Village Fortunes (Turnham Malpas 17) Read Online Free Page A

playing came to have a word.
    ‘Hello, Sykes. You’ve been out for a walk, your legs are all muddy.’
    ‘Hello, Mr Fitch. Why do you call him Sykes? Funny name for a dog.’
    ‘Because a long time before you were born an old man called Jimmy lived here and had a dog called Sykes named after the big wood no one likes.’
    ‘It’s haunted, that’s why.’
    ‘Well, that’s as maybe. But then Sykes died, and not long after that a little dog came to the village following a huge accident on the bypass, and he was so much like the first Sykes that old Jimmy kept him and called him Sykes too. Then he disappeared one day and never came back, and so that’s why I called this one Sykes. In fact when I went to choose a puppy I chose this one because he looked so much like the first Sykes.’
    ‘He’s a nice dog, he never growls.’
    ‘He does when he sees a cat. Can’t abide cats, can’t Sykes.’
    The children ran off to find their mothers or to climb on to one of the two waiting minibuses, leaving Mr Fitch with only Sykes for company.
    Hearing the hubbub outside that always meant the end of school, Fran thought there was only another hour and then she would be finished for the day. After her late night and early morning she was ready to leave. The doorbell jangled vigorously and in came the Lord of the Manor, Johnny Templeton, and on his face there was a broad grin.
    ‘Fran. I’m just back from the hospital.’
    ‘The man of the moment! We all know your news. Wonderful, everyone’s so pleased! Everything OK?’
    ‘I should say so. He’s beautiful, and Alice is thriving. He’s had his first feed and he’s as fit as a flea.’
    ‘So no doubts about the inheritance then? Two sons now to take over after you. You must be chuffed.’ Fran went round the end of the counter, kissed Johnny and gave him a hug, shouting as she released him, ‘Dad! It’s Johnny.’
    Jimbo dashed in from the back office and slapped Johnny on the back as he congratulated him.
    ‘Wonderful news. Everything all right?’
    ‘Everything’s fine, thank you.’
    Tom came out from the post-office cage to congratulate Johnny; and then Harriet, hearing the commotion, came in from the back to hug Johnny and add her congratulations.
    ‘Is Alice all right? It all went well did it, no hitches?’ Harriet asked.
    ‘He’s a big baby and the delivery was fast, but she’s doing great.’
    ‘Ah! Does he have a name?’
    ‘Not decided yet. I’m keen on one of the traditional Templeton names. I know they’re not very fashionable, Bernard and Ralph, but I do like the sense of tradition.’
    Fran laughed and then said, ‘Well, with your good looks, there’s one thing for certain, he’ll be handsome.’
    Her mother joined in the teasing. ‘Good looks run in the Templeton family; you only have to look at your brother Chris to know that. Is your other brother in Brazil just as handsome as the two we know? You know, the blond hair and the dark brown eyes, and the aristocratic nose?’ Harriet winked at Fran as she said this to let everyone know she was only teasing Johnny. Except it was true, they were an outstandingly good-looking family.
    Johnny looked embarrassed. ‘Well, I have to admit Nicholas is quite good-looking.’
    Harriet said, ‘By the sound of that modest admission Nicholas is definitely very handsome.’
    They all burst out laughing. Jimbo, putting an innocent expression on his face, said, ‘How about James for the new addition? Charles and James Templeton sounds good, doesn’t it?’
    ‘Only because it’s your name, Dad!’ said Fran. ‘But it does sound good, I’ll admit, Charles and James. Give Alice our love, Johnny, and tell her how pleased we all are, won’t you?’ At the same time Fran made a mental note to get out all the spare stock of ‘Welcome to your new baby’ cards for boys. She groaned inside, thinking she was getting more and more like her dad the longer she stayed here. Maybe going to university would be a