Ok, see what had happened was lol; When I finally sat down to finish this chapter I opened my laptop to find two documents. Two chapter fives! At some point I clearly forgot I'd started this chapter and wrote it again. And they were very different! I literally had to search through my saved stories from other writers to ensure one didn't belong to another fanfic author. Then I couldn't be bothered with trying to mash the two stories together so I put it on the backburner, again. Mais voila! I'll probably be picking at this and making edits after the upload but here it is, for now.
Padraig fumbled beneath the hood of the car. Even he had to admit that he may have overdone it last night at Brian's.
"Bit of a ghost town isn't it?" said the woman.
"It's your alternator." he responded dismissively.
"Can you fix it?"
"Yeah, but I'll have to get the part from Cilldargan."
"How long will that take?"
He shrugged then immediately turned his attention back to the dark wiring of the car, away from the light. Too much light.
"Great," she thought. "What am I going to do around here to pass the time?"
~0~
Peter pulled on a jumper and went down to the kitchen for some toast and tea when suddenly there came a knock at the door.
"Father" he stepped aside to let in his superior.
"Can I get you anything?"
The parish priest had made it his duty to visit the curate quite early. If something uncouth had taken place last night he at least wanted to be a step ahead of the gossip.
"No, no." he observed the bags under Father Clifford's eyes and the tousled hair. "About last night."
"What part of it?" asked Peter as he poured himself a cup of tea. Then he froze. Maybe his "I love you" hadn't been as discrete as he'd hoped.
"How late were you at Fitzgerald's?"
"Father, I've just woken up"
Fr. Mac nodded "Come and see me. When you're ready. Make it soon." he then saw himself out.
~0~
The stranger approached the local pub, saw the scribbled sign taped to the door then checked her watch. It was nearly noon.
She knocked and waited.
Assumpta opened the door and looked up at her.
"Hi, just wondered if you were open yet."
Assumpta stared at her. "Yet? Did you see the sign?"
"Yes, just that it's almost noon and being a pub-you see it's just that my car is-"
"We're closed for the day." and with that Assumpta retreated into the pub and closed the door harder then she'd intended.
Stunned, the woman looked across the street, sighed, and went into Henley's.
"Hello"
Kathleen gave a strained smile. "Tourist" she thought as the woman flicked through a few warped postcards.
"Bit dry 'round here."
Kathleen simply held out her hand for the postcards, hoping to scan them before the woman noticed the fading images were not an artistic design.
"Thought I would get a drink at the pub but they're closed" She continued. "No matter. The lady running the place probably keeps everyone away anyhow."
"Not if you're the priest" murmured Kathleen.
"Sorry?"
"Would you like stamps with those?"
Shoving the cards into her handbag the woman looked up the street towards St. Joseph's. Maybe there was something to do here after all.
~0~
Peter groaned as his engine turned over.
Brendan cycled up to the car "Want a backy?"
Peter grinned.
"About your living arrangement. I've a room."
"What at your place?"
"Don't sound so excited." he dismounted and stepped aside allowing Peter to exit. "Well, no. At Siobhan's."
The two men stood mere inches apart.
"Oh you can't be serious. I mean she's pregnant! I'm a priest!"
Brendan pretended this hadn't also occurred to him. "For now. Think of all the cuddly animals!"
"Think of the gossip!"
"Oh you're a long way from redemption my friend. But even so, I don't think you'll find many rooms to let in these parts."
"You're right. I appreciate it, really I do but I wouldn't be able to afford much."
"Rent? No, no, it's all taken care of. If you want it, that is."
Peter looked over Brendan's bike "How much weight can this hold?"
~0~
The housekeeper sat the tray down between them then left the room just as silently as she'd entered.
"Father I assure you there's nothing to worry about."
"Very well, very well." He replied. "Tell me Father, what exactly is your plan? Are you going to spend the rest of your life pulling pints for the locals? That's if they don't stay clear of the place altogether."
It was evident that Fr. Mac had been preparing for this all morning. Peter knew he needed to handle this conversation carefully. Now was not the time to be facetious.
"I'm-I'm not exactly sure yet Father."
"You're not sure." he repeated condescendingly.
"I have a degree! I suppose really there hasn't been much time lost...plenty of people don't work at all right after university."
Father Mac was appalled!
"How dare you! Comparing your vocation to a-a gap year!"
"Father I only meant that I think I can find employment." Peter squirmed.
"Your tea is getting cold."
"Yes." he said taking up his cup.
"There is the Christening on Saturday."
"Yes Father. I was hoping that I could wait until after to announce my departure. It would really mean a lot to Niamh and Ambrose."
"I see." said Father Mac, in a tone implying such consideration should have been taken before deciding to leave the priesthood.
"Well that would depend on whether our new curate has arrived. Although we wouldn't want this sort of thing to cast a shadow. You are aware you'll have to relocate, from the house that is. Surely you won't be residing in Fitzgerald's."
"No, Father."
"And the sacristy is well off limits."
"Yes, Father." Peter responded solemnly. He was trying his best to show his superior that he was taking this situation very seriously before asking the big question. "Um, how long do you expect this to take? Officially?"
"Are you seeking the church's permission?" Father Mac's expression soured once more.
"I would like to do this the proper way. As best I can."
"The proper way. I will do my best." he conceded."Until then, until you've made your official announcement, do try to be inconspicuous Father Clifford. I must now arrange for your successor." and with that he gestured the young priest away.
~0~
She stopped in front of what looked to be a new restaurant, surely there had to be someone around. She straightened her blazer and walked inside.
"I'm sorry, we're not open yet" said a portly man in tweed.
She knew how to work this sort "My what a beautiful restaurant!"
He then offered her a seat before telling her the menu was not currently available.
No matter, she wasn't there for food.
"There is this brilliant little pub down the road. I'm a journalist you see, currently writing a piece on truly authentic Irish pubs. Only there doesn't seem to be anyone there at the moment."
"Oh, right, Fitzgerald's. What about it?"
"Well how about the name? Is that a local family?"
"Well not much of a family. It's Assumpta's, a Fitzgerald. Inherited the place from her parents."
"Yes, just the thing." She reached into her back for her writing pad. "And this Assumpta, what is she like?"
Brain shrugged "She walks her side of the street, I walk mine."
"And is she a religious woman, lover of the clergy?"
This was all too deliberate but Brian would play along. "Not in particular, but that's the way of it these days."
"Really, with the church so close. I imagine the clergy is hard to avoid in a community this size. Does she get on with the priest. Um, Fr. Clifford is it?"
"Let's say she's no ruder to him than to any of us. Come to think of it, she's a lot ruder to him."
She flashed an easy grin, "And the priest, does he stay clear of the place," she leaned in close "or is he there with the locals pining for more than a pint?"
"Ha!" Brian exclaimed. "You must be joking Fr. Clifford thinks Temptation is a song by the
"You must be joking! Father Clifford thinks temptation is a song by the Everly Brothers!" he then laughed. "Does your paper do restaurant reviews?"
"Are the waiters topless?"
"Who Liam and Donal? Suppose not. Look, you're welcome to return for our grand opening anyway. Get a taste of authentic Chinese dishes."
"That would be delightful." she said making her way to the door. "Thank you for your time."
"Not a chance." she thought as she put on her shades. "If people aren't in the pub or restaurant, where's the next best place?"
