Free A Village Feud by Rebecca Shaw

I understand you’re in social work, young man?’
    ‘Indeed I am. A much-maligned profession at the moment but we try our best.’
    ‘I’m sure you do, and you must be Jenny Sweetapple. Very unusual name. Whereabouts are you from?’
    ‘I thought I was from round here and was coming back to my roots, but I’m told Dereham Magna disappeared as a village yonks ago.’
    Ralph smiled. ‘Something like six hundred years ago when the Plague devastated the place and killed every one of them. There may have been Sweetapples around then, though I don’t think anyone has bothered to find out. Just the same, you’re most welcome.’ He shook their hands again and went to assist his wife to rise from her chair. ‘Muriel, my dear, this is Jenny and Andy, our new neighbours.’
    ‘How do you do? I understand you’re starting up a beauty business in the village. That’s an exciting new venture for us all. Are you a hairdresser, too?’
    ‘Just working towards my qualifications. Won’t be long now.’ Jenny smiled and Muriel thought there was something very nice about her, there must be with that lovely smile.
    The two of them left with Muriel hanging heavily on Ralph’s arm amidst a chorus of heartfelt goodnights.
    ‘That’s another two we can forget about. They tried to be gracious, they were gracious, but not in our class.’ Jenny raised her glass to someone who was leaving and waving goodnight to the two of them.
    ‘You’re always on about class. Categorizing people almost immediately. Everyone’s equal nowadays.’
    ‘If you think that you’re very much mistaken. That Dottie, for instance, is a tart.’
    ‘Honestly, Jenny.’
    ‘She is a tart from top to toe. I know .’
    ‘Well, I’ve just heard someone saying about her starting cleaning at the Rectory on Monday, so she can’t be that much of a tart.’
    Jenny nearly fell off her chair. ‘At the Rectory? My God. Well, maybe I’m wrong.’
    Andy went on to the attack when he knew her defences were down with the shock of the news about Dottie. ‘What’s this about hairdressing? I didn’t know you were taking a course.’
    ‘Neither did I, but I knew she liked the idea of me hairdressing so I said it.’
    ‘What will you do if she comes for a perm?’
    ‘Make an appointment for her, then buy a drier and some perming solutions, and I’m in business.’
    ‘But you aren’t one.’
    ‘I know but I’m a quick learner. You’re not a qualified social worker so that makes two of us.’ Jenny patted his leg and giggled.
    Although they didn’t realize it, Jenny and Andy were being scrutinized by everyone in the bar. None more so than by Sylvia and Willie who were sitting on the old settle at their favourite table, waiting for their drinking friends to put in an appearance.
    Sylvia nudged Willie. ‘See that, she’s too good for him. She’s got a heart of gold. Such a sweet face.’
    ‘You’re right there. Think they’ll make a success of it?’
    ‘The beauty business? Not sure. Might, might not. Tell you what, though, I don’t like him. Shifty, that’s what.’
    ‘Sylvia! That’s not kind. Anyway, how’re you feeling now, about the Rectory?’
    Sylvia didn’t answer until she’d had a long drink of her gin and tonic. A blob of ice floated into her mouth and she crunched it before she spoke. ‘I miss it all, the coming and the going, the people I met, everything, but there’s one thing for certain – I do not miss that great kitchen floor. It seemed to get bigger by the week.’
    ‘We’re managing OK without the money …’ Willie looked up. ‘Hello, Jimmy. Sit down. I’ll get your drink in.’
    Sylvia peered under the settle. ‘Not brought Sykes tonight?’
    Jimmy’s long doleful face grew even more sad. ‘No. Just laid in his bed tonight when I said I was coming. I think perhaps he’s older than I realized.’
    ‘I’m sorry. He’s had a good life, what with you finding him lost and alone and taking him in.’
    ‘I didn’t