piled up in there?â
Tall, fair Jill already knew some of the details about what had befallen Tom Riordan, since she was married to Sergeant Larson, whoâd been one of the first responders when the accident was reported. âPut me down, too,â she said now. âI wonder if that poor woman has any idea what sheâs in for.â
Betsy said, âSheâs been inside the house, so yes, she has an idea. But sheâs hoping it will only take a week.â
âSheâs a heck of an optimist, in that case!â said Phil with a laugh.
Emily said, âIâm afraid I canât volunteer more than one day, but Iâll ask at my church if anyone else will come.â
âThatâs a good idea,â Betsy said. âIâll do that, too. And Leona is asking around as well. If we can get enough people, they can work in shifts, and maybe the cleanup will get done quickly.â
âSo youâre volunteering, too?â asked Jill.
âIâm afraid not. Iâm down to two part-timers right now, so I have to work more hours. But Iâll ask Connor.â
âOh yes, please do that!â said Jill.
âAdd me to the list,â said Doris, and Betsy added her name to the list she was compiling.
âI can help out, too,â said Cherie.
âWhat hat will you wear?â teased Phil.
Cherie liked hats, the more exotic the better. The one she was wearing today looked something like a squashed pot of dark red and orange velvet, with autumn leaves made from smooth fabric stuck carelessly on one side. She took the question seriously and thought for a few seconds. âI donât have a hard hat, but I have a sweet cloche that will keep the spiders out of my hair, at least.â
âOh, ugh!â said Emily.
âScarves for everyone, even Phil,â pronounced Doris.
Georgine said, âI know Iâm a relative stranger, but Iâd like to help, if I can. And maybe my sister will help, too.â
âI donât think so,â said Grace, wriggling her shoulders. âIâm afraid of mice. Bugs, too, for that matter.â
âThatâs very nice of you, Georgie!â said Jill, and the others agreed.
âHow many volunteers does she need?â Godwin, who had been eavesdropping while he restocked a spinner rack with overdyed silk floss, asked.
âIâm not sure,â replied Betsy. âI should think at least four at a time, so it will depend on who can work when and for how many hours.â She checked her watch. âValentina said sheâd come in today, and I hope she does.â
âWhen does this volunteer help start?â asked Jill, the pragmatic member of the Bunch.
âAs soon as she gets the legal right to start clearing,â said Betsy. âIf she doesnât come into the store today, Iâll call her later to tell her the good news that sheâs already got some volunteers lined up. Now, when I read your name back, tell me what days you can work.â
When Valentina arrived a few minutes later, she was apologetic and out of breath. âOh, Iâm glad youâre still here!â she said. âI had a flat tireâI havenât had a flat tire in years and years. It took me a while to figure out how to change it.â
âYou changed it all by yourself?â asked Godwin, impressed.
âSure. Itâs not hard, just a little messy.â She looked at her hands, which were absolutely filthy.
âThereâs a restroom all the way in the back,â said Betsy, âif you want to wash up.â
And while she was gone, the Monday Bunch exchanged the opinion that she did, indeed, look a whole lot like her cousin, Tom.
Chapter Ten
âT OMMY ?â Valentina peered around the hospital room door.
âThat you, Val? Come in, come in!â
âWow, youâre sitting up!â She came into the room. Riordan was sitting in a chair beside the bed, his leg