The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (020) Meeting Arielle

November

Molly’s grandfather, Sir Avery Arnold, was keen that Danny encouraged Molly's relationship with God, not that she needed any encouragement, she never missed a Sunday, and if she couldn't do the Sunday morning, she would do the evening service, even if it meant going to a different Church.

In fact, it was more a case of her encouraging him because although he was a Christian he wasn’t a regular churchgoer, he wasn't a weekly worshiper until he met Molly.

 

Worship was quite different in the UK than it was in Colorado, and Molly had tried on a few churches for size in Downshire, St Hilda’s in Abbotsford, St Michael’s in Applesford, St Winifred’s in Mornington and St Lucy’s in Sharpington.

She had attended St Joan of Arc and St Pierre’s while staying at the Beaumont Manor but found the worship rather too High Church for her taste.

She hoped St Clara’s in Spaniards Creek would suit her rather more than the main churches on the island in St Pierre.

So, when she and Danny walked inside, she was apprehensive, but she was not disappointed with the church she’d chosen and felt immediately at home.

It was a small church by Norman standards and was full of catholic iconography and a spectacular stained-glass window behind the dais was a joy to behold.

The congregation were also very welcoming, and she really liked the Vicar, Arielle Nicolas, a small delicately featured woman with bobbed brown hair, quickly approaching her 40^th birthday, not that she looked it.

 

“That was a lovely service Vicar” Molly said as they left the Church and it’s a really beautiful Church”.

“Thank you” she responded and shook Molly’s hand “It’s always nice to see new faces among the congregation, especially local celebrities.”

“And it’s nice to be among them” Molly said, “I’d very much like to discuss something with you.”

“Certainly, is tomorrow, ok?” The Vicar said.

“I can come to you if you want, 11 o’clock?”   

“That would be perfect” she said “Goodbye.”

 

Back at Cliff Haven Molly cooked her first Sunday Roast, with Danny’s guidance, and the end result was more than acceptable, so much so that they both overate and fell asleep on the sofa watching TV.

 

There was a knock on the door Monday morning a minute or two before Eleven and Danny opened the door.

“Hello Vicar” he said, “Please come in.”

“Thank you, Mr, Nightingale.”

“No one calls him that” Molly said ““He’s Danny and I’m Molly”.

“Well, if we’re on first name terms then I’m Arielle.”

“What a lovely name” Danny said.

“Thank you”

 

“How are you liking Spaniards Creek?” The Vicar asked.

“Very much” she replied, “Although I’m not really a newcomer, I was born in this house.”

“Really?”

“I’m a foreigner” Danny said, “Are you a native?” 

“No, I’m from Tipton” she replied.

“But I love the island, I’ve walked every inch of it, you can’t help feeling close to God when you’re on the hills.”

“Yes, it is beautiful.” Molly agreed.

“I will miss it when I have to leave.” The Vicar said.

“You’re leaving?” asked Molly.

“It’s looking like a distinct possibility.” She replied sadly.

“What a shame” Molly expressed.

“Anyway, what was it you wanted to talk about?” Arielle asked and Molly spoke at length about the reinterment of her grandfather and then the Vicar said.

“That might be problematic.”

“Oh?”

“The Bishop wants to close St Clara’s”

“Why?”

“As pretty as the church is there are some issues that need attending to” she explained.

“Such as?” Danny asked.

“The Roof, the masonry on the bell tower and the belfry itself” she said.

“What about fundraising?” Molly asked.

“Well, we’re a small parish and we struggle to raise funds at the best of times and the diocese can't or won’t help us, so things are rather desperate.”

“Not anymore, they're not” Molly said resolutely.

“I will put up the necessary funds.” 

“That’s very generous Molly” The Vicar said, “But I doubt the Bishop will sanction spending the money on St Clara’s, he thinks of Beaumont Island as “little England”.”

“Well, that's what it's for and that is where I want it to be used.” Molly said crossly “So can you tell that to the Bishop?”

“I like you” Arielle said, “You’re feisty.”

“She never used to be” Danny said and smiled.

“Danny brings out the beast in me” Molly said and blushed.

 

“Do you even have access to those kinds of funds? And can you commit to such an outlay?” Danny asked.

“I’ve no idea” Molly replied and laughed “I suppose I’d better find out.”

Sir Avery Arnold appointed Bramstock, Goodman, Crossfield, and Bushe of Abbottsford, to manage Molly’s affairs, and all her finances and all the assets which would be hers in its entirety when she was 25.

But they also had discretion to release funds at her request for what Sir Avery called her “Special Projects” and that was what they told her when she phoned them.

“Apparently I do” Molly said after hanging up.