“No, why don’t you bring them in…some other time.” He leaned forward confidentially, “Ted, it’s not true about Uncle, she’s only trying to stir up trouble…” as the people behind craned to listen in, he made sure they could all hear, “She only tried it on for a silly bet, and it didn’t come off.”
Unfortunately, his words were taken literally and only served to make the matters worse.
“What didn’t?” someone in the background wanted to know.
“Well, I never, that young missy up at the school…” The message was passed back.
Eyes goggling, the woman in the blue blouse craning her head at the back hissed. “Wait till I see Ernie…”
“Nothing did,” repeated William raising his voice in exasperation. “Ask Uncle, he’ll tell you…”
“Oh, yus,” said Ted knowingly, I believe you, young William. Mind you,” he reflected, starting to roll another cigarette as he contemplated, “anyone trying it on with that Mavis would need to have his head examined to start with – isn’t that right, Squire ?” as Albert moved up to join them, attracted by the crowd gathering.
“What’s that?” inquired Albert. “Who wants his head examined?”
Pulling him away from the counter, William gabbled desperately, “I was trying to tell you, Uncle – Mavis is stirring it up about…you know,” he looked around to make sure nobody heard, but his voice was almost drowned in the background gossip. “…what happened in the shop yesterday. And now they’re trying to make out that Sally’s got something to do with it…”
“Oh,” enlightenment came to Albert as he surveyed the sea of faces. “Is that what it’s about?” He slapped his hand down on the counter, and burst out fiercely. “It’s all a lot of codswallop, as well you know, Ted. Mavis is nothing but a tiresome old gossip trying to win a bet. She’s got nothing better to do with her time… and as for that nice young Miss Sally, well…”
“Someone talking about me?” came a cheerful voice, as the young lady in question breezed in the shop. Immediately, the customers parted to let her through, waiting in anticipation.
Even Ted looked embarrassed, “Morning all – time I was off.”
“What’s the matter with him?” Sally looked around for the answer. “Have I got the plague or something?”
William broke the uncomfortable silence.”I’m afraid it may have been something I said…”
Coming to his rescue, Albert dismissed his remarks. “Nonsense. Just because that Mavis didn’t win her bet, that’s what started it all. Mind you,” he meditated, “it hasn’t done me any harm, come to think about it. We’ve had the best takings all week.”
Sally laughed in sympathy. “That’s what comes of being a hotbed of gossip – I heard all about it.” she added impishly. “You’re quite the village Lothario.”
Noticing the anguished look coming from William, she added lightly. “Well, where’s this masterpiece of yours. Am I going to be permitted to see it then?”
Sheepishly, William fished under the counter and hauled out a battered bundle, tied up with ribbon. “It’s in a bit of a mess, I’m afraid. You won’t like it.”
“How d’you know? Anyway, I’ve asked Clive to have a look at it,” she grimaced, “apparently he’s a big noise in PR. He knows everyone, so he tells me.”
“But I thought…” William started to say.
Sally smiled brightly. “I know, but I couldn’t find anyone else who might help. Besides, Mummy’s always telling me to make friends in the right quarter, so I might as well get him to do something useful. Must dash, I’ll let you know…byee.”
Aware of a sudden hush behind her, she turned and caught sight of a grim upright figure entering the shop, clearing an empty space right and left as the villagers scrambled to get out of her way.
“Oh, lor’,” gasped Sally apprehensively. “It’s ma.”
Surveying the scene haughtily through her lorgnette, Lady Frobisher Courtney barked, “What is the meaning of this sordid business you’ve got yourself into, young lady. I demand to know what it’s all about…”
Taken aback, Sally stalled, “Why, Ma what are you doing here…?”
“Never mind what I’m doing - what are you up to, young lady, is more to the point. I think you’d better come home and explain it all to your father.”
In desperation, Sally fired off a blind shot at random, in an attempt to divert her.
“I thought you were supposed to be meeting your American friend, Mr. Newman?”
Some of Lady Courtney’s fire evaporated, and she started getting flustered. “Was it today he’s coming? I thought it was tomorrow – that secretary of mine must have got it wrong again.”
Sally asked innocently, “Did you say it was two o’clock? It’s nearly that now.”
“Oh my goodness, so it is. I’d forgotten. What with…” she paused distractedly, “What is that ghastly noise out there. What is going on?”
But as she spoke she became aware that she was losing the attention of her audience. Suddenly there was a confusing medley of raised voices outside, and those left in the queue were craning their necks and beginning to melt away, anxious not to miss anything that promised to sound like a fight. A scuffle seemed to be developing, and she was nearly knocked over in the rush to get out and witness it at first hand.
Whipping out her lorgnette, Lady Courtney turned, “If this is the kind of rabble you attract, I think it’s about time I took my custom elsewhere,” she began, then taking a closer look, she added frigidly, “What a disgusting spectacle. It appears to be some kind of brawl – why, isn’t that the Mavis Foxey person I hear they’re all talking about? And who’s that with her? It looks as though it might be your wife, Mr. Bridge. How undignified!”
Without wasting any more time explaining her mistake, Albert had already flung off his apron and was already halfway out of the shop, ready to give his support to Hettie who was locked in combat with Mavis.
He was just in time to pull them apart when Mavis looked around, making sure she had an audience. “Get your hands off me. After what happened in the shop, I’ll see your name is mud, you’ll see…”
“You lying hound,” cried Hettie indignantly, diving back into the fray. The next moment Mavis staggered back, nursing a black eye.
It was all too much for Lady Courtney. She took hold of her daughter purposefully as she noticed her edging away, trying to make her escape. “Come with me, Sally,” she ordered, pushing her way through the excited onlookers. “I won’t have you consorting with this kind of rabble.”
“But ma, they’re my friends…” protested Sally.
“Nonsense,” objected her mother, tightening her grip. “I particularly want you to meet Mr. Newman. He has a daughter who I want you to get to know. I promised Ed-ward I’d find the right kind of people for her to meet.”
Keeping her head down and avoiding the mad scramble around them, she charged disdainfully through the throng looking straight ahead, and in doing so barged right into the back of a stout man backing out of a taxi, knocking him flying.
“Say, what the heck…?” The man wheezed as he struggled to pick himself up, “What’s going on here – some sort of revolution?”
Collecting herself, Lady Courtney apologised profusely. “I’m dreadfully sorry – why it’s Ed-ward…Ed-ward Newman. Please forgive me, I’d no idea.”
Raising