A Village in Jeopardy (Turnham Malpas 16) Read Online Free Page A

overwhelmed in admiration of the beautiful entrance hall with its lofty ceiling and the big windows flooding the space with clear morning light . . . and the walls! Ah! The ancient panelling that went all the way round, and the huge inglenook fireplace, the biggest he’d ever seen, filled with a great bowl of exotic flowers. The staircase was to die for. It was all completely breathtaking. The construction business students working here this week were incredibly lucky to be studying in this wonderful building.
    Still in shock he approached the receptionist. ‘My name’s Johnny Templeton. Is there a possibility I could speak to Mr Fitch? Mr Craddock Fitch?’
    ‘And your business, sir?’
    ‘Oh! An invitation for him and his wife to dinner at my house.’
    ‘You’re from the village?’
    ‘Yes, I am,’ Johnny said, remembering to speak in that stiff English way that he had had to learn since he came.
    ‘Very well. Would you care to take a seat and I will ascertain if Mr Fitch is free.’
    Ascertain . Hmmph! Honestly, thought Johnny, how stuffy can you get?
    She returned to say Mr Fitch didn’t know him and why should he want to go to dine with someone he doesn’t know?
    ‘He’ll see me. My name is Johnny Templeton; he knew my late great-great-uncle, Sir Ralph Templeton.’
    ‘Ah! Right. I see. I’ll go tell him.’
    The receptionist returned a moment later smiling from ear to ear. ‘He’d be delighted; do come through.’ She didn’t tell Johnny that Mr Fitch had said he intended a big put down for the miserable little upstart, asking him to dinner! Huh!
    But when Mr Fitch shook hands with Johnny he changed his mind about him. There was a strength in his grasp that Craddock couldn’t ignore, and a charm and a similarity to Ralph which he liked. Despite being furious that Ralph always got his own way about things by being pleasant to one and all, he’d actually had great respect for him and envied his ability to charm everyone he met. This prepossessing young man with his good looks and his openness, charmed him in just the same way Ralph had done. And after all, he had inherited Ralph’s aristocratic nose, so that counted for something.
    They shook hands and Craddock suggested he sat down. Would a coffee be welcomed? It was about the time he always had his.
    ‘I’d be delighted; walking up here has given me an appetite for one.’
    Craddock dinged his bell and his PA emerged from the room next door, nodded her agreement to get the coffee for him and disappeared.
    ‘I see you admiring her. She’s a well-mannered efficient girl. I wish she’d worked for me years ago. The last one I had got herself sacked for insolence. Can’t abide insolence.’
    ‘All depends on how you treat them, how much insolence you get in return.’ Johnny grinned as he said this.
    ‘Mmm. All depends how they treat me. I don’t pay wages to no-brainers.’
    ‘Neither would I. Well paid, but they have to work for it.’
    ‘My sentiments exactly.’
    Johnny was impressed by the silver coffee service and the elegance of the silver tray and the beautiful porcelain cups. This was class and breeding, even though Craddock’s accent betrayed his humble beginnings. Still, what did it matter so long as he was honest and pleasant and willing to sell him the house? He wanted it on the same level as he wanted Alice March . . . with an all-consuming passion.
    ‘I’m organising a dinner party for a few friends from the village. Would you and your wife count yourselves among them and come? I’m planning it for a Friday night in about two or three weeks’ time. There’ll be eight or ten of us. Would Friday be a good evening to choose?’
    ‘Excellent. I’ll tell Kate. You’ve met her, have you?’
    Johnny nodded. ‘One night at the youth club I spoke about Brazil, and I saw you both in church one morning when I read the lesson.’
    ‘Of course, yes, you did, I remember you now. You read it to the manor born.’ A reluctant smile