In the Village of Pepperstock Green – Chapter (123) – Feast of St Nicholas

 December

 

Church Warden of St Agatha’s, Kevin Southey, was attending a dinner on St Andrew’s Day, at the home of a local celebrity, children’s author, Chania Campbell.

Kevin was a popular figure in Pepperstock Green society who dedicated all of his free time to the church and good works, so it would have been of little surprise to find him on the guest list, but he on the other hand was surprised at some of the other guests.

In addition to the hostess Chania, was Fiona Phippen, an illustrator, who was an old school friend of hers, and she also assisted in the kitchen, Chania’s brother artist Aiden, Curate of St Agatha’s, Derren Mcphail, Literary agents, Harry and Tracey Smedley, Actresses Louise Sexton and Jade Edwards and Tim Weston who was a Local Historian, so it was an interesting bunch, but his interest was overwhelmingly in Tracey.

Kevin had known Tracey since she was a girl, he was an old family friend, but it wasn’t friendship that he felt for her, but he had not shared his feelings with her, because he thought it would have been a betrayal of her parents trust, but following their deaths in a car accident, he said nothing then because he had to fulfill more of an avuncular role, and then she married so he resigned himself to the fact that there could never be any other role for him in her life.

 

When the time came for them to take their seats Kevin found that he was seated opposite Chania and next to Tracey, and he could tell by the look on the formers face that she had put them beside each other by design, hoping that her change in circumstances would move things along between them.

 

Tracey was divorced from her husband Harry the year before, but it was a completely amicable split because after eight years of marriage they both realized it wasn’t really working, they loved each other, and still did, but they were not in love.

In fact, they still lived under the same roof, in the same house, after the split, and planned to sell the house, or buy the other one out, if and when their personal circumstances changed.

So domestic life for them wasn’t really very different to when they were married, and it really should have been if they belonged together as a couple, so they knew they had made the right decision, and even after the divorce they were still best friends, and of course they still worked together at the Literary Agency they founded, Smedley and associates.

 

The conversation between Kevin and Tracey during dinner was as easy and relaxed as it always had been, so much so that it actually felt like they were a couple, but they weren’t.

Over coffee Tracey said

“I’ve been asked to organize the St Nicholas gifts this year”

“Really? I did them for a couple of years” he said “before I became Church Warden”

“Yes I remember” she said “Which is why…”

“Why what?”

“Which is why I could use your help” she replied

“Of course I’ll help” he said

“We could meet tomorrow”

“Perfect” she said

 

They met the next day at his house after Church and over coffee they compiled a long list of items she needed to get from the cash and carry and afterwards they walked into the village to the Britz Coffee Shop where they had brunch.

“Thanks for your help Kevin” she said

“My pleasure Tracey, you just need to drive over to Pipershaven and pick it up”

“I might need your help again with that” she said “I’ll never get that lot in my car”

“Why? You’ll easily get it all into your SUV”

“Erm… It’s in the garage until Wednesday, so I’ve only got the Mini”

“What about Harry’s car?”

“He’s gone to Millmoor, and won’t be back for a fortnight” she replied

“Well in that case we can go in mine” he said

 

They couldn’t go on Sunday afternoon as it was the first Sunday of Advent and as he was Church Warden and she was the Verger they needed to be on hand for the evening service, so he picked her up early on Monday morning and drove her over to the cash and carry.

 

It was an amazing place, and they were very impressed even though they had both been to one before, it was like an Aladdin’s cave of Christmas goodies, and they soon filled their trolley.

But Tracey seemed to be in no particular hurry to leave because although they had everything that was on the list, she kept Kevin there for another hour wandering up and down the aisles but added nothing to the trolley before she accepted, they had finished the shopping and went to the checkout.

Kevin and Tracey loaded the shopping into his car and then they exited the car park with the sound of thunder in the distance.

On the way out of the gate it started to rain, and as he turned onto the Expressway the sky had grown really dark, and the thunder cracks grew closer, and the rain fell harder.

Twenty minutes later the rain was falling ever harder until the wipers could barely cope.

As luck would have it they were just approaching a lay-by, so Kevin turned into it to wait for the rain to abate.

He had barely applied the handbrake when there was a clap thunder above that shook the car and Tracey screamed and launched herself at Kevin.

“Hold me” she begged “the thunder frightens me”

“Don’t worry honey” he said putting his arm around her “I’ve got you.”

 

The thunderstorm went on for almost half an hour before it moved away, and the rain eased off and Kevin said

“I think it’s safe to go now”

“Are you sure?” she said “it might come back”

“No, it’s moved away now” he said and released his hold on her and he thought he heard her sigh.

 

When they got back to Pepperstock Green they went back to her house and unloaded the car.

“So where do you want them?” he asked as he walked in carrying two boxes

“In the Dining room” she replied “I’ll make a start on them after lunch”

And then almost as an afterthought she added

“You’ll stay for lunch of course? “

“That would be lovely, I can stay and help after” he suggested

“Really? Would you?

