***************************** PART 3 OF? *******************************

"Thanks for the lunch Peter, it's a nice change, not having to do it up myself", Assumpta looked at him with a smile. "But did we really need to come all the way here? Or is it just that you're afraid Fr. Mac will see us together?"

"No, that's not it. I only thought it might be a bit more enjoyable to be somewhere different, someplace away from the pressures of a small town. If we'd just gone into Cildargin, the whole village would've followed us", he answered.

"Well we ought to be getting back, that icebox is going to drive out all my customers for a fortnight if we don't sort it out today".

"Well I was thinking of a walk in the park we passed on our way here, if that's all right. I mean we rarely have the chance to talk without loads of people around, and I'd love to just talk with you for a bit", Peter began to realize as he spoke that they hadn't had nearly enough time to talk before this, and he was frightened by the multitude of details of her life he did not know.

Assumpta saw in Peter's eyes the doubts beginning to surface, and hastily agreed to the chat to allay some of his fears. She knew he felt that they hadn't known each other long enough, or well enough, but she knew him better than he realized. She'd tell him all about her hopes, dreams, fears, disappointments, and experiences, and reveal all of herself to him in a way she'd never done with anyone else. That would quiet his nerves, and her own quite a bit.

The words flowed from her like the Angel's waters, and by the time she'd finished the sun was setting, and hunger was beginning to stir in both of them again. When they'd begun their walk, it was bright and sunny, and they moved amiably about through the trees, flowers, benches, and the odd telephone, and post box. As time went on, a comfortable peaceful fatigue settled in and they found a secluded spot under a tree and sat down. Peter reclined on the soft grass next to her as she spoke to him of herself, and was pleasantly surprised when she reached down and pulled his head into her lap, just as so many other couples were doing all around them. Never had either felt so strongly the `sense of place', of being exactly where they belonged before.

"That was the day before you got your meteorology lesson along the road into Ballykay and I took pity on you… and fell in love with you", she stopped shyly there.

"You couldn't have loved me then could you? You didn't know me at all. I could have been an axe murderer… or something", he asked incredulously.

"Worse as it turns out, a priest", this was with a mischievous smile, before she continued. "No I should probably not have said love yet, but I was definitely attracted to you then, and had you not been a priest, I would have pursued you", she stated the last emphatically.

"Well I was taken with you from that day as well, but I was already running away from Jenny and didn't dare allow myself to…"

"Ah yes, Jenny. We will need to talk about her sometime soon Peter, but for now I am famished, and it's near eight o'clock. We'll have to stop someplace, because we've got no light left to deal with the icebox at home", the shock at the time gone by was clear in her tone, but Assumpta made no move to get up.

She could hardly bear the thought of this day ending. Tomorrow Peter would have to say Mass, and take his last confessions before Sunday's `Goodbye Service', and the forty-eight hours in between without him were daunting. She sat gently stroking his forehead, and watching the sun set for a moment, and then he stirred. They got up and began discussing where to go to get some dinner. It was Assumpta's choice this time and they only argued a bit over who'd be settling the tab. The place was nice, but not overly fancy, and fitted the taste of its patrons well. Both Peter and Assumpta enjoyed the food, and she decided that it was his turn to tell his life story. He did so over dinner and dessert and the long drive back into Ballykay. Just before they left the restaurant, Assumpta excused herself, and Peter took his first chance to check on the progress at Fitzgerald's. He was anxiously hoping they were finished, as he didn't think any other excuses to stay out would get round Assumpta without suspicion.

"Fitzgerald's," came Niamh's voice over the line and Peter quickly identified himself, and asked how they were doing.

"Sure we're just finishing clearing up the mess, and getting thing's put to rights for Assumpta. How close are you?"

"We're just on our way out now, it's about an hour's drive though will you be ready?" Peter asked worried.

"Yeah. Everything should be fine by then. Come along the two of you, I'd love for everyone to be here when our one sees all this", Peter could hear Niamh's smile, and was relieved. Just then he saw Assumpta moving toward him. He rang off with Niamh just in time for her to walk up, and join him. They arrived back at the darkened Pub, and Assumpta sighed.

"What's wrong?" Peter asked.

"Em, I just don't look forward to the next few days. You'll be doing, your priestly duties, and I'll be in here trying to find an electrician who'll work for next to nothing", she paused to unlock the door, and as she did, Peter spoke.

"Well I agree it will be hard being apart, but as to the electrician, you'll need to find something else to do because…" just then Assumpta opened the door, and the lights came on to reveal a Pub full of people waiting to surprise her.

"What the hell?" she turned to Peter. "You, this was your doing wasn't it, I can't believe you lot!