“No you shouldn’t. You scared me.” “Please forgive me. It’ll never happen again and I promise to never stop you from going to church.” “Thank you,” she whispered, relieved she wouldn’t have to make a fool of herself by explaining to Father Michael that yet again, her husband had forbidden her to do something. “Just promise to stay away from him.” “Who? Father Michael?” “If that’s what he’s called, yes him.” It was as though to speak his name was poisonous, sinful even. Feeling calmer, Ashleigh moved a little closer to him. “He’s a priest Finn, that’s all. You have nothing to fear.” “But you read in the papers stories about things; stories of affairs and ...” “Shush,” she replied gently, already submitting herself to him. “He’s new to the parish and needs support, that’s all. I love the church, it’s somewhere I sometimes need to be.”
