Michael bowed his head. ‘That’s the plan, Father. She is everything to me.’

As they sat side by side in the church, Michael felt a peace settle over him. He loved the church and the solitude that it afforded him. He had often come here as a child to sit and think. For him there was nowhere else in the world where a body could be so utterly alone as in a Catholic church.

He was a believer, of course, in his own way. He had a deep respect for his religion, and he knew that it was something that would always be a part of his life, even if there were a lot of the teachings he couldn’t help question. That was just part of growing up; all in all, he still needed the stability it afforded him.

Josephine shared his beliefs and it was something they would pass on to their children. It was important that they learn that they were a part of something so big and powerful, that would be with them for their entire lives.

‘You ready to make your confession, Michael?’

‘Yes, Father, of course.’

Michael knew he had to make a good Act of Contrition before his marriage. He wanted to be able to take Communion on his wedding day without any blemish on his soul whatsoever. A Catholic marriage was a blessed sacrament. There would be no divorce; his marriage was for life and for the life thereafter. Michael knew how serious it was.

Father Riordan wished with all his heart that he had more young men like Michael Flynn in his parish. Decent young Catholics were getting rarer by the year.

‘Come on, then.’

Michael followed the priest into the confessional box. He knelt down immediately, appreciating the softness of the leather beneath his knees. It was quite dark inside. He knew that the priest was now his conduit to the Lord Himself, and it was something he had never taken lightly. This was so powerful a thing that even the laws of the land had no authority in the confessional box. Whatever he told the priest could never be repeated and, as long as he was truly repentant, his sins would be forgiven and his soul would be once more without blemish.

He blessed himself quickly, wanting to get this over as soon as possible. ‘Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been over two years since my last confession.’