In the Village of Pepperstock Green – Chapter (011) – The Encore

 

The next day Charlie prepared a light lunch for himself and Toddy, who arrived at Beechwood at midday and was wearing a lovely floral summer dress and a beaming smile when he opened the door.  

They soon slipped back into the same companionable comfort of the night before and had a lovely, relaxed lunch together before getting more comfortable on the sofa and resuming the previous night’s embrace.

But no sooner had their lips met than his mobile phone rang, they tried to ignore it, but it was killing the moment, so he picked it up.

“It’s my sister!” he said,

“What has she got against us kissing anyway?” Toddy asked

“Impeccable timing sis” he said “What…. Oh, ok I’ll hand you over”

“She needs to talk to you” he said and handed the phone to Toddy, and he could tell by her grave expression that it was not good news.

 

She dissolved into tears when the call ended, and he spent the next ten minutes consoling her before she was able to explain what was wrong.

When she had composed herself, she was able to get the words out and explain what had upset her.

“Sister Margaret has had a heart attack”

 

When the Convent closed Sister Lucy and Sister Margaret, relocated to the retreat on St Giles Island which was the smallest of the two Bay Islands.

It was only 6 miles long and 4 miles wide and named after Giles du Cabot who died after the battle of Hastings.

It was a rugged, inhospitable and largely uninhabitable island surrounded by treacherous rocks. 

For hundreds of years, following the dissolution of the monasteries, a hardy community of Monks eked out a meagre existence before they had to share their seclusion when work on a lighthouse at Cabot point began in the middle of the 19th Century.

Three quarters of the island is now a Wildlife Sanctuary, but there is a small Meteorological Station, a small Hotel, the Seaview, the lighthouse and the Monks, who now ran St Giles’s religious retreat, which meant there was a population of between 50 and a 150 people, depending on the time of year. 

There is no Church on the Island but for those of a religious bent were always welcome at the St Giles Chapel, in the southwest corner of the island.

 

“I don’t know what to do” she blurted out and tears welled up in her eyes again.

“Do you want to go to her?” he asked

“Yes, yes” she exclaimed “But I don’t know how”

He went on his phone and checked the sailing times, “There’s a ferry at 4 o’clock, which is doable” he said and a moment later he added “And that’s booked”   

“Uh um uh” she stammered

“Come on let’s get you home” he said and kissed her

“But…” she began

“Chloe will help you pack a bag, and I’ll drive you to the ferry port” he explained

“Ok” she said meekly

 

Charlie drove her to the Vicarage and walked her in and after a moment’s explanation Chloe whisked her away to pack and then he went to Richmond’s Corner Shop and purchased a pay as you go phone and loaded it with £100 of credit.

After plugging the phone in to charge he returned to the Vicarage to find Toddy ready and waiting for him looking anxious.

“This isn’t how I thought the day would go” she said sadly as they left the village

“We will pick up from where we left off when you return” he assured her, and she smiled weekly

 

When they reached the Ferry Port, he parked the car and walked with her to the departure gate and waited with her until it was time for her to board.

While they waited, he gave her the mobile phone and said,

“There is plenty of credit and I have put mine, Chloe’s and Verity’s numbers in it so you can talk to any of us whenever you need to”    

They kissed goodbye and then he watched her board, she turned briefly and gave him a wave before disappearing from view, and he waited until the ferry departed.

He hadn’t even reached the car when his phone rang

“I miss you already” she said and hung up, so he texted her

“I miss you too x”

 

There were many more calls and texts while she was away which punctuated the time, he was working on the task to complete the project he had been working on under the radar for several months.

In the Village of Pepperstock Green – Chapter (010) – The First Date Propper

The waiter arrived enquiring about drink, he knew from past conversations that she was teetotal and as he was also a non-drinker, with her approval, he ordered a very pleasant bottle of alcohol free Chardonay.

She had always been teetotal whereas he hadn’t drunk since his early twenties when he realized his drinking was taking him down a path to oblivion and he never drank again.

 

During dinner Toddy explained and shared her own anxieties about the evening despite Chloe and Verity reassuring her.

“I’ve never been on a date before” she said “which was why I wasn’t even sure it was a date”

“I know what you mean” he said “I blame overthinking”

“You too?” she asked, and he nodded

“Well Chloe had no such doubts” she continued “Hence the reason I was dragged from pillar to post from one Church lady to another to get me ready”

“She is formidable”

“She is, first it was Catherine Scott who did what she called a “Mani-Pedi”, the manicure was probably wasted on me, but the pedicure was a revelation, I’m definitely doing that again” she said and laughed

“Then Emma Daley did my hair which was really nice”

“It certainly looks like time well spent” Charlie said

“Thank you, I will spare you the details of what Geri Phillips did, I will just say that there was a spatula involved” she said and giggled

“Say no more”

“Finally, it was Josephine Bell, and she actually tutted when she saw my nails” she said and laughed out loud

“But I’m very pleased with what she did” she added as she held out her hand and admired Jo Bells accomplished handiwork.

“I’m very pleased with what they all did” he said and took hold of her hand, and Toddy welcomed it and made sure he held onto it all during coffee.

 

They were the last to leave the restaurant when they reluctantly had to accept the evening was coming to an end and returned to the car.

The conversation was more sparse on the journey back to the village but not uncomfortably so, in fact the opposite was true.

Neither of them was eager to get home and both found the journey home was annoyingly short.

