A Village Deception (Turnham Malpas 15) (29 page)

‘You have, Paddy? What?’

‘My mother’s come already for the wedding. She thought she’d spend some time with us to get to know Tamsin. Well, get to know me again too.’

‘That’s wonderful news. I’ll see her I expect, out and about. Where is she staying?’

‘At Greta’s. In the spare room.’

‘It must be strange seeing her after all these years.’

‘It is. She approves of Tamsin. I’m glad about that, though I’d have married her even if Ma didn’t approve.’ Paddy laughed. He was almost unrecognisable, full of self-confidence and intensely happy.

Tamsin looked at him with such loving approval that Peter wondered why on earth he’d suggested another meeting before the wedding, they were so obviously made for each other. He had no doubts about that.

They left him half an hour later, full to the brim with joy. Tamsin was to fit in some much-needed practice for an organ recital before the wedding and Paddy was going to spend the rest of the evening with his mother.

He’d had such a surprise when he’d met her that lunchtime for the first time since he was sixteen. Gone was the crushed, hopeless mother of his childhood. Instead, there stood before him a confident, energetic, jolly woman who was well dressed, good-looking, and full of charm. How had this incredible transformation come about?

They were sitting together in Greta’s front room, having been left tactfully alone by Vince and Greta. He poured her a whisky which she declared she preferred and sitting opposite her, he raised his glass to her. Then he asked, ‘How did it come about that you have changed so much?’

Bridget downed her whisky in one go, put the glass on the little table Paddy had pulled out for her, and said, ‘In one word … money.’

‘But where from?’

‘It must have been about five years after you left that your Dad became impotent, so that put a stop to a child every other year. Thank God! He could still hit me though. If anything, it got worse. But his health went rapidly downhill. He developed every ailment under the sun and then suddenly, without warning, he was dead. I think he died because he felt he was no longer a man. He just withered away really, what with the
drink and that, so he did. A week after he died, I got a job. I was housekeeper to a lovely man. It was a big house, well furnished and he was kind as kind. The older children had all left home by that point. They were disgusted with your dad and his pathetic self-pitying carry-on, so there was only me and the three younger boys to look after. It sounds daft, Paddy, but I loved cleaning that man’s house. He paid generously and treated me like a lady. He gave me a car of my own and taught me how to drive it so that I could collect the shopping or whatever and take him to the doctor’s. I cared for him like he was the most precious person, because he was. He showed me such kindness.’

‘What was he called?’

‘Joseph Byrne. When he died and the will was read out, it emerged that he was the black sheep of a titled family. He left some of his money to charity and the the rest to me. His family had wanted nothing to do with him. I think probably because they didn’t realise just how well off he was, so there were no disputes, just a quiet handing over of all the money. The house was sold and the money from that was mine too. So there I was, to be sure, with more money than I’d ever dreamed possible, and that ratbag of a father of yours dead and buried so he couldn’t spend a penny of it. I’ve laughed many a time about that. If he’d been alive he’d have spent it and left nothing for me in my old age. It’s like a fairy tale.’

For the first time in twenty-four years Paddy reached out to take hold of his mother’s hand. ‘You deserve every penny of that money, Ma. Every single penny and you hang on to it. Don’t let anyone take a penny off you. He wanted
you
to have it or he wouldn’t have left it to you. Enjoy.’

She rooted in her bag and pulled out a well-fingered photograph. ‘That’s him. It was taken about ten years ago, I suppose.’

Not wishing to give offence, Paddy studied the photo very thoroughly and saw a man he could well have liked. He was a tall, smiling man. He seemed relaxed and happy, with thick
white hair brushed back and deep-set bright eyes that looked out in a kindly fashion. To Paddy, he looked a generous man and he was glad. ‘Good-looking man, Ma. I can see he’d be kind.’

She took the photo back and gazed quietly at it. ‘The best. The very best. Pity I didn’t meet him twenty-five years previously, but then I wouldn’t have had you, would I?’

‘No, but then I haven’t been much help.’

