something the matter, Sylvia? Have I upset you or something? You’re awfully quiet today.’

‘You haven’t upset me, no.’

‘Well, then are you not well? I’m sure we can manage if you’d rather be at home.’

‘I’m quite well, thank you.’

‘I see.’ Caroline looked at her over the rim of her mug and pondered on the cause of Sylvia’s silence. She’d come to rely on her for bits of information about the village that she ought to be aware of, and drinking their morning coffee was one of the best times for talking.

‘Has someone else upset you then?’

‘Nothing no one’s said, if that’s what you mean.’

‘What then? Come on, you can tell me. I’m the soul of discretion.’

Sylvia reached across and placed her mug on the corner of the Aga. ‘If I tell you I could upset several people. But I can’t keep quiet. For your sake I can’t keep quiet.’

‘Well, then spit it out.’

Sylvia cleared her throat, hesitated for a moment while she found the right words and then said, ‘Since the first day she walked in here, into this rectory, it’s been as if a time bomb’s been waiting to go off. I can’t put it more strongly than that. A time bomb. You know it. I know it. The only one who doesn’t is the rector, bless ’im. And now this.’

‘This what?’

‘Haven’t you noticed anything different this morning with Louise?’

‘She’s had her hair done and bought some new clothes. I thought she looked quite good.’

‘That’s right – she does. But have you realised what she’s doing? I noticed it in church yesterday.’

‘Brightening herself up, I suppose. Ready for going to interviews.’

‘No, Dr Harris, she’s copying you.’

Caroline was astounded. ‘Copying
me
? Really, Sylvia, I know you’ve never liked her but this is ridiculous.’

‘Is it? Dark brown suede jacket, expensive scarf, Jaeger skirt and blouse not exactly like yours, but the same colours. Saw her in church, wearing a pale pink jumper and black trousers very, very similar to yours – and her hair has now gone brown and curly. Believe me, I’m right.’

‘I never realised that, but you could be right … They
are
similar, aren’t they?’ Sylvia nodded. ‘But what would she want to do that for?’ Caroline said slowly.

‘Think about it. It’s not because she admires
you
, is it?’

Caroline put her mug down on the table and sat deep in thought. Then she said, ‘I’ll leave the children with you for a while, if I may.’ She stood up and left the kitchen by the back door. Sylvia could see her walking in the garden; to outward appearances she was checking her plants but Sylvia, who knew her well, guessed rightly that she was searching in her mind for an answer to the problem.

Louise came in with the empty coffee mugs from the study before she left to finish the photocopying.

‘Thanks for the coffee, I’m off now. Caroline not about?’

‘No. She’s not.’

‘I wanted a word.’

‘You can leave a message.’

‘Tell her … tell her … Never mind, I’ll see her next time I come.’ As Louise went towards the door into the hall she half-turned and smiled oddly at Sylvia. The back door opened and in came Caroline.

‘Louise! I’m glad I’ve caught you. I wanted a word.’

She returned to the kitchen. ‘Oh right. Yes?’

‘Flattering though it is for me to find that you have chosen to copy the way I dress, I don’t like it.’

‘The way you dress? What
do
you mean?’

‘What you’re wearing today. It’s tantamount to a complete copy of my clothes.’

‘You’re being ridiculous. Why on earth should
I
want to copy
you
?’

‘I don’t know – you tell me.’

‘You’re totally mistaken. That was never my intent at all.’

‘I don’t like it, I’m afraid. However, I’ve said how I feel – 1 can’t do any more.’

‘You certainly can’t. I repeat, you’re quite mistaken. These clothes are my choice and nothing whatsoever to do with your taste in fashion. If I wanted to copy anyone, it would be Harriet Charter-Plackett, not you.’

Angry beyond belief at the manner in which Louise was speaking to Caroline, Sylvia interrupted: ‘You know full well why you’re doing it. We’re not idiots in this village, though I know you think we are. You’re doing it to get a response from the rector – and don’t deny it!’

‘Who do you think you are, speaking to me in that tone?’

‘Someone who sees more clearly than you would like. If you’re trying to win him for yourself, you’re barking up the wrong tree. The rector wouldn’t even
look
at you, even though you’re dressed like Dr Harris. He only has you here to work and for nothing else.’

Louise turned to Caroline. ‘Are you going to stand by and allow a …
servant
to shout at me? How can anyone possibly think I see Peter as anything other than my spiritual advisor? When have I ever done anything to make anyone think otherwise?’

Sylvia didn’t allow Caroline time to answer. ‘Dressing like you are today, and when I saw you yesterday in church. If you never came back in this house again it would be too soon. I know exactly what you’re up to. The rector, bless him, can’t see it, because he never thinks ill of anyone, ever. But I can see straight through you, oh yes! Now buzz off and don’t come back.’

By now the children, sensing that their mother and their beloved Sylvie were upset, had crawled out of the tent and had become very agitated, crying, ‘Mummy, Mummy!’ They clung to Caroline’s legs, begging to be lifted up.

Caroline, in an attempt to calm the situation said, ‘Sylvia! This won’t do. Please leave it to me.’

