Unforgettable (Gloria Cook) - By Gloria Cook Page 0,32

lazy so-and-so who doesn’t even want a new church hall built because he wants only to spend time writing his memoirs. He never was much cop at vicaring, hardly knew how to offer a crumb of comfort to the bereaved before or during the war, nor since. But why you, eh? I didn’t attend the meeting but I’ve heard all about your objections – encourage loitering and rowdiness, a poor excuse indeed! There’s no one in Nanviscoe with the slightest interest in doing that; people are too intent on simply surviving.’ Honoria was in full flow and dramatizing her themes with flaunting circles of her silk gloved hands. ‘It’s time someone brought up the real reason and time you faced your pettiness, woman. Your resentment lies from long ago over Mrs Vercoe’s eldest sister Anita being chosen as school May Queen instead of you. I wasn’t residing at Sawle House then, of course, but I’ve heard the tale many a time. Your mother hinted to the former headmaster that she would make a generous donation for a new lavatory block for the school, while she had a dress made up for you. The vicar approved the appointment. But the headmaster wasn’t to be bribed, and his vote along with the vote of Mrs Mitchelmore’s late husband was cast for the prettiest and most honest eligible girl, Anita. And ever since then you have seethed and resented the fact that Anita’s reign was considered one of the best in Nanviscoe, haven’t you, shallow woman that you are? A village hall will be built, and sooner rather than later, for I have decided to give one hundred pounds towards the building costs so time and effort doesn’t have to be wasted on raising funds. With similar generosity pledged by my good sister here and Mr Jack Newton, Nanviscoe will have a hall fit to entertain the King and Queen in.’

A clamour of grateful and excited voices broke out but they were brutally interrupted. Delia threw down the paperweight and it thumped, denting the wooden floorboard, and clattered and spun noisily. ‘So I am to be mocked, am I? Held in the poorest regard in public and then no doubt to be scorned later in every household? No one has ever liked me. I’ve always been an object of ridicule and my work and ideas for the village always pushed aside in favour of anyone else’s, even the tramp and the gypsies that pass through Nanviscoe. Two weeks ago, that criminal’s son now living in our midst cut off my speech at the meeting under the oh-so-saintly Lawrys’ roof. The Templeton boy raised his hand and all attention was turned to him. What right did he have to be there? Come on, tell me that. He’s not one of us. Why did he dare to show his face when he and his mother chose at first to shun us? His words were, “May I say in view of all the kindness and acceptance my mother and I and my new sister have received I think a hall would be a brilliant thing. It’s the very thing where people can meet and enjoy mutual interests.” How dare he speak up when his own father is in jail for fraud while serving as a public servant! It’s too much that the boy’s opinion is sought and mine, a woman whose husband was born and bred in Nanviscoe, counts for nothing.

‘Well, build your damned village hall, let criminals and rogues infiltrate and corrupt you, but I’ll never, ever forgive you, any of you, for the contempt you’ve shown me, and you’ll all be sorry. I’ll make you sorry in a way you’ll never forget!’

Nine

For the first time in weeks Fiona scrambled out of bed with some energy and feeling hopeful and excited. She glanced at the little square-faced clock on the bedside cabinet. It was seven thirty. Guy was motoring up to Dartmoor Prison today after receiving a pass to visit Aidan. Guy was taking with him at his own expense cigarettes and toiletries for Aidan. Aidan, a man of movie heartthrob looks, hated not to be well groomed. Guy was also taking long loving letters from Fiona containing glowing details of the lovely, spacious house she and Finn were guests in, and how beautiful Aidan’s new baby daughter was. Fiona had added that Eloise had not been christened yet and he could change her name or add others to it, as he liked. Guy had