be good for me. They’re running a season of Christopher Lee movies in Rawtenstall. Do you like horror films?’
‘Not really.’ The hand fell away from his arm, but that smile was definitely back.
He shook his head. ‘Me neither. Too easily scared. How do you feel about romantic comedies?’
‘I’m starting to think I might be in one. Aren’t vicars supposed to be celibate?’
‘That’s Catholic priests,’ he said, managing to keep a straight face. ‘Sex is definitely allowed in the Anglican church,’ he went on, as she turned from him and he could see the skin of her neck start to glow. ‘The guidelines say we should usually take a woman out a couple of times first. You know, for a movie, or a pizza, but I suppose I could be flexible.’
She was bright pink now and staring straight ahead as though the grey horse in the school was about to do something spectacular. ‘Do shut up,’ she snapped.
‘Well, I would, but you haven’t said yes yet and it’s difficult to do this in sign language.’
She was facing him again, trying to be serious, not quite managing it. ‘I called you an asshole the other day,’ she said.
‘Very perceptive. I like that in a woman.’
She dropped her head and looked at him sideways. It was a surprisingly childlike gesture for a woman who must be in her early thirties. ‘I’m sorry I was a bitch,’ she said. ‘But I was on my backside in the middle of the road with limbs all over the place and …’
‘It was a good look for you – sorry, didn’t quite mean that the way it sounded – I’ll shut up. Maybe I should ask Duchess out.’
‘I think they’ll excommunicate you for that.’
‘No, that’s allowed too. It’s more common than you might think.’
She started to laugh, a soft, almost soundless mirth that shook her shoulders and made her breasts bounce inside her shirt. He was staring again. He leaned back in his chair and looked up. A small flock of starlings was moving across the sky. As one, the birds changed direction and, for a split-second, formed what could almost be a heart-shape in the air before switching again and heading away from them.
‘I’m not a churchgoer,’ she said after a moment.
Harry shrugged. ‘Nobody’s perfect.’
‘I’m serious.’ She was too. She’d stopped smiling. ‘I really don’t believe in God,’ she went on. ‘Won’t that be a problem? While we’re watching this romantic comedy or eating pizza or whatever?’
‘I’ll do you a deal, Evi,’ he said, knowing that, in truth, the deal was all but done and all he had to do was close it.
‘Another one?’ she asked.
‘The first one worked out OK. I got you back on the horse and you were still speaking to me. So the new deal is, I won’t try and convert you. You don’t try and analyse me.’
‘How did you know?’ she asked. ‘How did you know what my name is and what I do?’
Harry pointed at the sky. The starlings were still there, hovering overhead, as though they knew what was happening on the ground and were hanging around to see the outcome. ‘All-knowing-one on speed-dial,’ he said. ‘How about Friday?’
She didn’t even pretend to think about it. ‘OK, that would be bugger, I mean, sorry – I have to work. I’m seeing a family in Oldham at their house. I won’t be back till late.’
‘Well, Saturday then – oh no, sorry, I mean bugger – I have this church thing. Heptonclough – where we met, you’ll remember – are having their annual harvest shindig. You know the sort of thing, ceremonial cutting of the last wheat, dancing around naked as the sun goes down and then the harvest feast in one of the big houses.’
‘Sounds a riot.’
‘Well, quite. They’ve asked me to read a traditional prayer over the crop and say grace at the dinner. I’m invited to bring a guest, but maybe …’ Harry stopped. Taking a date to his first official function? Was that really a good idea?
‘I think it could be fun,’ said Evi. ‘And I’d get to see you in action.’
Harry realized he really didn’t want his first date with Evi to go wrong. He gestured at his clothes. ‘I’d be wearing the, you know, the regalia – dog collar, ceremonial robes. At least till after the formal stuff.’
‘Can’t wait.’ The starlings were starting to move off, twisting back in their direction every couple of seconds, as if to check it was all still going well.