Charlie got out after parking the car outside the Vicarage and took Toddy’s hand before walking her slowly up to the front door where she said

“It’s been a lovely evening”

“It has” he agreed

“And made more lovely by the company”

“I had a really nice time” she said as she turned to face him, then she took a deep breath and kissed him, but not on the cheek like she had on previously occasions, this time she kissed him hesitantly on the lips, and when he responded, her hesitancy melted away and they settled into a long languorous embrace.

It was a special kiss on many levels, it was a defining moment for them both, it was the first romantic kiss for Charlie since his wife passed away ten years earlier and it was the first kiss ever for Toddy, as such neither of the parties were in any hurry for it to end.

However, even if she wanted to, it was unclear if Toddy knew how as it was so exhilarating she felt like she was on a theme park ride but come to an end it must.

It was not though by their behest, and it only came to an end when the porch light went on.

Which broke the mood and the clinch, and they stood and looked at one another.

“Do we get a round of applause now that the houselights have come up?” she asked and giggled

“I’m more interested in an encore” he replied

“Me too, but unfortunately, we’re no longer alone” she said as she noticed the curtain twitch

“That’s a shame” he said “Perhaps a different venue will solve that particular problem, lunch at mine tomorrow”

“I like the sound of that” Toddy said and kissed his cheek before opening the door and saying “Goodnight Charlie”

“Goodnight Toddy”

In the Village of Pepperstock Green – Chapter (009) – The First Date Aperitif

The two days following the Hanratty’s outing seemed to pass in slow motion for Charlie, left alone with his thoughts, as he reflected on recent events.

He acknowledged he had been attracted to her since they first met back in March but as she was the first one, he’d thought of in that way since his wife had passed, he had been reluctant to go too fast, but their relationship had taken a turn, partly because the work had become a lot less frenetic.

 

Toddy had also felt something from the beginning, but she had never thought of anyone in that way in her life, her only relationship had been with God, so she had no idea how to proceed, but they were so comfortable in each other’s company it was inevitable that they should end up going on a proper date.

Which was what Chloe had envisaged all along when she put them in each other’s orbits and now the date was arranged Chloe made sure Toddy was ready for it.

So, for Toddy time didn’t hang quite so heavily as she was whisked from pillar to post in order that she should make the best of her fifty-five-year-old self.

Toddy thought they were making a fuss about going to dinner with an amiable companion, but she did enjoy all the pampering.    

 

On Friday evening a nervous Charlie drove to the Vicarage at 7.30.

The reasons he was nervous were various, firstly because he was having second thoughts, not about wanting to take her to dinner, he very much wanted that, his second thoughts were more about the nature of the evening.

For two days he was convinced it wasn't just a dinner date but an actual date, however his insecurities stemmed from the thought that for Toddy it might just be dinner.

Another reason was more far reaching, was he ready at his time of life to embark on another relationship should dinner lead to something more substantial and finally what should he wear, it was a nice restaurant so casual was inappropriate, but equally he didn't want to overdress either for the venue or more importantly to overshadow Toddy who having spent all of her adult life in a convent was unaccustomed to somewhere like the Kissing Angel, and he wondered if he should have chosen somewhere more pub grub than fine dining to put her at her ease.

He decided against a suit and settled on a Blazer and slacks and an open necked shirt, though he had a tie in his pocket if the need arose.

He knocked on the front door of the Vicarage and after a moment or two the door was opened by his sister Chloe 

“Hello Charlie” she said and kissed him then she pushed open the door “she's all ready for you”

Toddy was standing in the hallway and when she looked up, she smiled at him

“Hello” she said

“Hi” he responded “You look lovely”

She was wearing a knee-length cornflower blue dress, with blue tights and navy-blue court shoes.

“Thank you” she responded and blushed

When she was working in the garden, she had always worn dungarees or cargo pants, and on their outings and shopping expeditions she wore jeans or chinos, so he had never seen her legs, but what he saw he liked. 

It had been a dry warm day so there was no need for a coat, but Verity placed a pashmina over her shoulder and as a final touch Chloe handed her a clutch bag

“Enjoy your date” Chloe said, and Charlie and Toddy glanced at each other, and she smiled before slipping her arm through his as the door closed, and they began to walk towards the car.

He opened the passenger door for her and said:

“I couldn’t help noticing that you have legs, I didn’t realize you had legs”

“Yes, I don’t get them out very often” she replied

“You should, they’re very nice,” he said and closed the door”

As they drove through the village she suddenly asked, “Is it?”

“Is it what?”

“Chloe said “Enjoy your date” as we left, is it?”

“I was hoping it was” he replied

“Good so was I” she said and looked at him coyly

 

He had never eaten at the Kissing Angel before, but he had heard very good things and it didn’t disappoint, it was lovely and had a soothing ambiance and was cozy and intimate.

“It’s very classy” she whispered once they were settled

“It is, and it suits you very well” he said, and she blushed

“I thought it appropriate for our first date”

“Are there going to be more then?” she asked

“I hope so” he replied, and she smiled

“But we might have to downgrade to the Starlight Café” he added, and they both laughed.

In the Village of Pepperstock Green – Chapter (008) – The Hanratty’s Outing

May

 

The Thorne sisters were booked, and Charlie and Toddy selected the stone and instructed Georgia accordingly. 

The work was due to be completed by the end of June

So, Charlie and Toddy embarked on the expeditions. 

They found the Greenhouse they wanted in Purplemere, the shed in Finchbottom and the BBQ in Sharpington, which were the biggest purchases, everything else they could have got online but they thought “where was the fun in that”.

So with the main purchases in the bag all the other trips were just outings, which they both welcomed, because while they were waiting for the hard landscaping to be completed they had no reason to see each other every day as they had at the height of the work, they had been on a few walks ending with a pub lunch, but they couldn’t do that every day so the outings were a good reason to see more of each other.

