In the Village of Pepperstock Green – Chapter (039) – The Final Week

 

December

 

Thanks to Chloe the Wedding plans had gone as smoothly as silk and Charlie and Toddy had had an easy ride and had every confidence that everything was in hand until the Monday before the Wedding when during breakfast Charlie suddenly went rigid and the colour drained from his face.

“Charlie!!!” She exclaimed “What’s wrong? Are you ill?”

“Rings! we haven’t got rings!” he replied

“Oh no, what are we going to do?” she asked

“Firstly, we’re not going to panic” he said having composed himself

“Then we’ll get dressed and go and see a friend”

“What friend?” she asked 

“Ashleigh Oakes” he replied

 

“Don’t do that to me again, I thought you were having a heart attack” she said as they got in the car.

“Sorry” he responded and left the Village and as they drove to Mornington-By-Mere he explained that Ashleigh Oakes was a jeweler who ran his own business on Mornington Field.

“And will he be able to do it?” she asked

“If he can’t it won’t be for the want of trying” Charlie replied

 

They drove on to Mornington Field and pulled up outside “Bejewels” and then went to the door and rang the buzzer and waited for the electronic lock to click and then pulled on the door and went inside.

Ashleigh was expecting them because Charlie had phoned ahead to say he was coming.

 

Charlie and Ashleigh energetically shook hands 

“That is wonderful news, congratulations to you both” he said and then kissed Toddy on both cheeks

“So that’s why we need the rings” Charlie said

“Well, you’ve come to the right place” Ashleigh said, “What sort of design do you want?”

“I’ll know it if I see it” Toddy said, and Ash gave her a catalogue containing his basic designs

“So, when is the big day?” he asked

“Saturday” Charlie replied

“You’re getting married this coming Saturday?” he asked in amazement

“Is that going to be a problem?” she asked

“Well, it depends on what you want” he replied  

“Oh, my goodness!” she exclaimed “That’s it, that’s the one”

It was a plain gold band with two intertwined ribbons of white gold

“What do you think Charlie?” she asked

“Perfect” he replied

“Oh, those I can do for you no problem” Ashleigh said, “Any engraving?”

“Yes, “Charlie + Toddy”, but the “and” needs to be in the form of a crucifix, and then Saturdays date” Toddy said decisively

“What the lady said” Charlie concurred

“Ok let’s just size your fingers” Ashleigh said

 

The journey back to the Village was much more relaxed than the outbound one and when they were on the Expressway Toddy said

“Can we go to Threadgold’s on the way home?”

“Absolutely, are you after anything in particular?” he asked

“No, I just want to browse” she said noncommittedly

 

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.

However, being Christmas there were huge displays of decorations, wrapping paper and trees.

As they were going to be on their honeymoon until January, they had already decided not to put up decorations at Beechwood, but even so they spent more than an hour going up and down the aisles and had a trolley full of Christmas paraphernalia, and a sprinkling of items for the garden which they wheeled to the check out.

 

After Charlie had paid, they loaded their purchases into the car, Charlie took the scenic route home via The Pheasant in Quarry Hill where they had lunch, and as they sat in the pub and ate scampi and chips Charlie said.

“I’ve just had a thought”

“Oh yes”

“After Saturday the garden is going to be yours and mine, so I won’t have to pay you to work in it” he said and chuckled

“You haven’t paid me since September” she retorted with a giggle

“But I’ll make you pay in other ways”

 

For the majority of the week, they did mundane things about the house, and when Charlie did some work on the computer relating to his philanthropic work, Toddy pottered in the greenhouse.

On Friday they drove over to Mornington to pick up the rings from Ashleigh and they were not disappointed in them.

Then they took him to lunch as a thank you for dropping everything to get them finished before the big day.

So, they drove the short distance to Shallowfield and had lunch at the Shallowfield Lodge Hotel overlooking Teardrop Lake.

 

The rest of the day they just wanted to be alone, the Best Man Paul Day had phoned earlier that morning to ask is they wanted to do dinner that night, but they said they couldn’t because they had already made plans.

It wasn’t a complete lie as their plans involved them being alone for the evening.    

 

As he walked her to the vicarage that night she said

“I would much rather spend the night with you”

“I know” he said “But the groom mustn’t see the bride before the wedding, its bad luck”

“That’s just a superstition though isn’t it” she pointed out

“After tomorrow we will never have to spend the night apart again” he said and kissed her

In the Village of Pepperstock Green – Chapter (038) – The Best Man and the Matron

 

December

 

When the wedding party, Charlie, Toddy, Chloe, Kirsten, Stephen and Verity sojourned to Abbottsford earlier in the month, shopping for the wedding outfits at the Phoenix Shopping Centre, where they met up with Best Man Paul Day.

After a successful day shopping, they stayed overnight at the Abbottsford Regents Hotel and most of the party went to see a play at The Empire Theatre and then they all met up again to have dinner at the Wooden Slipper.

Paul and Kirsten were next to each other, and they made something of an instant connection.

They had a marvelous evening with good company, excellent food and a liberal amount of alcohol thrown in for good measure and there was an equally liberal amount of flirting between the two of them.

