Thanks to those who read and I did appreciate the reviews.

This is my explanation as to why Mary was able to evade Section D.

Hello Daphne.

Yes it's me Margaret. I'm just ringing to let you know that I've arranged the flowers and put the fresh linen in the sacristy. You know how upset Father Simon gets if he doesn't have clean purificators. I know, I wish he'd spill less wine as well, and be a little less careless with the candles. Last week it took me ages with the brown paper and an iron to get the wax out of the altar cloth.

No you don't need to pop in to check. The flowers should last until Sunday. I made sure I put plenty of water into the oasis. Sylvia was away on a bus trip to Anglesey, that's why I did them today. I'm a bit pushed this week and don't have time to put up with her changing her mind every minute, and then just as you finish she starts on her 'would it be better if we…" routine.

Exactly but when you're her age I suppose….although as it happens I did have an interruption…

Who was it? Well that was the queer thing about it. Did you meet that woman who's been popping into mass for the last two weeks or so? Said she was visiting in the area. Brown hair, long brown coat, ghastly pink cardie….

That's her, gave her name as Denise Marsden, American but even so seemed very nice, very interested. So interested that father was showing her round the entire church, I think he was hoping that if she stayed longer she might help out occasionally. Like I said I was in the sacristy, just finishing as it happens – by the way we must try to repair that Christmas altar frontal, the overlaid embroideries are beginning to come away, it only need a stitch or two and then….

Sorry...as I was saying, I'd just put everything away and was shrugging into my coat when I heard someone entering the church, not unusual I know, I thought it someone was wanting to pray...possibly Mrs O'Docherty...I gather that Kathleen's cancer is getting worse …

Okay yes... so I thought I'd stay out of sight and not disturb whoever it was in case they wanted silence and privacy, you know what father says about prayer, about needing to concentrate and when someone else is around it's never quite the same.

Whoever it was walks to the front and suddenly then the sacristy door opens and it's this Denise. I jumped in surprise and she gave a gasp when she saw me but, well she looked a bit worried and then whispered 'He's after me".

That's what I asked, "Who?" and then she says "A man he's been stalking me for the last two days – and he followed me to the church so I came in here for safety, only he'll be waiting when I go out." Really agitated she was. Well I didn't know what to make of it – I mean she was either making it up or it was the truth. I didn't want to let her go outside again in case it was true. While I'm wondering what to suggest she looks around and sees the other door from the sacristy, you know that small one that opens into the outside lane and says "Can you let me leave from here." It seemed a good idea, after all if she was delusional it wouldn't matter which way she went out and if she was telling the truth then she'd be safe, so I did – let her disappear through the back way I mean…I don't mind admitting to you I was a bit shaken so, after she'd gone and I locked the door behind her, I went into the church and knelt down to pray – calm myself a bit while I wondered if I'd done the right thing.

Thanks, glad you agree I didn't have much choice. Well I finished praying, just a quick one, what Father would describe as an arrow prayer I suppose, and got up to leave. I thought I'd heard the door when I was on my knees but hadn't turned around, you know what Father says about being distracted and I wanted to finish.

Exactly but when I turned and walked up the church there at the back was a youngish man, he seemed respectable enough, I mean he was in a suit, but I don't know….he looked sort of uncomfortable in it as if he and it didn't quite fit together….and as I walked towards him he gave me a hard, agitated look, sort of searching as I passed by him. It was only then I realised I'm about the same height and colouring as Denise and my coat is very similar. I think he thought I was her. I wasn't sure what to do so I just walked straight past him giving him a casual glance. I was worried that he'd follow me because of my resemblance to Denise but he just stood there, looking a bit stunned I think.

Yes so it seems she was telling the truth – funny though he was so much younger that her.

You're right of course, you never can tell with weirdos. Even more peculiar just as after I passed him a much younger women rushing came in, very pretty and I heard her saying something to him, I couldn't quite make it out, and to be honest I wanted to get away while he was distracted. But she sounded angry. She clearly knew him…

That's a thought, wife or girlfriend getting wise to his little tricks. Shame and she was so attractive I'd have thought she could do better, despite the suit he looked a bit rough. I'd not want to meet him on a dark night that's for sure.

I agree...if Denise turns up on Sunday we need to tell her to contact the police. Being American she might not know we have laws against stalking and she seems such a pleasant person she might need the support to do so.

Not good is it a visitor being pursued by a pervert. I wonder if I should have reported it to the police anyway. If they could trace the man they could give him a warning or a….what do you call it …. That's the word, a caution. I'd hate to think any harm had come to her and I could have prevented it.

I know a bit late now. Anyway what did you have to tell me about Patrick's' latest girlfriend…

Oh dear…Frances must be ripping her hair out, maybe she should…

Thanks for reading and if you have a moment a review would be welcome.