Caroline slammed the rectory
door behind her and tramped through the snow to the church hall. They
were holding the first committee meeting for the Village Show tonight,
and if she knew anything at all about village committees, it was bound
to be a lively evening. Now that the kitchen there had been renovated,
she didn't mind quite so much having volunteered to make the coffee.
She shuddered when she remembered the old kitchen with it's antique
water geyser and smelly cupboards - and one never-to-be-forgotten
night when she'd found a mouse nesting in the cardboard box they kept
the packets of biscuits in!
While the kettle boiled she went through the members' names, counting
them off on her fingers to make sure she had enough cups out. People
so soon took umbrage if they felt you'd forgotten them. There was
Jeremy from Turnham House ('the Big House') in lieu of Mr Fitch who
couldn't find the time, Jimbo from the Store who'd be doing the food,
Michael Palmer from the school for the children's entertainment, Barry
Jones, the estate carpenter, in charge of building and erecting the
stalls, Bryn from The Royal Oak, Caroline herself representing the
church, Sheila Bissett for the flower, fruit and vegetable competitions
- she'd need to be kept in check or she'd be telling everyone what
to do - Linda for the first-aid tent, and last but not least Louise
as she called herself now, as the secretary. So that made nine.
The kettle was coming briskly up to the boil as Caroline heard the
sound of early arrivals. It was Sheila Bissett with Louise, stamping
the snow from their boots before they came in.
'Mother, please! I'm the secretary - I do know what I'm doing. I have
taken notes before.'
'I just want things to go well, dear. It'll reflect on you if it isn't
properly organised.'
'Well, it will be, so there. And don't forget please about my name.'
'I don't want to change it. I've always loved the name Bianca.'
'I haven't changed it, Mother, I'm simply using my first name. I've
never known why you called me by my second name. Louise is so much
nicer.'
' Well, it'll take me ages to get used to it after all these years.'
'You must, Mother, otherwise no one else will use it.'
Sheila tried to imprint the name on her brain.' Louise. Louise. Louise.
Heaven knows what's made you decide to do it.'
'New place. New start. I've always wanted to do it and now's the right
moment. I need an entirely new persona,' Louise pleaded quietly. 'It
matters to me, it's really important.'
'All right, then I'll remember. By the way, if there's any talk about
the sizes of the marquees, don't forget I want a really big one for
the competitions. I shall need lots of space for displaying the exhibits,
you see. That Mr Fitch has plenty of money so he can dig deep for
this show.'
'The marquee for the food will be the biggest, I expect.'
'Oh well, naturally, what else can we expect? Some people, namely
Jimbo, have more influence than is good for them. But let's face it,
the competitions will attract the most people; they won't come all
the way to the Show just to eat Jimbo's food, good though it is.'
Caroline came out of the kitchen carrying a tray of cups and a big
pot of coffee. She put it down on a table. 'Hi! Would you like coffee?
Milk? Sugar? Sheila and Louise went to collect their cups.
Sheila sipped her coffee and to fill the silence said, 'Your parents
have gone home today, Caroline?'
'This afternoon.'
'I met them in the Store the other day. You're so much like your mother.
I didn't realise she was a doctor too.'
'Oh yes, I just wish I had half her energy. I think Peter's quite
glad to see her go! She's been in his study trying to reorganise his
files. He's really very patient with her.'
'They were saying how much they'd enjoyed staying with you.'
'They love seeing the children. Our two are their only grandchildren
so far, you see. Their complaint is they don't see enough of them
with living so far away.'
'Pity the weather wasn't a little better for them while they were
here.'
'They don't really mind. Just glad to have a rest, if you can call
it a rest, living in the same house as two two-year-olds!'
Sheila laughed. 'I see your point! I'm really looking forward to this
Show. Such a good thing for the village, Mr Fitch coming - isn't it,
Caroline?'
'It is. He's certainly stirring us up! First the Bonfire Night Party
and now the Show. Before we know where we are, Mr Fitch will be thinking
he's Lord of the Manor.' The three of them laughed, but they each
acknowledged there was a ring of truth in what Caroline had said.
A cold draught announced the arrival of Jeremy. He waddled in swathed
in a huge mackintosh and heavy leather boots, which made him appear
more mountainous than ever. 'Hello, hello, ladies. Ah, coffee! Just
what I need.'
Caroline handed him his cup and said, 'Jeremy, I don't think you've
met Louise Bissett, Lady Bissett's daughter. She's agreed to be secretary
for the Show. Brave girl!'
Jeremy extended his fat, sweating hand to Louise. 'Good evening, nice
to meet you. Brave indeed! Having a taste of country air for a change,
eh?'
'Something like that. You're Mr Fitch?'
'No, no, wish I was. My wife Venetia and I run the Big House on behalf
of Mr Fitch's company. He uses it as a training centre for his staff.'
'I see. So you employ secretaries and the like?'
'Yes, we do. Is that what you are?
'Well, I'm in banking really but I've got secretarial skills. So think
of me if ever you need anyone. I'm organising the rector at the moment,
lending a hand here and there, you know.'
Jeremy laughed and patted her arm. 'Lucky man to have such a charming
assistant!'
Caroline agreed. 'Yes, he is. Louise is doing a sterling job with
the church magazine. She's also just started distributing the new
church telephone directory which she's compiled. We must let Jeremy
have a copy, mustn't we, Louise, then if he needs any of us he has
the numbers to hand.'
'I'll drop a copy in for you tomorrow.' She beamed at him.
'Thank you kindly. Thank you very much. Show you round if you like
when you come up.'
'Lovely! I've only seen the house from a distance; it'll be great
to see inside it. Thank you.'
They chose chairs next to each other and Sheila sat on the other side
of Louise. The outside door opened and in came the rest of the committee
- Bryn Fields deep in conversation with Michael about the merits of
being a Free House, Barry talking to Jimbo about the marquee for the
food and Linda from the post office bringing up the rear on her own.
'Coffee, everyone, before we start.' They gathered round exchanging
pleasantries, and then finally settled in their chairs to begin the
meeting.
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