But amidst the friendly banter, flirting and overindulgence, Paul and Kirsten had both reached a milestone in their lives, namely that they were now open to a new beginning.

They had been stuck in limbo since they lost their respective life partners, more than 9 years for Paul and just under three for Kirsten.

 

As a result of their awakenings, they were both looking forward to meeting again at the wedding where he was Best Man and she was Matron of Honour.

Although they met in Abbottsford Paul’s home and Business were both in Sharpington, he was staying in Abbottsford after they met up for some business meetings and had to stay in town for a couple more days, otherwise he would have offered to drive her back so they could continue to get to know one another.

He would have to wait until the wedding.

As the wedding reception was at the Barnabus Manor Hotel, Paul decided to book in on Friday night rather than drive up on Saturday morning.

He phoned Charlie first thing to say he would be in the Village, and did they want to do dinner, but alas they already had plans.

So, midmorning on Friday after he’d checked in at the Hotel, he phoned Kirsten Vaughan

“Hi Kirsten, its Paul”

“Oh, hello Paul, it lovely to hear from you” she said

“I’m at the Barnabus Manor, and I was wondering if you were free for lunch or dinner”

“I can’t do lunch” she lied

“But dinner would be lovely”

“I can book a table here if that’s ok, or we can go to a restaurant of your choice”

“The Barnabus is absolutely fine” she replied

“Ok I’ll book a table for eight, what time would you like me to pick you up?” he asked

“No that’s ok I’ll make my own way” she said

 

After getting showered, shaved, and dressed he walked down the stairs just in time to see Kirsten walking through reception having deposited her coat in the cloakroom.

She was a small Elphin featured woman with bobbed chestnut hair, and was wearing a red cocktail dress, black tights, and matching shoes with a pashmina around her shoulders.

Her hair colour was enhanced from a bottle whereas his silver fox look was natural, but he liked what he saw.

“Wow! You look good enough to eat” he said

“Thank you” she said coyly and then added

“When you invited me to dinner, I didn’t realize I was the dinner” she said, and they both laughed.

“Shall we?” he said offering his arm.

 

Once they were seated at a table and the waiter had taken their order he said

“I’m so pleased you were free tonight”

“So am I” she responded smugly.

“I have been looking forward to seeing you again” Paul said

“Me too” she admitted

“But we would have had tomorrow”

“Yes, but one on one is so much nicer” he retorted with a chuckle.

Then after a few moments thought she added.

“You’re a very naughty man” 

And in response they both dissolved into laughter.

 

The evening went by very quickly with exceptionally good food, a lot more laughter and a liberal amount of wine, but neither of them mentioned what was really on their minds.

Nor did it raise its head during coffee or the accompanying liqueurs or even the nightcap in the bar, although the attraction between them was never more than a moment from their thoughts.

It was nearly one o’clock when he checked his watch and said,

“Sadly, I think the time has come for us to say goodnight.”

“It can’t be” she snorted and then checked her watch

“How did it get that late?”

“Time flies when you’re having fun” he said.

“Perhaps another nightcap?” she suggested

“Sadly, the bar is closing” he said before adding “unless you want one in my room”

“Well then I think you had better escort me to the mini bar” she said and giggled as she got unsteadily to her feet.

“My pleasure Matron” he said offering his arm.

“Ah a gentleman” she said putting her arm through his “Though gentlemanliness shouldn’t be overdone”

 

As it had done all evening, laughter accompanied them all the way as they climbed the stairs to the first floor and along the corridor but when they reached the door to his room, Kirsten  smiled as she turned to face him and kissed him gently on the lips, a warm sensitive and tender kiss, and when their lips parted, she smiled at him coyly and flushed a deep shade of pink.

“I’ve wanted to do that since the first time I saw you” she said, and Paul kissed her forehead before cupping her flushed cheek in his palm, then he slid his fingers beneath her soft chestnut hair and caressed the soft downy hair on her nape as he pulled her sweet lips to his and returned her kiss.

When their lips parted Kirsten’s arms enveloped him, holding him close, and so tightly, they stood locked in their embrace until he pulled away for a moment and said

“Wow, that, was worth waiting for”

“Very much so” she concurred and took the keycard from his hand, unlocked the door and led him inside.

 

When Paul and Kirsten woke on the morning of the wedding and the realization of what they had done suddenly dawned on them as they lay cuddled beneath the duvet.

“We’re really doing it aren’t we?” Kirsten said as she hugged him

“Yes, I rather think we are” he replied

“Wow” she said “We’re moving on”

After a few minutes she suddenly went rigid,

“Have we missed breakfast?”

“No, I think they’ve only just started serving” he replied

“Order room service,” she said as she was heading for the bathroom.

She was so excited by what had happened that she just had to share it, her first choice would have been Toddy, but as the bride to be she had other things keeping her occupied, so she went for her second-best choice, dialed the number and said

“Chloe!”

 

After half an hour sitting in the bathroom with the door shut talking to Chloe, Kirsten emerged just as breakfast arrived.

After opening the door and taking the tray Paul walked towards the bed and Kirsten opened the door again and hung the “Do not disturb” on the knob.

