Whispers in the Village by Rebecca Shaw Read Free Book Online Page A

to. You’d have been just as well organized as Louise.’
    ‘Not ever, believe me. I’d have sunk without trace under all that washing she has.’
    Ron patted her forearm. ‘You underestimate yourself. Go lay on the sofa and I’ll make you a cup of tea and you can watch Countdown . Challenge the old grey cells for a while.’
    Sheila did as she was told, tucked her feet under a cushion to keep them warm, switched on the remote and prepared to relax. After Countdown she’d tell him that Anna had agreed to help raise money for Africa. But by the time Ron came back with the tea tray, she’d fallen asleep, dreaming of a positive hoard of children and losing one in the park and searching hysterically for it. She woke with a jerk but with the child still missing. The commercials were on and her tea was cold. After the dream she was even more bruised and concerned and in more of a puzzle than ever. Why dream of a missing child?
    The W.I. committee meeting was that same week and Sheila thrust them all into a frenzied discussion about raising money for Africa.
    ‘Ideas, ideas, let’s have a brainstorming session, come on, come on.’
    She was met with complete silence. So it was up to her to start them off.
    ‘A cakebake? A gigantic raffle. A sponsored swim. An autumn fair. A fifty-pence mile in Culworth. Fancy dress party.’
    ‘We’ve done all those things before,’ someone stated despairingly.
    Suddenly Sheila burst out with, ‘How about a sponsored … midnight … naked swim in Jimbo’s pool?’ Then wondered where on earth that had come from.
    There were gasps all round. Only Muriel protested outright. ‘I don’t think so. Whatever would people say?’
    ‘A naked calendar then. Like that other W.I. did.’ suggested Angie Turner.
    ‘I don’t think so either,’ said Muriel. ‘My word no. Whatever next. Surely a sponsored sew would be more in keeping?’
    ‘Boring. Boring. I go for the naked swim.’ When she’d said this, Sheila went bright red. What had possessed her to pursue such an incredibly bold idea?
    ‘How about a sponsored hair-dyeing competition, too?’
    ‘That sounds rather more acceptable.’ This from Greta Jones, newly elected to the committee. ‘I’ve always wanted red hair. I’d do that. And Vince could always dye the bit he’s got left just for a laugh.’
    ‘We couldn’t have two sponsored events, now could we?’
    ‘Why ever not? What about a pyjama party at Jimbo’s house? Or at the Big House. Ten pounds a nob. I bet Kate Pascoe-that-was would go for that.’
    ‘Better still, how about the naked swim at the Big House as well? Lovely big pool there.’
    ‘Oh no. Definitely not. In the dark in Jimbo’s garden, yes, but not that great pool.’
    ‘You could be right. More mystical and attractive. At least the dark would hide the blushes. That could be really wild. How about it, Harriet? We’d get the youngsters to that.’
    Harriet thought for a moment and reminded them that the funds were for helping a church not a gambling saloon.
    ‘Gambling! Now that’s an idea. What could we gamble on?’
    Angie Turner shouted, ‘I know! Guess the date when Gilbert and Louise announce they’re expecting again. It’s about time there was another announcement, they’re running late.’ A scandalized silence met this comment, and no one dared to look at Sheila, because they knew, definitely knew, she’d be scarlet all over.
    Harriet intervened before Sheila got a chance to lose her temper. ‘I don’t think that is quite the kind of thing Peter would approve of.’
    ‘Peter isn’t here and it’s money for his church and he won’t be any wiser, will he, all those thousands of miles away?’ said Angie Turner.
    ‘It’s not the gambling, it’s what you’re gambling on; it has to be in good taste,’ Harriet remarked. ‘How about gambling on the French Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe … That’s in October, isn’t it?’
    Angie Turner, her mind working furiously, asked, ‘You