“Of course,” he replied “and I’m free tomorrow so I can help you box them up and deliver them” 

 

The St Nicholas Day gifts could come in different forms but were almost always presented in boots or shoes.

The ones that St Agatha’s Church were giving out consisted of a small red plastic Santa Boot, complete with white fur trim and filled with chocolates and candy.

Each one contained Chocolate Coins, Candy Canes, Bonbons, Fudge, Chocolate Santa, a small toy and a puzzle.

So, after lunch they set up a production line and when the Boot was filled the whole thing was completed by putting the filled Boot inside a cellophane bag tied at the top with a red ribbon.

working together right through until 10 o’clock, only stopping for pizza, they got them all filled, bagged and tied, but left the packing of them until the next morning.

 

Kevin arrived at Tracey’s just after ten the next morning and they packed the gifts in boxes for the various destinations, and then they loaded the car, before making the deliveries.

St Agatha’s Primary School, Tots nursery, St Agatha’s Church, for the Sunday School, and some for Pipershaven Library for the reading club and then back to Tracey’s.

“I can’t thank you enough Kevin” she said

“It was my pleasure” he said “I enjoyed it”

“Nonetheless I’m very grateful” he said “Let me take you to dinner tomorrow night as a thank you, The Kissing Angel”

“That’s my favourite restaurant”

“I know it is” she said, “so is that a, yes?”

 

It was a lovely meal and the conversation was easy, witty and stimulating but Kevin drank more than he probably should have but he was having such a good time.

“A perfect end to a perfect evening” she said when the liqueurs arrived.

“You’re perfect” he said, and then he realized he had said it out loud, and he glanced at her, and she was smiling, but not in a derisory way, so he decided, aided by all the wine, to tell her how he felt.

“I’ve always thought you were perfect, in every way.”

“Before you go any further I have a confession to make” she said.

“You don’t have to say anything, I just need to say how I feel” he replied.

“But I really do” she insisted.

“Ok” Kevin replied, a little concerned at what might follow and then.

Tracey took a deep breath and blurted out.

“I planned all of this.”

“All what?”

“Everything in order to get you here tonight” she said, and Kevin thought for a moment and then said.

“Did you arrange for me to be sitting next to you at the Dinner Party?” He asked

“Yes, but that was the easy bit” she confessed “because I had an ally in Chania, but after that, it was up to me to take advantage of the situation”

“Which of course you did” he said

“Indeed, I did” she admitted, “The rest however took a bit more planning”

“And a bit more deceitfulness” she continued, and Kevin took a moment to think before he said

“You didn’t need my help with the planning, did you?”

“No” she confessed

“And the SUV being in the garage?”

“Was a lie” Tracey confirmed

“And your being scared of the thunder?”

“Also, a lie” she confirmed again “I just wanted to hug you”

“So why?”

“So that I could be close to you and hopefully pluck up the courage to tell you how special you are to me.”

“So, does that mean what I think it means?” he asked

“If that’s what you want now that you know that I’m he not perfect” she said

“I do” he said and held her hand

“You don’t think less of me?” she asked

“I’m shocked and stunned” he said “but only that you want me”

“I’ve always wanted you” she said and kissed his hand

 

As they rode home holding hands in the back of an Uber he asked

“So, are you pleased with the outcome of your scheming?”

“Oh yes” she said “pleased and surprised”

“Surprised?” he queried

“Yes, I’ve never done anything like it before, and I’m surprised how conniving I’ve been” she said

“Well, you’ve got me now” he said

“Yes, and that’s perfect” Tracey said

In the Village of Pepperstock Green – Chapter (122) – A Christmas Affair

December

 

Jon Goss arrived back at the Intercontinental Hotel just as the snow began to fall again, he paid the driver and Jon and Trevor walked into the lobby of the Hotel.

It had been a nice evening out, a lovely meal and good company, there were forty of them at the restaurant, colleagues from all over Europe, some of them close friends and some of them more so.

“Night cap?” Jon asked

“No thanks’ mate I’ve got an early check out in the morning” Trevor replied.

Jon looked at his watch and saw it was already morning.

“I’ll say goodnight then” he said, and they shook hands and Trevor headed for the desk.

He was definitely up for one more drink, so he headed for the bar, there were only a handful of people in there at that hour and as he caught the night porter’s eye, he said.

“Jameson’s, a large one”

“Make that two” She said from behind him

He recognized the voice and said to the barman “Two”

And then he turned around and looked at the woman who had been the object of his lust for nine months and an unrequited love for three of those.

Alexandra Guiton was his older woman, his cougar if you like, she was four years the wrong side of fifty but still beautiful in his eyes even though Jon was nineteen years younger.

Alexandra and he had shared an office for over a year, and at first, he loathed her, he thought she was vain, overbearing and manipulative, and her opinion of him was much the same.

However, as the weeks changed into months his feelings for her changed with them.

Alexandra had an English father and a Filipino mother, which left her with brown skin and western features, an exotic looking beauty with jet black hair and large brown eyes.

She was tall, slender, and very well endowed, and with legs to die for.