“This looks great” he said “I’m starving”

“Don’t think of it as food” she said with a leer “think of it as fuel”

“Enough said” he remarked and bit into a sausage

In the Village of Pepperstock Green – Chapter (037) – Stephen and Verity Christmas Market’s and Glühwein

December

 

Stephen Farnsworth and Verity Virtue fled to Berlin to escape the madness of the wedding plans for her Uncle Charlie and Toddy; they had spent a lovely weekend at the Regent Hotel from where they had been seeing the sights.

It had been unseasonably mild over the weekend but from Monday onwards there was very little sun to speak of, and it was bitterly cold, but they really didn’t mind as they got to spend lots of time hugging.

The next few days, they shopped at Potsdamer Platz, spent hours at Museums Island, and had lunch at the rotating restaurant at the TV tower on Alexanderplatz.

Climbed the victory column in the Tiergarten, visited the Berlin Zoo, went Christmas shopping at the big department store, KaDeWe, and attended a liberal sprinkling of Christmas markets, in fact you name it they did it and on their last afternoon they went to the Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Market and it was incredibly cold and they both over indulged on Glühwein when her phone rang, Miraculously it was the first call from her since they had been there

 

“Yes, mum well be home tomorrow afternoon, see you then” she said and hung up.

“What did she want?” he asked

“Wedding questions” she replied

“Can you imagine what she’ll be like if we get married?”

“When we get married,” he corrected her

“What do you mean, when?” she queried

“I just mean it’s “when” rather than “if”” he explained

“Oh, I see” she said doubtfully

“Don’t you want to get married then?” he asked in alarm

“Of course I want to get married, and I want to marry your hon” she said reassuringly and looked thoughtful as she drank another Glühwein then asked

“Are you proposing?”

“Yes, I am, I would have proposed properly but the glühwein took over” he admitted, and she kissed him

“I want a big wedding” she said “But…”

“But what?” he exclaimed

“I will marry you” she said, “but after I’ve finished university and I have my degree”

“I’m happy with that,” he said “so does that mean we’re engaged”

“Yes, but…”

“Not another but?”

“Two buts actually,” she said

“And they are?”

“We mustn’t tell anyone until the New Year, partly because it will be a year since…”

“Our first kiss” he said  

“Yes,” she said and kissed him

“What was the other the other reason?”

“Because if we tell mum while she’s dealing with Toddy’s Wedding and Christmas her head will literally explode”

“Agreed”

“And this is the most important reason, I don’t want us to tell your parents before I’ve even met them”

“I agree, very sensible” he said “You’re very smart for a skinny, pasty ginger”

“And don’t you forget it” she said and kissed him

“So, is that a done deal then?” he asked

“It is” she replied “We are officially secretly engaged”

“Are you sure?” he asked

“Well, I’m sure that I love you,” she said in reply “and I’m sure that you love me, so yes I’m sure”

“Then that calls for a celebratory glühwein” he announced

“Oh lovely” she said

 

“I have a question” she slurred “Do I still get a ring if it’s a secret engagement?”

 “Of course you do”

“Goody” she exclaimed

“Do you want to wait until we get home, or would you like to get one in Berlin?”

“Berlin, I think, as it will remind us of this moment for ever” she replied

“Let’s do it now then” he suggested

“Let’s do it right now” she concurred

 

A couple of days earlier they spotted an arcade of shops in the east of the city and one of those shops was called Sebastians, an old-fashioned jeweler’s shop, not one of the fashionable jewelry chains, but an old family business, so they hailed a taxi and headed east.

 

After driving to the jewelers, what little German they knew deserted them due to an excess of Glühwein but luckily inside Sebastians the jeweler, Christophe, spoke perfect English.

They were only in the shop for about fifteen minutes when Christophe showed them the perfect ring, a Ceylon sapphire solitaire with a gold band.

 

The next morning Stephen awoke first in the pale winter light of dawn with Verity cuddled into him with her head on his chest and when she stirred, he said

“Good morning”

“Morning” she said and kissed his chest

“I love you” he said

“I love you too” she replied.

In the Village of Pepperstock Green – Chapter (036) – Stephen and Verity Escape the Madness

 

December

 

Stephen Farnsworth and Verity Virtue had been a couple since June and by December they were more in love than ever.

The only fly in the ointment for Verity were the Wedding plans, not that she wasn’t thrilled for her Uncle Charlie and Toddy, it was just that Verity’s mum Chloe was like a thing possessed it had become all consuming, and it had been going on for two months.

They were both sitting in the lounge at his cottage, Starlings, when he said

“Why don’t we get away?”

“Get away?” Verity replied

“Yes, let’s get away for a week and escape the madness”

“Get away?” she repeated

“We’ll be back in time for the Wedding” he continued, and she said nothing for a full minute and then suddenly she excitedly responded

“Let’s go online and see what’s available” 

He switched on the laptop, and she sat next to him as he opened the browser

“Do you want sun?” he asked

“Are you kidding? I’m redhaired and pasty” she said

“Ok, no sun, do you want activity?”

“Nah”

“America?”

“No to America and nowhere that’s more than two hours flying time” she said decisively

“So, Europe then” he said

“I think so”

“So how about nature?”

