The alarm sounded far too quickly for Assumpta's liking. As she lay on her back, eyes focussing wearily on the light-fitting, it felt as if she'd only just gone to sleep.
It was true. Sleep had been hard to come by last night. After Peter left, all she could do to keep the tears at bay was to clean the pub from top to bottom, diverting her attention to any menial task that presented itself.
By 2am the bar was more ordered than it had been in months, which was more than she could say about herself.
How could she have been so stupid? Of course Peter wouldn't leave the priesthood – how could he? It was all he knew. It was all he loved. Father Frank MacAnally knew this as well as anyone. All he'd suggested was a way for Peter to realise this once and for all.
Assumpta grumbled audibly and hit the snooze button on her alarm. She'd be damned if she allowed that self-satisfied hobbit of a man put a wedge through her life and her happiness. But what was the alternative?
Try as she might, she couldn't shake the feeling that going after Peter would be a terrible mistake.
But was it one that she was willing to make?
Peter hung up his cordless telephone, feeling better than he had all day. Last night had been an unmitigated disaster – well, in the most part. He wasn't sure if Assumpta would ever forgive him for not coming clean at the start.
It occurred to him to clarify his situation, really it had, but as he was discovering, when it came to Assumpta, his thinking and doing were rarely in sync.
But now he'd actually made a plan for his week off. He couldn't stay here – that much was obvious – but the week would be an exercise in futility if he didn't spend it, at least in part, with Assumpta.
The difficult thing would be convincing her to agree to it.
As if on cue, the phone started to ring in his hand.
"Hello, Father Clifford," he answered automatically.
"Now is that strictly true?"
"Assumpta!" Fortunately for Peter, his surprise managed to eclipse his delight. "I thought you weren't speaking to me?"
The publican's eye roll was so aggrandised, it was audible. "I'll let you away with it, just this once."
"I'm glad."
"Thought you might be."
All they heard was white noise for a while, each preoccupied by the unanswered questions that plagued them – each dwelling heavily on the memory of last night.
"So, how's your first day of freedom?"
Peter grinned widely, relieved just to be talking normally with her again. "Good. Great, actually. I've been making plans all morning."
"Oh, yeah?" she replied warily.
"Nothing major. Just travel arrangements."
Assumpta's voice dropped. "Oh."
"Wait, no – sorry I'm not being clear. I was never too good on the phone. Are you busy? Can we meet?"
The line went silent for a moment, so he clarified. "Somewhere public."
"Okay, then." Assumpta agreed quietly. "By the stream in 10 minutes?"
Peter fingered the telephone cord like a teenager, beaming widely. "See you there."
The publican was the first to arrive. The pub was empty when she left, affording Assumpta the opportunity to lock the door and sneak away unobserved.
Although some part of her appreciated the clandestine nature of whatever she had with the Priest, a more significant part couldn't bear the illicit nature of it all. Neither was married, nor was the union at all extraordinary. They were similar ages, from similar backgrounds. All that kept them apart was some archaic law written in a dead language for a faith that Assumpta didn't even ascribe to.
She'd be damned if something as insignificant as that would keep her from almost certain happiness. No, now was the time for action but she'd have to tread carefully. No more dangerous liaisons. In fact, no more liaisons whatsoever! A line was drawn in the sand and she'd be damned if she would be the first to cross it.
"Hey."
Peter's arrival tested this promise. As he drew closer, Assumpta could immediately tell that everything about the not-so-current Priest exuded a kind of measured confidence.
From they way he dressed (stonewash jeans, loafers and a dark red fisherman's jumper) to the way he held her in his gaze, Peter looked entirely comfortable – which was more than she could say about herself.
"Nice spot," he commented on their decidedly picturesque surroundings.
"Where isn't in this town?"
"Fair point," he smiled. "Thanks for meeting me."
"S'okay. I can't stay long though."
"Me either," Peter returned. "I have to pack."
Assumpta felt her eyes widen in panic. He was leaving? She tried to keep her voice disinterested. "Oh?"
"Yeah," he took a breath. "I'm flying to Manchester tonight."
"Oh." Everything in her sank. "How long will you be staying?"
"The week. Longer if…" Peter caught himself. Now wasn't the time for making major decisions. "Anyway, I have something for you – apologies, it's not gift-wrapped."
His companion took the white plastic bag from his proffered hand, careful not to touch anything else as she did so. "What's this?"
"Just some supplies from Hendleys."
Inside the bag was a small selection of tacky gossip magazines, a bottle of water and a sleep mask. Confused, Assumpta pulled out the latter and looked at Peter questioningly.
"I booked another ticket – if you're interested?" By now the Englishman could no longer hide his nerves.
"Interested?"
Peter's eyes softened. "Come with me?"
"To England?"
"I've booked us on the same flight but your ticket's fully flexible, so if you want to join me later in the week, that's fine too." Peter paused for breath, although briefly. "I know you've got the pub to think about and I don't want to force you to make a decision now, but I'd really like for you to be there."
"Okay, then." But her small voice went unnoticed by Peter.
"So there's no pressure, okay? I know this is weird, but –"
"I said okay, Peter."
A slow smile gradually formed on his mouth. "Really?"
"Really."
Peter wanted to pull her into his warm embrace but instead he hugged himself and beamed widely. "Are you okay to leave the pub tonight?"
"Sure, I can always ask Niamh to cover for a few days." Assumpta nodded slowly as a plan began to form in her head. "She's been on at me to visit Leo in London – she'd bound to cover if I tell her that's where I'm going."
Peter looked worried for a moment, leading Assumpta to add, "Rest easy squire, I'm not actually going to see him."
"But won't he call? While you're away?"
Assumpta reached out to assure him. "I'll phone Leo today to tell him there's someone else."
Taking her hand with his own, Peter admitted shyly, "I've never been anybody's 'someone else' before."
"Well, just so long as I'm not yours forever."
His smile faded. Holiday or none, Assumpta would always remain his 'someone else' until the curate severed all ties with the Church.
Was he ready to do this? He had a week to decide. And now Assumpta had agreed to spend it with him, the week ahead looked very promising indeed.
A/N Thanks to all who are still following this little story. Your reviews are awesomesauce! Warning - the next few chapters enter uncharted territory for me. FLUFF! Great fun to write a happy P/A story for a change but fear not, there will be some more saucy angst ahead!