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Barber? Tavy thought numbly. Could it be possible...?
She said in an undertone, ‘Are you, by any chance—Barbie?’
‘Yes—although it is a familiarity I do not generally permit on such brief acquaintance.’ She gave Tavy a nudge. ‘Now I think we should be quiet and listen.’
‘Then if it’s all so innocent, why was his Jeep outside the Vicarage all night last Friday when the Vicar was away?’ Mr Culham was demanding. ‘And him there still, half-dressed, on Saturday morning. You saw him, didn’t you, Patrick?’
Patrick, his head buried in his hands, said nothing.
‘I reckon that’s enough.’ It was Ted Jackson again. ‘You’ve had a lot to say, Mr Culham, and none of it pleasant to hear, especially about a young lady we’ve all known and thought well of since she was in her pram.
‘You have a daughter yourself,’ he went on. ‘And there’s plenty some of us could say about her, if truth be known. But if anything were to happen to Mrs Culham, would your Fiona come home and take care of you like Miss Tavy did with her father?’
He shook his head. ‘Let’s hope you don’t have to find out.’
‘As for Mr Jago.’ He looked round the hall, grinning broadly. ‘It’s as plain as the nose on your face what’s been going on there, and a sorry thing if a young man can’t court the pretty girl who’s taken his fancy without people thinking the worst.
‘And if things went a bit far the other evening, I dare say the Vicar, knowing human nature as he does, won’t be too hard on the pair of them.’
‘No,’ Tavy moaned silently, burning all over, and wishing only for the floor to open up and swallow her. ‘Oh, please, don’t let this be happening.’
Her father said gently, ‘There’ll be no strain on my tolerance, Mr Jackson. My daughter discovered on Friday that someone who shares Mr Culham’s poor opinion of her had painted obscenities on our front door and broken a pane of glass. She was naturally distressed and Mr Marsh remained downstairs in the house overnight in case the vandal paid a return visit. That’s all that happened.’
Norton Culham gave another jeering laugh. ‘You expect me to believe that?’
‘No, Mr Culham,’ Lloyd Denison said with faint weariness. ‘I have learned over the years that you are unlikely to believe anything I have to say either about this world or the next.’ He shook his head. ‘But I see no reason why you should doubt Mr Marsh.’
‘I can tell you that, Vicar,’ said Ted Jackson. ‘He’s taken against him because Mr Jago wouldn’t sell him a field he wanted, having promised Jimmy Langtree he could graze his sheep there again, like he did when Sir George was alive. That’s the top and bottom of it.’
There was a murmur of assent from the body of the hall.
Upon which, the Archdeacon appeared to gather himself. ‘I can see no useful purpose in prolonging this meeting,’ he announced, picking up the envelope. ‘I shall give this to the Bishop. I imagine he will wish to arrange a meeting with you, Mr—er—Marsh, to ensure among other things that you can guarantee this money.’
Jago smiled politely. ‘I shall look forward to it.’
Oh, God, thought Tavy, when he turns, he’ll see me. And I can’t face him—not after all this.
She shot to her feet and, head bent, scurried up the aisle to the door and out into the small foyer. Where a voice halted her. ‘Tavy.’
She turned reluctantly and found herself facing Patrick.
He came to her. His eyes looked heavy and raw as if he hadn’t slept for weeks.
He said, ‘You won’t want to hear this, but I’m sorry. Sorry for everything that’s happened.’ He shook his head. ‘You probably can’t understand, but I loved Fiona so much I’d have done anything. Anything...’
Yes, thought Tavy. I can understand, only too well.
‘And now she’s gone—for good.’ His voice shook. ‘She sent me a bloody text to say so. I always knew that she didn’t want to stay here and run the school like our parents planned. But I thought we’d be together—somewhere.’
He added with difficulty, ‘I hated hearing them talk about you just now. I’ll be leaving too, as soon as I find another job.’
He paused. ‘But, Tavy, what I said about Jago and Pete Hilton’s wife was true. He did go off with her. And maybe he was in love with her when it happened, but she’s out of his life now. Forgotten.
