Grantchester – Strangers & Prayers

The village was busy as the congregation made their way to the church to Sunday Service. It was your average typical Sunday which meant church, visits to relatives, the pub or sometimes the odd Sunday lunch at home. Will Davenport was giving sermon to the believers, his words resonating with them as he spoke about family, the importance of God within the nucleus - and cream tea and scones. In the pews was Sylvia Chapman alongside her husband listening attentively, her mind now focused on the huge Sunday lunch she was going to concoct for her brood. Not far in front was Leonard Finch, also listening attentively. His partner was seated at the other side, glancing at him every so often. The service came to an end with the final blessing, and the congregation stood to receive it.

Geordie Keating meanwhile was at the station as always going through some leftover paperwork. He has just completed the arrest of someone who had been on his radar for the past couple of months. This was a coup for Geordie as this particular criminal had been more than a pain in the backside. Larry Peters was on hand of course, but he was about as much use as…well…very little! Geordie still missed Sidney. It had been a long while since he departed for the Southern US, and he wondered how he was getting on. Geordie took a look at the time and began to think about food…or drink…or both. He finally gave up on the paperwork and stood up, grabbing his jacket on the way as he left slamming the door behind him.

Will was shaking hands with the congregation outside the church as they left, wishing them a good Sunday and the rest of the week. Sylvia Chapman walked towards the vicarage in a hurry to get lunch started. Both Will and Leonard watched as she scurried off and looked at each other knowingly. The last of the congregation left, and both vicars walked back inside the church.

A figure rushed down the road, slightly out of breath like it was fox on the run. Its shadow was cast on the rather bright ground giving away the outline. The church was in the distance, and the figure stopped. It turned to face the gate head on before running towards it, pausing again before running through, the entrance to the church not far ahead.

Will walked inside the entrance but stopped to turn. The figure gasped in fright and hid in the bushes nearby. Will scanned the grounds in front of him, hearing rustling, but put it down to the breeze that had suddenly blown across from nowhere. However, his instincts told him otherwise. He stepped back out taking a few steps forward and once more scanned the grounds ahead of him. It was empty. He heard Leonard call him but waited a little longer before turning his back again walking inside.

The figure stepped back out again having watched Will's movements. It looked up to try to find the clock to give some indication of the time before running back out from where it came from.

The figure ran back down the road, having no idea where it was going. The faster it ran, the more out of breath it became quickly. It ran into the village turning a few corners, passing the buildings as it went by. It dodged cyclists, pedestrians and even some on coming traffic. It then turned another corner, its shadow indicating it was looking over its shoulder. All of a sudden it collided with someone who accidentally walked into its path. The figure stopped and looked upwards at the person in front of it.

"Hello," the person greeted with a smile. He was tall, his height eclipsing the sunlight behind him. "What are you running away from?"

"That was an amazing lunch, Mrs C.!" Leonard announced, his plate empty. Will nodded in agreement, his still a quarter full. He picked up his glass to take a drink and carried on eating. Sylvia meanwhile collected Leonard's plate as she hurried off to put his things in the sink. Leonard was still feeling awkward. He knew she was still coming to terms with his sexuality, and he knew that was part reason why Will got the position of vicar in the first place. That was quite a while ago now, but Leonard was patient. He loved Sylvia dearly and didn't want to push. Will clearly felt the slight tension and looked at his curate.

"I was thinking of giving you the reins next Sunday, Leonard," he told him politely, glancing at Sylvia. The housekeeper stopped in her tracks for a brief moment before going about her business. Her husband, Jack, picked up on the idea and nodded.

"I agree," he said. "You did a good sermon that week before Will arrived here, Leonard. I think you will be perfect. What do you think, Sylvia?" He watched as his wife picked up his and Will's empty plates saying nothing. She stopped as Will gently placed his hand on hers.

"I think he will be good," he tried again gently as if he was trying to coax her into changing her mind about him. Leonard said nothing, the look in his eyes telling the whole story. Sylvia glanced at him.

"Whatever you think, vicar," she told him moving away. Leonard felt ten times worse. "Dessert!" the housekeeper announced placing a medium sized plate of steamed pudding and a jug of custard in the middle of the dining table.

"Not for me thank you, Mrs C." Leonard stood up. He wiped the corners of his mouth clean before leaving.

"Suit yourself," Sylvia muttered as the sound of a door closed. Will cleared his throat and drank some more. Jack meanwhile looked at his wife unsurprised at her reaction.

Later on, Will walked up to what was Sidney's and now his bedroom, a cup of coffee in his hand. He placed the cup on the desk and sat down on the edge of the bed. He was getting used to the vicarage, the village of Grantchester itself and also its people. As he looked around the room, he thought about Sidney and how much of an influence on the parish he was. He only met him the once but knew how highly regarded he was held amongst the people. He swung himself inwards, lying face up on the bed staring the ceiling above him. The window was open letting in the breeze that blew the curtains, the sunlight streaming through. Will began to think and think hard of what he left behind. He thought of his reasons of joining the Cloth and whether it would have made a difference… A difference to what? Will sighed heavily and swung his legs across sitting back up on the edge of the bed. He walked the short distance to the desk study and opened one of the drawers taking out a small notebook. He opened it only for a photograph to fall out. Will picked it up and looked at it, his mind drifting off in remembrance. He placed that quickly back inside the notebook and locked that away as if he was shutting out another part of his past. He picked up the cup of coffee and looked out of the window, his thoughts drifting off in the wind.