He would surreptitiously watch her move around the office on her shapely legs admiring the tightness of her skirt around her hips and buttocks as she bent, and when she was sat at her desk his eyes would stray to her gaping blouse and the treasures contained within.

However, it wasn’t until a grey overcast day in June, on an office beano to the Epsom Derby that they showed each other in no uncertain terms how they felt.

It happened as the Derby favourites thundered towards the finish line when Alexandra and Jon, away from prying eyes, kissed for the first time, and as they kissed he unzipped her leather jacket and slipped his hands inside her shirt to caress her naked skin.

Over the weeks that followed, so did more sensually intimate moments, but they were only tasters of what the two of them really desired.

 

They had tried on several occasions to engineer an opportunity to take their burgeoning relationship to the next level.

One such chance was a three-day trip to visit suppliers, which they got rubber stamped by management and booked appointments and Hotels and they were feeling very pleased with themselves for their lustful scheming, however an unseen hand dealt them a blow when Alexandra went down with laryngitis.

Afterwards they tried to just arrange a simple dirty weekend away, Brighton, Bognor, Blackpool and other places that didn’t even begin with the letter B.

They even devised an intricate scenario for the benefit of Alexandra’s husband, which he swallowed hook line and sinker but then that failed at the eleventh hour when Jon broke his wrist.

 

So, they decided they should have one last role of the dice, which was at the Christmas Party weekend in Paris, where they planned to finally consummate their lust.

They had been out to a fabulous restaurant in city and had spent the evening sitting at the same table for dinner, discreetly holding hands under the table, but as they left at the end of the evening they got separated and ended up in different cabs, so he thought fate had interceded once again and their chance had gone.

Jon blamed fate because although he was single at the time, Alexandra was a married woman, which meant there was some guilt involved, even if her husband Jamie was a complete waste of space, especially as they were both native to Pepperstock Green.

However, despite any perceived guilt he was delighted to find Alexandra was waiting for him in the bar when he got back to the Hotel, he had failed to take into account that she would want it as bad as he did.

 

They sat in the corner of the bar and finished their drink.

“Another?” he asked

“I don’t think so” Alexandra replied and stood up, took his hand and dragged him to his feet.

The lusty pair walked arm in arm to the desk and collected their keys and with keys in hand Alexandra hurried Jon along the corridor until they reached her room, where they stood in the corridor and kissed.

At first it was the usual semi controlled kissing they had done so many times before, but it quickly became hot and passionate as his hand sought out her breast.

She broke away and opened the door.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” he asked

“God yes” she replied and pulled him into the room.

Once inside the room he was eager to get started again and immediately tried to get inside her clothes.

Alexandra, however, put a stop to things and said

“Not so fast, I want everything to be just so”

“Sorry” he responded not quite sure what “just so” was, but he needn’t have worried, it seemed that she wanted to, amongst other things get the lighting right.

She was conscious of the age difference and didn’t want him to be disappointed with what she had to offer, because as a much younger man he would have been more used to firmer flesh, however she needn’t have worried.

While she set the scene he was sent into the bathroom and as he was in there he thought it prudent to relieve himself while he had the opportunity.

However, such a natural function, normally simply rendered is greatly complicated when you are seriously aroused, and it necessitates adopting the posture of a ski jumper and even then it’s not always successful.

When he left the bathroom Jon found the room lighting very subdued and Alexandra wearing only a smile and a pair of White lace knickers showing in stark contrast to the gorgeous brown flesh.

“Are you disappointed?” She asked

“You’re even more gorgeous than I had hoped” he replied

“Good answer” she said,

From the first moment he emerged from the bathroom she had one arm draped across her breasts but as she walked towards him she slowly lowered her arm and at the last second he got his first long lingering look at her large round breast that he had only previously dreamed of, topped with glorious chocolate coloured nipples, and then she was in his arms and began undressing him.

 

As they lay entwined in the afterglow, still breathing hard from their exertions, Alexandra rested her head on his chest and sighed as he reflected that making love with her was everything he had hoped it would be and more and then they drifted into a sweet post coital sleep.

After a short sleep he was awoken by Alexandra tenderly kissing his neck as her hand strove to awaken the rest of him, and when all of him was fully awake they made love again.

The next day when the rest of their colleagues returned to their home countries Alexandra and Jon put into effect their plan to stay on for another night and repeated the joyful pleasure of each other again and again.

He would have gladly continued their unions well into the New Year but alas after the protracted Christmas break Alexandra took him to one side and to his great surprise, ended the affair.

“But I love you” he said

“And I love you” Alexandra concurred

“Then why?” Jon asked

“It has to end, not because I don’t love you” she said “But because despite everything I love my husband”

December

In the Village of Pepperstock Green – Chapter (121) – The Beginning of Advent

December

 

The new Curate of St Agatha’s, in Pepperstock Green, 35-year-old Derren Mcphail, had been invited to have dinner at the home of a local bigwig, and he was muttering to himself and shaking his head for virtually the whole of his walk, as he reran an incident that happened earlier in the evening.

