The door swung open and the priest and publican blinked in the sunlight.
"Thank God you're both ok," Siobhan exclaimed, then hesitated, "Are you both ok?"
"We're fine Siobhan," Assumpta reassured. "Thank you for finding us!"
The two women hugged as Assumpta stepped outside and Padraig alerted Ambrose and Michael to their find. Peter was slapped on the back as he emerged.
Brendan put his arm round Assumpta giving her a squeeze, "You been in there all night? Just as well you found this place. Still must've been freezing and miserable."
Peter shrugged, "Yeah it wasn't exactly a pleasant way to spend a night."
Assumpta glanced at him, but there wasn't a flicker on his face to give them a way. He didn't look at her, but focused his attention on Ambrose, who was striding towards them."
"What on earth happened to you?" Ambrose asked, as he arrived at the hut with Michael, who immediately set about a quick examination of the missing two.
"Sorry Ambrose, the weather came in so fast and Assumpta nearly went off the edge, we lost our map, the radio went down and we got completely turned around," Peter explained, as Michael took his pulse. "Did you find the boys though? We thought we heard you had before the radio stopped working completely."
"Yes, safe and well Father, thanks. Well Kev's in hospital,lbut he'll be right as rain in no time," Padraig smiled.
"You nearly went off the edge? Of the cliff?" Siobhan turned to Assumpta in horror.
"Yes but Peter caught me," she could feel herself blush as she remembered the moment when he pulled her back and they'd fallen in a heap, bodies pressed against each other.
"What?" She said with a start, realising Brendan had said something.
"Sounds like a handy man to have around in a crisis," Brendan repeated, raising his eyebrows.
"Very handy," she mumbled. Oh god was she blushing again, what on earth was wrong with her. She was relieved Michael hadn't taken her pulse yet and willed herself to calm down.
"Just lucky I was near enough," Peter said dismissively. "I was worried she was going to get hypothermia last night," he nodded towards Assumpta as Michael went to check her.
After a few minutes Michael confirmed they were both fine, considering their ordeal.
"Right so, here's a few bits of dry clothing, socks and what not. Maybe you should put them on and we'll get you home?" Siobhan suggested.
"Thanks Siobhan," Assumpta took the bag gratefully. She rummaged in it and took out a few likely looking items that might fit her and handed the rest to Peter.
"So I'll em, go in first and get changed?" She gestured sheepishly. Peter nodded without really looking at her, he was practically ignoring her.
"Right, so..." she opened the door and stepped back into the hut, the scene of the crime. Assumpta grinned at the thought and then slowly, realisation dawned and it was like a bucket of cold ice had been poured on her. Many would consider what had happened a crime. Certainly most would say it was sinful and very wrong. She let out a soft moan. What was she doing? He was a priest, it was wrong. Was that why Peter was being so distant, cold even towards her, or was it her imagination? Was it a ruse to throw the others off the scent in case they were suspicious, or was he really regretting their night together? Doubts flooded her mind. He'd seemed so happy and full of passion just a short time ago. Of course, maybe seeing his parishioners had dragged him back to reality and he was trying to forget what had happened. They hadn't talked much she realised. Unspoken thoughts and feelings, tension and snatched looks had given way to passion. She had no idea how he actually felt about her. Did she mean anything to him? Had it been a moment of madness on his part, or worse did he think he could have his cake and eat it?
She shook her head, trying to clear it, as she pulled on some clean, dry socks. No that didn't sound like Peter. But the incredibly moral man who'd allowed himself to slip and was now feeling guilty, that did sound like him. Her mind wandered back to the previous night, as she laced up her boots. To the touches, the caresses, the way he'd looked at her like she was the most important thing in the world. She let out a shuddering breath thinking about his behaviour towards her since their rescuers had arrived, was he that good an actor? She could feel tears welling up but bit them back along with the confusion. She steeled herself and walked back into the daylight.
As they made their way back off the mountain Peter's head was spinning and he was trying to keep the silly grin off his face. The previous day had been the most heart stopping of his life. From their perilous situation to what had happened later between them, he'd definitely been on an emotional rollercoaster. What he found so amazing was how perfect that night had been. Anyone in their right mind would imagine a night under those circumstances to be miserable. In that situation it seemed highly unlikely that romance would occur. Given the sleeping arrangements it would appear that making love was practically impossible. And yet somehow they had manage to defy all logic and have one of the most memorable nights of his life.
It was true, for him, there hadn't been many nights quite like that, and certainly not for a very long time, but he felt like everything about it had felt serendipitous. He had realised he had been in love with Assumpta for some time now and a life with her was exactly what he wanted. His feelings for Assumpta had seemed to bring all the elements of the church and the priesthood that he struggled with into sharp focus. He was trying not to rush into any decisions but given everything that had happened he didn't see how he could carry on being a priest.
He tried to steal a glance over at Assumpta. She was ahead of him and had been very determinedly not looking at him the whole journey down. He thought he knew what she was doing, it was what he'd been doing back at the hut, trying to avoid eye contact, almost ignoring her entirely. He'd been worried about giving the game away in front of everyone. After everything he and Assumpta had shared he wasn't sure how to act "priestly" around her. Every time he looked at her he wanted to scoop her up in his arms and declare his love. So he'd felt it was safest to ignore her. He'd wait till they were back and they could find a moment alone. They had so much to talk about, there hadn't been much time for talking last night. He smiled to himself and then looked up self consciously checking no one had spotted the priest with a soppy lovesick grin.
