‘Now it won’t be hard for me to leave the Church,’ he murmured as they held each other tightly. ‘This feels so right. I thought I would be consumed with anxiety, guilt and doubts, even shame. I feel none of these emotions. I simply feel happy.’

‘Me too,’ Keelin agreed with heartfelt empathy. ‘I think our theological discussions have made it much easier for us. Or it could be that I’m just not a very good nun.’

‘You’re a great nun,’ he assured her, kissing her neck and shoulder. ‘But I’m not the ideal priest.’

‘You’re my ideal priest, Armand,’ Keelin murmured. ‘So kind and compassionate and unjudgemental. You know the kids love you and so do your parishioners. You never scare them with talk of a wrathful God, you only talk about the love of God.’

Armand sighed. ‘The bishop told me off about that. He’s advised me that my sermons should focus more on the commandments and the severe consequences of breaking them.’ He took her hand and they walked out of the sea to where their towels were laid. He wrapped her towel tenderly around her and set out their picnic. They devoured the cheese and bread, hungry after their swim and then she laid her head against his damp chest, loving the sound of his heart beating so steadily beneath her cheek.

‘This is paradise,’ she murmured.

‘Some would think that you and I will go to hell for committing this mortal sin of being happy in each other’s company.’ Armand gave a wry smile, his arms tightening around her.

‘I don’t think we’re committing sin. This feels so loving, so peaceful. In your arms, I feel I’ve come home,’ Keelin said, stroking his jaw, which had a hint of bristly stubble.

‘That’s exactly how I feel, Keelin, You have put it into the most perfect words,’ Armand exclaimed and they stared at each other in the darkness before they kissed with a passion that left them both breathless.

‘I should go,’ Armand drew away from her. ‘If I don’t, you know what will happen.’

‘I want it to happen,’ Keelin sighed, bereft, as they stood not touching.

‘It will, when the time is right,’ Armand promised her. ‘I am on my parish visits for three days; I’ll see you when I get back. Bonne nuit, chérie.’ He kissed her chastely on the cheek and then he was gone, loping up the beach, disappearing into the darkness.

The loneliness Keelin felt watching him go was indescribable. Three days seemed such a long time when they had so much to talk about, and so much to plan. She tightened her towel around her and hurried back to the convent, alternating between moments of great joy and loss.