But there was still half of the week when they didn't see one another. 

 

Toddy was particularly keen to get to Abbottsford, apart from underwear she hadn’t had any new clothes since leaving the convent at the beginning of March, the Vicars wife, Chloe Virtue, had given her a nice selection of things from the Church donations and she frequented the Charity shop every week and had got some nice things from there, but she was desperate to buy something nice and new so she didn’t feel shabby when she was with Charlie, not that she told him that.     

They left early in the morning, and headed up the Expressway, after fortifying themselves with a good breakfast at the Starlight Café.

They got to Abbottsford in good time and Charlie drove into the multistorey car park at the Phoenix Shopping Centre, and it was quite busy for a weekday midway through the month and when they reached the main concourse that was busy too.

“Oh wow” Toddy said, “It’s bigger than I remember”

“It probably is bigger” Charlie pointed out.

It was much less busy when they got to Hanratty’s Department Store.

“Aren’t we going to stay together?” she asked in a childlike voice.

“No, you need to shop without me looking over your shoulder” he said, “And you can shop at your leisure”

“How will I find you?” she asked with alarm

“I’ll meet you by the fountain at 12.30” he said

“Oh ok” she said doubtfully, took a deep breath, gave him a weak smile and walked into the store.

He watched her walk away and when she was out of sight, he headed to the Phoenix Espresso Café where he was meeting his solicitor to sign some papers.

He would have preferred to have stayed by her side all day, but the documents were of great importance, and he would not let her out of his sight for the rest of the day to make up for it.

 

He was sitting on a bench by the fountain when he spotted her coming towards him with bags in each hand and she was smiling broadly.

“You seemed to have managed ok on your own” he said as he took the bags from her

“It was fun” she retorted and laughed

“So, what would you like to do next, more shopping or a bite of lunch?”

“Lunch please” she replied before adding “and then more shopping”

 

After lunch he picked up the bags and they stepped out onto the concourse, which was less busy than it had been

“I’m very pleased with myself” she said “I would have preferred you to have been with me in Hanratty’s, like a safety net, but I was fine” she said proudly and even slipped her arm through his, which made him smile.

There were a number of shops they wanted to go to in relation to the garden and when they had ticked them all off, he said

“Were there any other shops you want to go to?”

“Yes, I want to get something for Chloe as a thank you, and Verity recommended Crazy Chocolatiers” she said “and Silk and Lace, for me”

They got the chocolates for Chloe, and he got some for Toddy and himself, then they went to Silk and Lace, which as the name suggests was a lingerie shop.

“This one I definitely don’t need you looking over my shoulder” she said and blushed

 

With all the shopping completed they returned to the car and managed to escape Abbottsford before the rush hour started and reached the Expressway unscathed.

They travelled back towards home in relative silence and when they were within a few miles of the village he asked

“Do you fancy getting dinner somewhere?”

“Oh, I would love to go to dinner with you…”  She began

“But?”

“But I’m shattered, I would probably doze off, and I wouldn’t want to give you the wrong impression”

She explained and they both laughed

“Another night then” he suggested

“How about Friday or Saturday”

“Friday would be lovely” she replied

 

He pulled up outside the vicarage and got out of the car and helped her gather her bags together and said

“I think that's everything”  

“Me too” she giggled 

“Thank you for today, it’s been fun”

“You made it fun” he said, and she kissed his cheek and waddled up the path.

 

The first thing he did when he got home was to book the restaurant, he decided on the Kissing Angel on the outskirts of Pipershaven because he thought it appropriate.

In the Village of Pepperstock Green – Chapter (007) – Joint Design

When the grubbing out was completed, Toddy tidied up and cleared away, and the clearance was complete.

There was a six-foot wall around the whole garden, some of which were in dire need of attention, due to their age and nature running rampant, they had general builder Reece Stead make any necessary repairs and repoint where necessary.

While that was being done, they adjourned to his study where his laptop and monitors were located.

“Pull up a chair” he said

“Can’t we use a pen and paper; I don’t understand computers”

“You luddite”, he said and laughed “pull up a chair and sit down”

“If I must” she replied grumpily, then he moved the mouse and the monitors came to life, displaying a birds eye view of the garden on one screen, taken using a drone, and a 3D rendering of it on the other with a colour key denoting the hours of sunlight in its different parts of the garden, and she was suddenly like a child on Christmas morning.

 

“You could grow apples and pears along that wall, and that area would be perfect for a greenhouse, and a water feature here”

“Well let’s put them on and we can see what we think” he suggested

“You can do that?” Toddy asked

“Of course,” he said and opened another page, with different shaped boarders, garden buildings and the like, and gave her the mouse.

“Just click on the item you want, and then click on the plan where you want it to go”

“Oh, I can’t do it” she protested

“Just have a try” he urged “See how you get on, there’s nothing to worry about, anything you do can be undone”

“I really don’t know about this” she said and closed one eye as she clicked the symbol and poked her tongue out the side of her mouth as she dragged it to its destination and released it

“I did it” she said triumphantly “Cool”

 

When they had finished and were happy with their design Charlie printed it off and said,

“Now we just need to turn this into a garden”

“I can’t do hard landscaping” she admitted

“That’s fine” he assured her “I thought that might be the case, so I’ve already spoken with Georgia Thorne at Church, she and her sisters are Landscape Gardeners and are going to quote on the work, on your plan”

“Well, that’s that then, my work is done” she said

“Not a bit of it, you agreed to turn the jungle into a garden, you’ve only done half the job,” he said “as soon as the Thorne’s have done their thing, with the slabs and the retaining walls and put in the water feature you need to do the planting”

“Ok” she said and beamed

“I just have one question” he said, “Do you want them to lay the turf?”

