Page 15 of Hearts Colliding
Oh shit…What had he started? “I wouldn’t say I was the Chairman, but maybe the first thing to do is canvass the opinion of the village?”
He pulled at the neck of his T-shirt, which had fitted him perfectly when he’d walked into the café, but which now was too tight and too hot. It’d be so much easier if somebody like Charles or Oliver took up the baton. But nobody was offering. Had they all conspired beforehand? Yet, somebody had to take charge, and for better or worse everybody around the table had decided it was going to be him.
“Okay, then. Even though I reckon we already know what people in the village think — or most of them — we need to properly gauge how much support and determination there is to stop Alex Love in his tracks. Listening to the grumbling in the Arms is one thing, but that’s just pub talk, fuelled by too many pints of Badger’s Arse—”
“That’s true, drink enough of that stuff and you want to take on the world,” Declan said, everybody around the table chuckling their agreement.
Ryan grinned, his friend’s comment taking the edge off the unfamiliar onslaught of nerves. Sitting up straighter, and flexing his shoulders, Ryan looked at each and every one around the table.
“The way to find out what the village is really thinking is to hold a public meeting. And soon. We’ll get a good idea of everybody’s concerns but there’ll be common themes, I reckon.”
“We could list them and then submit the objections on behalf of the village. We can do that, can’t we?" Joss asked.
Ryan shook his head. “No. They need to be individual objections, sent in online or by letter. But there’s no reason why we can’t issue guidance on what to include — things like increase in traffic, environmental impact, and so on. It’s the number of objections combined with arguments showing the damage it’ll do. People just saying they don’t want it isn’t enough.”
“Sounds like you’ve already looked into this. I like the idea of issuing guidance, because people like anything that saves them time or effort.” Declan’s smile brimmed with admiration.
A murmur of agreement rippled around the table. Eva squeezed Ryan’s hand and he shrugged, unsure whether he was pleased or embarrassed by being under the spotlight.
A date and time for the meeting was fixed following a quick phone call to the Grannie who organised bookings for the village hall.
“What was his reaction when you stormed round there, Ry? You know, being all butch.” Joss grinned at him as laughter broke out.
Ryan shifted in his seat, not meeting Joss’ eye. He turned his pen over and over. “Like he’s been on the other occasions I’ve met him. Cold and standoffish.” Full lips, damp and slightly parted, and light eyes turned dark as Alex had flattened himself against the wall and stared up at him…
“That’s not the Alex I remember,” Charles said, sadness and regret lacing his voice. “He was reserved, but he wasn’t like that. Perhaps I should try and go and see him, although to be honest I’d be surprised if he even remembered me.”
Declan draped his arm around Charles’ shoulder and gave him a small hug.
“If you do, just don’t let on we’re fermenting revolution.”
“Fomenting, Nan. Not fermenting, that’s what we do with beer.”
“And that’s what I said.” Eva huffed.
Within a few minutes, actions were agreed to and tasks assigned, the main one being to spread the word about the public meeting.
“I’ll supply tea, coffee, and cake.” Charles laughed. “The power of free refreshments should never be underestimated.”
“Perhaps we could offer a free drink for anybody who submits an objection?”
Ryan shook his head. “No, Nan. Could be seen as bribery.”
“If it’s Badger’s Arse you’re thinking of, you have to be bribed to drink that stuff. Whoops, sorry Eva.” Declan smirked when Eva glared at him.
“I think that’s it for now. Shall we meet again in a couple of days, to check on progress?”
Everybody around the table nodded.
“Can we stop him from coming to the meeting?” Joss asked.
“No, because it’s a public meeting,” Charles said. “But I think we should make a point of inviting him. There’ll be a lot of questions, and it’s his job to answer them. Although whether he’ll want to stick his head in the lion’s mouth…”
“I’ll be passing the house tomorrow, so I can stick a note through his door, or under it, or whatever,” Joss said, looking around. “Unless you want to go and see him, Ry?”
“Me? Er, no.” Ryan shifted in his seat. “I think I’ve had my fill of Alex Love for the time being. Thanks, Joss.”
“There is something else.” Everybody’s attention switched to Doreen, and Ryan released a long, relieved breath. “We need a name. All resistance groups need a name.”
