‘He doesn’t look like your everyday fuddy-duddy priest,’ Sam remarked, having seen Father Chris from the corridor.

He stood up as the two women entered the room.

‘We can through to the chapel of rest now, Father,’ Jane told him.

‘Aren’t you going to introduce us?’ Sam asked.

‘Of course,’ Jane said and did the introductions.

‘Do you have a Christian name?’ Sam asked as they shook hands.

‘It’s Christopher, but most people call me Father Chris,’ he replied.

‘Are you Italian?’

‘Father Chris is Maltese,’ Jane said.

‘It’s a lovely island. I went there once on holiday,’ Sam said.

‘I’m glad you liked it, Dr Pullen.’

‘Please, call me Sammy.’

Jane wasn’t sure if she was flirting. ‘I think we best get a move on, Father, or we’ll be late for the meeting with the bishop.’

‘It’s been a pleasure meeting you, Sammy.’

‘Likewise, Father Chris.’

As he walked to the door, Sam took Jane’s arm.

‘It’s a pity priests are celibate,’ she whispered with a wink.

*

In the chapel of rest Father Chris took off his coat, removed a purple stole from his pocket and placed it around his neck. The nun’s body was covered to the top of her neck in a white ritual blanket with a large embroidered gold cross.

‘Would you like me to leave?’ Jane asked.

‘No, it’s fine, please stay if you want.’

Jane stood with her hands behind her back and head slightly bowed so she could watch him. He remained in silent prayer for a while before speaking.

‘My God, I recommend to thee the souls of my relations, my benefactors, my friends, and my enemies, and of those who are in purgatory on my account. I recommend to thee the souls of evangelical labourers, of religious and priests, and especially of those who had charge of my soul. I recommend to thee the souls of those who were most devout to the passion of Our Lord, to the Blessed Sacrament, to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the souls who are most abandoned, those who suffer most, and those who are nearest to the entrance into paradise. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.’

Jane was touched by his prayer, hearing the emotion in his voice. Thinking he had finished, she raised her head, and took a step forward. She was about to speak when Father Chris continued the prayer. She quickly stepped back and resumed a solemn position.

‘In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen,’ he said, blessing the nun with the sign of the cross. He turned to Jane.

‘Thank you for letting me pray for her.’

‘It was a very moving.’

‘An Italian saint called Alphonsus Liguori wrote it in the 1700s, when he was a bishop. Under the circumstances, I thought it appropriate.’