Magic Canopy

William Paley

Description

A novel set in the Downs of southern England where a picturesque village, far from modernity, has declined into obscurity. The lives of several residents, some poor, some affluent, but all with aspirations, are portrayed. They have love and the dilemmas it poses, ambitions thwarted by poverty, and the psychological disturbance of self-repression. But they also have the determination to stumble onward in hope of fulfilling their dreams.The main characters are a young couple longing for marriage, one afflicted by a damaged childhood, her fiance of small resources unable to rent or buy; an affluent young couple finding that love has its travails and does not run smooth; a middle aged couple finding fulfilment in village activities centred on the church; another who resolve their own failings by solving the problems of others. But also a widower's obsession to seek revenge for the death of his wife and child.Numerous other characters include the village historian who plays a key role in safeguarding the village amenities, a young couple who benefit from his investigations, and the older residents who bring their wisdom to the resolution of turmoil and tribulation thereby also contributing to village renewal.The fundamental decency and good sense of the residents ensures the continuance of peace and harmony as if a veil of comfort and security had descended over the village.

Sujets

• Historical fiction

Informations

• Publié par: Distributed by eBookpartnership
• Date de parution: 01 janvier 2022
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781839524455
• Langue: English

Extrait

The Magic Canopy

Copyright © David William Paley 2017
2nd edition 2021
The right of David William Paley to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs & Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the written permission of the copyright holder.
Published under licence by Brown Dog Books and
The Self-Publishing Partnership, 7 Green Park Station, Bath BA1 1JB
www.selfpublishingpartnership.co.uk
ISBN 978-1-83952-343-4 eISBN 978-1-83952-445-5
Cover design by Siobhan Smith
Internal design by Jenny Watson Design
Printed and bound by CPI Group (UK) Ltd, Croydon CR0 4YY
Disclaimer
All characters, companies, pharmaceuticals, incidents and place names in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, or to companies or to products or to incidents or to places is entirely unintended and co-incidental.
London Stock Exchange takeover regulations have been simplified for the purpose of narrative compression.
Dedication
To my wife Monique Genevieve
List of Characters Stanley Askard Parish Councillor, Durnley Roger Barnard Architect, Halford Streep Werner Bartschstein Theatrical Agent, Bad Hertzen James Bellwether Manager, Brand Seidel Partners, London Martin Benton Builder, Lower Doulton Herbert Bestaby Proprietor of Bestaby Construction Ltd, Halford Streep Kevin Bestaby Herbert’s son Sarah Billington Author, Lower Doulton Walter Brennan CEO of Serabann Inc Mary Brightwell Secretary to Robert Farley Humphrey Burlington Bishop of Skettering Donna Clarkwell Registration Officer, Serabann Inc Bob Denton Gardener, Great Slattery Sylvia Denton divorced from Bob, Skettering Zach Denton Bob’s son, Gardener, Great Slattery Gladys Durman District Nurse, retired, Durnley Tracy Fanshaw Records Officer at County Records, Skettering Roland Fareland Chairman of Berkman Legge Pharma PLC Anne Farley Pianist, daughter of Robert Farley Robert Farley MD of Berkman Legge Pharma PLC James Finch Press officer, Serabann Inc, New York Margaret Gartner Fashion advisor, Cleriton Penelope Gartner Friend of Sarah, Cleriton Peter Greatly Retired Photographer, Durnley Marty Hampton Student, daughter of Silas Silas Hampton Vice President, Serabann Inc Frederick Hardman Parish Councillor, Durnley Joe Hartley Divisional Manager, Pertman Inc, Pittsburgh Richard Harvard Cathedral Organist, Skettering Ruth Harvard married to Richard, Skettering Graham Haskins Deals promoter, Medley’s Bank, London William Highgate Analyst, Brand Seidel Partners, London Hartley Huntford CFO, Serabann Inc Rosemary Hurley Translator, London; Artistes Guide, Bad Hertzen Fred Jensen Press Officer, Pertman Inc, New York Susan Kendal Records Officer at County Records, Skettering Brett Lansdown CEO, Pertman Inc, New York Hector Lewis City banker, Huntley PLC, London Edmund Linton Vicar of St Aldates church, Lower Doulton Mabel Linton married to Edmund Geoffrey Meryton Organist, Trinity church, Durnley Harriet Nelson Widow, mother of Lydia, former school teacher, Durnley Lydia Nelson Head teacher at Halford Streep and Tower Captain in Durnley Duncan Parfitt Flautist Edward Perivale Vicar of Trinity church, Durnley Frances Perivale married to Edward Frank Porter Retired disputes negotiator, London Julia Porter Retired teacher, married to Frank Elliott Price Financial Director at Berkman Legge Pharma PLC, London Paul Ranger Analyst, Brand Seidel Partners, London Nicholas Ranger Paul’s father Louise Ranger married to Nicholas Miles Redford Village Archivist, Durnley Henry Rutland Solicitor, Hindsmith and Co, Skettering Grant Sanderson Baritone Catherine Seaton Parish Councillor, Durnley Harold Sefton Sales Manager, Skettering Gerald Simpson Van Concessionaire, Halford Streep Helen Simpson married to Gerald Jane Simpson daughter of Gerald and Helen Brent Slade Foreman at Bestaby Construction Rupert Stanford City Fund Manager, Durnley Mrs Tantridge Retired school teacher, Durnley Caroline Tellison Care Home ‘Mother’, Skettering Rachel Thornbury Soprano Constance Trimble County Records Archivist, Skettering Harrold Vince Analyst, Penley Investments, New York Isobel Winton Chairman of Parish Council, Durnley
