Page 3 of Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure
Ellie shook her head. “He wants to get married again.”
“Some girl must be desperate,” Mavis replied, now warming the pot before putting in three heaped spoons of tea leaves from the caddy. “He ain’t no oil painting, is he?”
“He seems rather smitten,” Ellie said.
The kettle shrieked and then there was a silence as Mavis turned off the gas and poured the boiling water into the teapot.
“And what do you plan to do about it?” Mavis put her hands on her hips defiantly.
“I told him I wanted the house,” Ellie said.
Mavis let out a whoop of laughter. “Good for you! What did he say to that? I bet he blew his top.”
“He did, rather.” Ellie allowed herself a smile. “I could hardly believe it myself that I’d said it. I just opened my mouth, and it came out.”
“And do you want the house? A bit big for one person, isn’t it?”
“You’re right. I only said it because I was so jolly angry and upset. I’m not sure I’d want everyone around here feeling sorry for me. But I’m not going to let him walk all over me either. I’ve given him the best years of my life, Mavis. If he wants to be free of this marriage, he’s going to pay for it.”
“That’s it. You tell him, Mrs E.” She poured two cups of tea. “Anyway, maybe it’s a spur-of-the-moment thing. Maybe he’ll change his mind.”
“I don’t think so. He’s gone to see his solicitor today.”
“Well then,” Mavis said. “You’d better go and see yours, hadn’t you?”
“I don’t have a solicitor, Mavis. Mr Endicott handled all those kinds of things.”
“Well, you’d ruddy well better find one sharpish, hadn’t you?” Mavis said. “There’s always old Mr Furniston in the village. Another lady I do for thinks highly of him, even though he’s half retired these days. And his wife is ever so nice, isn’t she? Bakes lovely things for the Women’s Institute.”
“I don’t know . . . ,” Ellie began.
“You could do worse. Better to be prepared when his la-de-da-ship comes back with papers he wants you to sign.”
“I suppose you’re right, Mavis.” She gave a big sigh. “Golly. I’m going to hate this. Leaving all that I love behind. My lovely house. My garden. It’s not fair, after all I’ve done.”
Mavis nodded. “You’ve put up with a lot for that man. Like a spoiled toddler, he is. Tantrums if he can’t get his own way. Between you and me, I don’t know why you’ve put up with him so long, Mrs E. If you want me two pennies’ worth, you’re better off without him. It’s about time you got to live your own life, have a bit of fun.”
She plonked a cup of tea down in front of Ellie, who looked up with an incredulous smile on her lips. “A bit of fun? I’m fifty years old, Mavis. A little old for fun, wouldn’t you say?”
“Not at all. Life’s what you make it. That’s what I say.”
“I don’t suppose your life is actually a bed of roses, is it?”
A wary look came over Mavis’s face. “Well, that’s as maybe. Some of us poor working-class stiffs are just stuck with the lot we’re given. But you’ll have money. And you’re posh. That’s the difference. You can go anywhere and be accepted. I’d move to the seaside if it were me. Nice little bungalow. Meet a retired colonel ...”
Ellie shook her head. “Oh no. You’re not suggesting I get married again? Once bitten, twice shy, I think. I don’t think I could face another Lionel and learning how he likes his shirts starched.”
“They’re not all like your hubby, you know. I bet there’s some nice ones out there—kind, considerate, funny, adventurous ...”
“You really think there are men like that?”
“Bound to be?”
“And also interested in women as opposed to other men?”
Mavis had to chuckle. “Who knows. But it’s worth a try, ain’t it? I know I’d be off if I had the chance.”
“Would you really?” Ellie looked up at her.
