Spreading Gossip

Miss Peeg took a breath and braved the door, she hated to go into Jessup’s Corner Store but she needed tea for the office and the old bugger had found out what kind she liked and proceeded to stock it for her. She wondered how she had ever thought he was a kindly old gentleman, he was nothing of the sort, he was a gossip monger who delighted in spreading his rumors all over town.

“Why good morning Miss Peeg, what can I help you with today,” He came around the counter smiling speaking in his soft voice.

“Tea, Mr. Jessup if you please.”

“I have it right here,” He went over to a shelf and pulled down a tin of tea and took it to the counter. “Will there be anything else today?”

“No thank you Mr. Jessup.”

“I was wondering Miss Peeg do you still go to dinner at six, I must have missed you last night.”

“I really didn’t go to dinner as I had a nice lunch.”

“Have you met Miss Robinson from Barrett’s?”

“I don’t believe so Mr. Jessup…the tea please.”

“Yes of course,” he took his time ringing up her single purchase. “I only ask because I saw her with Mr. Roberts last night in the…bar.”

“Did you indeed?” she began drumming her fingers on the counter for her change.

“She’s very friendly, Mr. Barrett buys her mints and I’ve seen her talking to Mr. Nova the chef from Andy’s. She has lots of friends and now Mr. Roberts.”

“Please Mr. Jessup, my change.”

“There you go Miss Peeg do come back soon.”

Winnie left feeling her face hot and walked across the street to the office. How dare he bring Mr. Roberts into his rumor mongering. She was angry and flung her bag in her chair and clumped down the short passageway to the sink to fill her kettle.

“Miss Peeg, you’re back.”

“Yes, Mr. Roberts,” she said a little more forcefully than she had intended.

“I’ve got to go out for awhile, are you okay?” noticing her face.

“Yes sir, I’ve only been over to Jessup’s. He was delighted to inform me that you were seen in the bar last night with a Miss Robinson who apparently works at Barrett’s, no doubt the whole street will know by noon. He exasperates me so, I am sorry you were going out?”

A little distracted now, “ah yeah, I’m meeting a client for lunch in Coffs, you can reach me by phone.”

“Right Mr. Roberts,” she smiled as he went out.