Geordie kicked back his shot of whisky and placed the tumbler on the bar ledge. He politely asked for another and waited for the top up. He turned his head, saw Larry approach him and knew it wasn't good news. The younger detective stood next to him, reaching into his pocket. Geordie tried not to look interested. He actually wasn't. He just wanted to have a quiet Sunday afternoon drink without any hassle. He deserved it, he thought. No one was going to interrupt him! No one…

"What is it?" he asked eventually.

"Sorry, guv," Larry said half-apologetically giving Geordie the paper. "There was no other way around it." Geordie sighed and read what was written.

"When did you get this?" he asked as his refill was placed in front of him.

"10 minutes ago," Larry replied. He watched as Geordie threw his drink down his throat and made a move to leave. "Well, come on then!" Larry left some loose change on the bar ledge and followed him out.

The two detectives walked back into the station. The case file was on Geordie's desk and he wasted no time in opening it. Larry meanwhile began giving the outline of the case, but Geordie was only half listening. He really wasn't at all interested as he looked through the file, Larry's voice going over the top of his head. A sudden bit of information caught his eye and Geordie lifted it up raising it a little higher as he read it. He looked at Larry, who was still in the middle of his report.

"Larry… LARRY!"

"Guv?" The young detective stopped mid-sentence. He took note of the look on Geordie's face. "The vicarage?"

"Yup." He once grabbed his jacket and rushed out leaving Larry once more on his own.

Will and Geordie walked through the streets of the village, the younger grateful to walk off his lunch. It seemed strange still for Geordie to ask for Will's assistance having being used to Sidney for so long. He knew not to compare the two, but couldn't help it, especially when it came to the nabbing of that last criminal that caused so much headache. Will was just enjoying the stroll, bidding polite afternoon greetings to the villagers who passed by, and even played with a little blonde girl in pigtails who suddenly took his hand, both of them skipping in a circle before she ran off after her mother. Will waved goodbye to her with a smile. Geordie was a few strides ahead, as if he was plucking up the courage or waiting for the right time to speak. It was a little awkward, a little uncomfortable, but Will was patient enough to wait.

"What do you know about Cambridge?"

"I'm sorry?" Will asked as he flanked Geordie, wondering why he was asking a question both of them knew the answer to.

"Cambridge," Geordie repeated.

"The River Cam, punting, superior to Oxford…"

"Exactly!" Will looked at Geordie, even more confused.

"Is there a point to this, Geordie?" he asked politely and calmly.

"Plenty." Geordie handed him the bit of paper Larry gave him. "You need to go there." Will stopped walking to read. Geordie kept walking ahead. He turned to see his young vicar partner in the distance. "Will!" he called. The dark haired vicar looked up and jogged the short distance towards him. "Are you all right?"

"Yes. Fine." Will smiled. He placed the paper into his pocket and the two friends continued on their walk.

The door was painted a rather dark brown. There was a brass knocker towards the top underneath the door number with two steps beneath, and two rather immaculately white net curtained windows on either side. The road was slightly busy with the odd pedestrian walking past on both sides of the road. You could also hear the odd bicycle bell ringing along with the faint bonging of a clock tower in the distance. Will Davenport was standing on the bottom step looking straight at the door. It looked very familiar to him, as if he had come across a residence like this before – a long time ago. He took a deep breath and raised the door knocker, banging on the door twice. He then stepped back again, this time on to the pavement and waited. The movement of the net curtain to his right made Will look in that direction briefly. He grew nervous suddenly but took a deep breath as the door opened. A rather stern looking gentleman greeted him. He was dressed rather smartly, his dark hair showing signs of grey. They locked eyes, and the nerves grew inside the younger.

"Can I help you?" the elder one asked, his voice just as stern as his features.

"Good afternoon, my name is Will Davenport…"

"I have no time for Bible talk, Mr Davenport." He was interrupted rather abruptly. "If you will excuse me, I am in the middle of…"

"I am sorry to disturb you, but I am not here on official business."

There was silence. The elder gentleman stared long and hard at Will trying to intimidate him, but Will stood his ground. He walked up the steps and inside as the elder stood aside to let him in. A look of disapproval and inconvenience was given behind his back as he closed the door. Will stopped halfway down a carpeted corridor. It was rather a grand looking abode, very clean and immaculate. There were two doors on either side of him, the one on the left hand side closed and the one on the right open. Will looked in that direction and saw a young girl with jet black hair writing some sort of script or similar on a blackboard. He stared almost in fascination as the girl scribbled fluently, the sentences appearing as fast as she was writing. She turned suddenly and smiled upon seeing him. Will returned the compliment only for that to be wiped off his features as the older gentleman closed the door.

