Ignoring for a moment Jane's eagerness to question , Peter picked up one of the biscuit packets and made to open it . Jane quickly put out a hand to stop him .

-- No , please , she sighed . I really mustn't .

-- I don't want to offend you by refusing but I've decided I must cut down .

-- Oh dear , said Peter .

-- It looks as if I did offend you with the word plump . Look , you know when I said plump , I honestly meant it as ...

Jane cut him off.

-- A word of advice. When you're in a hole , stop digging. Change of subject . You're becoming quite a talking point in the village. Quite a stir you've made .

-- Don't know what you mean . I haven't been here that long !

-- You haven't counted on the customers at The Wishing Well . And getting a job so quickly at the Manor . Nobody else has even poked a nose in there .

-- Mmm . What is it with people in these little villages . I'm beginning to think they are a few kangaroos short in the paddock.

-- Well thanks very much .

Jane frowned .

-- Aw come on , I didn't mean a nice lady like you ! Present company was excepted of course !

-- First you call me fat and then you suggest I might be crazy . You Aussies really know how to turn on the charm !

-- Hey ! Not fair ! I said plump , and that's totally different . I like plump !

-- No , Peter , Jane admonished him,

-- For a woman there are only two categories -- thin and fat . You can use all the words you like , say things like plump, curvy , Junoesque -- but all a woman hears is fat .

-- Then I've been getting it wrong for years .

Jane grinned .

-- Well, now you know . Better late than never . Now at least you've got a start on most Englishmen . They never get it right ! So , how's your affair with Her Ladyship going then ?

Peter's jaw fell .

-- Strewth , Jane what are you talking about ? After one day ? I'm not Speedy Gonzales !

-- Just a rumour . It came from the pub . That Mad Tom . Nobody really takes any notice of him . He 's convinced that the Sergeant is a Russian spy , and Father Connolly is the Antichrist . Mind you , there might be some truth in that last one.

-- Yes , but even so I don't think I'd like that story to get back to her.

-- Ah but the trouble is she's a mystery , you see. The village just loves a mystery . I'm curious myself , I admit . I mean , a woman alone , living in that old ruin .

Jane shuddered.

-- It certainly wouldn't suit me !

Peter shook his head.

-- I can't say I know much about her yet , but we have come to a sort of working relationship.

-- Does she crack the whip ? I bet she sits there with a G&T and tells you what to do.

-- No fear ! She pitches in and gets her hands dirty . Knows a fair bit about plants too.

-- Go on. You must know something about her . I promise I wouldn't pass it on. Does she cook for herself ? I bet she swears like a trooper . The blue bloods do it for the shock effect.

-- Not sure she is a blue blood . Quite down to earth really.

-- What have you talked about , then ?

-- Look , sorry Jane . I've probably said a bit too much already . I need to think about a lot of things.

He gulped down the coffee that had been poured for him.

-- Tell you what . I'll buy you a drink tonight If I may . You do drink I hope .

-- Only champagne , laughed Jane .

-- But yes, I'll have a round with you tonight .

And Peter left the shop, with Jane just a little disappointed , but hoping to hear more later.