by S M Mala
‘I see.’
Suri sat on a park bench in the morning, looking at the church, and was speechless.
‘I told her ‘no,' obviously,’ smiled Joe, sipping her cappuccino. ‘Are you okay?’
They’d spent a month in a little bubble of love, but today he had gone and burst it.
Being a typical man, he had no idea what he’d just done.
‘The woman who you had an encounter with, Laura, has divorced her husband and she wants to give you both another try? She says she’s in love with you,’ Suri said, trying not to choke on her words. ‘You’ve remained in contact, obviously.’
‘Why are you getting upset?’
‘Because,’ Suri replied, grabbing her coffee and seeing him smirk. ‘How does that make me feel? Knowing that this woman, who nearly ruined your career, is in love with you.’
‘Not happy from the look of it.’ Joe smiled. ‘I want to be honest.’
‘Sure you do. But think of how it effects me.’
‘You have nothing to worry about.’
Suri handed the coffee back. She felt a little sick at his news and watched him drink the hot contents before standing up.
‘Oh, and I have a meeting with Jack and the big wigs to assess how I’m doing in the parish. Not sure what the next stage is but you never know.’
‘You never know what?’ she said, trying to get her head around this Laura woman wanting her man.
‘I might get my own parish, one day.’
‘Pardon me?’
‘You know, my own place to run,’ he said with a bright smile and jogged off.
‘What the fuck?’ she mumbled to herself, noticing he was going around the park again.
He’d given her a double whammy that morning, and it wasn’t even to do with sex.
Joe stopped at the bench and looked down at her.
‘You didn’t think I’d stay here forever, did you?’ he said, catching his breath and bending over. ‘This is Jack’s parish and there’s life in that old dog. I want to eventually have my own and make a difference. I’m doing parole at the moment.’
She looked at him, knowing he had no idea in one fail swoop how he’d devastated her.
‘We have a sell by date, is that what you’re saying?’ she gulped, wondering if he had been leading up to this. ‘You don’t tell me much, do you?’
‘Suri?’ he said, looking confused. ‘Why are you getting upset?’
‘Oh, I don’t know!’
Standing up she walked away from him, knowing the idea he’d up and leave her – maybe with that woman Laura – had wound her up. It made her feel physically sick, knowing he was happy to stay in contact with his ex and welcomed the idea of moving with open arms.
Then her busker nodded his head in her direction before playing ‘Part-time lover’.
That nearly pushed her over the edge, now keen to know how this man could suss out what was going on when she was in the park.
‘Wait up!’ he shouted, running behind her. ‘Are you feeling okay?’
‘I’m feeling fine!’ she snapped and looked up into his sparkling eyes. ‘I found something good in you, and now I know it’s going to end. And I don’t like the fact you think it’s okay to drop into a conversation that this woman wants to rekindle a relationship.’
‘I didn’t mean to upset you,’ he said, genuinely looking confused. ‘I’m not going to get back with her and I have no intention of leaving you.’
‘You say that now but what if they give you Westminster Abbey or something?’
He started to laugh and grabbed her by the shoulders.
‘I’d hug and kiss you right now but I’m very sweaty,’ Joe sighed, kissing her gently on the forehead. ‘Are you coming to the fireworks this evening?’
‘I’ve been told by Reverend Pinter I’m to turn up and shake a tin at small children, in the hope they are frightened by the fireworks and hand over their pocket money.’
Suri didn’t feel happy about turning up. The women from the committee would be there, and her second application for Rory’s plaque being turned down the week before.
‘And then we’ll make some fireworks later on,’ he smirked, pinching her cheek. ‘I love you. You love me. What’s the problem?’
‘The problem is that I love you too much and live in fear you’ll see right through me, and then realise I’m not good enough for you and your saintly ways.’
‘But I’m a devil in bed, don’t you think?’
‘Yes, you certainly are.’
He jogged off towards his home as she watched his backside disappear into the distance.