 

He was at the home of the Church Warden Kevin Southey for a meeting about the beginning of Advent, when he needed to pee, so he discreetly slipped away from the meeting and went to use the down stairs bathroom and no sooner had he gone inside and locked the door than he spotted a woman sitting on the toilet, with her tights and underwear around her knees and her skirt hoisted up her thighs.
“I'm so sorry” he said in a fluster “I didn’t think, I am so, so sorry”
He was in such a state that he didn’t know where to look, but when he noticed her smiling at him he got all flustered and turned to leave, but his hand was shaking so much that he couldn’t unlock the door and then he heard her get up and replace her clothing.

“It’s ok I’m not angry” she said, and he turned around to face her.

“But I’m so terribly sorry” he said, and she smiled at his discomfort, and he got all flustered again and this time when he turned to unlock the door he succeeded and returned to the meeting, just in time for the end, despite the fact he still hadn’t peed.

 

But as he made his way through the village all he could think of was the incident with the young and beautiful young woman with the dark skin and bobbed brunette hair and dark, almost black eyes, and that glorious smile.

 

When he reached the house, he knocked on the door and was greeted by Kevin Southey, who he had met at the earlier meeting at his home.

“Hello Derren, the lady of the House is in the lounge” he said and pointed the way

“Thanks Kevin” He responded and then headed to the lounge as directed, and no sooner had he gone inside and closed the door than he spotted the woman who’d been sitting on the toilet at Kevin’s and she flashed him her glorious smile, a smile that reached her dark, almost black eyes, sharp and intelligent, behind her gold rimmed spectacles as they sat on her aquiline nose.

With her finely chiseled features she was the beautiful side of attractive, and despite his embarrassment from earlier he found himself drawn to her.

“Ah Derren this is our hostess Chania Campbell”

“Chania, this is our new Curate, Derren Mcphail”

“Hello Derren” she said offering her hand “It’s nice to see you again so soon”

“Likewise,” he said shaking her hand and he felt a tingle of electricity pass between them.

“Oh, I didn’t realize you’d already met” Kevin said

“It was on a brief hello” she said without elaboration

He knew that she wasn’t at Kevin’s for the meeting, she was only there to go through the Parish accounts, so he wasn’t quite sure how they’d met.

“Chania Campbell?” he said, “the Children’s Writer.”

“Yes” she replied

“I just bought my niece “Wiccan Wendy” for Christmas” he said “She’s a big fan”

“She has impeccable taste” she said with a laugh

“Now you must excuse me while I check the food”

 

He was considerably less embarrassed after having met, and been formally introduced to her, especially as she was fully clothed, so he was able to relax and mingle with the other guests.

In addition to the hostess Chania, there was a skinny young woman of a similar age, Fiona Phippen, an illustrator, who was an old school friend of the hostess, and she also assisted in the kitchen, Chania’s brother Aiden, an artist, Kevin Southey, Church Warden at St Agatha’s, Literary agents, Harry and Tracey Smedley, Actresses Louise Sexton and Jade Edwards and Tim Weston who was a Local Historian, so it was an interesting bunch.

 

When the time came for them to take their seats he found that he was seated between the Actress, Louise Sexton, and Chania, and as the actress seemed to be focusing all her attention on the man across the table from her, Harry Smedley, he found he spent most of the meal talking to his hostess.   

She was a delightful young woman, intelligent, witty and a very good cook, toboot, he thought of her as a young woman but she was only younger than him by a year or two.

“So tell me about you niece?” she asked

“Mia is my sister Liz’s daughter, 12 years old, incredibly bright, a voracious reader, and she can twist me round her little finger” he said proudly “and as she is an only child, I spoil her”

“Is she local?”

“Relatively, they live in Pipershaven” he said “So I see them fairly regularly”

“And do you have any other nephews and nieces?”

“No, just the one” he replied

“What about children of your own?” she asked

“No, sadly, but then I am a Batchelor”

“So you’re not the marrying kind eh?” she said and winked

“I wouldn’t say that. I just haven’t met the right person yet” he replied

“Perhaps you’ve been looking in the wrong places” she said and raised her eyebrows, in reference to their first meeting and they both laughed.

 

Over coffee Chania said

“As your niece Mia is a fan, why don’t you pop round with the book some time and I’ll sign it for you”

“That’s very kind but I wouldn’t wish to presume on your good nature” he protested

“Nonsense, I insist” she said and touched the back of his hand, and he felt that tingle of electricity again and he could tell by her expression that she felt it too.   

“Thank you” he said after she removed her hand

“That would be great Kudos for me, she’ll think I’m the best Uncle in the World”

“I’m sure she does already” she said and smiled and then people started getting up to leave so he felt that he should too.

 

Chania was at the front door saying goodbye to her guests and Derren was the last of them

“So, I know you’re going to be busy for the next few days at St Agatha’s as it’s the first Sunday of Advent, and then I’m in Abbottsford for a couple of days, seeing my publisher among other things, so is Wednesday evening ok with you?”

