Free Scandal in the Village by Rebecca Shaw

a standstill, leaving Mrs Peel playing to herself and then she stopped playing thinking she must have played one too many verses. Only Peter’s voice carried on without a falter, though Grandmama knew he knew because she saw him watching. Mrs Peel caught up with him and the congregation rallied and attempted to continue singing.
    Peter carried on as though nothing had happened, and gradually the congregation pulled itself together. Though Grandmama guessed that quite a few of them would beat a rapid retreat to the Royal Oak at the end of the service.
    Just when everything had settled down and she was enjoying the children doing their little play and the parents were beaming with satisfaction at their unbelievably talented children, Caroline fainted. Not dramatically or noisily, she simply slid off her seat and fell into the side aisle. Because the church was so crowded no one noticed at first what had happened. Grandmama was the only one alert enough to take action. She squeezed past Thelma and Valda who were dumbstruck, and past the two children who were beginning to cry and didn’t know what to do, and knelt down beside Caroline. She took off her fur jacket and propped Caroline’s head on it. Sylvia miraculously appeared from behind her and said, ‘I’ll get a drink of water. You stay with her.’ Grandmama fumbled in her handbag and found her smelling salts. Old-fashioned they might be but she was taking the only possible course of action.
    Sylvia went into the choir vestry and by now there was a lot of attention being directed at their part of the church. The children carried on with their play and Peter sitting on a chair with his back to the congregation watching them didn’t notice what had happened.
    The smelling salts brought Caroline round in a moment. Grandmama whispered, ‘No, don’t get up, not yet. Lie quite still.’
    Sylvia came back carrying an old cup. ‘It’s all I could find. Here we are, Dr Harris, have a sip. That’s it. There we are. Sit up a bit. Lovely.’
    Grandmama whispered, ‘We’d better get her out into the air. You get the twins.’
    Caroline struggled to pull herself together, fearful of disturbing Peter’s service. ‘I’m so sorry. It’s the heat. I’ll get up now.’
    Grandmama who was supporting her agreed. ‘We’ll go outside where it’s cooler. Come along.’
    The congregation was clapping the children and it wasn’t until Peter turned to address it that he saw Grandmama helping Caroline out, with Sylvia following behind with the children. Willie, after a consultation with Sylvia, crept down the aisle to whisper to Peter. He nodded his head and then continued to announce the next hymn.
    As Mrs Peel launched herself into the first line Peter went down the aisle and into the porch. Supported by Grandmama, Caroline was standing just outside breathing deeply and beginning to revive.
    ‘Peter! It was the heat in there and the smell of the flowers. Please darling, you go back in, I’ll be all right …’
    He took her hand and squeezed it. ‘Darling! I’m so sorry you’re not well. The fresh air’s making you feel better is it? Thank you Mrs Charter-Plackett for helping. I’d no idea.’
    ‘You get back inside. We can manage. I’ll take her back to the rectory as soon as she feels able.’ She let go of Caroline and wafted her hands at Peter. ‘Go along now. Everything’s under control.’
    ‘Will you be all right if I go?’
    ‘Of course. I’m much better now.’ So he went but didn’t know how he would get through the rest of the service. But it was like she said, the church was hot and the smell of the flowers too. Then he remembered their conversation in bed the other night. ‘I will tell you when I can.’
    The children were clinging to Caroline’s skirt not knowing how else to show their concern. Sylvia said, ‘Come along, children, you lead the way. We’ll get the kettle on and you can give Mummy a lovely cup of tea. She’ll like that won’t