“Nah”

“History?”

“Hmm”

“Romantic?” he asked

“Definitely”

“City break then”

“Oh yes a city break” she said excitedly

“How about….” he pondered “Paris? Amsterdam? Brussels?”

Verity shook her head, so he cast his net a bit further.

“Berlin” he suggested

“Berlin?” she repeated “Oooh I like the sound of that”

“It has history, romance and a Christmas market to boot” he added

“Oooh a Christmas market” she said enthusiastically

“Ok then Berlin it is” Stephen said

“Let’s find somewhere to stay” Verity added

An hour later they had a 7-night booking at the Regent Hotel and flights booked for the following Friday, St Nichols Day, 6th December and a return flight on the 13th, St Lucy’s Day, which would give them a full week to do all the last-minute stuff and enjoy the run into the Wedding and their first Christmas together.

 

So, the next morning she notified her mum of their plans which Chloe took in her stride,

“Good for you” she said “Have a great time while you’re away”

But she did have one proviso, and that was that she went with her to Abbottsford to get her bridesmaids dress, so she and Stephen went with the Wedding party and went directly to the airport on Friday morning and flew into Berlin Brandenburg Airport just after 11.00am.

They arrived at the Hotel Regent about an hour and a half later and they were not disappointed by their choice, it was absolutely beautiful, very luxurious and they had a beautiful room and from the main window there was a wonderful view of the imposing dome of what they found out later was the French Cathedral.

They were so very pleased with their lovely room that they didn’t leave it all afternoon, in fact they only left it in order to go and eat, then they went back to the room and had an early night.

       

They began their holiday properly on Saturday morning after an early breakfast and crammed in a lot on their first full day.

They took full advantage of the unseasonably mild weather and did the Reichstag, the Brandenburg Gate, the Checkpoint Charlie Museum and the Glienicke Bridge in the morning and the Christmas Market at Charlottenburg Palace after lunch and into the evening.

When they woke on Sunday morning they were exhausted after packing so much into their first day, so they decided that they should perhaps have a more relaxing day beginning with breakfast to be followed by Church.

After speaking to the waiter, they took his advice and got a taxi to the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church on the Kurfürstendamm and when the driver turned onto the very broad, long boulevard full of shops, houses, hotels and restaurants he said proudly

“This is the Champs-Élysées of Berlin”

“Oh look” Verity said excitedly as they pulled up outside the beautiful blue Church “they have a Christmas market here too”

As Stephen handed the driver his money he said

“They have Christmas markets everywhere”

“Oh goody” she responded, and he laughed

The service was lovely and the new part of the Church with the blue glass was spectacular with the winter sun shining through.

Afterwards they ate lunch of Frickadellen with fries and mayo from a “Schnellie” at the roadside, then after lunch they went to Wannsee and walked around the lakes in the sunshine enjoying the scenery until the evening fell and so did the temperature.

In the Village of Pepperstock Green – Chapter (035) – The Wedding Party Sojourn

 

December

 

With three weeks until the Wedding, the plans as far as Charlie and Toddy were concerned were complete, the Church was booked for the Saturday before Christmas, the reception was booked at the Barnabus Manor Hotel just outside the Village and the tickets for their honeymoon in Rome were bought and paid for and Toddy’s passport had arrived.

 

Toddy’s Wedding Dress was ready for the final fitting and the other important intimate wedding day accessories were hidden away until the big day and Charlie just had to buy a new suit for the occasion.

Everything else they left in the capable hands of Charlie’s sister Chloe, who after being given the parameters was a force of nature, she knew everyone in the Village and knew who did what the best, Flowers, Wedding Car, Invitations, Order of Service, Menu’s, Wedding Cake, Photographer, Videographer, you name it she knew someone who could do it.

 

Toddy had considered Chloe to be her Matron of Honour, but in the absence of any family Charlie suggested Chloe give her away instead.

“Really? You want me?” Chloe asked and burst into tears

With that settled she had to find another candidate for Matron of Honour and it only took a moment of thought to decide and chose Church Warden, Kirsten Vaughan, the two of them had become very close friends since she had been in the Village, and she was thrilled to be asked, and didn’t dissolve into tears, instead squealed and said “Yes”

Bridesmaid was the easiest choice of all and required no thought at all, so she asked, her soon to be niece, Verity Virtue.

“I was going to do it whether you asked me or not” she said and laughed

As Verity normally played the organ, her boyfriend Stephen Farnsworth had agreed to play in her stead.

 

So, towards the end of the first week of December Charlie hired a Ford Galaxy for a few days and drove, Toddy, Chloe and Kirsten to Abbottsford, he could have fitted Stephen and Verity in as well as it was a seven-seater, but they followed on behind in his car as they were flying off to Germany the next day.

They went straight to the Abbottsford Regents Hotel, where they had stayed before, and checked in but unlike previous occasions this time Charlie and Toddy shared a room.

As soon as they had taken their bags to the room, they all met back downstairs in reception and then drove in one car to the Phoenix Shopping Centre where they had lunch.