“That would be perfect” he said and shook her hand, “Good night”

“Good night, Derren I’ll see you Wednesday”

  

Chania was right about him being busy on Sunday, St Agatha’s was such a well-attended Church that they ran three services, at his previous Parish they barely had enough Parishioners to run one.

When he called round to her house on Wednesday Evening he related his thoughts to her while they sat in her lounge drinking coffee.

“So how did you motivate yourself to so few, was it Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them”” she asked

“No, I used an old joke that my Uncle Walter told me many years ago, he was also a clergyman, and a very funny man” he said

“Well do tell” she said in earnest

“Ok then” he said “It was a bitterly cold and bleak Christmas morning and the snow had been falling heavily for hours, and the Vicar stood at the door waiting to greet his congregation, but none came, then just as he had decided to cancel the service, one solitary parishioner arrived, a farmer named John, “Merry Christmas John”, the Vicar said, but alas you’ve had a wasted journey because even though it’s Christmas day I’ve decided there’s no point in having a service today”

“Well Vicar when I go to the fields at feeding time and only one cow turns up, I still feed it””

“That’s a great analogy” Chania said and laughed delightfully

“Not as poetic as Matthew but very funny”

 

“Now where’s that book?” she asked and put a lap tray in place in preparation, and he gave it to her and she opened the fly leaf and began to write and write.

“That’s a very long inscription” he said

“Hush, I’m busy giving you more kudos” she said and chuckled

“There” she said offering the book to him, and snatching it back immediately

“No peeking until she’s read it, promise”

“Promise” he said, and she handed the book to him which he put straight in his bag.

 

When it was time for him to leave, Chania took the cups to the kitchen while he slipped his coat on and when she came back she said

“It’s absolutely bucketing down out there”

“That’s ok I don’t have far to go”

“I’ll drive you in the car” she offered

“I’ll be fine really”

“Nonsense you’ll catch your death, and you’ve got a busy time ahead, you still have three advent services, St Lucy’s Day, the Carol Concert, Christingle and then there’s Christmas itself, so if you think I’m going to let you get soaked to the skin you are very much mistaken” she said forcefully and found herself buttoning his coat when she was finished “So we’ll go in the car”

“Ok then” he conceded

 

As she walked him to the front door he added

“I have to confess I was surprised to find the Author of “Wiccan Wendy” was a Christian”

“Do you mean because my heroine is a pagan?”

“Yes I suppose so”

“Well first of all despite her being a Wiccan she is also a force for good” she said

“And it’s very difficult to completely separate paganism and Christianity, especially at this time of year, Christmas itself takes place at the time of the old Roman festival of Saturnalia”

“Well yes that’s true” he agreed

“And the bringing of evergreens into the home, a wreath on the door, holly boughs, Christmas Trees and of course this…” she said pointing upwards to the mistletoe hanging above them.

“Ah” he exclaimed

“A very potent pagan symbol” she said

“I don’t suppose we could just ignore it” he enquired

“Not really”

“We could pretend we haven’t seen it” he suggested

“I wouldn’t recommend it” Chania said gravely

“You wouldn’t?”

“No, it might anger the Gods”

“The pagan Gods?”

“No, the Christmas Gods” she said and kissed him, and it was a gentle tender kiss that made his knees go weak.

“Oh my, that’s very potent” Derren sighed

“Well, I think that should appease the Gods” she said and opened the door “For now”

“Oh, I think so” he agreed

 

When she pulled up outside Caxton Court he was hoping for another taste of pagan potency, but he was to be disappointed

“I’m off on my travels again” she said “but I should be back on St Lucy’s Day”

“Ok, good night then, and thanks for the lift”

“My pleasure, good night, I hope to see you at the party” she said

In the Village of Pepperstock Green – Chapter (115) – Muddy Maxine

 October

 

It was Halloween and that time of the day when in Jeff Forman’s hometown there would be a constant stream of expectant children knocking on the door, however due to the remoteness of the cottage and the foulest weather he had seen for many a day, he wasn’t expecting even one.

So, imagine his surprise when there was indeed a knock at his door and when he opened the door, the sight that greeted him was as fearful a sight as you could imagine on any Halloween night, it was a drowned rat, caked in mud, and looking very sorry for itself.

“Hello Maxine” he said, “what on earth are you doing out in this filthy weather?”

“It wasn’t this bad when I started” she the twenty something replied

She looked like she had been on maneuvers with the SAS.

“Come in, come in” he said, “what happened?”

“Don’t laugh” she said “but I fell in a ditch”

“My God you are actually squelching” he said “get your coat and boots off”

He left her and went to get a towel and when he came back, she was walking towards the warmth of the fire, and she was still squelching.

She stood in front of the fire in her squelchy socks and shivered.

Jeff went upstairs and started the bath running and put fresh towels on the rail and went downstairs again.

“Right, you need to get out of those wet things” he said in an authoritarian tone

“I’ll be fine I just need to warm up a bit” she said

“Well, you won’t warm up if you’re wearing wet clothes” he said “so do as you’re told; the bath is running”

Maxine tried to protest but he wouldn’t let her

“Throw your wet things on to the landing and I’ll put a change of clothes in the spare room for you”

“Ok Mr Graham” she said like she was addressing a teacher.

