Free (12/13) The Year at Thrush Green by Miss Read

you tell me where to go?'
    'I can indeed.' The rector looked at his watch.
    'I could take you over to meet them myself, but there are two things against it. I am due at my next service in a few minutes, and I know that the Curdles are away this weekend. But let me show you where they live.'
    He took the stranger by the arm in a companionable way, and they stepped round the church path to the north side where Charles stopped and pointed out the fine old house belonging to the Youngs.
    'My!' said the man. 'They've gone up in the world if that's their place!'
    Charles explained that Ben and Molly had a more modest abode in the garden.
    'But come and see me at the vicarage,' urged Charles. 'How long are you staying?'
    'I want to look up friends in Edinburgh, and I have some business which may detain me there. I reckon I'll have to go there on Tuesday, or whenever it fits in with their schedule. My name by the way is Andersen, with an E, and my forename is Carl.'
    'How do you do?' said Charles, shaking hands again. 'And I am Charles Henstock. Do come to the vicarage at Lulling if you can spare the time. Anyone will direct you. I am so sorry that I have to hurry away now. Perhaps I can give you a lift?'
    'Thank you, sir, but I'll look around for a bit. Perhaps when I get back from Scotland?'
    'That would be ideal. I shall look forward to it, Mr Andersen,' said Charles, turning back to the church.
    'Mr Andersen with an E, and "skedule" not "schedule",' said Charles to himself, as he drove back to St John's. 'And what a nice fellow! I hope he comes again, and I can be of help.'

    Across the road from St Andrew's church, Nelly Piggott noticed the stranger wandering about the churchyard. He stopped every now and again, and seemed to be copying the inscriptions on some of the tombstones into a little notebook.
    Nelly, who had always had an eye for male beauty, was impressed by the blonde good looks of this ambling giant, but had other matters on her mind which took precedence that morning.
    For one thing, she was cooking a small turkey with all its accompaniments. For another, she had a great deal to think about the job at the Fuchsia Bush. And lastly, but by no means least, she thought about the pathetic news of Charlie's departure from this life.
    She had said nothing to Albert about this matter, but had rung the Leicester number and spoken to Jean Butler. As far as Nelly could make out, that good woman had virtually looked after Charlie for the best part of a year, and though she talked of him as 'a lodger', she had evidently received no payment from him.
    It was typical, thought Nelly, as the tale unfolded, that Charlie should land on his feet. Obviously, the old charm was still there. Jean Butler had been in tears, and spoke of her late lodger with true affection.
    Nelly told her that it would be impossible for her to leave her job to attend the funeral, and expressed her sympathy. She almost added that they were in the same boat, but managed to resist the temptation. She was also careful not to give her address or to express the hope that they might meet one day. She rang off, glad that she had ended the affair with such discretion, but shocked by the description of Charlie's sufferings.
    He had, Jean Butler told her, 'just wasted away'. He had cut his foot which had turned septic. Gangrene had set in. It had not responded to treatment, and his foot had been amputated. All through this time Jean Butler had seen him daily. According to her, he had remained brave and cheerful to the last, and had promised to take her to a dance as soon as his new foot was fitted.
    It was this last flash of Charlie's spirit which particularly upset Nelly, and the poignancy of it haunted her thoughts.
    It was perhaps as well that the day-to-day running of the Fuchsia Bush was now entirely in her hands, for Mrs Peters remained in hospital. Mrs Jefferson, Rosa, Gloria and the now-healed Irena backed up the establishment and two temporary girls had been