‘Thanks, Paddy, for liking him. He wanted us to get married, you know, but I wouldn’t.’

‘Why not?’

‘I’d had enough of that side of life and I just didn’t want it again. Not likely. Everything else but not that.’

‘Where do you live now? I’m so glad you got my letter. I did wonder if you’d still be there.’

‘I live in one of those houses alongside the river that I used to envy so much back in the bad old days. You know, the ones with the balcony and the wrought ironwork over the front door. I’ve done up our old house and I rent it out and, since then, I’ve bought two more in the same row and I rent those out too. So I’m well set up, I am. Like I’ve never been in all my life. Isn’t it grand?’

‘I’ve always regretted leaving you with him. I should have stayed and protected you, but when he knocked me down after the school sent me to have my broken arm set, that was the final straw.’

‘I was glad you had the courage to leave. He didn’t deserve to be a father to you children, and see, you’ve turned out so good. I’m so proud, and marrying that girl! Well, I can’t believe it.’

‘She is lovely, isn’t she? I shan’t treat her like Dad treated you. He should have been horsewhipped for it.’

‘All water under the bridge, Paddy, and I’m not going to let it hurt me any more. There’s too much life to be lived, you know. And don’t let it hurt you any more, either. You did
the right thing and now you and I have a chance to live our lives like we should. You seeing your Ma as and when, and me getting to know you again. Aren’t we going to have a good time, you and me? I almost wish I lived here in one of those nice little cottages on the green. I saw a poster nailed to a tree saying about the embroidery group. I could join, couldn’t I? Fancy me embroidering! All ladylike! Paddy, I’m tired and I’m going to bed now, if that’s OK with you. It’s been a long day. Goodnight. What time do you leave in the morning?’

‘Ten to eight.’

‘I shall be up and have breakfast with you before you go. Won’t that be nice?’

She opened the door and then turned back to say rather shyly, ‘Greta tells me the reception is at the Royal Oak. Well, I have the money to do better than that for you and Tamsin and I shall set about it in the morning. No. No protests. It’ll still be a country wedding, but I’ve plans to, shall we say, upgrade it. I know about the cake that’s already been planned, but I’ve visions of a carriage and such to bring the bride to church and—’

‘Ma! She lives too close by for that.’

‘Well, there’s got to be something. I know! You could have it to leave the church and go …’

‘Go, where?’

‘The Old Barn! Greta told me about. How beautiful it is. I really fancy the idea of that. I’ll talk to Tamsin first thing.’

‘But we have it all planned.’

‘I know you have, but we can invite the whole village if we do it my way.’

‘We wanted a quiet wedding.’

‘A quiet wedding for my eldest son! Not likely. Come on, let me have my way.’

‘Only if you can persuade Tamsin and she’s not upset.’

‘Right! You’re on. Night, Paddy. Sleep tight. Leave her to me.’

*

The bubbly Irish woman who was Paddy’s mother swept Tamsin along on a tide of such enthusiasm that Tamsin could not resist her. ‘But …’

‘No buts. I want to make it the loveliest of weddings. Not formal, but jolly and really happy, because that’s what you are and so you should be. So that’s what the wedding will be like. I’ll square it with the pub.’ She rubbed her fingers together as though fingering fifty-pound notes and winked. ‘Sure, money goes a long way in circumstances like these and I shall sort it, believe me.’

Bridget hugged Tamsin till she was breathless. ‘You’re the best daughter-in-law-to-be any woman could hope to have. So beautiful and talented … Just gorgeous. You and I will be real friends.’ She smiled at Tamsin and then said so softly it was barely audible, ‘You see, I’ve a lot to make up to Paddy for failing him all those years. Now it’s my chance to put things right. Will you let me?’

‘Mrs Cleary—’

Bridget wagged her finger. ‘No. What did I tell you? I’m Bridget.’

Tamsin laughed. ‘Bridget then. Of course I will. I love him more than life itself and I would be delighted to be able to ask all the village. It was only the cost that was holding us back. You see, I don’t have parents to help.’

