Free (7/13) Affairs at Thrush Green by Miss Read Page A

observed Kit. 'Let me know if you hear of a small place anywhere near Lulling or Thrush Green. I'm getting down in earnest now to some house-hunting.'
    They took him round the garden and showed him the attractive little house which Edward had designed and converted from the old stable. Mrs Bassett was out, and he promised to call on her another time.
    'And whose is this?' he enquired, eyeing the gipsy caravan which had once been the home of Mrs Curdle, Ben's grandmother.
    Joan told him about the old lady's death, the sad but necessary sale of the fair, and how glad they were to have Ben and Molly living in the flat at the top of the house.
    'Mrs Curdle!' exclaimed Kit. 'May the first! My goodness, that takes me back. What a day that was every year! We used to look forward to that fair day for weeks.'
    'We all did,' said Joan. 'It's lovely to have the caravan here as a reminder. Sometimes Ben's children have a tea party in there with their friends. I don't think Mrs Curdle would have let them make as much noise as we allow them.'
    They walked to the gate, and Kit looked at his watch.
    'I'll call and see Dotty another time, but do you think Winnie Bailey would remember me?'
    'Try her and see,' advised Joan, and they watched him step out across the grass in the direction of the doctor's.
    'If your mother does decide to live with Ruth,' said Edward, as they returned to the house, 'I wonder if Kit would want the stable cottage? He'd be a considerate neighbour, that's certain.'
    'I've been thinking about it too,' said Joan, 'but I feel we should offer it to Ben and Molly before anyone else. The flat was ideal when they only had George to consider, but now there are two children they are pretty cramped up there. Besides, they need a garden of their own, and those stairs are quite tiring, although Molly never complains.'
    'You're right, of course. I hope your mother decides to stay on. She's near enough for us to keep an eye on her, but she can still feel independent with all her own things around her. Let's shelve the problem until further notice.'
    And so they left the matter.

    Kit found Winnie Bailey in the garden picking daffodils for Ella Bembridge who was with her.
    After introductions, Winnie tried to persuade him into the house, but he pleaded shortness of time and promised to call again.
    They accompanied him to the gate.
    'And we hear you hope to settle here,' said Winnie, it will be lovely to have you among us. Do you play bridge still?'
    'Yes, and just as badly, but I'll make up a four whenever you like. But not just yet. I'm busy looking for a little house. Two up and two down sort of thing—well, perhaps three up and three down, on second thoughts—but something I can cope with alone. Any ideas?'
    'None at the moment,' said Winnie slowly. She turned to Ella.
    'There's that place near the Cookes along the Nidden road,' said Ella. 'But I doubt if you'd want to be anywhere near that family. And someone told me that there's a flat going over The Fuchsia Bush in Lulling High Street.'
    'Terribly noisy,' observed Winnie.
    'I think I'd like a little garden,' said Kit, at the same moment.
    Anyway, the ladies assured him, they would ask around and let him know if anything cropped up.
    'I've got my name down with several agents, of course,' said Kit, 'but I wouldn't mind betting I get something through my friends eventually.'
    They waved goodbye to him, and returned to the house to collect the daffodils from the shelter of the porch.
    'Tell you what,' said Ella, uttering one of her favourite phrases, 'I'll mention it to Charles and Dimity. Between them they quarter four parishes, and if we can't find something suitable for that nice man, I'll eat my hat.'

    Albert Piggott found little comfort in Mr Jones's advice about Nelly's illness.
    Having read the letter, which emerged much crumpled from Albert's pocket, he reacted forthrightly.
    'If Nelly's in hospital then you should go and see her,' was his edict. 'Oh, I know all about