“I’ve never done it before, but I would quite like to have a go, if that’s ok”

“Absolutely”

“Great, so will you call me when the hard landscaping is finished?” she asked

“Why where are you going?”

“Nowhere, I just didn’t think you’d need me for a few weeks”

“No, we have shopping to do, we have to choose the slabs, the stone for the retaining walls, the water feature, the BBQ, a green house, and the shed”

“Oh ok, where will we go?”

“Well, I think we should probably use local Pepperstock stone, we just need to pick the style, but for everything else we should cast our net wide, Sharpington, Shalllowfield, Purplemere, Finchbottom even as far as Abbottsford”

“Abbottsford?”

“Yes,”

“Could we go to Hanratty’s?” she asked excitedly

“If you would like too”

“My Grandmother took me there for my birthday when I was 7” Toddy explained

“So, is that why you want to go back?” he asked

“Yes”, she replied “but I’d also like to buy some new clothes”

In the Village of Pepperstock Green – Chapter (006) – Visiting the Sister’s

It was at the point when the work came to a natural hiatus that Toddy announced

“Do you mind if I take a day off tomorrow?”

“Not at all” he said, “Do you have plans?”

“I'm going to visit the Sister’s at the Convent” She replied

“Oh, I didn't realize there were any Sister’s still there”

“These are the ones for whom departure is not an option” she responded and in response to his puzzled expression she added

“I’m visiting the Convent cemetery”

“Oh, I see”

“I went for a walk over there with Verity on Saturday afternoon and weeds are beginning to take hold” she explained

“And I know it seems silly but it’s important to me that they are not neglected”

“I understand”

“Obviously the new owners, developers probably, will not want a cemetery in the middle of their housing estate or industrial park”, she added sadly

“But in the meantime, it’s something I need to do”

“I can come with you if you like, I have no plans and I think I’ve proved myself moderately useful as a gardener’s labourer”

“Moderately” she said and laughed

“Thank you, the company would be much appreciated”

 

They drove up to the Convent the next morning with an assortment of tools in the boot and her face dropped as he drove through the gates, and she noticed the FOR SALE boards had gone up.

After Toddy had shown him around St Adelaide’s and her beloved kitchen garden, they set about their task in the small graveyard.

It was a pleasant Sunny day, but cool in the fresh breeze but they found a sheltered spot out of the wind and ate their picnic lunch.

“You were happy here, weren’t you?” he said

“I was,” she replied wistfully “Very happy, but that was in the past”

“I can understand why you liked it here; it is a beautiful setting”

“I knew deep down it wasn’t sustainable” she admitted “But it is beautiful”

There was very little conversation for the rest of the day, mainly just a companiable silence as they finished the weeding.

Afterwards they loaded the tools into the car and then he drove her to the vicarage.

“Thank you so much for today” she said and kissed him on the cheek before jumping out of the car and running up the path.

 

The following week or so Toddy was grubbing the roots out with a mattock, however there were several sizable stumps that needed to be dealt with professionally and he had to employ the services of Tree Surgeon, Philip Raynes to grind them out.

While Philip was going at the tree stumps with a mechanical root grinder, Charlie and Toddy were sitting at the kitchen table drinking coffee when he suddenly said

“We need to settle the bill”

“What bill?”

“For your services, you still haven’t given me a figure”

“I’ll have to work out how many hours I’ve done” Toddy replied

“That’s easily done, it’s this many” he said and showed her a piece of paper

“Wow that’s a lot” she said “Let’s just say £5 per hour”

“£5 per hour?” he retorted

“Sorry is that too much?” she asked with alarm

“The National minimum wage is £12.21 per hour and you’re worth much more than that” he pointed out

“That really is too much, I’m quite happy with £5” she said “I’ve really enjoyed it, coming here every day has been fun, and some days we just went shopping, and you helped me as well”

“Ok let’s compromise” he said “£15 per hour, how would you like it, cash, cheque or bank transfer?”

“No…” she began but he gave her a look “Bank transfer please”

In the Village of Pepperstock Green – Chapter (005) – An Odd Couple

The day after first meeting her, Charlie was looking out the bedroom window and spotted Toddy’s tall slender frame as she stepped onto the drive, with no head scarf this time, and her seasoned strawberry blonde hair dancing on her shoulders as she strode purposefully towards the house. 

 

He was halfway down the stairs when she knocked on the door, so he quickened his pace and opened the door and was greeted by her smiling face.

“Good morning, Toddy”

“Good morning, Charlie” she responded  

“Come in, come in” he said fussily “go through to the kitchen”

“Are you going to hold me captive again and force feed me coffee all morning?” she asked with a chuckle

“No, just the one before we go” he replied

“Go? Are we going somewhere?”

“Threadgold’s,” he replied “to get you some proper tools”

“Great, I love Threadgold’s” she said  

“Good, because I’ve never been” he said as he put a coffee in front of her 

“Thank you” she said and as Charlie sat down, he had a piece of paper in his hand

“This might be of interest to you”

“Oh? What is it?”

“It’s a quote my builder gave me to clear the back garden, just to clear it mind” he said and passed the paper across the table to her

“This will give you a guide when pricing the job”  

“Good heavens, that much” she exclaimed

“Indeed, so don’t sell yourself short” he said

“But you didn’t tell me what you want me to do exactly” Toddy said

“You have carte blanch to do whatever you think best to turn the jungle into a garden again”

“Well, when it’s cleared, we can discuss it further” she suggested

“Agreed”  

 

They drove down the Expressway and turned off when they reached the outskirts of Pipershaven and drove for three miles until they reached Threadgold’s Garden Centre, which had been in existence in some form or other for over 100 years and was still family run.