When they left the restaurant, they split up, the girls headed off to sought out their wedding clothes, Stephen went to do some shopping of his own and Charlie went to meet up with his Best Man Paul Day and went to buy new suits.

Paul was his oldest friend, and they had worked together a lot over the years and when he had his Aerospace Engineering Company Paul’s Company was one of his suppliers.

But it wasn’t just a business connection between them, they were both widowed around the same time and were there for each other, and such bonds are hard to break.  

 

Paul and Charlie spent about an hour getting their suits and then after putting their suit bags in the car they headed to the Phoenix Espresso Café to have a coffee while they waited for the girls.

After about twenty minutes they were joined by Stephen and Charlie introduced them and they sat chatting for the next hour before the girls arrived, laden with bags and more introductions were made before they returned to the Hotel.

 

Later that evening Stephen and Verity opted for some alone time while the other 5 went to see a play at The Empire Theatre and then they all met up again to have dinner together at The Wooden Slipper.

The meal was notable in one respect and that was that Paul and Kirsten seemed to make an instant connection.

 

The next morning, fortified by a good breakfast, Stephen and Verity said their goodbyes as they were driving to the airport and the rest of them drove to the multistorey car park at the Phoenix Shopping Centre, so they could do some Christmas shopping before saying goodbye to Paul, who had to stay in town for a couple of days, and then they headed down the Expressway with a boot crammed full.

In the Village of Pepperstock Green – Chapter (034) – Careful What You Wish For

 

December

 

Michael Bailey was an Estate Agent in the Village, and he had been dating Maisie Threadgold, one of the family of Threadgold’s Garden Centre fame, whose business had been in existence in some form or other for over 100 years and was still family run.

She was a pretty blonde girl, and everyone thought Michael was punching above his weight.

But a few months earlier he proposed to her and furthermore she accepted, and ever since plans upon plans were being made by both mothers.

They hadn’t moved in together by the time December arrived, but they were spending more and more time at each other’s homes but weren’t officially living together.

Monday was a normal workday for Michael but Maisie had managed to book off a couple of days off work so she could do some early Christmas shopping and do a bit of housework.

When he returned home after work, he could tell that apart from her shopping she had spent some of her time productively and the house was looking more homely than it had ever done and as he walked into the lounge he was greeted by the smell of home cooking.

“Hi Hon” he called “Something smells nice”

Her head suddenly appeared from around the kitchen door and said

“It’s me”

So, he walked down the hall to meet her and gave her a kiss

“No, it’s not you” he said “I can definitely smell something tasty”

“Cheek” Maisie said and hit him with a wooden spoon

“Ow” he said, “what’s cooking then?”

“Bacon and onion dumpling” she replied then continued in a very bad Italian accent “Justa lika mamma used to maka”

“And is yours as good as mamas?” he asked thinking that if it tasted half as good as it smelt he was in for a treat.

“Better” she replied “now go and finish setting the table”

So, he did as she instructed, and then opened a bottle of wine, he returned to the kitchen just in time to see the suet delight coming out of the oven and he could have sworn, he heard the oven sigh.

 

As he sat and ate the heaviest most indigestible dumpling he had ever experienced along with lumpy mash, anemic gravy and overcooked veg he thought to himself

“How bad a cook is her mother?”

He persevered and ate most of it and when she said

“Well?”

He didn’t have the heart to tell her the truth

“Lovely” he said and thought it was a good job he wasn’t marrying her for her cooking.

 

Fortunately, Michael could cook, and he generally got home an hour before her so he would get the evening meal on the go so as to minimize the risk of having to eat her offerings.

 

It was about a fortnight after the night of the dumpling when they were summoned to the Threadgold’s house, for Sunday lunch, which he had to admit, he was rather looking forward to.

Her father Martin was very easy company, especially if you restricted the conversation to sport while Eliza thought the sun shone from his every orifice.

But the main thing he was looking forward to most was a Roast dinner, and he wished he could have one every week.

But there is a very old saying “Be careful what you wish for”.

 

They were in the car on their way to the family home and she asked

“Are you sure you don’t mind?”

“Of course,” he said “I like your folks and I’m looking forward to a great Sunday lunch”

“Oh” Maisie said doubtfully “Good”

They arrived just after two and found Martin in the lounge watching football.

“Hi Dad” she said

“Hello baby girl,” he replied and gave her a kiss, then he shook Michael’s hand.

“Michael dear boy” he said “sit down, they’ve just kicked off”

“I’ll just say hello to Eliza first” he said, and Maisie led the way.

The aromas emanating from the kitchen were mouthwatering.

“Mum?” Maisie called

“I’m in here darling” a disembodied voice called back.

He followed Maisie into the kitchen and kisses and hugs were exchanged between them and then Eliza turned her attention on him.

“It’s lovely to see you Michael” Eliza said “I’m glad you could come”

“It smells delicious” he said “I can’t wait”

“Oh” she said all flustered “that’s a really nice thing to say”

Then Maisie kissed him and dispatched him to keep her father company.

Martin had a freshly poured beer sitting on the table waiting for him.

“Are there you are” he said without taking his eyes off the screen.

“It’s one nil to City, completely against the run of play”

 

Eliza called them to the table about half an hour later and they sat down at the table.

