Free Whispers in the Village by Rebecca Shaw Page A

appearing ridiculous, because meeting anyone he knew from Turnham Malpas would be a disaster. His clothes safely locked in his car boot, he sauntered off to find a coffee shop that would appeal to his new image.
    There it was, the new one tucked alongside the cathedral. It was extremely busy, it being Saturday, and Dean had to squeeze his way between the tables to reach the only empty one right at the back. Café latte ordered, he sat back and waited its arrival. He glanced round and spent a few moments studying everyone. They were all quite heedless of his state of mind; how could they not know? He looked up at the waitress to thank her for his coffee and as she turned away to serve other people her space was filled by … Anna.
    ‘Hello, Rhett. May I join you? There doesn’t seem anywhere else free.’
    ‘Absolutely.’ He leaped to his feet and pulled out a chair for her. ‘It’s Dean, by the way.’
    ‘Of course, sorry. What do you recommend? Cappuccino? Latte? Espresso? Instant? Or maybe they don’t sell instant in here.’
    Dean had to smile. ‘I don’t think they would. They consider themselves above a quick instant.’ He caught the waitress’s eye and she came across. ‘What would you like? The latte is good.’
    ‘Latte it shall be.’ Anna put down her bag, her elbows on the table, her head to one side and smiled at him. Her teeth were perfectly white and even. ‘So, Dean, why are you in Culworth on your own?’
    ‘Been shopping, then I’m going to the library.’
    ‘Do you know, I haven’t found the library. Where is it?’
    ‘You know the circular building at the far end of Kirkgate? It’s so big you can’t miss it. The one everyone says should never have been built? Well, there’s shops and the library in there, a health centre and a cinema; they’ve called it the Rotunda.’
    ‘Why don’t they like it?’
    ‘Too modern, too round, too big and the shops all sell things one could well do without.’
    ‘I see. Oh good, here’s my coffee. Thank you.’ She stirred it, took a sip, nodded her approval and then said, ‘I’ve been thinking: you know the Youth Club that Kate from the school and Venetia from the Big House run in the church hall?’
    Dean nodded.
    ‘Well, I’m thinking of taking a larger role than Peter took. I’ve been to visit it and it occurred to me we need young men to help run it. How would you feel about that?’
    ‘Don’t know.’
    ‘I support it because it isn’t uniformed, you see, and I intend building up the numbers.’
    ‘Don’t you approve of uniforms then?’
    ‘Frankly, no, I don’t. Too regimented, too much like an army, and I’m a pacifist.’
    ‘So am I, but Dicky does a brilliant job with the cubs and scouts. Best pack in the county. They’re always winning cups and things, top of this, top of that. I don’t think the uniforms matter one jot. The boys love it.’
    Anna completely ignored his support of the Scouts and carried on speaking as though she hadn’t heard a word. ‘The Youth Club needs a young man or two about. Good for role models, you see. And you’re a role model and a half.’ She smiled again and Dean thought his heart must be out there pinned to his sleeve.
    To give himself time to think, Dean sipped his coffee, offered her the sugar bowl and when she refused it he had nothing else with which to fill the silence, so he said, ‘I could help, I suppose. But I haven’t any particular talent to bring to it.’
    ‘That doesn’t matter, it’s you being there that counts. Think about it. The church needs people like you. Young, educated, full of ideas, confident, gregarious. Am I pleading my cause well?’
    Again those beautiful teeth of hers, and he noted the very delicate pink lipstick that gleamed on her lips. ‘You are, none better. I might give it a whirl. Not done anything like it before so I shan’t know how to begin.’
    ‘Just be there. Friday. Seven-thirty. Great bunch of people.’
    Dean agreed, feeling as though