It was a huge store which sold an extensive array of Home and Garden products with a similar square meterage outside of plants, compost, stone slabs etc.

They spent more than an hour going up and down the aisles until they had a trolley full of tools which they wheeled to the check out.

“Hello Sister!” said a pretty blonde girl

“Hi Maisie” Toddy responded and turned to Charlie “This is Maisie Threadgold, she used to deliver up to the Convent”

“Nice to meet you Maisie” Charlie said

“Is it true the Convent is closing?” she asked

“It is, and I’m not a Sister anymore” she replied

“What do I call you now then?” Maisie asked

“Toddy” she replied proudly

 

After Charlie paid for assorted tools and such, they Hired a chain saw and a woodchipper, for delivery the next day, and said goodbye to Maisie.

After loading their purchases into the car, Charlie took the scenic route home via The Pheasant in Quarry Hill where they had lunch.

 

It was too late to start work by the time they got back to the village, so Charlie dropped her at the Vicarage, and she started bright and early the next morning.

 

APRIL

 

Although he was retired, there were projects and interests which kept him at the desk in his study for periods of time during the day.

While he worked in his study and she laboured in the jungle, he kept her well supplied with coffee and moral support in equal measure.

On those days when he had no other demands on his time, he offered himself as an extra pair of hands.

There were occasions when his presence was required elsewhere, which he tried to keep to the barest minimum, but he had forewarned her of this right from the start.

“I won’t be here every day so I’ve got you a spare key so you can come and go as you please”

 

It was only once she had been toiling for a week that he fully appreciated the size of the garden, it was enormous, it was so big and so overgrown.

Because of the extent of the task and the typical seasonal weather it took all of April and a week of May to do the surface clearance.

 

MAY

 

They spent a lot of time together during the project and on the inclement days they went out and about far and wide to Garden Centre’s, Reclamation Yards and junk shops, looking for ideas, and the selection of period stone planters, chimney pots, urns, statuary, benches and even a cartwheel, piled in the garage were testament to their success.

 

They both attended St Agatha's most Sunday’s and more often than not, they either sat together or gravitated towards one another for refreshments after the service, and to the casual observer they looked more like a couple than employer and employee.

In the Village of Pepperstock Green – Chapter (004) – An Easter Beginning

At the center of the large rambling village, both geographically and spiritually, is St Agatha’s Church where teenagers Tara Moss and Holly Barnes were choristers, and it was at Choir practice where they first met.

Even though they were both pupils at Barnabus Boarding School, and they lived in the same street, because there was two years between them.

Holly was only 15 when she first saw Tara and she was instantly smitten, and she was pretty sure Tara felt the same but although she was 17 and doing her A levels, she was much less confident than Holly who was bursting with confidence, compared to the older girl’s acute shyness.

It was during rehearsals for the Christmas Concert, and had it been left to Tara they would never have got together, as it was, nothing happened until Easter.

Being two years younger and a foot shorter didn’t hold Holly back, the diminutive, little brunette had set her cap at her skinny ginger angel, and she was determined to have her, the only drawback was that up to that point she hadn’t had a girlfriend, but she wasn’t going to let that stop her.

 

It was after the Easter service when she made her move, she waited until the clergy, verger, altar boys and other choir members had all made their way, at some point, to the vestry to change into their street clothes, Holly knew that Tara was always one of the last to go in because of her shyness so she made sure she stayed close enough to kept her in view at all times to observe when Tara went in, then she went into the vestry herself, and as she went inside, Tara was just hanging her surplice in the cupboard.

“Hi Tara” Holly said

“Hello” she replied nervously as she slipped off her shoes and replaced them with her Vans.

Then Holly began to panic as she couldn’t think of anything else to say, because as she watched Tara change her footwear her mind went completely blank, until she remembered her birthday.

“Are you staying after, they’ve got me birthday cake”

“I was” Tara replied

“Why aren’t you now?”

“Because I can’t” she replied, and Holly sat down heavily on the bench and her heart sank and Tara smiled when she saw her reaction then she said

“We’re going to my grandparents and have to leave straight away”

“That’s a shame” Holly said as Tara was putting her coat on, then she had an idea.

“We could always go out for cake, on another day, together” she suggested  

“Yes, yes, I’d like that” she said, and Holly responded by jumping up on the bench, so they were nearly eye to eye and said

“You know that you don’t just have cake on your birthday”

“What else do you have?” Tara asked

“Kisses” Holly replied and leant forward and kissed her, but not just a birthday kiss, it was a proper kiss, her first proper kiss, and it was everything she’d hoped it would be and more.

“Wow that’s better than cake” Tara said

“Definitely” she agreed and then added

“But I still think we need to go for cake as well”

“Absolutely” Holly said and giggled

“The only thing is” Tara mused “We haven’t really done a birthday kiss, because you kissed me, I need to kiss you”

“That’s a good point” she agreed, and Tara kissed her

In the Village of Pepperstock Green – Chapter (003) – Meeting Miss Todd

Two days after Charles Phelps’ birthday there was another knock on the door on a beautiful spring Monday morning at the end of March, so he opened it.

“Hello, Mr. Phelps?”

