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Chapter Ten

The mornings and evenings started to become darker and colder as the summer gradually turned to autumn.

“Good morning, Mrs Sutton,” said Pete and Billy together as Mrs Sutton stood at the Manor’s kitchen door wiping her soapy hands on an extremely white tea towel.

She eyed the boys closely with their red rosy cheeks and beaming smiles. “Morning boys,” she said, “what can I do for you today?”

“Well, it’s rather what we can do for you, Mrs Sutton,” said Pete enthusiastically.

“And what may that be?” she asked, noticing a small puddle forming behind the boys on the doorstep. She crossed her arms and eyed the twins suspiciously.

“Hey presto,” exclaimed Billy, as they brought their arms round from their backs and held out two decent sized rainbow trout strung up on fishing line.

“Well,” marvelled Mrs Sutton, “Rainbow trout, the Squire’s favourite. Where did you get these from boys?” she asked, placing her hands on her hips.

“From Purchets stream the other side of the village, Mrs Sutton,” said Billy. “Aren’t they grand? And they are yours for only two shillings each.”

“Are they now?” she laughed. “Two shillings? I’ll pay you one shilling each or not at all you cheeky boys.”

The boys looked at one another and shrugged in agreement.

“Not bad for a morning’s work,” said Pete to Billy as they ran along Honeysuckle Lane towards home.

“That’s a good profit too,” said Billy. “I knew she’d knock us down but I thought it would be lower than a shilling a piece.”

“Not a word to Mum or she’ll go mad,” said Pete. “Let’s get that other fish.”

“Hello Mum,” they said together as they entered the kitchen. “Look what we’ve brought for tea.” They held up another large rainbow trout.

“Goodness, that’s a beauty,” said Betty, “We’ll have this tonight with some vegetables. Where did you get it from?”

“Purchets,” said Pete.

“Purchets?” repeated Betty, as she looked from one son to the other. “That’s good work boys, really good.” Betty stood thinking for a while then repeated again, “Purchets?”

“Yes Mum,” said Billy.

Out the corner of her eye, Betty saw Billy slightly nudge Pete. “Oh my goodness,” exclaimed Betty, raising her hands in the air. “You got them out of the Squire’s lake didn’t you?”

“Mum, really,” protested Pete, a hurt look on his face.

Betty stood with her hands on her hips just staring at her boys, her eyebrows raised. There was no need for any words on an occasion such as this as Betty’s eyebrows did the talking for her.

“Okay Mum, yes from the Squire’s lake. It’s full of them and no one saw us and we saw no harm in it,” said Pete. “It’s only one fish.”

“Bye Mum, gotta go,” said Billy, as both boys flew out of the kitchen door. If only she knew the whole story!