Intrigue in the Village (Turnham Malpas 10) by Rebecca Shaw

I drove them home.’
    ‘Why did you drive them home? What’s happened to the bus?’
    ‘I was having a talk with the two boys, only for a moment, but the driver left the two girls standing waiting because they daren’t get on without their brothers.’
    ‘The blithering idiot! I’ll see about this.’ He got out his electronic diary and made a note. ‘They’re given a task, all spelt out and well paid for it too, and still they can’t manage to do it right. I’ll sack the lot and get someone else.’
    ‘That’s not the point.’
    ‘It is to me. I’m paying for the damn buses and they’ve to go on time but, most especially, not leave little girls standing on their own. Anything could have happened. I’ll fire the lot of ’em.’
    ‘Please, Craddock, I’m not talking about minibus drivers, I’m talking about poverty.’
    ‘So am I! That’s what they’ll be suffering from, when I’ve done with them. Poverty in capital letters. The damn fools.’ He got to his feet and marched about the sitting room in a fuming temper. ‘Only what they deserve. How did he suppose those little girls would get home? I mean, did he give it a thought? Oh no. Do we have the idiot’s name?’
    ‘No. But I shall find out for you tomorrow. Now, could we please talk about poverty?’
    ‘You promise? Ring me first thing.’
    ‘Right. Now—’
    ‘You said to me that throwing money at a problem wasearning me no Brownie points, so what would you like me to do?’
    ‘That’s what I’m asking. What can we do?’
    ‘Money is my answer, that’s all I know. Money. It’s the answer to everything in one way or another, and it’s the only one in these circumstances, believe me.’
    ‘Yes, Craddock, I know. What I’m saying is while you’ve given me complete access to your money by making a joint account for us both, would you object to me buying them school uniforms and pretending they came from the council?’
    ‘It’s my experience that you might as well be honest with the woman and tell her you’re buying them because somehow, as sure as the sun rises each morning, she’s going to find out and then she’ll be even more mortified. What did the girl want with the wedding cake?’
    Kate smiled wryly at him. ‘To eat, of course, because they’re hungry. Like I said, their mother is stealing from the Store to feed them.’
    ‘Maybe she’s a poor manager.’
    ‘Oh, come on! Would she take the risk of being charged with theft because she’s spending what money she has on cigarettes and gin? She’s not the type.’
    The following lunchtime Kate popped into the Store to post a parcel to a friend for her birthday. In front of her in the queue was Mrs Bliss, clutching a very new-looking allowance book.
    ‘Mrs Bliss. Can I have a word before you leave?’
    Mrs Bliss turned to see who had spoken. ‘Yes, of course.’ But she collected her money and before Kate had paid for her parcel and stuck on the stamps, she hadleft. Kate raced out after her and was just in time to see her disappearing into the wood on the spare land. ‘Mrs Bliss!’
    She stopped and waited.
    ‘Mrs Bliss. I’ve been wanting a word. I hope you won’t be offended, but I feel very concerned that your children don’t have school uniform. I think it’s making them feel like outsiders and it’s not fair. I realize school uniform is out of the question for you, but I do have access to council funds, which I can use entirely at my discretion. It helps with funding parties and little extra things we need, you know. The children, in particular Philip and Paul, feel embarrassed that they don’t have uniforms. If I can get permission, would you allow the school to buy uniforms for them? No one but you and I shall know you’ve had help.’
    Mrs Bliss, for the first time, looked Kate straight in the eye. ‘I would very much appreciate that. I don’t like them being different. Like you said, it’s not fair on them. They don’t ask for it, you see,