Rubies are Red. Part 7.
A Paul and Jenny story.
(Copyright 2003. All rights reserved).
All characters are fictitious.
Jenny.
I sat down next to Mary in the third row of the pews as the introduction to the call to service Hymn started on the organ. Ron Watkins would be taking the service today. His wife was in the pew across from us with their two children. I smiled at her. She stared at me for a few seconds then rose to her feet as the procession entered the main doors of the church. We all followed suit. Then we all started to sing.
I turned my head and looked over my shoulder. There must be about eighty in the congregation. The Verger led the small procession up the Aisle carrying the large cross followed by the choirboys and finally Ron. He looked very serious.
His eyes caught mine and for a few seconds held them. He smiled briefly then looked down into his Hymnbook. I would have thought members of the clergy would have known the words of every hymn off by heart.
He was level with me, then past. I watched his back as he walked between the sets of choir stalls and stopped before the two steps leading up to the alter. He bowed his head then turned to face us as we sang the last words of the hymn.
"Welcome to you all." He said. "Let us pray."
He had a lovely voice. We hadn't been to the village for three months or so since just after Paul's dog Millie had died. We had watched him play cricket. Paul hadn't really wanted to play so we had turned up at the last minute when the team had changed and were already out on the pitch. Ron had played very well. He could move very well for a larger than average man.
I looked past him at the large stained-glass window behind him and murmured my responses to his prompts. Facing to the east to catch the morning sunlight, in summer it could be a blaze of colour but today's grey weather was more subdued.
Mr Morrison, one of the churchwardens read the first lesson from the Bible on the eagle shaped lectern. His voice was too harsh.
We all rose to sing the second hymn then listened while the choir sang a third. Another reading from the Bible, this time by the Lord of the Manor and Ron lead us in prayers and read out some Parish notices. Then the address and the final hymn, which was an offertory and we all sat down as Ron raised his hand in blessing.
I caught Ron's eyes again as the procession filed out. He smiled at me. I caught the scowl on his wife's face behind him as he passed her.
"Do you mind waiting for a few minutes, Jenny?" Mary asked as we stepped out into the aisle to leave. "I have to see Steve's mother."
I followed the crowd out through the main doors where we were greeted and thanked for coming by Ron.
I hovered while Mary talked.
The last of the congregation had left and suddenly it was just Ron and I.
"Hello." He said again.
"Hello." I replied.
"Where's Paul?" He asked.
"On his way to South America." A strange answer but true. "It's a long story. I came down to help Mary with David. He's broken his ankle."
"I didn't know that. Perhaps I should drop in and see him."
"I'm sure he would like that."
I knew I would.
"How long will you be staying?"
"I'm going back to Bristol straight after lunch."
"Hello Mr Watkins." Mary said, joining us. "Jenny would you mind terribly staying on for a few hours this afternoon? We are having a meeting about the church nativity play. There is a little bit of a problem."
"Can I help?" Ron offered.
"No. Thank you." Mary suddenly smiled.
She had a nice smile. I bet she had been smiling as she rode David's prick earlier.
"There is just a problem with some of the costumes and a couple of hours this afternoon should sort it before the rehearsals later." She continued. "So if you wouldn't mind staying with David until I get back. I should be back by four."
"No." I said. "I don't mind staying."
"I might see you later then." Ron said as we started to leave.
"Of course." I replied. "David will like that."
"What did he mean by that?" Mary asked as we climbed into the car.
"Oh." I replied, worming my backside into the seat. "I told him about David and he said he might visit."
"That was nice of him." She replied, looking at me out of the corner of her eye as we pulled away.
"Yes. I thought so."