Free Rumours by Freya North

to as ‘Caroline – the Northern Lass’ as if Newcastle was somewhere very foreign and rather exotic.
    â€˜Hullo Caroline, dear,’ Mrs Patek, shop owner, greeted her. Deftly, Caroline chatted back whilst shaking her head before Mrs Patek could say, sweetie for Sonny? and the little boy remained none the wiser. ‘It’ll shake the village, wouldn’t you say?’
    â€˜What –
Mother Refuses Son E-Numbers and Sugar
?’
    Mrs Patek laughed. She was proficient at holding down umpteen conversations at once whilst packing the shopping, doing mental maths before the till came up with the total and managing to remain resolutely jolly all the while. ‘I was just saying, dear, to Nora here, that it’ll shake the village.’
    â€˜What’ll shake the village, pet?’ Caroline asked.
    â€˜She hasn’t heard yet,’ said Nora who needed drama daily and added it to most topics of conversation. She sucked her teeth thoughtfully. ‘Longbridge Hall – it’s for sale.’
    â€˜Never!’ Caroline was surprised. Xander had said nothing about it when he’d popped over to watch the football with Andrew last night – and if anyone was to know, it would be Xander.
    â€˜Nora, dear, we really must say “apparently” until the sign goes up,’ said Mrs Patek.
    â€˜
Apparently
,’ Nora conceded, touching her blue-rinsed perm as if to check it was still there.
    â€˜How do you know?’ asked Caroline.
    â€˜Her Ladyship was in here the other day, when Mercy was in here, and I overheard her saying “Denby’s?” but Mercy said, “No, Elmfield’s.” And then Her Ladyship asks Mrs Patek here for a piece of paper and wrote down something about someone at Elmfield’s.’
    Caroline put her change in her purse, hitched Sonny on her hip because he’d decided he couldn’t possibly stand, let alone walk, and took her shopping from the counter. ‘Perhaps Longbridge isn’t for sale – perhaps Lady Lydia fancies a spot of gazumping.’ It all sounded so far-fetched.
    â€˜Gazumping!’ Nora was thrilled. ‘What’s that?’
    â€˜Perhaps she fancies Mercy’s cottage – and is going to make a higher offer.’ Caroline was jesting but Mrs Patek and Nora considered this gravely.
    â€˜The Fortescues have always thought they own the village,’ said Nora.
    â€˜They mostly do,’ said Mrs Patek.
    â€˜Maybe Her Ladyship is making sure of it,’ said Nora. But she, too, couldn’t really imagine Lady Lydia selling – she must be buying.
    â€˜She’ll never sell me that plot of land opposite my shop – even though you all think it’s the shop’s car park.’ Mrs Patek paused. ‘She can’t be selling. Why would you move if you owned a place like that? And anyway, she’s part of things. And really, we’re all part of Longbridge.’
    â€˜If Lady Lydia is doing a gazump, then I wonder if Mercy’s happy about that. Mind you, if it’s more money, she’s likely to be. She’s from Scottish stock, you know – they like their money, that lot,’ said Nora.
    â€˜And I like brown ale and coal, me,’ Caroline laughed. ‘I’ll see you ladies later. Ta-ta,’ and, smiling to herself, she walked away.
    â€˜But if Longbridge is sold – what’ll it mean for the village?’ she heard Nora say.
    As she pushed the buggy, maintained a conversation with Sonny and navigated the dog who had a tendency to wander into the path of anything, stationary or mobile, Caroline texted Xander.
    Rumour has it Longbridge is on the market … Cx
    The reply came almost immediately.
    Bollox! Xx
    What a lot of X’s he uses, thought Caroline.
    Xander texted again, before she’d replied.
    Where did you hear that?!
    Village Shop
    I rest my case … Xx
    â€˜Mum?’ The front door was unlocked and