Abbreviations CEO Chief Executive Officer CFO Chief Financial Officer M&A Mergers and Acquisitions MD Managing Director PLC Public Limited Company Q&A Questions and Answers FT Financial Times
List of Places Bad Hertzen City somewhere in Germany Century Heights Cliff on south coast Cleriton Town 25 miles from Durnley Durnley Pretty village 30 miles from Skettering Great Slattery Village 10 miles from Durnley Halford Streep Town 20 miles from Durnley Long Barraton Village 10 miles from Durnley Lower Doulton Village 5 miles from Durnley Sandley Seaside town on south coast Skettering Cathedral city in southern England
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
About The Author
Chapter 1
A village with a mild climate twenty miles from the nearest town could be said to be idyllic as, truly, it was; but, to some, it was also a backwater despite its station on the main line and its few shops on the square. There was more to life than farming, these days. The world had moved on and the austerity of office blocks in the town had replaced the appeal of haystacks in the countryside but, for those who could afford the gentility of the rolling hills, its seclusion and remoteness from modernity had proved a blessing.
Durnley, pleasantly situated among the Downs of southern England, was a delight to those inhabitants now happily retired. The ladies, whose interests revolved around the church and the several societies that eked out an existence with their few members, found their lives greatly enriched by the secluded mode of life offered by the unchanging tenor of their ways. Several more prosperous residents, however, could choose to commute to Halford Streep or even, like Farley and Stanford, to London by rail.
Edward Perivale was, likewise, happy in his chosen profession as vicar of the community having acceded to the living several decades before. The church was a vocation that offered satisfaction to an educated and intelligent man who had begun his ministry in a fervour of ambition but who had succumbed over the years to the rural charm of a village serving a parish that offered several families of intellect and prosperity. It was true that he had not progressed to the high offices he had once wished to occupy, but he had, long since, become inured to a rather pleasant fate of slowly coasting to retirement in congenial circumstances and, meanwhile, of being well regarded by his neighbours for the sagacity of his sermons at Trinity and for his participation in the life of the community.
As he drove to the cathedral town of Skettering for his biannual discussion on pastoral affairs with the bishop, he could be reasonably pleased with his parish and could spare a thought for the change of season in the autumn gold through which he passed. He knew that the bishop would not be in the least critical or censorious of his administration; they had known each other since their curate days and each had always found the other a good foil for discussion.
Humphrey was a well-upholstered man of genial disposition, two years younger than Edward, but, in contrast, boasting a full head of dark brown hair against Edward’s white and thinning crown. His advancement was attributable not only to his liturgical mastery but also to a facility to deploy tact and diplomacy in resolving the great issues that arose in these times of change. The decline in applicants for curate positions, including the long-standing vacancy in Edward’s parish, was his only worry but he knew that his old colleague, whom he now greeted with his usual broad smile and gentle handshake, was a valuable and capable man.
“Good to see you again, Edward. How are your numerous commitments these days?”
“I think I can claim some faint success,” Edward replied with a modest smile. “Unfortunately, my congregation is still shrinking. I conducted a funeral last month of one of our regulars. They pass into the next world and are not easily replaced by newcomers. The village is too remote for most people and it’s often difficult to find new purchasers or tenants.”
“I hear similar tales from most of our brothers,” Humphrey responded, adopting his most sympathetic tone. “But we must all be in good heart. After all, this area of the country has no desperate poverty and no open wickedness. I think we can all claim some contribution towards that state of affairs.”
“Yes,” replied Edward. “It is fortunate that the local business climate is reasonably conducive to employment, in Halford, at least, if not in Durnley, and thereby to good pastoral relations.”
“And one where our forefathers have played no little role,” insisted Humphrey, generously. “But you have coped well with the changing circumstances of our world. I hear that your various pastoral activities are still well received even if congregations continue to diminish.”
“Yes. I’m quite pleased with the development of our little societies. They have proved quite popular in the village – and,” he added with a conspiratorial smile, “they sometimes bring additions to the church services.”
After these opening pleasantries, the bishop’s next words struck a slight chill in Edward’s mind. “You’ll be anxious about the retirement that must be looming in your mind.