The Mills of God Read Online Free PDF Page A

Rudniski had placed one of his hands over one of Olivia’s and was whispering close to her ear.
    Damn, thought Nick. But then he thought that he wouldn’t have a chance in a million with such a beautiful and talented girl as she was. He resignedly carried the drinks back to the table.
    â€˜I hear that Olivia is giving a concert in the church. I shall buy a ticket,’ Kasper announced cheerfully.
    â€˜I hope that plenty of people will,’ she answered, raising her glass to the vicar.
    â€˜Let’s hope it is a sell out,’ Nick said somewhat lamely.
    â€˜Well there goes one who won’t be there,’ said Olivia, glancing at the door.
    Nick looked and saw Jack Boggis sweeping out clutching his paper.
    â€˜Doesn’t he support local events?’
    â€˜Not he. He prefers to go home and watch television and drink beer from tins.’
    â€˜One day he will have trouble with his liver,’ Kasper announced in sepulchral tones.
    â€˜Is he married?’ asked Nick.
    â€˜She died of cancer a few years ago. Smoked herself to death I’m afraid.’
    â€˜Poor fellow.’
    â€˜Poor both of them.’
    Kasper stood up. ‘I must be getting back. Goodbye, Olivia, I’ll see you soon no doubt.’ He turned to Nick and held out his hand. ‘Goodbye, Reverend, it has been a pleasure to meet you.’
    â€˜Goodbye, Doctor. I’ll register with you as soon as I’ve settled in.’
    â€˜How kind. Goodnight.’
    He went out and Nick said, ‘Handsome fellow.’
    â€˜I think he’s divine looking. Every girl in the village is after him. Even potty old Ceinwen.’
    â€˜You know her?’
    â€˜Not ’arf. She tried to get me to join her poetry group.’
    â€˜And did you?’
    â€˜No fear. I made an excuse about my busy career.’
    â€˜And is it? Are you very busy?’
    â€˜Completely and utterly. But I often come to Lakehurst at weekends.’
    â€˜Do you go to church?’
    â€˜Sometimes,’ answered Olivia, and laughed her wonderful laugh.
    â€˜Well, I’ll have to make do with that,’ Nick answered boldly, then changed the subject.
    He left The Great House half an hour later, Olivia having fixed the date of the recital with him and then saying she had to go. He had offered to walk her home but she told him she had her car in the car park.
    â€˜I live near Speckled Wood. It would take you ages to get there.’
    â€˜Well one day I’ll drive out. When I’m doing my parish visits.’
    â€˜I look forward to that. Goodbye, Nick.’ She held out her hand.
    â€˜Goodbye, Olivia.’
    And she was gone in a flash of blue Vauxhall. The vicar, sighing a little, came out of the car park and turned right, going up the High Street to a small supermarket he had noticed on the corner. It was one of those open-all-hours affairs and purported to sell everything – at a price. Nick wandered round the somewhat cramped aisles and got himself some rather tired-looking pork chops and a listless cauliflower. He then added a packet of Lapsang Souchong teabags and a jar of instant coffee, some biscuits – chocolate, not the pallid shade so loved by Mrs Cox and Ceinwen – and one or two things that he felt were generally needed. He went to pay. A very round Pakistani man greeted him with a broad grin.
    â€˜Good evening, Vicar. It is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Ali and I will always be happy to serve you.’
    â€˜Good evening, Ali. I take it you are the owner?’
    â€˜Yes, indeed I am. We stock everything here as you may have noticed.’
    â€˜I was very impressed that you had china teas.’
    â€˜We stock those for Mr Riddell down West Street. He won’t drink anything else.’
    The vicar felt immediately that he was in rather odd company but merely smiled.
    â€˜I do hope you enjoy it here, good sir,’ Ali continued. ‘I personally am a Muslim but I