He went downstairs again and turned his attention to his dinner, he tended to only cook from scratch once a week, but he always made more than he needed, and the extra would be frozen and ready to use whenever.

On that particular day he was cooking lamb stew, so he gave it a stir and went to the airing cupboard in the spare room and looked for something that would be suitable for Maxine.

It wasn’t easy choosing from a selection of clothes made for a six-foot-tall, fifteen stone man and find something that would do for a tiny girl barely 5 foot tall and less than seven stone soaking wet.

The only thing he could find was a rugby shirt that was a bit long even on him so it would be like a dress on her and a pair of football socks that would reach her thighs.

he laid them on the bed and picked up the pile of wet clothes and carried them downstairs with him.

Once downstairs he set up the clothes dryer in front of the fire and draped her things over it and almost immediately steam started to emanate from her socks.

Her boots were already on the hearth, and her coat was draped over the back of a chair.

About half an hour later Maxine appeared in her oversized Harlequins Rugby shirt and black football socks fiddling with her tousled damp hair.

“Do you feel better now?” he asked

“Much better thank you” she replied

“I’m sorry about the wardrobe” he added “it was the best I could do”

“Its fine at least I won’t get cold” she said and laughed

“Well sit yourself down and I’ll get you some food”

“No don’t worry I’m really not hungry” she said, and he gave her a look

“Ok I’ll have a little bit” she said

“A wise decision” he said and went out to the kitchen.

He returned a few minutes later with a steaming bowl on a tray.

“Lamb stew” he said

Jeff thought back to the conversation he had with Anne about Maxine not eating properly and Maxine’s own statement not half an hour previously when she said

“I’m really not hungry”

Well for someone who wasn’t really hungry she did extremely well to polish off three bowls of Lamb stew.

While they ate, they watched an old Cary Grant movie called “Holiday” and when it was finished, she said 

“Well thank you for looking after me and entertaining me but I’d better change my clothes and get home” Said Maxine

He got up and went to the front door and when he opened it the rain was still coming down like stair rods.

“Just put your coat and boots on and I’ll run you home” he said

“No, you’ve been too kind already” she replied

“I’m not having you getting soaked to the skin again” he insisted

“You’re very bossy” she said with a smile

“I know” he said “That’s probably why I’m divorced”

He drove her the mile or so up the lane to her cottage and she thanked him again and got out, but before she closed the door, she said

“Don’t get lost on your way home” And she laughed like it was the funniest thing she’d ever heard in her life.

 

It was a day later when Maxine “popped in” for the first time and for the first of many times over the coming weeks, and they shared a conversation and a drink of coffee across the kitchen table.

The “pop ins” happened at any time of the day or night partly because of her insomnia and in part because he was a writer and kept irregular hours himself.

Sometimes when the muse was with him, he would just carry on writing until he couldn’t see straight, so he had no set time to go to bed or to get up in the morning.

According to his ex-wife it was one of the things that contributed to the breakup of his marriage.

 

As they moved slowly through November the “pop ins” increased exponentially as they raced headlong towards December and he was disappointed on the days when he didn’t see her.

In the Village of Pepperstock Green – Chapter (120) – St Andrews Day Dinner Party

November

 

Popular Children’s Writer, Chania Campbell, had made her home in the village of Pepperstock Green and on St Andrews Day she was hosting a dinner party, and among the guests were Louise Sexton and Jade Edwards, a pair of visiting thespians.

The hostess had first met Louise after they both took part in the World Book Day events at Pipershaven Library, and they became friends, but that evening was the first time Jade and Chania had met.

 

There was a period of reacquaintance with the guest that she knew and formal introductions to those she didn’t but then after a brief chat with her guests Chania had to excuse herself to check on the food, so it was up to the guests to amuse themselves.

In addition to the hostess Chania, were a skinny young woman of a similar age, Fiona Phippen, an illustrator, who was an old school friend, who also assisted in the kitchen, then there was Chania’s brother Aiden, an artist, Derren Mcphail, the new curate of St Agatha’s, Kevin Southey, Church Warden of same, Literary agents, Harry and Tracey Smedley, and Tim Weston who was a Local Historian, so it was an interesting bunch.

 

Louise and Jade got to know each other when they both worked on a very popular TV soap and during their time on the show they became very good friends, and over the years, in addition to the soap they had also worked in the theatre and even in pantomime, which was why they were both in the area, as they were appearing at the Heartstone Theatre, doing panto, playing the ugly sisters in Cinderella, which was intended to be ironic given the way they looked.

At 30 years old, Louise was stunningly attractive, slim with shoulder length brunette hair and hazel eyes but even Jade, who was three years older, put her friend in the shade with her looks.

Jade was slightly taller and a little curvier than Louise with a shock of flame red hair, so it wasn’t their looks that kept them single.

Their problem was that in their profession it was difficult to meet men, well the right kind of men at any rate, and they had over the years grown weary of being hit on by all the usual suspects.

