The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (060) Funeral Week

 

Throughout the wet weekend and into Monday Nikki had been keeping herself occupied on Beacon farm, but Sam was never far from her thoughts, and she really wanted to be with him to comfort him.

Nikki Harrison loved Sam Archer with every fibre of her being, but she couldn’t envisage life away from Beaumont island, and it filled her with dread that she could be forced to choose between her two loves.

The Vicar, Arielle Nicholas, was in a similar position she really loved the island but her love for Harry might take her wherever he was, but she would prefer him to come to her.

But it looked like that decision had been taken out of her hands when she received a letter from the Bishop's Palace.

 

On Tuesday they got word that the funeral was on Friday, and although they didn’t know Dorcas personally, they decided they wanted to attend the funeral to support their men.

However, Nikki didn’t have a licence and Arielle didn’t have a car so, Danny and Molly offered to drive them to Pepperstock Green, then they would go off on one of their little holidays and pick them up on the way back.

Despite their propensity to allow themselves to be distracted and daily movie matinees Danny and Molly were making great progress on the second of the Sharon Jacques book and were ahead of the targets set by Max so they could easily afford the time.  

 

On Wednesday, Two days before the funeral, the Vicar knocked on Molly’s door.

“Hello Vicar” she said, and because she didn’t look herself Molly added “Is everything alright?”

“No” she replied flatly

“Come inside” Molly said and ushered her inside to where Danny was sitting.

“Morning Vicar” Danny exclaimed,  

“Hello Danny”

“So, what’s wrong?” Molly asked

“I have been given notice” she said “I’ve just spoken to the Archdeacon”

“When?” Danny asked

“The Church is closing before Holy Week” she said “They’re going to transfer me to another parish”

“Do you want to go Arielle?” Molly asked

“No, but I don’t have a choice” she replied

“That’s not strictly true” Molly said

“What do you mean?” Arielle asked

“What I’m about to tell you has to remain between us” Molly said mysteriously

“I don’t understand” Arielle said as she sat down

“I’m serious” Molly said

“Ok, I won’t say anything”

“I’ve bought the Church” Molly explained “And I’m going to  need a Vicar”

“Wow” Arielle exclaimed

 

After Danny brought them coffee and Arielle had digested the news she said

“So why did you buy the Church exactly?”

“To save it” Molly replied “When I met with the Bishop, he made it perfectly clear he wasn’t going to spend a penny on St Clara’s”

“Yes, I remember, he said some very unchristian things after he left here” Arielle said and smiled

“My priority is to save the Church” Molly continued “Not to run it, I will not try to influence you in Church matters”

“You could easily find a replacement for me though” Arielle pointed out

“Why would we want to? You love St Clara’s and your congregation love you” Molly replied

“So, are you in?” Danny asked

“Theres a lot to consider, can I give you my answer after the funeral?”

“Of course,” Molly said

 

The next day they were packing their bags for their trip away when she said

“It would help if I knew where we were going”

“But that would spoil the surprise” he said

“That’s not helpful though” Molly said

“Whatever you take will look great” He said

“That’s not helpful either” she said, and they both laughed 

 

They were up bright and early on Friday morning, but not nearly enough for breakfast, and they were out promptly and loaded the bags into the car.  

In January’ in addition to the Landrover, they also had acquired a Range Rover Evoque, because whenever they went on one of their trips, they always ended up hiring a different car, which meant that the Landrover was sitting idle in Pipershaven for the duration, which left George with no transport.

That morning was their first trip in the Evoque, and they picked the Vicar up on the corner of Church Lane, then drove out of the village, before making a slight detour to Beacon Farm to get Nikki, then onto St Pierre in time for the early ferry.

“This is so much more comfortable than the Landy” Nikki said as they left the farm

It was a grey overcast morning, but the sea was quite benign and the crossing uneventful, as was the journey to Pepperstock Green. 

 

The funeral service was being held at St Agatha's in the village, but Danny dropped Arielle and Nikki at the Archer’s house, and after exchanging greetings and expressing condolences, they headed back towards the Expressway to the Starlight.