Six months later.
Bishop Dutch had left the diocese. He had faced a group of irate cardinals in Rome who had sent him to a Carmelite headquarters to be introduced to "mortification of the flesh". He was clothed in a metal and goatskin hair shirt and wore on one leg the metal celice, which dug into the flesh of his thigh suspended from an elastic belt. To symbolise the suffering of Christ for three hours a day he was walked into the gardens of the large estate by his confessor. From there he was sent for the winter to a Franciscan island monastery in Southern Croatia. Eventually he faced the prospect of having his priesthood taken away and begged to be granted emeritus status. This was granted on condition that he lived in a remote Scottish Carmelite convent and said mass for the handful of nuns. He would never face parishioners for the rest of his life and lived in the austerity and mortification of the flesh for his remaining life. The Vatican has private ways of dealing with those involved in the most severe errors.
Bishop Taylor had moved to a Midlands diocese. He had left the diocese with a child safeguarding scheme in place, a multi-faith panel of professionals and lay members to investigate and support police and social services in each local authority in the diocese in any allegations against Roman Catholic teachers or priests of inappropriate behaviour.
The sexual predator priests had all entered the police and legal justice system. Solicitors had sought counsel's representation. Bluntly all were advised to plead guilty to sexual offences. The unwise pleaded not guilty and faced juries in Crown Courts in Liverpool Manchester Preston and Leeds. One jury took only minutes to convict and judges imposed lengthy prison sentences and life on the Sex Offenders register.
With sadness Bridget had resigned as a Housekeeper. Bishop Taylor was extremely generous to her and would always send cards and money transfer at birthdays, Christmas and Easter. She always thanked him in writing and knew she would be welcome in Birmingham if she ever visited.
"Jen I've been accepted at the College to study a Foundation year Maths and Statistics course. If I get my grades I will attend Manchester University."
"Brilliant chuck. You will love Xaverian as a mature student. You can look but not touch the male students and you can walk to the campus!"
Bridget's giggle had Jen flooding with sexual desire for the redhaired partner she called her naughty nun.
Bridget had had her last heterosexual fling; she was devoted to Jen and the couple were firm monogamous lovers. Jen had never considered herself committed to one partner she had lived a queer lifestyle since her teens with older partners many of them pickups around Manchester's Gay Village. It was a different exciting experience for her to be cared for well and she became very aroused on the way home by the sound and smells of Bridget's voice, hair and wetness. Jen was loved and felt safe and this was happier than any sex she had previously.
Jen loved arriving home to a supper, and a pile of clean ironed washing. She had grown her styled hair wore fewer boxer shorts and more delicate french knickers and lingerie. Together they had dressed elegantly in a more feminine style with tasteful make-up. Bridget had not attended her local Catholic church although it was just across Victoria Park. The congregation of the whole parish had dwindled as had every parish in the diocese. Church income had fallen and the diocese new bishop had announced demolition of old churches and primary schools. Parishes were combined with mass being held in the smaller churches once every two or three weeks due to the shortage of priests. Chaplaincy was reduced to National Health Service paid chaplains only. Schools and Colleges had multi faith Spiritual Advisers, often female multi faith women. The diocese had moved on and served it's older Irish Catholic community but scandals had reduced attendance for worship. Bridget would not return to her church but she had a deep faith and had felt comfortable with that and her love of Jen.
Jen had welcomed her naughty nun with open legs and arms. She was fulfilled by her older partner in every sense. She was happy to support Bridget who could always earn her way through a course usually with a chef at Manchester University introduced by Jen. Bridget could also cater for functions and she earned enough to contribute to the household.
Bridget had entered religious life with excellent Irish academic qualifications to which she had added catering to a high level during her convent life. Her Mathematics and statistics had been maintained during her religious life. She followed the pathway recommended by Manchester University and she was part of the University group who used the facilities of Xaverian campus for foundation courses or first year Science undergraduate degrees. It was a little strange to encounter Jen on campus teaching only to walk across the park to strip each other naked and nap together and eat each other to orgasm!
On weekends they shopped and both loved to watch Women's Super League football. Jen drove to Leigh Sports Village to support Manchester United Women and Bridget loved the games and spending time with Jen in an environment where they could hold hands kiss and cuddle without comment. Bridget loved the women's spaces in the Gay Village for the same reason and they would relax after matches with other queer couples. Life was good for both of them and Bridget looked forward to an academic phase of life and caring for Jen's love of a range of foods.