“Yes, Good morning, please come in” he said

“Can I offer you a hot drink Sister”

“Thank you, a coffee please” she replied then added as she sat down at the kitchen table

“But I’m not a Sister,”

“Oh, I’m sorry, I was sure Verity said “Sister Clair”

And you’re wearing a head thingy” he said gesticulating

“It’s just a head scarf” she said with a giggle “my hair was still damp and it’s a chilly morning”

“Oh, I am sorry” he said, “and I so wanted to make a good impression”.

“That’s fine and you’re not too far off the mark” she said as she took the scarf off and revealed an abundance of pale ginger hair, streaked with strands of grey which she animated with a slight headshake.

“I was a Sister at St Adelaide’s convent until quite recently, but I decided to leave the order” she said sadly, and in an attempt to try and lighten the mood, Charles Phelps said with a wry smile

“Oh, tell me more, have you fallen from grace?”

Her face immediately responded with a rich smile employing every muscle and nerve and then she laughed loudly, which made him laugh as well. 

When the laughter subsided, he said

“So, what should I call you?”

“That’s a good question, as I’m not a Nun anymore Sister is out and Clair was my convent name, so that’s out”

“What’s your given name?”

“Millicent Todd and I always hated Millicent”

“What about Milli?” He suggested

“Good heavens no, that makes me sound like a puppet from a children’s show”

“Middle name?”

“Winnifred!”

“Good grief didn’t your parents like you?” he asked, and they both laughed again

“It was my grandmother; my mother was unmarried, and she died when I was born so I was raised by my grandmother in Quarry Hill” she explained

“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to be flippant” he said sympathetically

“Thank you, but what you never had you don’t miss” she explained “and I had a very happy childhood and always felt I was loved”

“That’s nice to hear”

“I was at the convent school in Pipershaven when she passed, and having no other family the nuns took me in and when I was of an age, I chose to take the veil, and I’d been there ever since, and I never regretted my decision, and furthermore I would be there still had the church not decided to close the Convent”

“Why are they closing it?” he asked as he put a second cup of coffee in front of her

“Well, the order has shrunk over the years and with only 7 sisters and no novices joining for 10 years the Church has decided that it is unsustainable and the money they raise by selling up, could be better spent elsewhere”

“What about the other sisters?”

“Bless you for asking, the younger ones will join other orders, the two most senior, Sister Lucy and Sister Margaret, are going to the retreat on St Giles for the time being”    

“And you’ve ended up at the Vicarage”

“Yes, I wanted to stay in the area as I was raised in

Quarry Hill, schooled in Pipershaven and lived most of my life in Pepperstock Green and I knew the Vicar as we were his parishioners, and we saw him at the Convent at least once a week, so after telling him I was leaving the order he offered me a room at the Vicarage for as long as I needed it”

“That’s typical of him, he’s a good man”

“Do you know him well?” she asked

“I should do; he’s my brother-in-law” he replied

“Chloe is you sister?”

“She is”

“Now you mention it I can see a family resemblance”

She said “She has more hair obviously”

“Nice and I was just starting to like you” he said, and she dissolved into laughter

When she had composed herself, she asked

“So older or younger?”

“Younger by two years” he replied

“So, you’re Charlie” she mused “She’s very proud of you”

“Its mutual” he said “And we’ve always looked out for each other, which is why you’re here”

“Well, it’s nice that she has faith in me” she said

“I hope I don’t let her down”

“Have faith in yourself” he said

“Well, I was responsible for feeding the Sister’s and grew all our own produce in the kitchen garden, my horticultural prowess is legend” she said and pulled a face at her pomposity “Which is why I suppose it was…. Suggested I might be able to help”

“I was actually informed you were a marvel, or was it marvelous?”

“I’ll take marvelous” she said, “What about you?”

“What about me?”

“What do you do? apart from make exceptionally good coffee” she asked as she drained her third cup “And not do the gardening”

“I’m retired” he replied “I sold my business a few years ago, although I still seem to be as busy, I just don’t get paid anymore”

He wasn’t a hundred percent honest in his answer, he had indeed sold his business, which was in aerospace engineering, for an obscene amount of money, and he was keeping busy spending it on philanthropic endeavour’s.

“So do you think you’ll stay in the village long term?” 

“Yes, I’m quite keen to see what becomes of St Adelaide’s” she replied “If I find it too upsetting, I may move on”

“Well hopefully, you’ll be around for a good while longer then” he said and felt himself blush and she looked at the clock and exclaimed in alarm

“Goodness me, look at the time, I’ve talked your ear off for most of the morning, I’m so sorry”

“Nonsense I’ve enjoyed it immensely”

“You’re very kind” she responded as he got up and walked to the French doors.

“Well let’s see if you can apply your legendary prowess on the garden,” he said throwing open the doors and stepping out “Of course I use the term garden in its loosest form”

“Wow” she exclaimed

“Sorry its rather wild and untamed”

“It’s wonderful” she retorted “This is going to be fun”

“Really?” he said “I thought you might run for the hills”

“Not a bit of it” she replied “However….”

“Second thoughts?”

“No, 3 mugs of coffee” she replied and giggled “a visit to the little “Nuns” room before I explore further”

“This way” he said and laughed

 

He was stood on the patio when she returned red faced and smiling “That’s better”

“Yes, it is”, he said to himself as he returned her smile, and they spent the next hour yomping around the not insubstantial jungle as she surveyed the task in store for her with glee.

“So, you’re happy to take it on then?” he asked

“Absolutely” she replied “I can start tomorrow, if that works for you”

“Ok name your price”

“Oh, I don’t know, I’ve never been paid before you’re my first client” she chuckled “I don’t even have any tools yet”

“Well, we can talk about the money later and I noticed there are some tools in the garage”

“Great, let’s have a look” she said and yomped off back towards the house and after a few minutes Charlie suddenly exclaimed

“Toddy!”