Martin poured the wine and Maisie and Eliza carried the tureens in, then when they were all seated, she lifted the cover off the meat platter to reveal the charred remains of what would once have been a very expensive joint of beef.

The vegetables and the gravy were a similar disappointment; the insipidness of the gravy was clearly a family tradition.

As Martin unceremoniously hacked his way through the charcoal, he slowly revealed the undercooked redness at its core.

As he struggled politely through the hideous meal, he was left to ponder how two such beautiful women could be such ugly cooks.

 

So, it was with a full stomach and a bad case of indigestion that they drove off from her parents’ place.

“Did you enjoy your Sunday roast then sweetie?” Maisie asked

“Oh yes” he replied, “it was ….”

“Horrible?” Maisie interrupted

“No, no” he protested

“Yes, yes” she corrected him “Mums even more rubbish at cooking than I am”

“You’re not rubbish hon” he said gallantly

“I am, you could have beaten someone to death with my bacon and onion dumpling it was so heavy” Maisie said and laughed

“Well maybe not to death, but certainly into a coma” he said, and she punched him.

In the Village of Pepperstock Green – Chapter (033) – Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

 

November

 

The six weeks following Charlie’s proposal to Toddy, had been really busy, but the Wedding plans were virtually complete, the Church was booked for the Saturday before Christmas, the reception was booked at the Barnabus Manor Hotel just outside the Village and the tickets for their honeymoon in Rome were bought and paid for and Toddy’s passport application was being processed.

The guest list was problematic because Toddy didn’t know many people having still been in the convent less than a year before.

Charlie had accumulated a lot of friends over the years so his side of the pews would be full, but Toddy on the other only had the Sister’s from the Convent so there were only four people on her list.

“Who else can I invite?” she asked

“Start with the people you like” he suggested

“I like everyone” she replied and laughed

“Then there’s you answer” Charlie Said  

The rest of the plans they left in the trusty hands of his sister Chloe.

In addition, the work was in full flow up at the Convent and they’d made a number of site visits and had quite a few meetings with their Project Manager Nicholas McGee and Architect James Tims.

On top of that there was a two-day shopping trip to Abbottsford for Toddy and Chloe to buy a Wedding Dress and the other important intimate wedding day accessories.

While she was away Charlie spent most of his time catching up on his philanthropic projects spending some of the obscene amount of money he earned when he sold his Aerospace Engineering Company, and he was thankful for the distraction because he really missed Toddy.

Ever since she entered his life, he dreaded the time they were apart, and the time hung heavily for him. 

The time Toddy was away with Chloe was the longest period they had spent apart since they were a couple, apart from when Sister Margaret had her heart problems.

But they spoke at least three times each day while she was away, which was some consolation.

He hadn’t seen her from Sunday night until Wednesday morning, but those two days felt like a month to him so when she knocked on his door just after nine o’clock his heart soared, and the feeling was mutual, so after a fond embrace they went upstairs and made love.

He was the first to wake up, a couple of hours later, and got up to use the bathroom and took his clothes with him and redressed before he returned.

Then he sat on the edge of the bed and looked at his sleeping angel and silently thanked God for delivering her into his life.

Charlie sat there for about twenty minutes watching her sleep, staring at her peaceful countenance, and asked himself what he had done to deserve such good fortune in his life.

He had 22 wonderful years, with his wife Julie before cancer took her away from him and he never thought he would ever find love again, but he did, and she was sleeping in his bed.

Charlie left her sleeping and went downstairs to make coffee and while he was in the kitchen waiting for the kettle to boil, he heard the front door open and as he listened, he realized it was Mrs. Horne.

Catherine Horne was his cleaner, and she was a very good cleaner but quite straight laced.

“Morning Mr. Phelps” she called

He had forgotten it was cleaning day, so he carried on making the drinks as he heard her head up the stairs and then the penny dropped so he rushed out into the hall to head her off.

“Ah Catherine” he called as he ascended the stairs two at a time, but he was too late, she was just closing his bedroom door and then turned to face him and judging by the look on her face she had seen Toddy naked in his bed.

“I thought better of you,” she said in a disappointing tone as she walked towards him wearing a scowl

“I’ll do downstairs, I’m very disappointed” she added, and he followed her downstairs

“We are engaged you know” he said in his defense

“Really? it’s not that long since she was still a Nun” she retorted “and you’ve corrupted her”

“But…”

“It’s alright, her reputation won’t suffer by my actions” she said and started hoovering so he returned to the kitchen as Mrs. Horne went about her chores.

 

When Toddy made her way downstairs, she met Catherine Horne at the bottom of the stairs

“Hello Catherine” she said brightly

“I don’t blame you dear” she said sympathetically

“It’s always the bloody men”

“Ok… thanks” she responded, and Catherine made her way upstairs

 

“What have you done to Catherine?” Toddy asked accusingly as she walked into the kitchen

“Nothing” he replied defensively

“Well, something has upset her” she said

“That’s because she went upstairs to clean the ensuite and discovered you in my bed” he said

“Ah that would do it” Toddy said

“Well, if you must know she’s got the hump with me because I’ve deflowered a Nun” he said, and she laughed

“Well firstly I’m not a Nun anymore, and secondly, horticulturally speaking, as I’m 55 years old and therefore in my autumn years, I wouldn’t refer to it as deflowering” she said

“Really?” he retorted “What would you call it?”

