Village Secrets
Authors: Rebecca Shaw
The narrow passage which served as a cloakroom for some of the children’s coats – obviously the infants for the pegs had nursery pictures beside each of them – gave off the usual other school smell – a mixture of polish, disinfectant and that other, mysterious ingredient of which all English schools smelled. It excited her. What an opportunity to bring stimulus and excitement into the lives of these pliable young children. The sophistication of town children didn’t lend itself to her kind of teaching. She needed fresh open young minds, untainted by city streets and scepticism. Innocence – that was it …
Back in the house she made herself a drink while Cat went for a stroll. She knew Cat would be back. There was no running away, ever, for her. The two of them were kindred spirits.
Upstairs in the bedroom she had made a temporary altar in the awkward corner where she couldn’t stand up. She sat before it, legs crossed, the backs of her hands resting on her thighs. The scent of the incense crept into every nook and cranny of the room. She lit a candle and meditated. Oh yes, this ancient village was just the right place for her …
By Rebecca Shaw
THE BARLEYBRIDGE SERIES
A Country Affair
Country Wives
Country Lovers
Country Passions
One Hot Country Summer
Love in the Country
TALES FROM TURNHAM MALPAS
The New Rector
Talk of the Village
Village Matters
The Village Show
Village Secrets
Scandal in the Village
Village Gossip
Trouble in the Village
A Village Dilemma
Intrigue in the Village
Whispers in the Village
A Village Feud
The Village Green Affair
Village Secrets
TALES FROM TURNHAM MALPAS
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‘She’s here, Jimbo – Miss Pascoe! We’ve seen her car. It’s just pulled up outside the school-house. She’s got here earlier than we expected. Where’s that box of stuff? Hurry up, we’re waiting!’
Jimbo was at the till taking money. He broke off to pick up a cardboard box from behind the counter. ‘Give her my regards. Here it is. Put the carrier bag in the drinks fridge in with it, will you? There’s milk and butter and things in there, didn’t want it going off.’
Pat Duckett eagerly took charge of the box and the carrier bag and Hetty Hardaker held open the door while she squeezed through.
‘You know, Pat, Jimbo really is very generous. I just hope she appreciates it. Here, let me take the carrier bag.’
‘Right, thanks. Well, you’ll have her to deal with more than me, being a teacher–I’m only the caretaker. I don’t mind telling you it’ll be a breath of fresh air, it will. Nothing wrong with old Mr Palmer, but he did need a kick in the pants as you might say didn’t he? A shaking-up like.’
‘He did, but he was still a good teacher. I shall miss him.’
‘Too right, so shall I.’ Across the road, Pat saw a young woman dressed in black struggling to get a huge cat basket out of the boot of her car. ‘There she is! Good morning, Miss Pascoe! Welcome to the school.’
