“It has?”

“Yeah,” she said softly. “I didn’t apply to St. Joan’s to change the world, or crusade for gay rights in the Catholic church. I just did it for me. I needed some quiet time, away from the city. But if, by the time I leave, a bunch of nuns can put a face to people like me, see that we live our lives as good, kind people and that we aren’t so different, well, that’s just an added bonus.”

Tilly nodded. “Well, I won’t say a word about what you’ve told me,” she said, her tone turning serious. “I know it could mean your job.”

Kate shrugged. “I don’t really think it would make a difference to them now that I only have a few months left.” She could hang a pride flag out on the sports field and she doubted she’d lose her position. By now, after almost a year, the sisters relied on her, maybe even loved her.

Tilly studied her. “I went to a lesbian wedding last year,” she said all of a sudden. “In the Botanical gardens. They invited me.” Kate watched, eyebrows raised as the tip of Tilly’s tongue snuck out to wet her lips. “I know lesbians.”

It took everything in her to hold back a grin. “Congratulations, Til.”

Tilly shook her head and looked at her toes, her cheeks colouring. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what I’m supposed to say…”

“You don’t have to say anything.”

They didn’t, until Tilly spoke up. “Did it upset you greatly?” she asked. “In school… Father Jeffrey—God rest his soul—I remember that there were certain homilies…He wasn’t very welcoming to homosexuals.”

“I didn’t…I don’t think I really knew who I was then. I mean I knew before I knew, but still…” She paused. “And yet somehow, I do remember every hurtful thing he said.”

“So do I…” Tilly murmured.

Kate drew the tip of her boot across the rim of the stone step, her heart beginning to race. “Did it hurt you?” she dared.

“Why would it hurt me?”

Kate looked up at her. She held Tilly’s gaze, determined. “Because you used to kiss me, Tilly. Because we kissed in the belltower. All the time.”

Like a curse, the words hung heavy in the garden. Tilly stared at her blankly, but Kate’s stare was unwavering. “No,” Tilly said. “It didn’t hurt me.”

You’re lying. Tilly had been so responsive to her kisses, her touches. To hear Father Jeffrey’s condemnation would have hurt her. How could they not? Tilly’s faith meant everything to her. Kate’s mouth grew dry. “I just thought maybe it had a little bit of an effect on you, you know, because the last night we kissed was the same day Father Jeffrey gave one of those homilies. I always equated the two, thought maybe that was why—because Father Jeffrey made you feel guilty about us, that it was wrong.”

“I wanted to join the convent,” Tilly said, her voice catching. “It was wrong.”