“I think dead heading would be more appropriate” she replied, and they dissolved into laughter.      

In the Village of Pepperstock Green – Chapter (032) – Saving a Reputation

November

 

At the beginning of November, it was a month since Charlie Phelps had proposed to Toddy and she had acquiesced, so they went to their favourite restaurant, the Kissing Angel, in Pipershaven, and when they returned to his house they went straight to bed. 

Samuel and Chloe Virtue were in Abbottsford for a short break that weekend to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary, and as Verity was staying at her boyfriend Stephen’s house while they were away there was no one at the Vicarage to know what time Toddy returned home, so she was able to stay in Charlie’s bed longer than normal and they fell properly asleep.

Charlie woke up first the next morning to find Toddy curled up beside him beneath the duvet fast asleep.

He kissed her forehead and shook her gently

“It’s time to wake up darling” he said, and she murmured

“Wake up darling, its morning”

Her eyes suddenly were wide open, and saucer sized

“It’s what?”

“It’s morning, we fell asleep”

“What time is it?”

“Nearly seven”

“Oh God!” she exclaimed “Sorry God, what am I going to do?”

“We need a plan to get you out the house in broad daylight without being seen.” he said

“Everyone is going to know I’ve been out all night” she said “And they’ll guess I’ve been with you all night, doing you not what”

“Don’t worry darling” he said and kissed her “Get yourself dressed and I’ll see you downstairs”

When she arrived in the kitchen, she was panic stricken

“What am I going to do?”

“Well don’t panic for a start” he said

“It’s alright for you” she shouted “No one will judge you, but I was a Nun”

Then she started pacing, and ranted

“What was I thinking, how can I go home in this, everyone will know I’ve been out all night”

He made them a coffee which they drank while they made a plan, and after half a mug, as if in answer to a prayer it started to rain, but not just rain, it was an absolute deluge.

“Oh, that’s just what I need” Toddy snapped

“That’s precisely what we need” he said

“What?” she asked, “but it’s horrible”

“It’s perfect, is what it is” he said and went into the utility and came out with a pair of waterproof trousers and a cagoule.

“No one will recognize you in these, and at this time of day there won’t be many folk about” he said

“Perfect” she said, “but what if I’m seen going into the Vicarage?”

“Go round the back, the kitchen door is always unlocked” he said

“You’re a very devious man,” Toddy said

“I know but the rewards are well worth it” he stated, and she blushed crimson red.

But having provided her with the appropriate clothing they immediately hit upon a snag, the trousers didn’t fit over her skirt, it bunched up under them and made it look like she had a bustle.

So, she removed the trousers and then had to take her dress off.

“Don’t get any ideas,” she said when she noticed him looking at her in her knickers, vest and tights.

“Well, you could stay a bit longer,” he suggested lustily

“Don’t temp me,” she said quickly pulling on the waterproof trousers which were a little on the large side and the waistband sat just above her bust line.

Then she pulled on the cagoule over her head before slipping on her shoes.

“That’s not going to work,” he said

“Why?” she asked with concern

“No one would wear footwear like that with waterproofs,” he told her

“They are a bit of a giveaway, aren’t they?” she admitted

“Indeed” he agreed

“What can I wear then?” she asked

“Your gardening shoes” he said, and she slipped her stockinged feet into her muddy gardening shoes

“That looks better” he said and pulled a woolly hat onto her head, and she tucked her hair up under it. 

“I still can’t go out the front door even disguised like this” she said forlornly

“That’s why you’re going out the back gate and along the lane” he said

“What about all my stuff?” she queried

“I’ll bring it to the Vicarage before Church” he said

“You’re good at this stuff,” Toddy said, and she kissed him

After he had kissed her goodbye, he let her out into the rain.

“Text me when you’re home” he said

“Will do” she responded and off she went

“I love you” he called after her

 

Charlie gathered her stuff together and put it in a black sack along with her overcoat, no one would question someone taking a bag of donated clothes to the Vicarage.

Then he had another coffee and sat at the kitchen table until he received a text from Toddy

“Made it,” it read “I love you too”

He smiled before draining his coffee mug and went upstairs to have a shower.

 

In the Village of Pepperstock Green – Chapter (031) – Cat and Mouse

 

October

 

In just a few short months Funeral Director Max Dickinson’s cozy little life had been turned upside down, not that he was complaining, his comfortable middle-aged existence needed shaking up.

Which was precisely what Geri Phillips did from the moment she breezed into his life on a misty January day when she crashed into his car, and it turned out to be the most wonderful thing that ever happened to him, and that changed everything in his life in a heartbeat.

But there was a problem, he was an average looking thirty-four-year-old stick in the mud and she hadn’t even turned thirty and she was a cute little brunette.

In addition, he was a funeral director, and she was a wax technician or what he would refer to as an esthetician, however the bubbly brunette preferred the term waxologist. 