Men who wanted to either be seen with a famous actress on their arm or wanted the glamour lifestyle they imagined went along with being a successful actor or on the baser level just wanted to have sex with a celebrity.

There was another obvious alternative to those types of men, and that was to date someone from their own world, someone on a par with them, but in their experience most actors tended to have huge egos and small personalities.

So, despite their professional success they were no different to any other human being, looking for love or companionship or a family.

What they needed was someone who would like them or love them for who they were rather than thinking of them as a backstage pass to a celebrity life.

But neither of them was actively looking for anyone so it came as a complete surprise to meet a serious candidate at dinner party in a quaint country village.

But not only had Jade met someone, she was instantly smitten, and that was even before she knew who he was.

The man in question was Aiden Campbell, older brother of the hostess, and a renowned artist, and from the first minute she saw him she was besotted, and she hung on his every word, not that there were a lot of them, as he was rather shy, unlike his sister, who was outgoing and bubbly, he was reflective and guarded.

But Jade wasn’t going to let that derail her, after all she could talk enough for the two of them, and when the time came for them to take their seats she found that she was seated opposite him, and she gave him her full and undivided attention.

 

“I went to your exhibition in Abbottsford last year” she said “at the Beumont Gallery”

“Really?” he said doubtfully

“Yes I was in a play at the Empire, and I passed the gallery every day on my way to the theatre, so I went in every day” she confessed

“Everyday?” he said with a smile “Even I wasn’t there every day”

“I must confess that the first time was more about having time to kill, than art, but it was art that took me back again and again”

“Well thank you for that”

“I would have gone more often but it wasn’t on long enough” she said “I was horrified one Monday morning to find you had been replaced by some ill-conceived art installation”

“You are clearly a woman of taste” he said and raised his glass to her, and she returned his toast

“So, what was your favorite piece” he asked, expecting her to say something glib in return such as

“I liked them all”

He hoped he was wrong because he liked her.

“That’s really difficult” she replied “you’ve put me on the spot now”

“Oh dear” he thought

“There are actually three”

“Excuse me?”

“I can’t pin it down to one, so I have three pieces that I particularly liked” she said

“Tell me more” he instructed her desperate now to hear

“Two of them are paintings, “Umbrella Girl” and “The Defiant Harlot” she said “and the other was a sculpture “Spirit of Ecstacy Aflame”.

“Wow, I’m impressed that you remembered the names” he said “Most people say, “I liked the fairy with flames instead of wings” he said in a Monty Python voice and she laughed and then he went thoughtful and said

“Wait a minute, you were at the Empire Theatre while the exhibition was on”

“Yes” she admitted

“In Blue Blooded Murder?” he asked, impressed that he knew the name of the rather indifferent play

“Yes that’s right” she replied and then he studied her closely and put his hands up the frame her face, the way a film director would do

“Aha” he exclaimed “You were the murderer”

“Yes I was” she giggled

“You didn’t have your lovely red mane on show though” he said and she blushed at the compliment

“No, it was under a black wig” she admitted, and then she whispered “it wasn’t a very good play”

“Well, I liked it” he said “I actually went twice”

 

The remainder of the evening passed in the same easy manner until it was time to leave, and they were suddenly thanking Chania, who was at the front door saying goodbye to her guests in turn, and then they were outside.

Jade was in a bit of a quandary because she was getting on so well with Aiden that she didn’t really want the evening to end, and she would really have rather gone somewhere for a quiet drink than go back to the hotel.

But she was also mindful of the fact that she had gone there with Louise, and she didn’t want to ditch her.

So, she and Aiden, just hung around and waited to see what Louise was going to do, he had noticed that she was getting on really well with Harry, and just when she was about to accept the inevitable and get an Uber back to the hotel with her friend, she heard Harry ask

“Are you staying at the Ocean View Hotel?”

“Yes, we both are” Louise replied.

“Well, I’m already dropping Aiden home in Pipershaven so why don’t I drop you both off” he suggested. 

“Good idea” Aiden said, and Jade nodded vigorously.

 

“Are you in a hurry to get back?” Aiden asked as they got out of the car

“No, not really, why?”

“Well, there’s a club round the corner called Spangles” he said, “We could have a nightcap.”

“Oh, that would be nice” she said, “I’m in your hands.”

“I like the sound of that” he said and put his arm through hers.

 

The other two declined the invite so they walked alone to the club which was located in a side street very close to the Hotel and when she first saw it her first impression was that the façade certainly didn’t hint at any seediness and Jade was also pleasantly surprised with the interior, which was quite classy with its plush seating and moody lighting.

It was ostensibly a jazz club as hinted at by the artwork on the walls and in one corner was a small stage, which suggested there was live music at times, though not then, but there were jazz tunes emanating from the speakers. 

After getting their drinks from the bar they chose a quiet corner table from where they could see everything that was going on.

“This is nice” she said.

“I like it” he agreed.

“The music is good too” she said.

“You like listening to Jazz?” Aiden asked.

“I do” she replied, “But I like to play it as well.”

