Mrs G. silently mouthed, ‘Mrs F.’
Silence, then a muted cry, followed by more rapid footsteps.
Mrs F’s stern face appeared in the doorway. She didn’t seem to notice Sammy.
‘Muriel, you remember that lottery ticket you asked me to buy? It’s gone. I took a photo of it when I pinned it to the board. I meant to check the numbers for you. I’ve just heard, someone in the village bought the jackpot ticket. You’ve won a fortune!’ Only then did she notice Sammy. Her eyes narrowed as she drew herself to her full height. ‘Did you take it?’
Sammy’s mouth dried up. He wished hell would open up and swallow him whole. He glanced at Mrs F and Mrs G in quick succession.
Mrs G. cleared her throat. ‘Sammy’s done nothing wrong. I asked him to claim the cash for me. I swore him to silence, didn’t I Sammy?’
Sammy barely managed a weak nod.
Mrs G. continued. ‘We were just discussing what to do with the money. We’ve decided to operate a charity, haven’t we, Sammy? Do a bit of good in the world. Sammy’s going to help me decide which causes we should support.’
Mrs F. looked as though she might fall over. ‘Oh. I see. I… I thought…’ Her eyes flashed downward.
‘You can help us too, if you like,’ the old lady said. ‘You’d both be remunerated, of course. My employees. But it has to remain our little secret. We won’t have a moment’s peace if news gets out in the village.’
Mrs F. held onto the sideboard. ‘Well, I… I don’t know what to say, I’m sure.’
‘Think it over during the weekend. Sammy and I are meeting on Monday morning, aren’t we, Sammy? Perhaps you could join us then, and we’ll discuss the arrangements.’
‘Well, yes. I suppose.’
‘Excellent! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to take a rest. The thought of being a multi-millionairess is quite exhausting.’
‘Yes, but shouldn’t we at least—’
Mrs G. waved a hand. ‘Ask all your questions on Monday. We’ll sort things out then, when we’ve had time to reflect.’
Mrs F. flashed looks at each of them in turn, and backed out of the room. ‘Very well. I… I’m sorry I thought the worst of you, Sammy.’
Sammy’s attempt to reply stuck in his throat. An awkward smile distorted his face.
Mrs G. raised an index finger to Mrs F. ‘Not a word to anyone!’
The front door clicked shut. Sammy dropped to his knees and sobbed. ‘Oh, Mrs G. I don’t know what to say. I think you must be an angel.’
‘I think it’d be fun for us to work together, running a charity. If you could stand working with me. And with Mrs F. Could you?’
Sammy looked up at her, blurred as she was through his tears. He nodded. ‘I think so.’
‘Good. Then it’s high time you started calling me Muriel. Get up, you soft thing. Go and make another cup of tea. This one’s stone-cold. And if you’ve got time, you could tell me another story about that actress and the bishop.’
Sammy wiped his eyes, sniffing and smiling widely. He picked up the tray and sauntered to the kitchen.
End
