Wickham Hall, Part 2

Read Online Wickham Hall, Part 2 by Cathy Bramley - Free Book Online

Book: Wickham Hall, Part 2 by Cathy Bramley Read Free Book Online
Authors: Cathy Bramley
Ads: Link
muttered.
    I was used to his less than welcoming charm where I was concerned and ploughed on regardless.
    â€˜We’ve had some signed books delivered from Suzanna Merryweather’s publisher. They’ve asked if we’ll sell them in the shop. Can I get them dropped off here?’
    Suzanna Merryweather was the presenter of the TV show
Green Fingers
. She was also our celebrity guest for the festival and would be doing gardening talks in our demo theatre. I wasn’t a gardener myself but Mum loved her and even Nikki, who was a bit sniffy about TV gardeners, was keen to meet her.
    â€˜No chance,’ he said. ‘We’re up to our eyeballs in summer stock. Books take up too much space and no one will buy them anyway.’
    I held my breath and waited for a diplomatic response to occur to me. But before it did, Edith appeared from the stock room. She was wearing a knitted twinset and thick tights despite the July heat but she still looked as cool as a cucumber with her powdered nose and immaculate bun.
    â€˜Did I hear you say Suzanna Merryweather?’ she chirped. ‘I’ll have a book. I love that programme.’
    I looked at Andy and resisted sticking my tongue out. Seriously, what was his problem? I’d done nothing other than be chosen over him for this job.
And
I went out of my way to compliment his shop at every opportunity.
    â€˜All right, well, I’ll send over one for Edith and the rest can be arranged on a table in the demo theatre.’
    â€˜Rest of what?’ asked Jim, poking his head in through the shop door.
    When I explained, Jim’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. ‘I’ll definitely buy one, and I’m going to ask for her autograph when I see her.’
    â€˜Two down, twenty-eight copies to go,’ I said brightly. ‘Not too bad. Let’s hope we find plenty more fans like you to buy the rest.’
    â€˜Send the books over then,’ grumbled Andy. ‘Or I’ll never hear the last of it.’
    â€˜Holly, just thought I’d let you know, I’m about to start,’ said Jim with a wink.
    â€˜Thank you, Andy,’ I said, inclining my head graciously, and I followed Jim out of the shop before he changed his mind. Phew, another task ticked off the list.
    Jim was looking extra dapper today. He had a Wickham Hall polo shirt on, a clean, non-baggy pair of trousers and,I reckoned, he had even applied a good splash of aftershave.
    â€˜Are you ready for this, then, Jim?’ I asked, looping my arm through his as we made our way to the picnic area.
    â€˜I’ll be all right once I’ve got going,’ he said, ‘although I’m not used to addressing a crowd.’
    â€˜You’ll be brilliant,’ I said, squeezing his arm.
    Today was Wickham Hall’s first ever nature trail, led by the aptly named Jim Badger, naturally. And twelve parents with their preschool children had gathered in readiness.
    I stood to one side as Jim introduced himself, gave everyone a sticky badge with their name on and then did that slidy-finger trick that old men do when they pretend they’ve cut their finger off.
    The kids loved him and the mums were giggling too. Jim handed all the children a map and coloured pencils and geed them up ready to go exploring. I took a few pictures on my phone as the little ones crowded round him.
    â€˜Right, follow me to the woods; we’re going to see how many animals and insects we can find.’
    Before they moved off a little girl with brown pigtails and a stripy dress put her hand up.
    â€˜Yes, Phoebe?’ said Jim, bending down to read her name.
    â€˜If you got all the ants in all the world, would they fit under one chicken?’ she asked.
    Jim and I exchanged glances and I grinned, wondering how he’d answer this and possibly a lot more where this came from.
    The mums giggled, especially the one with brown hair standing behind Phoebe.
    Jim bent down and pretended

Similar Books

Wake to Darkness

MAGGIE SHAYNE

Fixer: A Bad Boy Romance

Samantha Westlake

Bizarre History

Joe Rhatigan

Hotel For Dogs

Lois Duncan

Feisty

MacKenzie McKade

The Wagered Widow

Patricia Veryan