Free Regret to Inform You... by Derek Jarrett

adding: ‘There are so many drawings of lions and tigers around that it’s quite frightening! But I do know she is always grateful for the way in which you and Mr Meadows set up this reading room. She was in here last week; something to do with looking up some shrubs that she didn’t know. And thank you for bringing along these encyclopaedias, they’re wonderful.’
    They smiled at each other and Eleanor turned to the steps and descended. Jack thought to himself: Jammy’s right. She is a pretty lady, nearly as pretty as my mother.
    The vicar’s wife always looked elegant, but never extravagantly dressed. Her skirt for cycling was slightly shorter than she would otherwise wear, its maroon colouring showing off well the cream blouse and medium-heavy fawn short topcoat. Her dark hair flowed freely, she generally refused to follow fashion and wear a hat. ‘Just an idle fashion dictated by some male designer,’ she had once declared to Arthur.
    Now on his own, Jack turned eagerly to the new books and was soon reading about bread in its many forms and then turned to look up dough. He read solidly until he was suddenly aware of the church clock striking. There were in this upper part of the barn four windows which gave reasonable reading light and by going to one facing west he could just read the church clock: four-thirty. He carefully put all five volumes of the encyclopaedia on the shelf that Mrs Windle had cleared for them.
    The sky was beginning to fade as he mounted his bicycle and rode the short distance to his home towards the far end of West Lane. Time to tell his mother about the new books, his meeting with Mrs Windle and then to get ready for the farm party to which he was greatly looking forward; and, before that, meeting up with his mates in The George for a quick drink.

T EN
    Morning & Afternoon, Wednesday, 3 April
    Abraham Richards, along with the rest of Jack Mansfield’s workforce, had well finished the early sowing and were preparing to get the cattle and pigs out to the fields, although the recent spell of prolonged rain had set things back. Extra ditching had been necessary as a number of banks had collapsed with the seemingly incessant rain. But today saw a break from the usual work, as most were busy getting things ready for the Easter-week party. Somewhere around seventy could be expected and excitement at each of the three farms had increased as the event got closer.
    During the past days, Hezekiah Freeman and Aubrey Watson, next-door neighbours and two of Jack Mansfield’s older labourers had cleaned out the large timbered barn. Tall ladders had been used to get up high to clear cobwebs and bird and bat droppings although Abraham and Tommy Bruce, another fit young man, had carried out that duty. Soon after purchasing the farm, Mr Mansfield had the earth floor of the barn properly paved and the two older men had thoroughly washed it the previous day, carrying buckets of water in from the main farm pump and vigorously brushing until all traces of its recent use disappeared. They had then constructed a temporary stage using a motley selection of timbers although when Abraham jumped up and down on it, he found it safe enough. Now he and the rest were busy putting things in place.
    â€˜It’s really good of Mr Mansfield to have this party,’ commented Abraham to Tommy. ‘I remember he organised something the first year I worked here, but that was just for those who worked for him.’
    â€˜Aye,’ replied his mate, ‘it’s kind asking everyone over from the manor and Mr Jackson’s farm. Should be a really good evening.’
    â€˜Let’s get the seating sorted out first,’ suggested Tommy. ‘Mr Mansfield said we should do our best to have seating for seventy. Your suggestion, Racer, of using the wooden boxes from the store next door is a good one.’
    Fifteen minutes later they had brought in enough boxes and allowing, as