Whispers in the Village by Rebecca Shaw

believe he was her lover. Heavens above, he knew she had better taste than to fall for such a loser. It puzzled him and the more he dwelt on the matter, the more mysterious Paddy became.
    Paddy, of course, hadn’t given him a single thought once Dean had vacated the café. No, Paddy had more important matters on his mind, like where was he going to get some money. ‘Nice house you’ve got, Anna. I reckon we’ve fallen on our feet here. Well, in Turnham Malpas, that is. Nice little village and the kind of people I like. Generous, easy-going—’
    ‘I wouldn’t be too sure about that; they can be damned stubborn when they want, I understand. Now I’ve got to get back to the rectory. Are you coming with me? Is there anything you need? Look, let me give you this,’ she had a £20 note in her hand. ‘Toothbrush, whatever; you’ll be needing something, I’m sure.’
    Paddy almost kissed that note in triumph, but he didn’t, not when he was trying to look grateful. ‘Thanks, Anna, that’s very kind of you. I just hope your parishioners appreciate what a kind heart you have. You’re a true friend. I’ll come back on the bus.’
    They left together, Paddy hanging back to retie his shoe until Anna had paid the bill. She set off for the car park and Paddy to the shops.
    The market in the main street was thronging with people laden with carriers or just simply browsing, and he was hustled from time to time as he tried to get close to the stalls. Once or twice he pushed them back and gave them a glare. He was good at glares, was Paddy, even better at looking appreciative and better still at looking in need of buckets of TLC. He decided to try his luck on the corner at the end of the market.
    Paddy dug out his stock-in-trade, a fold-up ancient panama, put it down on the pavement with an inviting two or three coins in it, and dug in his pocket for his mouth organ. He ran up and down a few scales to get himself in the mood and then began to play some well-known tunes: ‘Abide With Me’, ‘Fast Falls the Eventide’, ‘The Lord’s My Shepherd’ and ‘Ave Maria’. After all, you had to play according to your clientele.
    He could get really soulful with ‘Ave’, he could and, low and behold, he could hear coins dropping into his hat. By the time he’d rendered it twice with plenty of heartrending vibrato , he’d made himself feel really sad so he decided to play ‘Abide With Me’ once more, then pack up and count what he’d collected, which was £1.82. Not bad. They were generous, like he’d said to Anna. It bought him a drink in a local hostelry and after that he wandered off to find the bus station. He’d have a kip when he got in, and would wake up just in time to eat the nice meal Anna would have ready for them both, then he could visit the Royal Oak this evening and establish himself with the locals. Tonight would be his chance to make them feel sorry for him.
    In his bedroom at the rectory he emptied his pockets. Bar of soap, toothbrush, bar of chocolate, three pairs of socks, cheap shampoo and the £20 note still intact – oh, and three white handkerchiefs. That was the way to shop. The stallholders in Culworth market hadn’t enough eyes in their heads to catch Paddy Cleary. Not nearly enough.
    Saturday night was the big night of the week for the Royal Oak, if you wanted to meet someone. Take a perch in the bar and you’d meet most of the villagers and then some, because they came in from the outlying villages on Saturdays for their night out. Dean was there with Rhett, having a swift half before going into Culworth to the late-night film at the new multi-screen in the Rotunda. Dean had come in for some teasing about his new casual clothes, especially from Rhett. ‘What’s this, then? I reckon you’ve got a girl.’
    ‘I have not got a girl, as you so politely put it, just decided to improve my image.’
    ‘Oh yes, I’ve heard that one. I say, who’s that chap sitting with Jimmy? Haven’t seen