“Excuse me?” she said as she turned to look at him

“That’s what you should call yourself, it’s a strong name, confident, trustworthy and dependable and would suit you very well”

“Toddy?” she mused “Yes I like that, Toddy it is”

 

In the garage she rummaged through the meagre selection of old unloved tools and said,

“They’ll do to get started”

“We can hire or buy whatever else you need” he added

“Thank God” she retorted and crossed herself

“They’ve seen better days”

“Haven’t we all?” he said, and they laughed

 

“So, when I see you tomorrow you can let me know what you need” he said as he opened the front door

“I will” she responded “Thank you Mr. Phelps”

“Call me Charlie” he insisted

“Thank you, Charlie,”

 

“Well, that was surprising” he said to himself as he watched her walk down the drive.

He returned to the kitchen and made himself another coffee before making three phone calls, the first was to his solicitors, Bramstock, Goodman, Crossfield and Bushe in Abbottsford, and then his accountants Webster and Lindstrom and Estate Agents Chapman Millar both in Pipershaven.

In the Village of Pepperstock Green – Chapter (002) – The New Resident

Charles Phelps had been a frequent visitor to the village over the years, even more so in the ten years since his wife passed away and as his sister Chloe was married to the Vicar of St Agatha's, Reverend Samuel Virtue, once he reached the point where he was ready to retire, in his case aged 50, he sold his business and decided to move to Pepperstock Green to be close to his only family.

However, that proved to be somewhat easier said than done, as properties of the size he wanted didn’t come up very often, so he was almost 55, when he actually moved into Beechwood.

The house had been uninhabited for some time as its owner had to go into a care home in Pipershaven following several near tragedies due to her dementia, in fact her move to Sunny Pines happened precisely at the time Charles Phelps began his search.

Alice Rudd finally slipped her earthly bonds after three oblivious years and six months later, as she had no surviving family her Purplemere solicitors, Curtis, Mitchel and Lovegood put Beechwood on the market with Estate Agents Chapman Millar, in order to wind up her not insubstantial estate.

As part of Charlie’s search, he was a regular at the many Estate Agents in the area and left his details in order for them to tip him off as soon as a suitable house came on the market and was the first one to receive a call from Harry Chapman.

He was then the first and last to view Beechwood as he had an above asking price offer accepted the next day.

However, that was merely the first step on what turned out to be a very long road.

Because of Alice Rudd’s dementia and subsequent interment in Sunny Pines the house was in dire need of TLC.

Clogged and damaged guttering had inevitably led to water ingress causing damp and rot, also window frames soffits and barge boards had gone unpainted and neglected for more than two decades, some rooftiles needed replacing and brickwork needed repointing.

Once the exterior was made sound, work began on remedying the water penetration, replastering, modernizing the bathroom and kitchen and decorating throughout.

 

MARCH

 

As a result, it was almost 12 months from purchase to possession which just happened to be the eve of the occasion of his 55th birthday.

So, when he got up after his first night in his new home, he gave himself a longer than usual appraisal in the bathroom mirror.

After due consideration he felt that in the wake of the ravages of time he had faired rather well, all things considered.

He was fit and well, and was only carrying a few extra pounds, and standing at six feet one, a couple of pounds went a long way.

His hair hadn’t survived the journey quite as well, which was why he now shaved his head. 

 

After shaving, showering and dressing he went downstairs to the kitchen and made himself a coffee.

He had no sooner sat down at the table than there was a knock at the door.

When he opened the door, he was greeted by the smiling faces of his sister Chloe and his niece Verity.

“Happy Birthday!”, they chorused and stepped forward and kissed him.

 

As it was their first visit to Beechwood and they were very keen to see what he’d been spending his money on, he gave them a full tour of the house, culminating in the kitchen where he said

“I’d show you the garden, but it’s been transformed into a jungle”

On hearing this Verity immediately opened the French doors and stepped out onto the tired patio followed by her mother

“I think you need Sister Clair Uncle Charlie” Verity suggested

“What a great idea” Chloe said “She’s just what you need”

“Who is Sister Clair?” Charie asked

“Your salvation,” Chloe replied, as she didn’t elaborate further, they went back inside before walking to the Deer Stalker for his Birthday lunch.  

In the Village of Pepperstock Green – Chapter (001) – The Starling’s Resident

 

The Pepperstock Hills National Park stretches from the bare, and often barren crags of Oxley Ridge in the North to the dense wooded southern slopes on the fringe of the Finchbottom Vale and from Quarry Hill, and the Pits in the West to Pepperstock Bay in the East.

It is an area of stark contrasts and attracts a variety of visitors who, thanks to its closeness to the Finchbottom Expressway and the deepwater seaport of Pipershaven, have easy access to the park.

Amidst the magnificent mixed forestry to the south and east of the Pepperstock Hills National Park sits the beautiful village of Pepperstock Green.

Throughout Downshire and the Finchbottom Vale there is an abundance of quaint and picturesque villages and hamlets, but Pepperstock Green is particularly picturesque, with evidence of the thousand years since it was first settled everywhere.

Notably its 12th century Church, two Tudor Inn’s, a Victorian Schoolhouse and Cottages representing ever era, spread almost haphazardly, amidst the craggy woodland, around the green that gives the village its name.

 

At the center of the large rambling village, both geographically and spiritually, is St Agatha’s Church where Reverend Samuel Virtue has been Vicar for 20 years, from which he administered to the spiritual needs of village and its environs.