It took all of his courage to ask her out and he couldn’t believe it when she said yes, but she did and before he knew it, he had fallen in love with her.

Then he needed to summon up every ounce of courage to propose, which he did, and again she said yes which amazed him and shocked his friends and family in the process.

So far so good, January, meet pretty, young brunette, February, woo pretty, young brunette, March, fall in love with pretty, young brunette, May, propose to pretty, young brunette, June move in with pretty, young brunette, August, marry said pretty, young brunette, and finally in September buy house with pretty, young brunette wife.

Well, it’s not actually finally, because it was really more accurate to say, so far, because there were to be many more chapters obviously.

 

They moved into the new house at the beginning of October and after two weeks of them living together in their new home, all was going well, and they had settled into a comfortable routine, and it felt as if they had been together forever.

One Sunday morning as they were sitting in the kitchen eating crumpets, Geri suddenly said

“Can we get a cat?”

“What for?” he retorted

“Because I’d like one” she said sweetly

“Do we have to?” he sighed

“Don’t you like cats?” Geri enquired

“I have no strong opinion either way” he informed her

“So, you don’t dislike them?” she asked

“No not at all” he replied

“Are you allergic?” she queried

“Nope” he replied

“So can we?” she asked cutely

“I take it that you have a strong opinion about cats?” he asked

“Oh yes” she replied “I love them”

“They’re very lovely, they’re good company, they’re clean, they’re not demanding” she continued but he remained unconvinced.

“And they keep mice away” she added as if that one reason underlined all the others

“We don’t have mice” he stated

He had never had mice in his old house in all the years he had lived there and was not at all unhappy with that fact and he didn’t need a cat to achieve that.

All through his childhood at his parents’ house they didn’t have a cat, and they were mice free, so the point seemed moot.

“Please, please, pretty please” she begged, and he was helpless to resist

“Ok, ok” he conceded

“Yey” she screamed and jumped up and down before planting a kiss on his mouth.

“But” he interjected

“But?” she repeated

“There are certain conditions” he stated

“Which are?” she asked

“No Toms” he said “I don’t want spraying in the house”

“Check” she responded

“I’m the only alpha male in this house” he said pompously

“Ok Tiger” she mocked

“No rescue cats, I don’t want to take any chances on getting a psychologically disturbed one” he continued

“Check” she responded

“And no kittens” he added

“Ok” she agreed “Anything else?”

“No that’s the lot” he confirmed

“Good get your coat on” she instructed

“What for?” he asked

“I said we’d pick the cat up before 11 o’clock” Geri said cheekily

“And how did you know I’d say yes?” he asked

“Because you’re lovely” she replied “and you love me”

“Yes, well just remember that cutesy stuff won’t work once you lose your looks” he told her as we were going out the door

“It’ll still work even when I’m old and wrinkled” she said cockily

 

They were going to Mrs. Cooper’s house, just a few doors down from them.

She was a lovely lady, who sadly was having to give up her cottage and the Village and move into a sheltered housing scheme Sunny Pines in Pipershaven where pets of any kind were not permitted.

Elizabeth had a sweet little two-year-old black female cat called Blackberry for whom she was looking for a good home and they were it.

 

Well, all went swimmingly with Blackberry’s arrival, she quickly took to them and made herself at home and although Max had misgivings about getting a cat, he was happy that he had agreed, but then the presents started to arrive.

He would wake up in the morning and make his way downstairs to make coffee and there it would be, a mouse, a vole, a bird and, on one occasion, a coy carp.

All either dead or very near death and all of them gifts, for Max the alpha male, from the huntress, and sometimes Blackberry would be in attendance smugly guarding her latest trophy.

On one particular morning in early November, he came downstairs to find a squirrel.

“My God Blackberry what on earth have you brought me this time?”

As soon as his foot landed on the hall floor, she started rubbing herself around his ankles making a series of chirruping noises as she did so.

Then she would go and circle the stricken Squirrel, look up at him then at her prey and then back at him as if to say

“Look what I did”

“Yes, very good, well done” he said without enthusiasm although he had to admit he was impressed.

Then she returned to his ankles and repeated the whole process again.

Blackberry had just got to the point where she was saying to me

“I did that, that was me”

Then Geri came halfway down the stairs and hung over the banister to enquire

“What’s going on?”

“Blackberry brought in a Squirrel” he told her

“A Squirrel?” she exclaimed “wow who’s a clever girl then?”

The cat responded to that by repeating the whole rubbing, chirruping and gloating sequence.

“Who’s a clever girl?” he said to himself as he slipped his unstockinged feet into a pair of wellies.

That was all well and good, but she wasn’t the one who had to take the poor suffering twitching creature up the garden to finally dispatch it with a spade.

 

Of course, finding dead offerings in the hall was far better than the alternative.

You see Blackberry didn’t catch mice and such to display them as trophies or to supplement her diet.

She brought them into the house primarily as toys and she would play with them for hours, but sometimes they got away which is why he recalled what Geri had said about cats

“They’re very lovely, they’re good company, they’re clean, they’re not demanding” she continued

“And they keep mice away”

Well, there were never any mice to keep away, until they got a cat.