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.