Episode 137: The Fête of Leeford
Previously in Leeford Village:
Meredith and Adam are planning to move to the villa in Spain, but they are worried about what reaction they will get from Agnes and Cody. Councillor Lindale tries to keep Frank quiet, but Frank threatens to report him. Sherry accepts that Carlos is no longer part of her life. In the café, Cody hears Ethel talking about his son’s impending move to Spain.
~
The third annual Leeford Village Fête is about to begin. A barrier has been erected at the entrance to the vicarage garden. A queue has formed that already stretches as far as the cluster of shops opposite the post office and library. Security is tight for this year’s fête. Only officials, stall holders and organisers have so far been let through into the garden.
At the Banfield Council offices, Councillor Lindale is feeling far less secure. Frank Watson has already provided evidence to the Town Clerk and Chief Executive about Lindale’s under-the-counter dealings. The police have been called to arrest Lindale. This may well be Frank’s last hurrah. He’s had enough of local politics. Retirement beckons and a place by the sea sounds an attractive proposition.
Cody and Ted have made sure they are at the front of the queue. A free pint at the beer tent for the first six customers has spurred them into action, the two men not normally known for efficient, patient queuing - a fact for which the local postmistress will provide attestation. Cody and Ted are having to queue as the committee decided that they would not be allowed to run stalls this year. Sally and Agnes, however, have already been allowed in. Frank has sworn his ‘lion men’ to secrecy so they are unable to get through the vicar’s security cordon claiming to be ‘one of the acts’.
‘An entrance fee?’ exclaims Cody. ‘Why?’
Ted shakes his head in sympathy, but, realising he is within earshot of the Reverend Peterson, changes his intended reply.
‘Well, Cody, they have to raise money somehow. Those roof tiles don’t fix themselves.’
‘Absolutely,’ says John Peterson. ‘That’s the spirit, Ted. Anyway, there are special deals for Leeford residents. Two tickets for the price of one.‘
‘BOGOF,’ declares Cody.
‘Excuse me, Cody?’ says the vicar, looking quite shocked.
‘BOGOF - buy one, get one free,’ replies Cody.
John Peterson looks at him doubtfully, particularly as Ted has now virtually collapsed in a fit of giggles.
‘Anyway, Cody, I’m sure we can save you a few pennies. Hope you enjoy the event.’
As the vicar walks away, clipboard in hand, to continue his final checks, Ted turns to Cody.
‘What was Agnes’s reaction when you told her what Ethel had said?’
~
So many things have happened in Leeford. Lives are changing, some people are moving on. Gary Carr has resigned, telling Stephen that he is setting up a health food shop in Wales with Gail Perkins. At the post office, everyone has noticed that Pippa’s personality has changed completely. She has reverted to the girl that Harry loved in the past, and he still loves her. Of course, she is now Philippa Smestow. No more malapropisms, – Pippa would often say things like ‘I danced a flamingo’ – no more sarcastic, biting remarks. It is taking her customers a while to get used to the change, but they like the new Philippa.
Nick Allthorpe and Jessica Townley still run the community centre. Nigel Cleeve is still the local butcher (in spite of any rumours spread by his mother). Ted and Sally are still at the hub of the village in The Cross. Rumours abound that the Rainy Spoon chain is taking over, to continue their development of village pubs with cheap food across the country. Ted will not reveal – even to Cody – the offer that has been made; not even revealing if an offer has been made. Sherry Cross has another chance of achieving stardom. Julie Gregson, from Beladon Productions, has moved back from the States and has opened a new club in Birmingham. After all that happened in America and Brazil, Julie still wants to help Sherry and is convinced that she can make it to the top. Linda is happy and settled with Allen Gomez, and she doesn’t want to hold back her talented sister, so she gives Sherry her blessing. The sisters have always been close, but they both know that there will be a time when they would go their separate ways and live their own lives.
Jenny Windrush has kept a secret for over ten years. Daniel had a daughter with another woman. He was on a course at Edinburgh. A one-night stand resulted in a beautiful little girl called Sadie. Daniel keeps in touch with his daughter but has only met her once. She was ill in hospital at the age of five – a severe throat infection – and her mother allowed him to travel there to see her. Jenny knows the full story and threatened her husband that any more ‘dalliances’ would result in his leaving the family home. She has just carried out that threat, and Daniel is now living with his cousin in East Banfield.
Ethel receives a call from Edward. He still loves her, and once again invites her to retire and move in with him at the coast.
‘Oh, Edward, I don’t know. After all we went through.’
He pauses before answering. He wants to get it right his time.
‘I agree, and I am so sorry about my attitude to Billy. I was jealous of the way you kept him in your heart. I now realise that you should hold on to Billy. I’ve heard so much about him and I feel sad that he’s not here so he could be my friend as well.’
‘Edward, that’s so nice.’
‘I love you, Ethel, more than you’ll ever know. Will you marry me?’
~
Zack is in the same queue as Cody and Ted. Like them, he is not an official, nor an organiser, and this year he and Clare are not performing on stage. He recalls his proposal on stage – the shocked but delighted crowd, the horrified parents. At that, he hears his name being called.
‘Zack! Zack!’ shouts Clare.
She runs towards him, ignoring the very British grumbles and moans about queue jumping. She is crying as she falls into his arms.
‘What are you doing here, Clare? I thought you’d finished with me and gone off with that bloke!’
‘Never! That bloke was an idiot, and I never intended to go out with him. Yes, I was flattered, but he got the wrong idea. And he duped me into thinking all my friends would be at the club! It’s you I want, Zack. Only you.’
Behind them, a grumpy George turns to comment to a fellow fête-goer, as his brother, Jason, walks past him towards the barrier.
‘Suppose you’ve got a special visa!’ shouts George.
‘Coconut Shy,’ replies Jason.
‘You might be shy, Jason, but you’re flamin’ arrogant. Can’t you see how unfair it is to keep all the money from your book to yourself?’
Jason points to the vicarage garden.
‘I’ll let you in. I’ll say you’re helping with my stall. Listen, George, I don’t want to fight again. Let’s sort this out, eh?’
George follows him and George hears others in the queue repeating their mantra about ‘special cases’ and ‘flippin’ queue-jumpers’.
~
Doctor Jeremy Roberts continues as the village GP, and he still has the ‘freedom of the village’. His heroics outside The Cross in the pouring rain afforded him the ultimate honour, but will he ever herd sheep through the marketplace? His affair with Mel Adams seems distant history, but he has received the occasional knowing glance when he has had occasion to examine Mel at the surgery. He never comments, but instead changes the subject. Chemistry is something he knows about. His excellent grades at A Level in both chemistry and biology were the catalyst for his career in medicine. He knows that Mel senses his unease, and the occasional flicker of an eyelid or the touch of a hand will no doubt continue forever. As long as they inhabit the same village.
~
Ken Taylor has finally decided to retire. It’s time for Doug to take over at the farm. Ken must sit down with his son and explain the complications involved in the handover. Following Frank Watson’s intervention (appreciated by Ken’s wife, Violet, but not so much by Ken), the farm business has a stay of execution for a few more years, as long as Ken promises not to cut down any more trees on his boundary. However, it was never made clear by the council (even though Frank had brought ancient by-laws to their attention) whether the business could pass to Doug. Ken had infringed planning regulations, so the case will go to review when the time comes. Ken has never liked to listen to Frank about anything. He could do with his help now.
~
Frank Watson may well follow Ethel to the coast. His daughter, Megan, has met someone and she is moving to Devon.
‘You can afford it, Dad – find a bungalow near me. You’ll love retirement, won’t you?’
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