‘God, I love you,’ she mumbled then realised someone was looking over at her.
‘Suri!’ Denise shouted, coffee in hand, tottering in high heels. ‘I can certainly see why you like coming to church. He’s the hottest little Vicar I’ve ever seen.’
‘Hello,’ she said, feeling nauseous at the sight of Denise. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘I see, you’re cutting the crap,’ she shrugged and put on a fake smile. ‘I saw you with your man and thought I’d say ‘hello.'
‘You never say that, even when I’m at work,’ she mumbled, wanting to get home. ‘This isn’t a coincidence, is it?’
‘I wanted to know how things were going,’ she said cheerfully. ‘Three months off and, well, it would be good to know what your plans are.’
‘I’m not due back in work until March, as per my agreement. I’m to tell Edgar what I intend to do in February. Have you found a replacement?’
‘I hate to admit this, but you are reasonably good at your job. The others don’t seem to have a clear idea of what’s expected across the channels. There’ve been a few mistakes and people are getting edgy.’
‘What mistakes?’ she asked, seeing Denise purse her lips tightly together. Suri laughed. ‘Have they rumbled that you don’t know what you’re doing? Considering I cover your arse left right and centre, it was only a matter of time.’
‘I know perfectly well what I’m doing but others don’t seem to be taking note. I was wondering, if you’re not busy, would you like to come in for a few days and-.’
‘After you tried to stitch me up, you want a favour?’ Suri laughed out again but this time even harder. ‘And I can’t come into work.’ She pondered for a moment. ‘Unless you confess. I’ve not landed you in it… yet.’
‘Ted won’t let me get pulled into it. And as you're not helpful, there’s no point continuing this conversation.’ Denise cleared her throat. ‘Personally speaking, you’re highly over rated. I’ll get someone else to assist. And I’ll email you about some of the copy you’ve submitted for continuity. It needs to be rewritten.’
‘No, it doesn’t. I checked it with Alan and he approved it.’ She smiled at Denise, who was starting to get annoyed. ‘You must be in big shit. Go on, tell me.’
‘There have been a few complaints about the way things have been running. I think someone has got it in for me.’
‘That’s most of the department.’
‘I’m more than capable of running the place.’
‘That’s not true. You delegate everything, and mostly to me. You’d even delegate someone going for a piss on your behalf if you had your own way.’
‘I can’t be bothered to speak to you,’ Denise said, shaking her head. ‘I don’t know what Ted sees in you.’
‘Saw.’
‘He must have been having a breakdown.’
‘At least he’s consistent with that when it comes to his adulterous behaviour. He’s an idiot,’ Suri sighed and looked over to where Joe lived. ‘When you love someone, you have to be with them, and them alone.’
‘Yeah, Ted mentioned the Vicar got his leg over with some married woman,’ laughed Denise, making Suri do a double take. ‘You two have so many things in common. Chow!’
‘Is something bothering you?’
Jack was sat behind his desk, eating a large cream and jam covered scone. ‘You’re very
jittery.’
‘He’s up to something, I know it.’
‘Who?’
‘Joe.’
‘Erm.’ Jack scoffed his cake and looked at her.
‘For the past few weeks he’s been acting very strangely. What happened at your meeting, again? Neither of you have said anything. I asked, and all he said it was all right. Do they realise he’s wonderful?’
‘Yes, they realise he is wonderful and that he made a mistake with that woman a few years back. The church is very forgiving. It’s obvious he’s making good changes, and they can see his potential. Can I eat now?’
‘Why don’t you retire and he can stay here, permanently?’ She was met with a raised eyebrow. ‘You need help.’
‘I need to eat,’ he mumbled.
‘And he’s always whispering on the phone. This week more than usual.’ Suri continued to email out the correspondence about donating gifts for the people who couldn’t afford to buy them. ‘And it’s six weeks to Christmas and he hasn’t told me what he’s doing.’
‘You’re giving me indigestion,’ grumbled the old Vicar.
