Free The Village Show (Tales from Turnham Malpas) by Rebecca Shaw

opportunity to find out what they were talking about.
    Barry’s mother put down her wire basket, and folding her arms said, ‘So, he’s been seen with ’er by our Terry and our Kenny when they went there to the races at New Year.’
    ‘No!’
    ‘True as I’m ’ere. With ’er and ’er girls. Course, I’m saying nothing. I’m drawing no conclusions.’ She drew herself up self-righteously and looked round the attentive group. ‘It doesn’t do to gossip, does it? But really! She’s third-hand and not half. Bet the rector, God bless him, ’ud be surprised if he knew!’
    By mistake, Pat knocked Barry’s mother’s arm as she reached for the bleach.
    ‘Oh sorry, Mrs Jones.’
    ‘Hello there, Pat. We’re just talking about your Mr Palmer. Right sly old fox he is, don’t yer think?’
    ‘It so happens I have the greatest respect for Mr Palmer. He’s a very nice person to work with. And if you’re gossiping about ’im then I don’t want to hear.’
    Barry’s mother gave her arm a nudge. ‘Oh come on, Pat, don’t tell us you don’t know. You must. He’s seeing Suzy Meadows. Thick as thieves they are. It’s all round the village. Bet you could tell us a thing or two.’
    ‘I couldn’t and I wouldn’t. You should watch your tongue. One day you’ll get sued for what you say, you will.’
    ‘Listen who’s talking! Whiter than white are we? Huh! You’ve passed on some rare bits of gossip in your time, Pat Duckett. Gone all hoity toity now, have yer, since yer’ve gone to live at the Garden House.’
    ‘No, I haven’t, but I don’t pass scandal on about someone who doesn’t deserve it.’
    ‘That’s cheek, that is, Pat. Accusing me of stirring it. Don’t come to me when you want to know the latest. Giving yerself airs!’
    Pat shrugged her shoulders and went to the till. ‘Give me a bill, will yer, Jimbo? It’s for the school.’
    Over the shelves Pat heard Barry’s mother say, ‘Listen to ’er! Jimbo this and Jimbo that! Who does she think she is?’
    Jimbo winked at her. Pat chuckled and left.
    Mr Palmer was in his little office when she got back to the school. Everyone called it his office but all it really consisted of was a desk, a chair, and a wash basin, with a curtain across one corner for the teachers to put their coats behind. If a parent came to see him, they sat in his chair and he propped himself on the wash basin.
    Pat put her head round the door. ‘There you are! Here’s the change and the bill. I’ll be off now. See yer later, Mr Palmer. Snow’ll soon be gone, thank goodness.’
    As she mounted her bike out in Jacks Lane, Barry passed in his van. He pulled up with a shriek of brakes and the slush in the road sprayed wildly about, catching Pat’s boots and bike wheels. She jumped to one side as best she could.
    ‘Eh, Barry! What yer doing? Watch out!’
    Barry leaned out of the window. ‘Sorry! It was the shock of seeing you – got my blood racing. How’s things?’
    ‘Same as they were when I saw yer last. Middling!’
    ‘Don’t forget to ask your Michelle, will you? I’m looking forward to it. One whole day in your company!’
    ‘I’m looking forward to it as well.’ She put her hand on the edge of the open window. ‘I haven’t asked our Michelle, not in school-time. I’ll ask her tonight. I’m sure she’ll say yes.’
    He leaned out of the window and tried to kiss her, but Pat dodged away. Barry laughed, bunched his fingers, kissed them with a flourish, put the van into gear and drove away, taking the corner into Church Lane with more speed than sense. Neither Pat nor Barry had seen his mother standing at the corner of Shepherds Hill and Jacks Lane watching them. Neither of them saw her lips press firmly together in annoyance. As everyone in the village knew to their cost, Barry’s mother’s displeasure was something to be taken seriously.

Chapter 6
     
    Peter took the children with him when he went to pick up Caroline from the station. They’d