Chapter Eleven
A Day at the RacesTrudging moodily into the village shop next morning ready to tell Hettie about his woes, William was disappointed at her lack of interest.
He found her picking up empty cartons and putting them down distractedly, and all she would say was, “Don't bother me now, luv. Why don't you send her some flowers.”
“What's up, Hettie?” He followed her around in surprise. “You don't seem your normal bright self. I would have thought you would have tidied everything up by now, knowing you. Wow, I say, the place looks in a bit of a mess.”
She regarded him pityingly. “Hasn't the bush telegraph got around to you yet? There's been a raid, that's what. Nearly cleaned us out.”
Jerked out of his own worries, William was shocked. “What happened?” He could see his old frien
