‘Quite. So why would Fred be so secretive about something that sounds quite beautiful to me? I like the sound of worshipping nature, isn’t that what a lot of peace-loving people around the world still do?’

‘Yes, communities have done it for centuries, but have always been victimised for it, which is probably why Fred was less than willing to share the information.’

‘Right, so let’s get this straight: Mary was part of the group?’

‘She was the High Priestess.’

‘Run that by me again,’ Kelly said. Rob stopped eating.

‘Every group has a High Priest and a High Priestess who run it. They shouldn’t be a couple themselves – as Mary and Fred weren’t. It just means they’ve had more experience and training than the others.’

‘So, Mary was a leader? Did anyone stand to gain from taking that title away from her?’

‘I can’t think of anyone, and, as you know, everybody respected and admired her. But there is one person that I thought had left the area a long time ago, who Mary upset.’

Kelly glanced at Rob. They both sat up a little taller. Rob put down his half eaten biscuit. ‘Go on,’ said Kelly.

‘It’s a long story,’ said Joe.

‘You have our attention,’ Kelly said.

‘I was thinking about joining Fred’s group. Annie was less convinced but agreed to learn more about it. I work in nature, I see it all about me. I think that the basic mores of what Fred and Mary put across were quite beautiful, and it all makes sense to me. Everything revolves around seasons: light and dark.’

‘Light and dark?’

‘Yes, the science and awe of the cycle of the year. So, the beginning of the year is in February, when the ewes first lactate for the spring lambs. From then on, the nights get shorter and the days get longer. Life returns to the land.’

Kelly thought that Joe was doing an excellent job of explaining it all. His passion was infectious. It’s just she couldn’t see how it all might be relevant yet. She listened. Rob started on another biscuit.

‘However, there was an old member of the group who created tension, and there was a strong belief that he might not have had the purest of souls. He portrayed himself as a moral rod, the leader in many ways, and it upset Fred and made the group somewhat lopsided, if you know what I mean. He unsettled people. He brought imbalance.’

‘So why was he allowed to join?’ Kelly asked.

‘Because he was in a relationship with Mary. I didn’t know the details but they were an odd pairing. He was stern and mysterious, and she was meek and gentle. It turns out that he was actually married and Mary ended the relationship. He was asked to leave the group but said some pretty awful things before he did.’

‘Like what?’