‘And you never offer me cake.’ Getting up, she took her cup. ‘But I constantly make you tea.’
‘You’re so ratty lately.’
‘I’m worried he’s going to up and leave me,’ she honestly replied, beginning to feel tearful. Jack stared. ‘And that woman wants him back, do you know that?’
‘I heard.’
‘He told me.’
‘He’s an honest man.’
‘Now I’m worried sick.’
‘You have other people to speak to, go moan to them!’
‘And you, a man of God!’ she said, starting to laugh if only to alleviate her real concerns.
Walking to the kitchen and switching on the kettle, Suri noticed the place was awash with cake tins.
‘No wonder you’re so rotund,’ she said quietly, opening up the fridge. ‘How many casseroles do you need?’ Suri noticed people had put their names on the dishes. ‘She never cooks for me.’
Her mother’s name was written on the clear Perspex dish.
‘What are you doing?’ the voice hissed.
Janet Peters was standing behind her. She’d come through the back door.
‘I’m making tea,’ Suri replied curtly, taking the milk out of the fridge and tossing her a glance.
‘I meant, what are you doing here?’
‘I’m emailing some things for Joe.’
‘Still trying to help out?’ she smirked, looking at down her nose at Suri. ‘Rory McKeown’s plaque was rejected again. It’s not going to happen.’
‘Then Felicity shouldn’t have one.’
‘She was innocent in all this. It’s your fault.’
‘You sound like a scratched record,’ Suri sighed, shaking her head from side to side. ‘It’s so very easy to blame me and not accept the truth.’
‘She was murdered.’
‘They were both murdered.’
‘My daughter was acting in self-defence. That’s what she said in the hospital.’
‘And she was always honest, wasn’t she? Are you sure that’s what she said?’ Suri stared at Janet Peters and noticed the woman guiltily looked away. ‘She would never do anything to hurt or betray someone, would she? I’m surprised you’ve not asked for her to get a sainthood, considering how nice and kind she was.’
‘How dare you!’ Janet Peters barked. ‘You were always jealous of Felicity.’
‘No I wasn’t.’ Suri hurriedly made the tea, hearing Jack come out of his office and down the corridor.
‘What’s all this noise?’ he innocently asked. ‘Ah Janet, how lovely to see you.’
‘I think it’s totally disrespectful for you to allow her to work here,’ Janet Peters said, going red in the face. ‘You know her reputation.’
‘My reputation?’ Suri repeated, turning to look at the older woman. ‘Enlighten me.’
‘You’re an attention seeker and always have been. Felicity fell into the wrong crowd and ended up losing her life because of you. That Rory McKeown was a bad one, and everyone saw it. I begged my child not to hang around with your group, but she liked you, adored you and what happens? He ends up murdering my child all because she was sticking up for you.’
‘Janet, that’s not a nice thing to say and not necessarily true,’ said Jack solemnly.
‘You believe that, do you? You go to church and pray to God thinking that’s the case?’ Suri replied in a hushed tone. ‘Are you really blinded to what your daughter was like? Always putting us down, trying to make out she was better. Everything Naomi and I had; she wanted. And I mean everything.’
‘Suri, let me speak with Mrs Peters,’ Jack said calmly, leading Suri out of the kitchen before whispering. ‘Just ignore it. You know, you’ve been acting pretty emotional lately. Are you fine?’
‘I’m fine, and she’s just vile!’ Suri said, shaking her head furiously.
‘Go and sit down.’
Walking back into the room, she slammed the door shut and flung herself on the chair.
There were raised voices, mainly from Janet Peters.
Then she heard the front door open, and realised Joe had turned up.
‘And you Reverend Isley! What are you thinking, going with her? It’s absurd! She’s going to bring you down. Can’t you see this is her way at getting back at me? The church doesn’t need the help from someone like that!’
‘Oh please!’ groaned Suri, putting her head in her hands.
She then stood up, grabbed her things and marched straight out of the house, not bothering to say anything.