When they arrived back in Ballykissangel Peter made a big show of thanking all their rescuers to put off having to say anything to her in front of the others. He need not have worried because when he looked up he saw Assumpta scurrying into the pub. He watched her, frowning slightly, but they'd talk properly when they were alone.
Mercifully there was plenty of hot water when he got home. He had a long, hot shower, changed into warm, casual clothing, made himself a bacon sandwich and a large mug of tea, then collapsed on the sofa to watch Middlesbrough's Boxing Day match.
He must have dosed off because he was woken by a knock on the door. He stretched, rubbed his eyes and glanced at the tv, the post match analysis was on. He'd missed the whole second half.
He answered the door and found Brendan outside, rubbing his hands to keep warm.
"Come in Brendan."
"Thanks," Brendan stepped gratefully into the warm. He noticed the football on the tv. "How did the illustrious Middlesbrough do? Cover themselves in glory?"
"No idea, I fell asleep," Peter admitted sheepishly. "Although that may be no bad thing," he winced looking at the scoreline.
"How're you feeling?"
"Fine, I think I've finally heated up a bit."
"Grand, so you'll join me in Fitzgerald's for a pint...or two," Brendan said with a twinkle in his eye.
"What?! Assumpta's opened the pub?" Peter cried, slightly aghast. "Did you lot bully her into it?"
"Assumpta's not opening, Niamh is. No one had a proper Christmas yesterday so we're doing it today. Niamh agreed to open. Assumpta is probably still asleep. Clearly neither of you got much sleep last night," the older man chuckled.
Peter could feel the heat in his cheeks, before he could think of a reply Brendan continued, "Don't suppose you get much sleep when it's that cold. Just how close did you have to get to keep each other warm?"
"Brendan," Peter said warningly.
"Relax Peter, extenuating circumstances!" He smirked and clapped Peter on the back. "Come for a pint."
Peter nodded his agreement, grabbed his coat and the two men made their way down the street.
Fitzgerald's was cosy and festive. All those who'd made up search parties the day before had descended on the pub to celebrate Christmas a day late. Christmas music was playing, there was a buffet in one corner and a crowded bar. Peter felt a bit like Norm in Cheers when everyone turned round to greet him. His eyes immediately searched for her, she wasn't behind the bar but was sitting on the other side of it, near the kitchen, deep in conversation with Niamh. She glanced at him and he smiled, she gave him a long searching look and turned her attention back to Niamh. He sighed, his hand unconsciously massaging away tension in the back of his neck, he needed to talk to her soon.
But it wasn't to be. He got swept up in conversation with a crowd of people at the end of the bar, and even though Assumpta did end up behind the bar as he knew she would, he didn't manage to get her attention or get away from his well wishers.
He finally managed to slip away, only for Michael to appear at his elbow.
"Michael, have you just arrived?" He hadn't seen the doctor in Fitzgerald's that evening.
"Yes, I've been seeing a patient, it's why I'm here."
Peter noted Michael's grave face. "You need me?"
" 'Fraid so. How are you?" He asked, while running a professional eye over Peter.
"I'm fine, but I probably shouldn't drive," he indicated his pint.
"That's why I thought I'd collect you. It's old Mr McGuire up at Ballymeade farm, I'm not sure he'll last the night. I need to get up to him now, if you can come?"
"Yes, of course. Just let me say goodbye and I need to stop at home and change."
Michael nodded, "I'll be out in the car."
Peter watched the doctors retreating figure and sighed. The last thing he wanted right now was to carry out clerical duties, but he couldn't very well say no. He looked over at the bar hoping to catch Assumpta's eye but there was a crowd waiting to be served, all in a celebratory convivial mood and the music was loud. The last thing he wanted to do was draw attention to "them" and shout over the racket. Was there a "them", he hoped so, he needed to talk to her.
He looked anxiously at the door, knowing Michael would be waiting for him, but he didn't want to just up and leave without saying anything to her. He hastily looked around for someone to relay a message. Most were in the crowd at the bar, someone had just turned the music up even more and a singsong was underway. Donal was the closest and seemed to be unoccupied. Peter sighed and went over.
"Donal, can you do me favour, pass a message to Assumpta?" He tried to make himself heard over the music and singing.
"Say again Father," Donal cupped a hand to his ear.
"Can you tell Assumpta I had to go?"
Donal shook his head, indicating he still hadn't heard.
Peter sighed, aware that the clock was ticking. "Tell Assumpta," he mouthed and gestured at her, Donal nodded awaiting the rest of the message, "I had to go but I'll talk to her later." But at the same moment screeches of laughter drowned him out again. Both men groaned in frustration.
Peter, hurriedly now, said "I'll be back, you know like Terminator. Tell her," he gestured again at Assumpta, hoping he'd made himself heard this time. "Call of duty, I have to go."
"Ah, right you are Father, no problem, terminated and you've got a duty. She'll know what you mean then? "
Peter did his best to lip read, nodded and clapped the shorter man on the man and hurried out the pub.
Donal pondered the conversation. "Terminated." It was a funny, formal was of speaking, but there was no accounting for the English and their ways. "Terminated," he rolled the word around in his mouth, "Ha," he shook his head, "over, finished, dead, gone," he mumbled putting, what he considered a more Irish spin on things, then moved back across the pub to join Liam.
Author's Note
I'm not done with the cliches yet! I won't get another chapter up before Christmas so hope you all have a lovely one x