Fifty-year-old Samuel lives in the vicarage behind the church with his wife Chloe and 18-year-old daughter Verity who was destined to be significant in the life of Stephen Farnsworth in his sixth year in the village.

 

He was only 20 when he inherited the Starlings, a cottage on the west side of the village, from his maiden great aunt Edith.

He was halfway through his second year at university when she died so for the first two years, he was only a part time resident while he divided his time between his studies and modernizing the décor of the cottage.

 

Being an only child of wealthy parents from Tipton, in the North of the county, who travelled a lot and were seldom at the family home, having inherited a nice country cottage, suited him very well, he found himself in the enviable position of being financially independent after securing his degree and was able to attain a Master’s degree in addition.

 

There was an old ramshackle garage at the end of the garden which had not been used as such since God was a boy as far as he could see, in fact he was a little bemused as to why it was even there, because there was another garage adjacent to the cottage, however its lack of usefulness as a garage presented him with the perfect place for a studio.  

 

November

 

He had no family ties except for his globetrotting parents and no binding romantic attachments at the time, so in his fourth year in Pepperstock Green, with two degrees under his belt and the studio fully functional he decided it was time for him to fully engage in village life.

His first steps into rural society were the most logical ones for him, because he was a committed Christian, and so they took him to St Agatha's Church, because of his faith and his passion. 

It might be a good time to mention what that passion was, namely music, and the purpose of the studio in his garden was to facilitate his work as a composer of amongst other things, Choral Music, which meshed perfectly with St Agatha's because they had one of the best Choirs in Downshire.

He had slipped quietly into the back of the church many times since he first moved in but always slipped out again before the service ended as he wasn’t ready to meet people at that time.  

But this time he stayed till the end and met some of the congregation, some of whom he recognized from around the village, and over the weeks he became known to more and more of them, but it wasn’t until November when he joined the choir.

For the two years following, that was his life, Church, Choir, Studio and the occasional trip to Abbottsford or to the family home in Tipton if his parents were back in the country.  

 

It was during practice for the first Sunday of Advent when he first became aware of Verity Virtue when she appeared at choir practice one evening to play the organ when she was 16, in the absence of Adele King who had been taken ill earlier in the week.

Although she was clearly uncomfortable performing with an audience, she was a natural musician.

She was not entirely unknown to him, he’d seen the skinny little redhead at church and she would occasionally fill in if they were short of choristers and he remembered her as a skinny unremarkable looking schoolgirl always seemingly in a hurry to get to wherever her destination was, dressed in her Barnabus Boarding School uniform, Burgundy blazer with green piping, white blouse, burgundy tie, plaid skirt, and green socks or tights depending on the time of year.

But he’d never spoken to her or even made eye contact with her as she always had her head down.

But when he realized she was actually very talented musically she became more interesting to him.

 

Over the following year or so he saw more of her as Adele King’s illness turned out to be more long term than was first expected and she came out of herself and grew in confidence, she even helped him in the studio from time to time.

He was a composer, and he drew on his idol, John Barry, and as he was working on the theme tune for a TV series and because, apart from keyboards she also played Clarinet, Oboe and Guitar she was very useful to him. 

Consequently, they grew closer because of their shared interests.

But it didn’t manifest into a relationship, not because she wasn’t attractive, or because he wasn’t attracted to her, but because she was only 17 and he was 8 years older and on top of that she was the vicar’s daughter.

On top of which he was no monk and had occasional visitors to the cottage for amorous assignations, mainly renewing coupling with former university lovers, so he kept his relationship with Verity firmly in the friend and collaborator zone.

Then on New Years Eve, things changed when they kissed, albeit on the spur of the moment initially, but it lingered, considerably so, and it affected them both, in particularly him.

She slept that night very soundly and dreamed about that kiss over and over again.

On the contrary he did not sleep well at all, his head was full of contradictions and confusions, and he kept repeating her name, Verity Virtue, and the meanings.

Verity, an enduring or necessary ethical or religious or aesthetic truth

And Virtue, the quality of doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong, a particular moral excellence, morality with respect to sexual relations and any admirable quality or attribute

But he couldn’t get the latter out of his head, any admirable quality or attribute.

In the cold light of New Year’s Day, he decided to put some distance between them for a couple of weeks and to a sojourn to Tipton so her infatuation would cool.

As it happened, for various reasons he was gone for six weeks, and it seemed to have the desired effect.

  

February

 

However, his plan unraveled on a chilly Morning at the end of February when Verity knocked on the front door of Starlings cottage and in spite of himself, he was not displeased to see her.

“Hello” he said cheerfully, but she was obviously not happy to be there.

“Mum asked me to drop this music off so you can catch up with the Easter program now you’re back from chasing posh girls in Tipton” she said curtly which he sidestepped

“How come you’re wearing school uniform? I thought you were at college” he asked, and she thawed out a little

“I am, but at Barnabus’ we have to wear this abomination for the Friday assembly every week regardless of what year you are in” she replied

“It’s very fetching” he said and smiled

“Of course, you would find it attractive” she retorted but she smiled as well “Perverts do, anyway I have to go now”

“If you like you could pop round later and help me, get up to speed” he suggested as he held up the music sheets

“No thanks I wouldn’t want to cramp your style” she said coldly and left.

Over the coming weeks Verity slowly thawed and by the end of May their relationship had returned to their pre, New Years Eve kiss level.

So, he was pleased to be back at the uncomplicate by sexual attraction stage while still being able to enjoy the company of an attractive, funny musical equal, and it would probably have continued like that had it not been for the Vicars wife, Verity’s mother.