That day Anna was turning 25. She was becoming a woman. A grown up. She sat eating breakfast and sipping at her tea as she opened her cards. The usual collection from family and friends - greetings, some cash, some funny comments. But then there was a strange one. A black envelope with a white label. Anna had deliberately left this one to last as she knew who this came from. She tore nervously at the seal and slipped out a plain card. It contained no greeting. Nothing birthday related in the slightest. It was a plain white card, with a time and place printed on it. It was signed by Sir. This was no invitation, it was a demand for her presence. She had already made plans with friends for that night, cocktails at a local bar. But she could not disobey a command from Sir.
Anna had been a little thoughtful most of the day, wondering what Sir had planned. Maybe he just wanted to give her a present and she could get away to meet her friends afterwards? On the chance that was the case, she dressed for a night out. A little black dress, way shorter than regulation, stockings, heels and more makeup than was normal for her. It was a warm evening so Anna decided to walk the short distance to the meeting point. A few minutes later she found herself outside the Church of the Virgin Mary. There was no sign of Sir. She stood waiting a few minutes, feeling very conspicuous to passers-by. Anxiously she looked around and noticed the main door to the church was open. Perhaps it would be better to wait inside. Anna skilfully ascended the steps in her heels and slipped inside. The church was well lit with candles but apparently empty. Standing just inside the door, she could see easily in all directions and would spot Sir as he approached. It was eery being in a church all on her own. She felt a tingle run down her spine as though she was being watched. It had been a while since Anna had practised religion but she sure felt a presence today.
After barely a minute, a voice startled her. "You're the young lady here for confession?" She turned to see an elderly priest. She was perplexed. She fumbled for words, shaking her head.
"Oh, but he's been expecting you." The old priest gestured towards to confession box. Her heart started beating a mile a minute. He was waiting for her? As quickly as he appeared, the priest was gone. She was alone again. This was creepy, even by Sir's standards. But she felt drawn to the confessional. As she approached, she saw the door to the left compartment was open, almost as an invitation. She took it as such and entered. There was a kneeler on the floor and she instinctively feel to her knees. She could barely see through the grille and could not make out if anyone was the other side. She knelt in silence for a while. Maybe nothing more than a few seconds but it felt like an eternity. Until she heard a familiar voice.
"How can I help you my child?" Normally Sir's deep voice would have been comforting in such a situation. But it was not. Hearing him say those words almost caused her heart to jump from her chest.
Anna was now working on instinct. All rational thought had disappeared.
