The priest coughed, clearing his throat, searching for a response he couldn’t find.

‘What, nothing more to say for yourself, Father? That’s such a great shame. I thought you might be interested in my plans.’

‘Oh, for God’s sake, what now?’

‘There’s a particular young girl I’ve taken rather a liking to. She’s staying over at my place for a week or two’s entertainment, if you get my gist. I’ll tire of her soon enough, but I’ll allow her to live for a time. I’ve told my dear mother all about it. I had a special friend no-one else could see or hear as a child, and now I’ve got her. She’s so very different since her death. She accepts and encourages my dark side. She’s a far better mother now than she ever was.’

‘You’re ill, Henry. You need expert help. For God’s sake, man, talk to your doctor.’

Heath shook his head. ‘You hear the voice of God and I hear my mother. Is that so very different? I suspect mother’s far more real.’

The priest reached for his tablets for a second time as his chest constricted, a sudden wave of nausea making him retch. He fumbled with the bottle and then dropped it to the floor. He reached out, but his fingers fell short. When he spoke, his words were whispered. ‘You need help. You need treatment.’

‘Killing is all the therapy I need.’

The searing pain spread to the priest’s neck, jaw and back as a bright white tunnel of light gradually replaced his physical reality. His final words were barely audible. ‘Help me, Henry. I need… I need…’

A face-stretching smile dominated Heath’s otherwise unremarkable features as he rose slowly to his feet. ‘Oh, I don’t think so, Father. My work here is done. I’ll be off now. She’ll be waiting for me. It’s time to meet your maker.’

13

Kesey hugged Janet, her best friend and partner in life, before turning away and switching on the kettle. ‘Tea or coffee?’

‘Tea please, you know how I like it.’

Kesey dropped fair trade teabags into two white porcelain mugs before pouring in the water. ‘Fancy a biscuit?’

Janet patted her stomach, which was protruding slightly over the top of her jeans. ‘No, you’re all right, ta, I’m still trying to lose a bit of weight before the holiday. I’m going to look like a beached whale if I don’t sort myself out. I can’t get anywhere near that new bikini I bought. I should have got a bigger size. Maybe a fourteen was always a bit on the ambitious side. Talk about rolls of fat. There are only three weeks to go. I’m running out of time.’

Kesey’s face dropped as she added a splash of semi-skimmed milk to both mugs.

‘What is it, Laura?’

Kesey handed Janet her hot drink before joining her at the kitchen table. ‘What’s what?’

‘Oh, come on, you know what I’m talking about. You had a face like a slapped arse when I mentioned the holiday. I can read you like a large print book.’