Sarah and Winnie at Tea

"I’m so glad you could come Sarah," Winnie Peeg said opening her door, "please come into my humble abode."

"Hello Winnie…it’s quite nice really," Sarah replied taking in Miss Peeg’s room at the boarding house.

"I do have my eye on a piece of property but it hasn’t come on the market yet…tied up in court I believe…please sit here by the window I’ve managed to present somewhat of a tea table."

"It’s lovely Winnie…even flowers," Sarah said smiling and taking a seat.

"I do love fresh flowers and keep them in here always…I’ll just see to the kettle. How is your family?"

"Oh they’re doing well…my grandson Tee is a delight. I rarely see Bill he’s busy now with the harvest."

"What does he harvest if I may ask," Miss Peeg poured hot water in her tea pot.

"Alfalfa for the cattle…we are to have vegetable garden in spring…oh thank you," accepting a cup of tea.

"I do love fresh vegetables…perhaps I shall have a kitchen by then." Miss Peeg smiled

"You shall be supplied with vege never fear. Em we have a wedding on Saturday…Travis."

"Another wedding oh my…everyone is getting married…you say Travis that’s your son?"

"Yes…Winnie I’ve done a terrible thing…there’s been no one to talk with about it…I…I tried to discredit Jan Rollings his fiancée." Sarah held her cup with both hands. "He’s very angry with me right now."

"Oh dear…I’m sure you had the best intentions Sarah…perhaps to protect him?"

"Well yes that was my intent…I repeated gossip and tabloid stories to her and…said some terrible things that I am sorry for. I don’t know exactly what to do about Travis…he hasn’t spoken to me in two weeks."

"I should think to wish him well and offer an apology…there really isn’t anything else is there?" Miss Peeg said.

"No I suppose not…I am going to apologize but I won’t see them until the wedding. We’re to go to Sydney tomorrow night. I’ve made a right mess of it…meddling." Sarah sipped her tea.

"It will right itself you’ll see…won’t you try some of these delicacies from Lucy’s."

"They’re almost to pretty to eat…mmm but good."

"I went to a party on April Fool’s day…I should have know it would suit the day. Did you get an invitation to Sid’s birthday?"

"Travis got one for the family…of course we didn’t attend…he’s in Sydney and Bill and I have Tee. I shouldn’t have gone anyway I don’t like formal parties."

"I went out of curiosity really there’s so much talk about him and Kate and I wanted to see the inside of his house…it’s the glass one have you seen it?"

"Yes I have a very odd looking thing for The Glen."

"It suits the owner I must say…he was very nice and proper almost too smooth if you know what I mean. He has a collection of artwork that is museum quality…some of it…oh well. The inside is magnificent of course but cold…it doesn’t appear that one lives there…nothing personal around like snapshots or the kind of thing one tends to generate."

"Kate is his wife…didn’t they just get married not long ago?"

"Yes…there’s a wedding a week here in The Glen. Oh Kate…well I have never experienced such bad manners from an adult in my life. We were ordered around like children and I tell you Sarah I don’t think she gave a fig for any of us. Complained when I left early with a headache because he hadn’t opened all his presents."

"Oh did she?"

"Yes and she was dressed like a Las Vegas showgirl…I’m actually glad I went I know now to steer clear of that couple."

"But you said he was nice."

"I’m not sure about him, there’s something very strange…it's like he has a very thin veneer of civility. I’m sorry to be carrying gossip Sarah…more tea?"

"Yes thank you…well I don’t mind a bit of gossip I do feel a bit cut off out here. I’ve lived in the suburbs all my life with neighbors you see so this is quite a change at my time of life."

"I’ve lived everywhere…but this place…it’s a close community even if you don’t see your neighbors daily…you know they are there. I think you need to meet them all."

"I met a few at the Wade wedding…everyone seems very nice."

"I think you’ll find they are indeed friendly and helpful."

"Oh indeed he is and his lovely wife Ahnna…I wonder how she can bear it after her sister’s murder." Miss Peeg shook her head and sipped her tea.

"It seems a lot has happened since we arrived…I hope it wasn’t a bad omen when we moved in."

"Oh nonsense…things happen everywhere…The Glen is no different. Do you know there’s to be a Barrett’s of Australia here…yes the store is under renovation. I do like Barrett’s"

"Yes so do I, I have an account there or did in Sydney I suppose it would still be good here…wasn’t there a Barrett’s here already?"

"Yes but not the same thing…it belonged to a cousin or something according to Mr. Roberts."

"I met your niece Amanda…a lovely girl."

"Oh yes thank you she is. She’s bought a cottage and a school that she plans to open…she has her teaching certificate. She and her young man Johnny Ryan moved out this week. He’s broken his ankle hasn’t he and is unable to walk or drive his car. She’s been looking after him since his accident…and I’m afraid is falling in love with him."

"You don’t sound too pleased?"

"Well one accepts what one cannot change…he wouldn’t have been my choice for her but she is her own woman and makes her own decisions…he is quite handsome…in a bad boy sort of way."

"Sometimes those are the best ones…I always thought a man should have a little grit."

"I am enjoying your visit so much Sarah we must do this again or perhaps go shopping or viewing the local gardens and delights."

"I would like that very much Winnie whenever you’re free please give me a call."

"Shall I make another pot?" asked Miss Peeg.