Anger surged through her as she hated the way Janet Peters spoke about her, and especially to Joe. That was too rude for words.
It was bad enough that she thought Felicity was a virginal saint, not the slapper she had turned out to be.
‘No you don’t!’
Joe flung his arms around her, and she was so mad, Suri just shook with anger.
Then she threw up.
‘Oh no! Are you all right?’ he said, quickly searching his pockets.
Still bent over, Suri noticed she’d only chucked up water, little else. Slowly she put her hand in her coat pocket and pulled out some old tissues, wiping her mouth.
‘She, literally, makes me feel sick,’ groaned Suri, holding onto her side that now had a stitch. ‘I know I don’t help matters but she’s always on the attack. She’s right. I shouldn’t be helping out. It winds her up, and I can do anything I need to do from home.’ Joe helped her to stand up straight. ‘And don’t come too close, I smell of vomit.’
‘You don’t look well,’ he said, pulling a face. ‘Are you sure you’re feeling okay?’
‘I had cold curry this morning for breakfast, and I think it has reacted with me,’ she honestly replied, breaking out into a sweat.
Then, all of a sudden, she burst into tears.
He cradled her in his arms as she sobbed her heart out. Suri knew all the secret worry about Joe leaving and his ex; it was wearing her down. And she knew mentioning it wouldn’t be wise. Over the past few days, she didn’t feel well.
Plus Jack was right.
She was incredibly emotional about everything.
Janet Peters hadn’t helped.
‘Why don’t you go to the doctors? You’ve been a little bit peaky for a few weeks, and I don’t want you getting ill over Christmas.’
‘I emailed the Christmas present donation request,’ she said, slowly walking to the park and sitting down. ‘I feel shattered, and I’m not doing anything.’
‘I need to ask you for a favour? Will you come to church on Sunday?’
‘Why?’
‘I’m doing the sermon, and I’d love you to be there,’ he smiled. ‘You can sit in the back where you won’t be seen.’
‘After just what happened with Janet Peters? Do you think she’d let me in?’
‘I want you there and because there are a few announcements.�
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‘Like what?’ Her heart started to thunder at the thought he was going to say he was leaving.
‘Don’t look so worried.’
‘It’s Tuesday, so I have a few days to prepare and practise looking more angelic. This is just a passing bug.’
Joe sat next to her, and she pulled out a mint, putting it into her mouth. It made her want to retch, but she didn’t want to have vomit breath near the man she loved.
‘I’ve got a few things to tie up this week, so I won’t be able to see you much, I’m afraid.’ Joe glanced away and then forced a smile. ‘You don’t mind, do you?’
‘What are you doing?’
‘Just things that need to be sorted out. The next time I’ll see you is on Sunday.’
‘Okay,’ she said, hating the idea he wouldn’t be around.
‘And another favour? The first weekend of December, can’t remember the date, will you sing at a christening? A friend of mine, who doesn’t live that far, wants to have it here. Jack said it’s okay, and I thought it would be great if you sang.’
‘Why?’
‘You have a beautiful voice, and I’m very proud of you.’
Suri burst into tears again.
‘Joe?’
The Saturday evening before she was turning up to the church, Suri had taken a stroll down the road with the intention of getting a very large Vietnamese takeaway to control her hunger pang.
Courtesy of being starved of her lover for a few days.
What she hadn’t envisaged was seeing her boyfriend holding hands with a woman.
Instantly she thought it was his sister but noticed a blonde tuft of hair coming out from under a hat.
Then the shock all but took her over when he turned to the woman and kissed her gently on the cheek before they embraced.
She wasn’t a relation.
Suri had to do a double take, to make sure she wasn’t seeing things. To her horror, the couple walked towards her and she hid around the corner, hoping it was a mistake.
‘I’ll sort it out,’ she heard Joe say. ‘I tell everyone tomorrow and then we can start from fresh.’
‘Are you sure? It’s going to upset a lot of people.’