Whispers in the Village by Rebecca Shaw Read Free Book Online

you’re new. We’ve a fairly broad range of subjects so you needn’t be afraid to choose something which interests you. The only date …’ She rushed on, trying to shut out Louise and her troubles. Anything rather than that.
    They both got out their diaries.
    ‘I’m not very well up on W.I.s. They always seem to me to be entrenched in the past. Peg dolls and lace doyley competitions and such.’
    Sheila was appalled. ‘In the past! Most certainly not. We tackle all kinds of subjects and activities. Anything except politics, they are taboo. And our embroidery ventures are under the strict supervision of Evie Nicholls, who is very gifted. The millennium tapestry in the church was executed by us. In the past! Certainly not. We’re right out there in the front leading the troops, we are. Believe me. We meet the first Monday afternoon in the month, at two o’clock. Our speaker for November has had to go into hospital and doesn’t know when she’ll be fit enough to speak so would that be suitable? November?’
    Secretly amused by Sheila’s stout defence, Anna agreed that her diary hadn’t yet filled up and November would be fine. ‘Anything else?’
    ‘Have you read Peter’s email thingy in the Store? No, of course you haven’t, it only went up this morning. Well, his church in Africa is very poor and I wondered if the W.I. and the church could join together and do something for them. I’m not sure what. How do you feel about that?’
    ‘I haven’t read it yet but in Penny Fawcett this morning someone had been in the Store and seen the email, and they were all agog about it, so yes, I know they’re short of money. I’d like to do something about that and yes, I think the church should make a contribution. Couldn’t think of anything more worthwhile and let’s face it, at least we would know the money will be going directly to those who need it and not towards vast rents and salaries for state-of-the-art headquarters. I think it’s a good idea.’
    ‘Thanks. At our next committee meeting we’ll have a discussion and see what we come up with.’ Sheila got to her feet, thankful not to have fallen to the temptation of unburdening herself.
    Anna smiled at her. ‘Perhaps next time when you come to see me you might feel able to tell me what’s troubling you. I’m not a dragon, you know.’
    Sheila visibly jumped.
    ‘I might even be able to help.’
    ‘Yes, maybe. But not today.’
    Sheila all but rushed out of the rectory. What a narrow escape she’d had! Ron, she’d go home to Ron and tell him.
    Ron was deeply involved with his stamp collection when she got in, and not really in the mood for Sheila firing broadsides at him. But he gently pushed his albums aside and made room for her elbows on the table.
    ‘Well, what is it?’
    ‘It’s like this …’ She hesitated.
    ‘It’s Louise and Gilbert, isn’t it?’
    Sheila nodded.
    ‘People can think what they like because it’s nothing to do with them. They’re all beautiful children, well behaved, you can take them anywhere at all and they come up trumps. If they were hooligans it would be a different matter.’
    ‘I know. But six. It’s disgusting.’
    Ron baulked at that. ‘No, it isn’t. They’re married, the children are happy. There’s nothing disgusting in it.’
    ‘Well, embarrassing, then.’
    ‘Not even that. Gilbert’s a great chap and I like him very much. There’s no pretence with Gilbert, he’s as frank and open as anyone could be. I like that in a man.’
    Sheila, experiencing one of her rare perceptive moments, heard the envy in his voice and blurted out, ‘Why, Ron, you’re jealous of him. You wish you could have fathered children like he does.’
    Ron didn’t agree outright but he did say, ‘Man to man, they’ll all admire him for it.’
    ‘I’m sorry I let you down. Though I wouldn’t have wanted as many as she’s going to have. I wouldn’t have coped.’
    ‘It’s amazing what you can cope with when you need