Christmas was fast approaching, and festive events were in full swing at St. Michael's Church.
"Well not long to go until Jesus' birthday," Reverend Morris smiled as he and Jenna finished putting up their Christmas decorations. "Just two weeks. Which reminds me...there's another very special person's birthday a week before the festive season..."
"Oh yes. I'd forgotten!" Jenna replied.
"Jenna my love, it's your 21st! You can't forget something like that. I want it to be a truly memorable birthday for you. Is there anything in particular you'd really, really like? Please give it some thought. Turning 21 is a milestone."
"I will Simon. But I pretty much have everything I've ever wanted already," she smiled, slipping her arms round him.
Later, Jenna was engrossed in reading something on her smartphone.
"Imagine that," she whispered to herself.
Noticing her excitement, Reverend Morris became curious.
"What's grabbed your attention, Jen?"
"Bukkake," she blurted out, without thinking.
Her husband looked confused. "Pardon?"
"Oh! It's nothing. Just a Japanese...custom! Er...would you like a cup of tea?"
"Sure."
Later, when Jenna was having a shower, Reverend Morris picked up his phone. "Bukkake, she said. How does one spell that, then?" He typed into the browser. Boocaka? Bookaki? Bukacay? On the third attempt, the browser's autocorrect suggested the correct term.
"Oh, so that's how it's spelt. He clicked on a Wikipedia link. "Good God!" He spluttered, as he read all about the act. When he'd finished, he chuckled to himself. "You learn something new every day. The Internet never disappoints..."
At the Wednesday Eucharist, Gordon had just finished the recessional hymn. The midweek service always had a lower turnout than the Sunday service, but numbers had been steadily increasing all year.
"Morning Gordon," Reverend Morris said, appearing at the side of the organ.
"Oh hello vicar," the organist replied. "Quite full today. I don't know, the news says that Christianity is declining in this country but this church seems to be the exception."
"It does, and that pleases me greatly. I can't speak for all churches in England, but knowing that our community here at St. Michael's is thriving, well it lifts my heart. I tend not to pay much attention to the news these days. Too depressing. Difficult times for so many. Strikes, cost of living and all that. Oh and England getting knocked out of the World Cup."
"Mmm, yes," Gordon nodded. "Couldn't care less about football. I never watch it. Horse racing is my thing. How's Jenna and Christopher?"
"Oh they're both fine...actually I need to discuss something important with you, Gordon. Jenna's 21st birthday is next week. I was wondering if you could help me with something?"
"Certainly, vicar!" He replied, switching off the light above the organ's keyboards. "Happy to help in any way I can."
"Okay, but not here. Come to my study right now, please."
"Right you are," Gordon said. He didn't even have time to remove his robe and hang it up in the vestry. He was intrigued. The way the vicar was summoning him to the study sounded a bit ominous. He felt like a kid at school being summoned to the headmaster in order to receive a punishment. He meekly followed the vicar down the aisle.
"Close the door if you please," Reverend Morris said, as he beckoned the organist into the study. Gordon did as he asked, and was surprised to find Josh the curate, Father Aiden, Bishop George and Norman Winstanley the new churchwarden all waiting.
"Eh, what's all this, vicar?" Gordon exclaimed. "A lads-only party?"
"Gentlemen," Reverend Morris began. "I've invited you here because you are trusted members of the church, and trusted friends of mine. As servants of God, you all have your own important tasks to perform. Now what I am about to ask you, requires a great deal of trust. As good Christians, I wonder if you'll be able to fulfil the greatest task of all?"
Father Aiden crossed himself. "I am always ready to do the Lord's work."
"Me too," Gordon said. "And if there's free beer included, well that's a bonus!"
"Well this task concerns Jenna, my wife."
The men in the study all fell silent. There was a great deal of shuffling feet and awkward coughs!
One week later...
"Where are we going, Simon?" Jenna asked, as he got into the car. She assumed they were going to a restaurant.
"The church. Just a little birthday surprise."
When they arrived, Reverend Morris requested that Jenna close her eyes.
"Absolutely no peeking!" He said as he led her down the aisle.
"This is so exciting!" Jenna said. "Let me guess, the whole congregation of St. Michael's are going to leap out and yell Happy Birthday, right?"
"Close, but no cigar!" The vicar replied. "Now, just sit on this stool..."
Father Aiden was driving down the high street, on his way to St. Michael's Church. His heart was pounding like crazy.
"I can't believe I agreed to take part in this," he mumbled to himself. "Lord in heaven, why am I doing this? Haven't I sinned enough already?"
He fiddled with the car radio. Most of the stations were planning Christmas songs 24/7 now. Chris's Rea's Driving Home for Christmas started playing. This was the third time today he'd heard this song. Passing a Tesco Express store, Father Aiden decided he needed some Dutch courage before he could partake in the special "celebration" at the church. A cheap bottle of whiskey or gin would suffice. Parking up, he hurried into the store and walked straight into a woman who was loaded up with shopping.
"I'm so sorry!" He exclaimed, picking up the tube of gift wrap she'd dropped.
"Aiden?"
He froze and looked up. "RóisÃn?"
"My God! It is you! I can't believe it!" the red-haired woman gasped.
"W-what are you doing in this neck of the woods?" Father Aiden said. "Did you leave Liverpool?"
"Sure did. I've jumped ship. I'm at the Living Earth Free Church now and I'm loving every minute. I've become a vicar...well they call us leaders. It suits me just fine. What about you...are you still with the Catholic Church?"
The priest looked awkwardly at her. "Erm...sort of. I've been fighting a conflict with myself these past couple of weeks."
RóisÃn smiled at him. "You think your future lies elsewhere?"
He took a deep breath. "Maybe?"
She put down her shopping bags and took his hand. "I've never stopped thinking about you, Aiden. I know you broke things off because you couldn't break your celibacy vows..."
"Oh but that's the thing. I fled Liverpool and moved to this town, and the first thing I did was to break my celibacy vows..."
RóisÃn's face fell. "Oh...so you've met someone?"
"N-no. It was just a...one-off. But it made me think that I'm just not cut out for a celibate life. And because of that, I can't continue in my current profession."
"Well you're too attractive for that."
A blush spread across the priest's face. "Would you like to go for a drink?"
"Thought you'd never ask! Let me dump this stuff in the car and then I'm all yours!"
"Sorry Jenna," Father Aiden said to himself as he slipped his arm around RóisÃn and they strolled into the town centre. "But I'm sure you'll have fun without me. Thanks for helping me see the light though."
Jenna could hear muffled whisperings and several male voices. She wondered what was going to happen next. "Can I look yet?"
"No no yet," Reverend Morris replied. "Just a sec..." The vicar ushered Gordon, Josh, Bishop George and Norman in front of the altar, where several candles has been lit. "Where's Father Aiden?"
"Guess he chickened out?" Gordon muttered. "Maybe he's in a confession booth? Haha!"