“You do not!” he said incredulously “You’re a musician? What do you play?”

“Clarinet,” she replied and smiled broadly “All the best Jazz is played on the Clarinet.”

“That’s a bold statement, what about the Trumpet, Armstrong is sublime” he protested.

“Yes, I know, and Kenny Baker’s Sax, Bix Beiderbecke’s Cornet and Oscar Petersen’s on Piano” she said passionately “But I will just say this, Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman and Acker Bilk, and then I will rest my case.”

“Wow” he said, “you’re irrepressible.”

“I know it’s the red hair” she retorted and laughed.

“So, when do you play?”

“As and when” she replied, “There is a bunch of fellow Thesps who play wherever and whenever we can, Louise plays piano.”

“You should play here while you’re in Pipershaven” he suggested “The owner would be thrilled.”

“You know the owner then?”

“Kind off” he replied, “I am the owner.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes, I also own the Jazz Shack in Abbeyvale, the Tainted Angel in Sharpington, and I co-own Beiderbecke’s in Finchbottom” he said as he got up “Another drink?”

“Please”

 

The drinks kept coming as they sat and talked and they covered a lot of ground but as the time wore on what Jade really wanted to talk about was him, the personal stuff, she knew he was an Artist who liked Jazz and the Theatre, but there was one vital area they hadn’t covered, so as the hour reached 2am and the drink had taken effect on her she asked.

“What about you?”

“What?” he replied.

“What about you?” she repeated this time with more than a hint of a slur “are you spoken for?”

And she then reran the question in her head and was alarmed by the realization of what she had actually said.

“What I meant to say is… um… err… are you… erm…”

And he smiled as he watched her struggle and get more and more flustered but decided to put her out of her misery.

“I’m single”

“Oh” she responded trying to appear indifferent “still not met the right girl?”

“I wouldn’t say that exactly” he replied but didn’t elaborate.

“What about you?” he asked.

“Oh, still footloose and fancy free” Jade replied.

“That’s good to know” he said and then checked his watch and added “I’d better get you home Cinders.”

“I’m not Cinders” she corrected him “I’m an ugly sister; can you believe that? bloody cheek.”

 

It was only a short walk from the Club to the Hotel, and she held on to him very tightly, not so much out of necessity, but out of lust. 

“I hope you didn’t mind me asking if you were… you know” she said, “But I know what you Bohemian Arty types are like.”

“Oh, and what are we like?” he asked.

“A muse in every Garret” she retorted and dissolved into laughter, and she laughed so much that she had tears in her eyes, but when she looked up at him through tear filled eyes he kissed her, and what a kiss, it was the sort of kiss lovers longed for, and dreamt of

“So, what does this mean?” she asked when their lips parted.

“What would you like it to mean?” he asked.

“That you’re my bohemian and I’m you muse” she replied.

“That’s precisely what it means” he said, and they kissed again.

In the Village of Pepperstock Green – Chapter (119) – Naked Visitor

November

 

The Old Grange stands to the north of Pepperstock Green and had survived from the 17th century and it was the home of William and Mary Farnham.

The next generation of the family lived in Abbottsford but the Farnham and the Laslett families, holidayed every summer at the Grange as well as all the significant holidays during the year.

Bernie and Pamela Farnham and their sons Stuart and Cary, Pamela’s sister Cora Laslett and husband Alfie and their daughters Katrina and Elise, all stayed with William and Mary, and the house was perfectly placed for access to the Pepperstock Hills National Park.

 

Cary Farnham was a twenty-nine-year-old solicitor who now lived in the old family home in Pepperstock Green following the death of his grandparents, and he had it pretty much to himself as his parents were now retired and spent most of their time travelling and his brother Stuart was working for a magazine in New York.

On one family holiday ten years earlier, Cary, who was a few weeks short of his nineteenth birthday, at the time, was seduced by his cousin Katrina who was just sixteen, for the first of many enjoyable occasions.

Cary and Katrina were what is known as “friends with benefits” which was a mutually satisfactory arrangement.

 

Cary had had a very stressful week and so on Saturday morning he was hoping for a bit of a lie in.

He had been invited to a Dinner Dance and a Golf tournament, but he had been so busy of late that he declined both invites.

What he planned to do instead was to sleep late and then spend the rest of the day doing very little.

However, he was awoken earlier than planned, much earlier in fact, by the rattling of crockery from the kitchen and the sound of water running, a kettle being filled probably, he supposed.

He looked at the clock and it was 6.05am and he had an unexpected houseguest, he didn’t know for sure who it was, but he had a fare idea.

So, he just threw on his robe and went quietly downstairs to investigate but as he approached the kitchen, he suddenly hesitated as he caught sight of Cousin Katrina sitting on the kitchen counter completely naked happily pleasuring herself.

Cary didn’t want to embarrass her, so he did the gentlemanly thing and watched her through the crack in the door, no pun intended.

Katrina of course wasn’t fazed or embarrassed when he eventually walked into the kitchen, nor did she stop what she was doing.

“Is there anything I can help you with?” he asked, and she smiled.