Whispers in the Village (34 page)

‘Well,’ said Jimbo, ‘what we’ve done while you’ve been away might just perhaps help you to repay them in some way. We’ve managed to raise over twenty-seven thousand pounds for that congregation. Mostly because of gambling on a horse.’

Caroline and Peter were astounded. ‘Gambling on a horse! And twenty-seven thousand pounds. We can’t believe it! That’s amazing. They do so need every single penny.’

Jimbo checked the time. ‘Sorry, got to go. Things to do. Stay here, Harriet.’

‘Where are you—?’

‘You’ll see. It’s Anna. She’s organized things. Be back.’

It was ten o’clock when Jimbo disappeared. The three left behind chatted about the village and what had been happening, when their conversation was interrupted by the church bells. Peal after peal, following one on another, till the very earth seemed to tremble with the resonance of it all. They were ringing out a gloriously triumphant statement of thanksgiving for the safe return of their rector. Peter’s spirits, so long in turmoil over recent happenings in his life, rose to unaccustomed heights: he had to open the front door to listen. He was joined by the twins and Caroline, who came to stand beside them, an arm around each of her children.

Outside in the road were a host of villagers holding aloft lanterns or lighted torches and Peter’s heart almost burst. Everyone listened until the last peal had drifted away into the night, their faces alight with pleasure.

Anna was standing at the front of the crowd. When the final peal had died away, she and Sheila Bissett, each of them holding a corner of the cheque, handed the money they had raised to Peter.

‘Delighted to have you back,’ Anna said. ‘Please accept this on behalf of the church but, most of all, on behalf of the Women’s Institute because they did all the hard work. God bless you, so glad you’re home where you belong. Three cheers for Peter and Caroline and Alex and Beth.’

The cheers echoed round the village. There hadn’t been a time when they had cheered more earnestly than they did this night. The moon was up, the stars were out and the village resounded with happiness and heartfelt relief at the safe return of their best-beloved rector.

When they all went to their homes, Peter sat down in the kitchen while Caroline tidied the glasses. He was looking at the cheque, lost in thought.

Caroline interrupted his thoughts. ‘I’m done. Cats in bed, doors locked. Ready for bed?’

She didn’t get an answer immediately so she sat down at the table opposite him and waited.

Peter cleared his throat and looked up at her, his eyes brimming with tears. ‘This cheque.’

‘Yes.’ Caroline’s heart beat a little faster.

‘This cheque. Aren’t they kind? So kind.’

‘Yes.’ A powerful feeling of foreboding took possession of Caroline. She waited for the words she guessed intuitively might be coming.

Slowly and deliberately Peter said, ‘I truly believe I cannot abandon these people for the sake of my own safety.’

Caroline swallowed hard. Surely he wasn’t going to say … but in her heart of hearts she knew he would …

Peter took a deep breath and said quietly but yet very firmly, ‘I must go back. This money has to be used wisely, and who better than myself to do that? They were so brave caring for our children like they did. They don’t deserve for me to walk away and abandon them.’

‘I see. And what about me? What about the children? Do you want them to go back?’

‘They must not go back.’

‘Then neither must I. I’m not abandoning them, not right now. They’re far too fragile.’

Peter nodded. ‘That’s what I had in mind. I’ll go back by myself. Leave you and Beth and Alex safe at home, picking up the threads. I’ll come back when the twelve months are up, as we promised.’

It had never entered Caroline’s head that he might want to go back, but she realized he must, and she dreaded him leaving her. She got to her feet, trembling with a mixture of fear and bitter disappointment. Peter stood up, held wide his arms and she went gratefully into them. He held her close without speaking.

Eventually Caroline stirred and reached up gently to kiss his lips. ‘Of course I ought to have guessed you would. I was so glad to be safe I didn’t think beyond getting home. This money will make such a difference to them. Running water, endless improvements, chairs in the church, a school to open. Of course you must go back.’ She gripped tight hold of him and added, ‘You take my love with you. I knew when we married I’d bound myself to a courageous, honest, upright man and now I’ve to pay the price.
I love you!
So very much.’

That night Anna slept the sleep of the just in her cosy bedroom under the eaves at Grandmama Charter-Plackett’s. Before she fell asleep she dwelt on the happenings since she’d come to Turnham Malpas only a handful of months ago. It had been a much happier experience than she’d imagined it would be, except for Gilbert. His effect on her had gone deep and she could still feel the powerful stirrings of longing for him in her heart. But without a shadow of a doubt that had to be scotched. Then memories of all the events for the New Hope Fund filled her mind. They were worthy, these people she’d been directed to shepherd for a while. In fact, they couldn’t be better, not a single one of them, and if she’d done nothing else she’d got Paddy settled. She turned over, pulled the sweet-smelling sheets and blankets more closely round her shoulders, and was grateful for good friends and kindly neighbours in a village which had not been left behind by the centuries as she’d first thought, but was up there in the vanguard of things, leading the way. Goodnight, Turnham Malpas. Goodnight! She suspected they’d all sleep easier in their beds tonight now their very own rector was home. She hoped, one day, that she too might be revered by her congregation in the same way as Peter, and then she fell asleep, blissfully unaware of Peter’s decision.

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