‘I can’t, because you won’t say what has to be said. I saw clean through her the first day she came here. I knew her little game. Well, it’s to be stopped before it goes any further. I won’t see this family broken up and stand by and say nothing. So, off you go.’

Not one of them noticed that Peter had heard the arguing and come from his study and was now standing in the kitchen doorway. Louise, seething and fast losing control of the situation, said the one thing she knew cut right to the heart of her intention. ‘Broken up? This family broken up? As if I would do such a thing to these two little children.’ She looked lovingly at the twins as they stood clinging to their mother.

‘“These two little children?”. You don’t care
that
much for ’em.’ Sylvia clicked her fingers as close to Louise’s face as she could. ‘You only pretend to care to keep in the rector’s good books. They’re his and Dr Harris’s and don’t you forget it.’

Louise finally lost her self-control. ‘Hers and Peter’s? Oh yes?’ There was a scornful note in her voice which stabbed straight at Caroline’s heart. She went ashen, and her hands began to shake. The children fell silent.

Sylvia stepped forward as though she would strangle Louise. ‘Get out! Go on, get out. Never
ever
come back here. Do you hear me? Never!’

Peter’s voice at its loudest would have stilled a storm and he used it now, overriding Sylvia’s shouting, every word couched in cold implacable anger. ‘I will not have this arguing in my home. Your behaviour is disgraceful. Both of you should be ashamed. Absolutely ashamed. Not another word. Sylvia, please leave. And you too, Louise. Out! Your behaviour in front of my wife and our children has been quite unforgivable.’ Neither of them moved. ‘I’m
waiting.’ His face was deathly white with temper, and he smashed a fist against the palm of his other hand as he repeated, ‘I’m waiting!’

Louise suppressed the urge to speak to him, recognising that she had gone far too far, and would probably never retrieve the status quo again. Sylvia, fearful of his anger, quietly went into the hall, took her coat from the cupboard and rushed home to the comfort of Willie’s arms. Louise had no such arms in which to shelter; she went home to weep alone.

Peter stood quite still for a moment breathing heavily and attempting to regain his self-control. Alex and Beth were still crying, so he picked them both up and sat each of them on a kitchen chair. He opened the cake tin and gave them each a piece of flapjack, and with shaking hands poured some juice into their beakers. Having spoken reassuringly to them, he turned his attention to Caroline. She was standing apart, tears silently pouring down her cheeks, one hand pressed to her forehead shielding her eyes, the other gripping the back of the nearest chair.

‘Caroline, come.’ Peter opened wide his arms and she went to him. A safe anchorage was what she needed and that was what she got.

‘My darling girl. I’m so sorry. So very sorry. I’d no idea things had gone that far.’

‘But Peter, I did say.’

‘Yes, and I was easing her out but you invited her back.’

‘I know. I know.’

Peter wiped her eyes for her and kissed her eyelids. ‘No more crying. The matter is finished or it will be when I’ve dealt with it.’

‘She said how much she loved coming to our house because it was so welcoming and warm, and of course that
won me over. I couldn’t believe it when I heard myself saying she could come back.’

Peter groaned. ‘I was even so blind that I complimented her on her clothes this morning.’

‘You’re too kind. I couldn’t stop Sylvia; she was so wild she wouldn’t listen to sense. She was like a terrier.’ Caroline took out her handkerchief and wiped her eyes again. ‘She’s no fool, she saw through Louise from the word go. Peter, what are we going to do? You’ve lost your secretary and I’ve lost my housekeeper.’

‘Come and sit on my knee.’ He seated himself in Caroline’s rocking chair and she perched on his knee. With her head on his shoulder and his hand caressing her arm, he said, ‘I shall deal with Madam Sylvia after lunch when tempers have cooled. Don’t worry, Willie and I will sort it out. We’ve a good understanding, him and me.’

‘Will you sort Louise too?’

Peter gave her a grim smile. ‘I’ll have to work at that. She’s harder to solve than Sylvia. Can’t leave it as it is now, though.’

‘There’s going to be no end to the pain, is there? I think the answer is for us to leave here and make a fresh start somewhere else, where no one knows. But it would break my heart to do that. I love it here.’

Peter gripped her tightly and gently shook her. ‘So do I. So do I. But, I promise you faithfully here and now, if things get too bad for you, Caroline, then move we shall. The decision is entirely yours.’

‘Oh Peter, I wish I was a million miles from here, right now, just for a while.’

‘I wish you were too. Well, I mean all of us together a million miles away. Never mind, not long now and we
shall
be away. For two blissful weeks.’

‘Devon, here we come. I won’t have Louise back. I’m sorry, I know I’m trespassing, but I won’t.’

‘Neither will I. That’s it – finished. I must have been a complete fool not to have noticed the way things were going. Sorry.’

‘I’m sorry for her at bottom. She must be desperate.’

Peter kissed her. ‘You’re so kind, Dr Harris.’

‘So are you. What a mess. I feel drained. Such a scene in my own kitchen. It will be a while before I get over this, and the children too, they were so upset. I’m glad they’re still too young to understand. However, must get on. I’ll start lunch. Finished, my little ones? Come on, then, down you get.’