Unforgettable (Gloria Cook) - By Gloria Cook Page 0,73

the day.’

Dorrie was afraid Fiona would let the miserable vicar spoil the occasion but Fiona did not. ‘We’re just as good as him,’ she said airily. ‘I’ve done nothing wrong and I and my little girl have every right to enter the church.’

Finn had concentrated on Eloise so far, but now that his mother and sister, and Mrs R, were driving on ahead in Guy’s car to uncover the food already laid out for the party, Finn singled out Belle. ‘You look lovely,’ he said, nonchalantly, for Charlie was virtually stuck to her side, holding her arm linked through his.

In a semi-pleated skirt and matching jacket and perky hat, her hair pinned up, Belle had the appearance of an understated movie star. ‘It was a lovely little ceremony, Finn. One of Reverend Lytton’s better ones actually. You mustn’t mind him. He’s old and bumbling and set in his ways. Charlie and I are going to take Mrs Pentecost and Rebecca in the van to Merrivale. I suppose you’ll walk with Sam and Jenna – oh and young Tilly.’

‘That’s right,’ Finn said. He had been going to ride his bike but remembered he should act as escort to Tilly. ‘We’ll be walking with the Vercoe family.’ But I’ll get you alone at some point.

With Jean pushing the twins in the pram and Denny giving the other younger children a ride on his shoulders and back, the group set off. Finn found himself striding side by side with Tilly. She made a trim little figure.

‘I can’t abide that vicar,’ she whispered vehemently.

‘Why?’ Finn asked uninterestedly, thinking about how he could be near Belle again.

‘He refused to bury poor young Mrs Newton in the churchyard. She was mistress for a while to my sister Cathy. She says Mrs Newton was the sweetest, most innocent person in the world. And she shouldn’t be blamed for doing away with herself; she was a sick lady and couldn’t have been really aware of what she was doing. Now Reverend Lytton has condemned her to wander about in limbo, forever a lost soul because she’s not lying in consecrated ground.’

‘Don’t be daft,’ Finn said. He had always scoffed at such notions.

‘Oh, you believe she is in Heaven then?’ Tilly had to run a few steps to keep up with him.

Thoughtfully, Finn slowed down to accommodate her. ‘Your sister believes her mistress was an innocent lady. God’s got nothing against the innocent. It’s not in His nature. All I can say is thank goodness He’s more merciful than humankind.’

Tilly suddenly put her hand through the crook of his arm. ‘Oh, thank you, Finn. I’ll tell Cathy, it’ll be some comfort to her.’

‘It will stop her looking over her shoulder,’ Finn laughed, happy to keep Tilly on his arm. He enjoyed the moments she snatched to chat to him at Petherton. ‘Ghouls, ghosts and the rest of it are stupid superstitious beliefs, nothing more. When you die you either go up or down and you go where God thinks it’s fair. Have you ever been to Merrivale, Tilly?’

‘No, run past it a few times from out in the lane and it always looked dark and scary to me. Can’t wait to see all the changes your mum and Mr Carthewy have made.’

‘I did a lot of the work,’ Finn reminded her.

‘Yes, of course, you’re very talented. Finn, will you do a picture of me? I look awful in photos.’

‘Yes, if you like.’

‘Would you dash one off for me today while I’m all dressed up?’

‘Be pleased to.’

‘And . . .’

Finn glanced at her to see why she had halted and found she was blushing fiercely.

‘What? Don’t be afraid to say.’

‘Could . . . could you, um, make me look pretty?’

Laughing kindly, Finn slipped his arm round her waist and gave her hug. Tilly was such a little sweetheart. ‘That will be easy, you silly, you are the prettiest thing.’

Tilly gulped in surprise to be hauled in against his strong body and was filled with delight. She immediately fell in love with Finn.

Twenty-Three

‘See what I mean, Aunt Dor?’ Verity whispered to Dorrie as they passed round slices of christening cake. With none of the usual mixed fruit available dried plums from The Orchards had been added to the cake. ‘About Finn rooting his eyes on Belle? Do you think we ought to say something to him?’

‘Not us. I’ll get your Uncle Greg to take Finn quietly aside, it will sound better coming from a man. I agree with you that there’s