(12/13) The Year at Thrush Green by Miss Read Read Free Book Online Page B

beans and stopped the flow.
    Conversation grew more general, much to Joan Young's relief, though she still worried about the possibility of the enlargement of the room Edward had originally designed. She was sure that he had not heard any of these rumours, and she hoped that he never would.
    Joan was devoted to Edward, but knew only too well that criticism infuriated him, and that peace would vanish from their household if he felt that his work was being denigrated.
    'And how is Paul?' asked Winnie, sensing tension.
    'Ah, Paul!' smiled Joan. 'We had a marvellous time when he was home at half-term.'
    And to Winnie's relief, she was told about a visit to an animal sanctuary which had been a day in paradise for a twelve-year-old schoolboy.
    Less controversial topics than the possibility of an enlargement of Rectory Cottages were being discussed around the table. Connie enlarged on the beauty and intelligence of the new dog. Ada Lovelock told Jenny about a wonderful new cure for arthritis which Jenny might be glad to know about as time passed so quickly when you reached seventy. As Jenny was still in her forties, she might have resented this aspersion on her age, but being a good-hearted woman and quite used to the eccentricities of the Lovelock sisters, she listened with every appearance of interest.
    Ella told her neighbour about the tapestry she was making for an altar kneeler, and Dimity told Bertha Lovelock that milk was supposed to be good for cleaning patent leather shoes, and Violet Lovelock told everyone within earshot about the brisk business being done at the Fuchsia Bush these days, and Jenny and Winnie exchanged contented glances at the success of the party which had been their main concern for so long.
    By half past three the last of their visitors had gone. Dotty had returned for her handbag, but otherwise all had departed flushed and happy with their modest outing, and Winnie and Jenny subsided into armchairs.
    'I'll stack the dishwasher,' said Jenny, attempting to get up.
    'You won't yet,' said Winnie. 'And before we do that we'll have a cup of tea. But first all, Jenny, do you think there's any truth in these rumours about the old people's home? I hope it's not true. Edward would be so upset.'
    'Well, let's hope it's only a rumour,' comforted Jenny.

    There were other people who could have told Winnie more about the rumour.
    On that February day when Charles Henstock had enjoyed lunching with Harold and Isobel, he had gone afterwards to see his old friends and parishioners at Rectory Cottages.
    Jane Cartwright, one of the wardens, had welcomed him, and without preamble, the rector mentioned the matter of enlarging the room. Was it necessary, he asked?
    Jane looked a little taken aback, but answered readily. 'I'm not sure how this cropped up, and in ordinary circumstances the room is quite big enough now that we have that glass annexe. If we have a party of visitors then I must say it is a bit of a squash.'
    'The thing is,' said Charles, 'finding the money. We've raised an amazing amount over the last few years for Nathaniel Patten's settlement in Africa, and the Roof Fund and the Organ Repair Fund, and one or two items for the school and so on, and I really don't think we can face another large fund-raising effort if it is not needed.'
    'Quite,' said Jane. 'Besides, it might upset Edward Young.'
    'That is so,' agreed Charles, looking unhappy.
    'Though that's his chicken,' said Jane robustly. She had no time for imagined rebuffs, and was used to coping with the day-to-day misunderstandings among her elderly charges which she privately dismissed as 'senile tantrums'.
    'I must sound out one or two other people,' went on the rector, 'and you might make a few enquiries here to see if people feel the need for a larger room. Perhaps we could enlarge the conservatory? What do you think, Jane?'
    Jane said that if it came to it, then adding to the conservatory would be lovely. What had put this idea into his mind?
    Charles