‘Then if you will, you can have me for a substitute mother. Well, perhaps a second mother, not a substitute. If that’s all right?’

‘I think maybe that could be lovely.’

‘Good! Then we’ll get cracking. You and I together. We’ll make it fabulous for Paddy.’

It was the following Sunday when Peter announced at the ten o’clock service that he was intending to leave the parish. The shockwaves that went round the congregation were almost palpable. ‘I can no longer be your guide and mentor when we are at such odds with our objectives. This church and its survival as a vibrant anchor for everyone in the parish is at risk and I honestly feel, despite praying long and hard about it, that I can no longer hold my place as rector of this parish. Everywhere I go, in spite of all the very dramatic happenings that have taken place here recently, I am met with such opposition to my suggestion that we solve our financial problems by asking permission to sell the church silver that I feel I can no longer justifiably continue here as rector.

‘Caroline and I have spoken endlessly about this question and we both feel the opposition is too strong. Therefore I shall be leaving the parish as soon as it is possible. We have had all these wonderfully happy years here, we’ve seen Beth and Alex born and grow up here, but as this year they will hopefully be leaving for university, it feels the best moment to leave. You will be for ever in our hearts and I hope and pray that my time here has been beneficial to every single one of you in some way. I have been serving this parish for almost twenty years now, maybe I should make room for another.’ He paused to regain control of his voice and then continued, ‘Our final hymn this morning is that well-loved hymn of Charles Wesley, “Love Divine, all Loves Excelling”.’ Tamsin Goodenough began to play, but the
heart of the congregation was not in the singing of it.

Peter was so deeply affected by what he’d announcd that he couldn’t have spoken another word at that moment. Despite all his persuasive powers, he had totally failed to change anyone’s mind, so he felt his decision to leave was inevitable.

He knew all about the upset he would cause, but there came a time in everyone’s ministry when difficult decisions had to be made for the good of everyone, and this was one of them. He had to let the congregation sing the hymn because he had no voice with which to sing himself. He looked up to catch Caroline’s eye, but her head was down and she obviously wasn’t singing either, so he could get no reassurance there.

For the first time ever in his ministry in Turnham Malpas, Peter’s heart was so heavy that he didn’t stand at the door to shake hands with everyone, but disappeared into the vestry and began disrobing.

Zack knocked on the door. ‘It’s Zack Hooper, sir. Can I come in?’ He carefully closed the door behind him. Then he said, ‘I’d no idea it would come to this. No idea at all. After all you’ve done for us. It’s a truly sad day. I can see what you mean. But this … How can we ever replace you?’

‘I don’t know, Zack, but someone will fill my shoes, believe me.’

‘We don’t want someone, we want
you.’

Peter straightened his leather belt and secured his cross in it. Then he said, ‘Nothing and no one will change my mind, so don’t even try.’

‘As you wish, but …’

‘I’ll go out by the vestry door and go straight home. Good morning, Zack. See you at evensong.’

‘Yes, sir. Right.’

Peter went straight to his study when he got in, closed the door firmly behind him, and sat at his desk. He knew his decision
was the right one. If the congregation wasn’t behind him, there was nothing more he could do here. It was almost twenty years since he’d taken his first service and now it was at an end. He knew deep inside himself that it was time he moved on, but at the same time …

‘Dad!’ It was Alex. Peter couldn’t help noticing how closely his son resembled him. He was tall with thick, red-blond hair, bright blue eyes and a serious expression. It was himself to a T.

‘Yes?’

‘Sorry it’s come to this, Dad. It must be rotten.’

‘It is. But what can I do? There’s just too much opposition. I can see what they mean, their arguments are very sound, but they’re not really founded in reality. More on sentimentality.’

‘But they love you so. Wherever I go, everyone loves you. I’ve never heard a wrong word about you all my life until now. They are saying such cruel things. I simply can’t believe they could turn like this. It isn’t fair, not after everything you’ve seen them through.’ Alex slumped down on the sofa and stared at the carpet.