Free (8/13) At Home in Thrush Green by Miss Read Page B

windowpane.
    'They really look splendid, don't they?' he said with satisfaction. 'A great improvement on Charles's ghastly abode.'
    'Will this weather hold up the work?'
    'Not greatly. There's plenty to finish off inside.'
    He put his arm round his wife, and gave her a kiss.
    She was glad his work was nearly over. Hers, it seemed, was about to begin.

    When Nelly Piggott entered The Fuchsia Bush the next morning, she found Mrs Peters sitting at the vast table in the quiet kitchen. She was busy making a list, and looked up as Nelly entered.
    'Such news, Nelly,' she cried. 'Come and sit down.'
    Nelly took off her wet mackintosh, hung it in the passage, and flopped down thankfully on the chair opposite her employer.
    'I had a visit from Mrs Young last night,' she began. 'She's in rather a state about this lunch party of hers.'
    She went on to explain Joan's needs, and her own plans to help her in this emergency. Nelly listened enthralled. Here was a challenge indeed!
    'But can we do it?' she asked at length. 'What about getting the food up there? And the plates and dishes? And who's going to look after this place? After all, Saturdays are always busy.'
    'I rang Bunnings about transport and they'll ferry everything. The Wine Bar's coping with the drink and glasses. We can take most of our own crockery and silver, and I intend to ask Mrs Jefferson if she would take charge here until we are back.'
    Mrs Jefferson had been at The Fuchsia Bush for many years, but ill health had meant that she now only came part time. But, as Nelly knew, she was quite capable of holding the fort for a day in an emergency. Really, thought Nelly, it was all very exciting!
    'How many of us will you need?' she asked.
    'Well, you'll be my chief assistant, Nelly, if you feel you can undertake it.'
    Nelly beamed.
    'I'll thoroughly enjoy myself,' she assured her employer. 'What's the plan of campaign?'
    'We'll take up the plates and things on the Friday evening when we're closed. I'm sure I can get all we need in the car. Then the food can go up with Bunning on Saturday morning. People will help themselves. It's just a case of us slicing the meat and the pies and quiches. We'll get the various salads ready here.'
    'Just the two of us?' asked Nelly enthusiastically.
    'Well, no. I'll see if Gloria and Rosa will come too. We shall want a few more hands, and though they leave much to be desired, at least they can stack plates, and put the dirty cutlery in a bucket to bring back here.'
    Nelly thought swiftly.
    'So really we'll be busy from Friday night till Saturday night?'
    Mrs Peters looked suddenly anxious and careworn, and Nelly's kind heart was stirred.
    'Yes, that's about it, Nelly. How do you feel?'
    'Dead keen!' that lady told her energetically, and meant it.

    Albert Piggott was remarkably docile when Nelly told him the great news.
    'As long as I gets my tea as usual, it's all the same to me,' he said, pushing aside the plate which had been filled with oxtail stew ten minutes earlier.
    'It might have to be cold that day,' his wife warned him.
    'Then make a decent bit of pie,' said Albert. 'That brawn you brought back from the shop hadn't got no staying power in it for a hardworking chap.'
    Nelly forbore to comment, but set about clearing the table with her customary energy.
    While she was thus engaged a knock came at the door, and Albert, heaving himself from the armchair with a sigh, went to answer it.
    To his amazement, Percy Hodge stood on the doorstep holding a bunch of roses. Percy himself looked equally taken aback.
    'What the hell do you want?' asked Albert of his drinking companion.
    'I thought this was your evening over the churchyard,' spluttered Percy.
    'Well, it ain't. Young Cooke's wasting his time there tonight.'
    He peered at the roses with dislike. Nelly, secretly nettled at this unwanted attention, came forward, drying her hands on a teacloth.
    'Good evening, Percy,' she said primly.
    'I was wondering,' said Percy, who had been thinking as