Ragamuffin Angel (54 page)
‘You haven’t given me the names of the person or persons involved in this . . . crime, and of course I can’t force you to go to the police or come to see me out of the confessional.’ Was he countenancing murder here? He knew his duty – he should make her see that this terrible act had to be reported and then she must let justice take its course. That was his duty. ‘You have confessed to God that in a moment of madness you behaved’ – Father Hedley swallowed hard – ‘out of character, and now you must seek Him for direction.’
Would he be acting like this if the people involved didn’t include Connie? But what would it do to the lass, and Dan, if Kitty came clean to the law and the whole sordid mess was raked up for public gaze? Further heartache, further pain and suffering, and for what? Edith Stewart was dead, nothing could bring her back, and Kitty had confessed her trespass to God. He was the great Judge, the Rock of Ages.
‘Aye, I’ll do that, Father, but like I said, I’ve peace about it and I can’t say any different. I just needed to get it aired official like, in His house.’
In His house. The coals of fire were beginning to smoulder on the good Father’s head. ‘Make a firm act of contrition.’ His voice was hoarse.
‘Oh, my God, I am very sorry that I have sinned against Thee because Thou art so good and by the help of Thy Holy Grace I will not sin again. Amen.’
Kitty waited for a moment. Surely she wasn’t going to get off this light? she asked herself silently. She had expected her prescribed penance to go on for hours. She rose creakily to her feet off the wooden kneeler and hesitated again before leaving the box, but there was no further sound from the priest’s side.
The church was dimly lit and very peaceful as Kitty gazed around. She felt better now. She had been putting it off for weeks, telling Father Hedley, but it hadn’t been so bad. She would light a candle, several candles. She nodded to herself, walking quietly towards the altar. Life was good. It was, it was good, and by God’s grace she would be around to see Dan’s bairns born and grow up. She had a lot to thank God for . . .
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