"What can I do for you?" he asked as if Will was intruding on something he should not have been.

"As I said to you, sir. I am not here on official business." He followed the gentleman into the living room, which was even more immaculate and grandly decorated than the entrance was. The furnishings were polished to a high standard, and the sofa was spotlessly clean. Will waited until the gentleman was seated at a highly polished, expensive looking desk.

"Then what do I owe this unexpected visit?" he enquired as he poured himself a drink from a decanter on the desk. Will stepped forward with the piece of paper Geordie gave him.

"This, sir," he replied handing it over. The gentleman read it quietly to himself. Will studied the actions of the elder in front of him. The expression on his face though remained the same.

"I don't understand how I can help you," he said in near finality, handing the paper back.

"It was found near the faculty, sir," Will explained. "There is reason to believe that it could belong to one of your students…"

"If it does, then that person would have been very careless indeed." The tone of the elder gentleman's voice gave Will a clue that that would not be on in his eyes. He paused and leaned forward. "What are you trying to insinuate?"

"Nothing at all, sir," Will replied, keeping calm and polite. He was given a look of suspicion in return. He watched as he was shown the door. Will walked out of the room and down the corridor, passing the two doors along the way. He turned as he heard a creaking sound. The same young girl at the blackboard poked her head round. She looked towards the now closed door before scurrying towards him. Will crouched down to meet the girl's height as she whispered in his ear. "Are you sure?" he asked kindly.

"Yes," the girl replied nodding. Will took a good look at her. She was a young adult, a teenager he hazard a guess. Her features were striking! Will smiled.

"Thank you," he said standing up. The girl ran in front of him to open the door. Will smiled again at her before leaving. As he stepped on the pavement from the steps he turned. The girl placed her finger to her lips. Will chuckled nodding. The girl closed the door. The smile left Will's features as he took in what he was told. He walked down the street towards the centre of Cambridge. He hadn't been here for a little while, but not much had changed – unsurprisingly. He turned a corner when he spied a figure in the distance. Will stopped, completely stunned. He suddenly came to as the figure scarpered, and Will gave chase down the street into various side streets and alleys. He chased after the figure past King's College and turned a corner into the market square where he stopped. He took deep breaths, the cramp setting in. The market square was busy and Will knew the figure had long gone. He stood back up and decided to head back to Grantchester.

Geordie walked into his home to be met by a rather stony look from his wife, Cathy. Their kids were playing out round the back, their giggles and chatter along with the other kids from the street were clearly heard from an open window. Geordie knew he was in the doghouse as he sat at the dining table. A rather cold looking plate was abruptly placed in front of him, and Geordie could only watch as Cathy walked towards the open kitchen window calling for her kids to play carefully and to come in soon to get on with their homework. She turned to look at Geordie, who wasn't really enjoying his lunch.

"Not my fault," Cathy told him as if she was being accused. "Let me guess – the pub?"

"Oh, come on, Cathy!" Geordie protested weakly.

"Sunday! Sunday is the only day we have as a family!" Cathy was irritable. Geordie felt a pang of guilt as this lunch took a lot of effort. He tried again to eat, but the food was now stone cold. Cathy sighed near enough angrily as she picked up the plate and threw it in the bin. She screamed at her kids to come inside.

"Let them play!" Geordie tried to tell her, but the look he got in return forced him to retreat. Their kids walked inside glumly. They kissed their father hello on the cheek before dragging their feet into the living room. Cathy began to do the washing up, deliberately banging the plates and cutlery as if to make a point. Geordie now was annoyed and stood up. Before he had a chance to speak, he heard one of his kids call him.

"There's a vicar at the door!"

Cathy was even more irritated. Geordie was only too happy to answer. Will was standing on the doorstep, grinning at the girl. Geordie kindly told her to hop it and she scampered back into the living room. He took his keys from the tray nearby and stepped outside closing the door.

"Have I come at a bad time?" Will asked. Geordie looked at him.

"No..." He tried to reassure himself. He took note of the look on Will's face. He wasn't buying it. "Cathy… She's not feeling well." He lit a cigarette and walked past him. Will cleared his throat knowing this wasn't the case.

"I went to Cambridge," he said. Geordie turned and walked back up towards him.

"What did you find?"

"Just as I thought – a lot of secrecy."

"Typical!" Geordie walked away again only to turn. "That wasn't all, was it?" He again walked back towards him. Will observed this all with amusement. He shook his head. Geordie took a last drag and flicked the butt away. "Well?" he asked a little impatiently.

"I think there is more to that sheet of paper."

"Yes…like?"

"There was this girl. In her teens. She told me more than I could have expected." He paused. This only caused the impatience in Geordie to swell. "I need to explore another avenue." Will let out a small laugh as he heard Geordie's reaction.

"I swear you vicars!" He pointed a finger at Will only to realise what he was doing.

"Was Sidney like this?" he asked innocently, but Geordie walked past him again and down the sun filled street. Will chuckled and followed him.