Aftershock by Ken Tout

Author:Ken Tout [Tout, Ken]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-05-16T23:00:00+00:00

You are hereby required and commanded to return forthwith to your cell and remain there incommunicado in meditation until sent for.

You are not to communicate the contents of this order to any other person.

You have no responsibility to military or civilian authorities of Villadorada.

Effective immediate!

Signed Gerhard

Sub-prior in charge.

‘And they say the Jesuits are dictatorial to their own? If that is the way your Brotherhood address their so-called Brothers I would not want to be a Sister. But then I suppose that, unlike us Catholics, you do not need Sisters? I’m sorry! I did not mean that as directed at you ‒ only at this petty little prig de mal humor. More important, can they ex-communicate you? Or incarcerate you? One hears such stories.’

‘Ex-communication? We are not an organised religion. We are not “communicated” in the first place. Incarceration? Yes, they can order you committed to your cell if you are willing to accept the punishment?’

‘And if not?’

‘One word: Goodbye!’

‘But if you did not wish to remain subservient to this Sub-whatever, can they post you to another unit as in the military ‒ another parish?’

‘They can, but only if you agree. And again, against that, if you continue to fail to agree, you will be advised to take off your robes, renounce your vow and depart with only the clothes in which you arrived. And without the donation with which you entered. Effectively without income, assets, fare home or job prospects.’

‘But surely you would not be totally penniless, homeless, friendless? But I am talking too much. You are not eating. I know the chorizo looks uninviting, but you must eat after all your exertions and worries.’

‘I do feel inclined to let my eyes close as I eat, not to say Grace, or to even pray for divine inoculation against whatever this chorizo contains, because it really tastes rather good. I am enjoying it. And your brewery makes good beer.’

‘German influence. But I am truly worried about you. I am if this letter disturbs you? Can you not forget it for tonight? You look so pale ‒ and no jokes about chorizos ‒ drawn, exhausted. You look like a boxer waiting for that last punch on the chin.’

‘True enough. Twenty years ago I was battle fit and could have done this work without thinking twice. It is not only the expense of physical energy through long days; it is also the depression; so much to do, so much that is impossible; so many people looking to you with anxious eyes; such sickening sights; children petrified, animals maddened and slaughtered; a little boy chained up like a dog. Put it all together ‒ and ducking from German minenwerfers in Normandy pales in comparison. I hate to spoil the party but now at least, as your wise papito says “we can hope for a better day tomorrow”.’

‘Would you like a brandy? Or a hot drink? Anything to take your mind off that stupid letter?’

Hereward looked at the mature woman suddenly becoming girlish, her pose of arrogance softening into a shy concern.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.