The Village Show (Tales from Turnham Malpas) (34 page)

Mrs Jones, having removed herself with her tea and cake to a table in the furthest corner as soon as the trouble began,
sipped her tea and smiled. She’d get her box of patterns out tonight and look out one for a jumper for Michelle. She’d plenty of time to finish it before the winter set in. Perhaps she’d even do one for Dean. One day in the future she’d be able to say ‘my grandson at University’, and ‘my granddaughter, the one who designs gardens’. Now that was something to be proud of.

An army of boys, enticed by Mr Fitch’s promise of great rewards and equipped by him with bin bags and plastic gloves, had begun clearing up the lawns and Home Farm field. The tractor had made dozens of journeys pulling the trailer stacked high with trestles and tables and chairs. The crêpe paper had been torn from the stalls, the pots of flowers returned to the greenhouses, the platform with its banners and flags dismantled, the marquees emptied, ready for taking down and carrying away by the hirers. Mr Fitch and Louise with his guests were toasting their success.

‘To Louise! Many many thanks for all your hard work!’ There were murmurs of agreement. ‘Excellent! Wonderful day! Splendid!’

‘Thank you. I can’t make a speech because I’ve nearly lost my voice, sorry.’

‘And no wonder. Brilliant feat of organisation. I’m lucky to have you working for me. Keep all your notes, ready for next year!’ He raised his glass in recognition of her talent. Louise smiled and excused herself.

She went to her car. Sitting in the front seat was Gilbert. Louise got in and put her key in the ignition. In a husky whisper she said, ‘I’m so tired, Gilbert, and my voice has all but gone.’ She laid her head back against the seat and closed her eyes.

Gilbert took hold of her hand. ‘Sorry about that damn
foolish mistake over the Morris Dancing. I don’t really know how I managed to make such a gigantic mistake. After all, you didn’t definitely fix it with me, and knowing your propensity for having everything totally organised I should have known to query it. It was all my fault. Didn’t really intend to cock it all up.’

‘I’m sorry we never spoke about it properly.’

‘Too busy doing other things.’ He chuckled and she had to open her eyes and smile at him. ‘You know, Louise, there’s a whole bright shining wonderful person inside you …’

She placed her finger on his lips and whispered, ‘It’s thanks to you she’s there at all. You discovered her.’

‘That was my privilege. You only needed someone to unlock the door.’

‘You’ve changed me, completely. I’m a new person.’

Gilbert looked steadily at her, his head on one side, his eyes studying her face. ‘You’re going to let her out onto the sunlit slopes then?’

‘I think maybe this whole new person can already feel the sun on her face.’

‘Wonderful! I rather thought so. There are moments in life which, when you look back on them, you know, yes
know
that they were completely special and terribly important to the rest of your life.’ He kissed her fingers and then laying her hand on his knee and holding it there he said, ‘I’m sorry I refused to have you in the choir. It’s this all-male thing with choirs, you know how it goes. But I can’t bear to hurt people’s feelings.’

‘It doesn’t matter any more.’

‘Good. I was going to suggest that tonight we go to my cottage, and you allow me to cook for you. I’ve something rather special in mind.’

‘I didn’t know you could cook.’

‘My dear Louise, you don’t know everything about me, not yet.’

Tentatively Louise said, ‘Question is, do I …’

‘Yes?’

‘Oh, nevermind.’

‘You sit and relax whilst I cook and then we’ll spend what’s left of the evening reading or something, and go to bed early. To sleep, right? I think that’s what you need most of all, isn’t it? A good night’s sleep.’

‘You’re absolutely right there. Oh yes. That’s what I long for.’

‘Do you … that is, would you …’

‘Yes?’

‘Could you ever get round to thinking long-term about me?
Very
long-term about me? Like … for always long-term about me?’

Louise didn’t answer immediately. She stared straight ahead through the windscreen at the Big House and at Mr Fitch standing outside on the gravel saying goodbye to his guests. Then she turned to look at Gilbert. ‘I think that might be a distinct possibility. In time, you know, in time. With you … yes, I might. Quite definitely.’

‘I know Keeper’s Cottage isn’t exactly top of the shop where design is concerned nor convenience for that matter, but there’s a lot of love going spare and that’s what life’s about, isn’t it? Love.’

‘You’ve taught me that, Gilbert. I’ll go home and get my things.’

‘Don’t bother. I’ll lend you my Father Christmas nightshirt with the matching nightcap, and you can borrow my toothbrush.’

Louise laughed. ‘Better give Mother a ring or she’ll worry.’

‘You can do that from my house.’ Gilbert kissed her full on the lips, leaped out of the car and went to find his own. Louise watched him walking away. Who’d have thought she would find a lover here in this village which she used to so despise. She’d only come back out of desperation – no job, nowhere to live, broken-hearted, home to Mother like a wounded child.

There was something undeniably captivating about Turnham Malpas. In her mind she could see the old oak tree still stout and hearty after what – five, six hundred years? The cottages equally as old, the stocks, the pond. The Store where she’d had that hint of the villagers’ collective anger, the church where she’d experienced Revelation Monday, and the rectory where she’d loved and lost. There was something uncannily magnetic about this village; it drew people unto itself and enfolded them for ever. Something strong and comforting and healing – yes, that was the word, healing.

Gilbert tooted his horn as he reached the drive and Louise started up her engine and made to follow him. Yes, she’d stay because there was quite simply nowhere else in the world she wanted to live.

ARENA EVENTS

 

2.15		Opening Ceremony
2.30		Children’s Fancy-Dress Parade
3.00		Tug of War between Turnham Malpas and Penny Fawcett
3.30		School Display
4.00		Morris Dancing
4.30		Demonstration by the Police Motorcycle Display Team
5.00		Children’s Races
5.30		Prizegiving from the platform

 

During the afternoon there will be an opportunity to take rides in a hot-air balloon. The charge will be £5 per adult and £3 for OAPs and for children under fourteen years. All proceeds to charity.

 

REMEMBER!! VISIT THE STALLS
AND SUPPORT YOUR
FAVOURITE CHARITIES

SCHEDULE FOR
COMPETITION CLASSES

 

A certificate of merit for best exhibit in each group of classes.

The Templeton Cup for the most points in the vegetable classes.

The Fitch Flowers Cup for the most points in the flower classes.

 

All judges’ decisions are final.

 

Entries	by 7 p.m. Thursday 8th July
Staging	9.00–11.00 a.m. on day of show
Judging	11.00 a.m.
Show opens	2.00 p.m.
Prizegiving	5.30 p.m.

EXHIBITS MAY NOT BE REMOVED
BEFORE 4.30 p.m.

 

ALL EXHIBITS TO BE CLEARED
FROM THE COMPETITION
MARQUEE BY 5.30 p.m.