Three Little Maids(72)

The Vicar’s wife, Cassandra Beavers deposited baby buggy and infant strategically outside and bounced up the van steps with her tote bag full of books. A lively all sorts mixture consisting of Healthy Meals for Infants, Vegetable and Organic Gardening. Craft Ideas for Busy Mums. Her own tastes varied from romance via Barbara Bradford Taylor, Danielle Steele, and crime from Minette Walters. While sea tales by Douglas Reeman and spy thrillers by Ted Allbury were her husband Tim’s favourite reading.

‘I’ve got the book you reserved, Cassandra. The latest Minette Walters. I thought it looked good myself. Just the kind to curl up with when you have the time to read. How on earth do you manage it with all the parish work you get through?’

‘It’s light relief and I squeeze it in somehow. We’ve got the wedding of the year in the church next month,’ Cassie Beaver said as she picked up her ticket. ‘It will be the big Manderville society wedding. Tim is getting nervous. So he wants some escapist fiction to get his teeth into.’

‘That’s Hugh Manderville marrying the Berkley girl, isn’t it? So the wedding is taking place here and not in Harcombe? How did they manage that?’

‘Well the small chapel used by the Berkley’s would hardly be able to cope with all the guests. So there was no argument over that. The Manderville heirs have always married in our church. Mr. Ludlam will take some part in the ceremony, I gather according to Bill. As I said it’ll be a society affair.’

Viviane thought of the trouble that Tom Berkley had got himself into during the past week. How was he going to manage to get away with it without any mud sticking? Even if his wife, Brenda, never got to hear about Yvette. While the murder case was on going, it was possible that even a whisper coming from Cliff Jones could ruin everything for the happy couple if the media picked it up.

She closed up the van for lunch with all the satisfied readers going off with their selection for a fortnight or so. And Ginger Bowles, her young driver, taking off to the Cock and Bull pub to have a Ploughman’s lunch and a non-alcoholic drink. She decided to try the Antique shop for the Toby Jug first of all. And discovered that after all she couldn’t get everything her own way as she quickly discovered that things she’d tried hard to avoid had a sneaky way of catching up with her.

She was standing in the corner looking up at the jug, while waiting for assistance from the shop keeper, Mr. Willowby, when she discovered that she wasn’t entirely alone in the shop.

Down the other end, Aiden Ludlam and Michael Berkley were discussing the purchase of some antique picture frames while looking over them carefully. Michael seemed anxious about something. He obviously wanted to make the right choice. Holding up first one and then the other for Aiden’s approval.

Aiden his arm round the youth’s shoulder, was smiling into his face. Giving him a gentle shake. It looked as if he was also giving him some good advice. She guessed off hand that Michael was more than likely worrying about his father. It couldn’t have entirely escaped his son’s notice that he’d been in a fight of some sort. And what it was about would soon become public knowledge. Aiden looked sympathetic. A ready ear when it wasn’t possible to discuss it with anyone else.

She wondered if Michael mentioned his family troubles to Simon. But he was naturally a shy boy. If he had, it wasn’t likely her son would tell her anyway. He was good at keeping secrets.

Michael made a decision. And then looked at some of the picture frames on sale. He looked happier as Mr. Willowby took it from him to wrap it.

She kept her back turned and heard the shopkeeper approaching her. ‘Can I help you, Mrs Sherlborne?’

She smiled. ‘Yes, Mr. Willowby. I think you can. That rascally looking pirate smiling down at me from that top shelf. He seems like a merry old soul. Have you put the jug up there perhaps because you don’t want to part with him? Is he your lucky charm?’

Mr. Willowby chuckled. ‘Could be. So you’ve taken a fancy to him too?’

‘If it’s what I’m looking for then, it’s yes. But I shan’t know till I can look at him more closely. The jug hasn’t got any cracks in it, has it?’

‘No. I’ll get it down in two ticks.’

‘Mrs Sherlborne. I wasn’t aware that you collected Toby Jugs.’ Aiden Ludlam stopped to admire the jug as Mr. Willowby handed it over.

‘No. It’s a present for someone, Mr. Ludlam. Thank you, Mr. Willowby. I’ll take a look at it and make up my mind.’

‘Thank you, Mr. Willowby. We shall no doubt call in again.’

‘Thank you, Mr. Ludlam. Mr. Berkley.’