The Mills of God Read Online Free PDF Page B

horrible situation.’
    â€˜What happened?’ Nick asked, interested despite himself.
    â€˜I met someone else,’ Sonia replied brightly. ‘But for evermore the man gave me dirty looks when we passed in the street.’ She smiled up at him, her eyes shining. ‘But that’s just silly old me. Always landing myself in scrapes.’
    The vicar had a sinking feeling, fearing that she was going to tell him her life story. He stood up resolutely.
    â€˜It was very kind of you to call, Mrs Tate, but I really think I can manage quite well. If I feel desperate I shall announce it from the pulpit on Sunday.’
    â€˜I shall be there.’ She too stood up. ‘Well thank you for your hospitality,’ she said rather pointedly.
    Nick immediately worried that he had offered her nothing. ‘I shall be giving a welcoming party as soon as I am organized,’ he said. ‘You must come to it.’
    Her manner changed completely. ‘I’d love to,’ she gushed. ‘It will be so lovely to see the old vicarage full of life once more.’ She went out into the hall and turned to face him, extending her hand. For the briefest of seconds Nick wondered whether she intended him to kiss it. He shook it instead.
    â€˜Goodbye, Mrs Tate. So kind of you to call.’
    â€˜Anytime, Father Nick.’ She gave him a dazzling smile. ‘And I mean that.’ Then, moving swiftly, she was through the door and out into the street.
    â€˜Whew,’ Nick muttered, as he closed it again.
    Suddenly tired, he cooked his meal quickly and had it on a tray in front of the television. Then he went upstairs.
    It was quiet in the upper part of the vicarage and Nick felt more than ready for bed. He prayed very briefly that he would like Lakehurst and that the village – or at least the majority of it – would like him in return. Then he got into the very beautiful four-poster, left to him by his mother.
    He woke in the middle of the night feeling a presence in the room, a presence which was warm and friendly and did not frighten him in the least.
    â€˜Is that you William?’ he said.
    There was no answer but he distinctly heard his bedroom door close very gently as something went out.

FOUR
    L akehurst was really quite a large village, Nick decided, having taken a day off from parish duties and walked round the entire perimeter. To the east it had a large meadow which opened out into what must surely be one of the finest views in Europe, displaying distant hills and lovely lush fields on which cattle grazed in serene contentment. The ground, sloping gently downwards to a lively brook, rose again on the other side to a faraway ring of trees. Nick, shading his eyes as he looked at it, wondered if it had any magical associations.
    Before him the view stretched on, behind him was a little path which led to the Remembrance Hall. He had thought as he walked past it what a particularly ugly building it was, but now the vicar made his way there. The doors were open and there was the sound of conversation from within. Boldly, he stepped inside.
    A tall, gawky woman with a face like a parrot regarded him with an unfriendly stare. ‘Can I help you?’ she asked frostily.
    Nick put on his most charming smile. ‘Excuse me bursting in like this. I just wanted to have a look round.’
    â€˜Well, the place is booked for a private function. It’s the WI meeting this afternoon.’
    â€˜Sorry. I didn’t realize. I’m the new vicar and I’m just making an assessment of my parish.’
    Her whole attitude changed. ‘Ah, Vicar, how nice to meet you. I am Ivy Bagshot and I’m the Chairman of the Women’s Institute.’
    She came forward with hand extended and gave him a gushing smile displaying a brilliant set of false teeth. Her grasp was dry and slightly masculine, Nick thought.
    â€˜How kind of you to look in,’ she continued, staring at him from behind