Jennifer had suggested this due to the close proximity of the next table. She sat close to George on a velvet couch as the waiter poured the coffee. She spoke to him in a whispered voice; her stomach was cramped with fear as she reached to hold his hand. ‘I have something very important to tell you, George.’ She said, her head low. ‘Well, I know there is something wrong, you’ve been quiet all through dinner,’ he replied, as he stroked the back of her small hand. ‘I cannot keep this away from you any longer and I don’t want you to over-react, but it’s about my brother John. He is living in Leeds, but he is living in prison and will be there for a number of years. He committed a dreadful crime and I cannot keep this from you any longer,’ she said. Her hands were shaking, with tears in her eyes. She explained the killing of the vicar but did not mention his previous crimes, as they did not seem important after so many years had passed, and he had served his sentence for those.
