I am a Church of England vicar. I was one of the first women to be appointed to the role, and I have served my parish for more than 10 years. In my late fifties, and married to a sweet but not very 'sexual' man, I would have thought, if I had thought about it at all, that any carnal excitement in my life was well behind me. That was until a few weeks ago.
It was a hot, airless Tuesday evening in mid-Summer, and I was working on some parish records in my office at the back of the church. Given the sultry weather I had dressed casually, in a light cotton dress, not expecting to run into any parishioners. I had left my legs bare in the hope of keeping cool, but as I worked I could feel a light sheen of sweat cover my body, and I was looking forward to a nice relaxing bath back in the vicarage. I was less than delighted, therefore, when just as I was about to finish my task I heard a knock on the office door.
The door opened to reveal Peter, the teenage son of my best friend, the church organist. Peter had just turned 19, and was back in the village for the summer break after his first year at university. I had known him since he was a small boy, and he had always referred to me as Aunt Marjorie. Now he cleared his throat nervously, and said quite formally "I'm sorry to disturb you vicar, but I saw your light was on and I hoped you'd be willing to discuss something that's troubling me." Well, I could hardly refuse a request like that, and I asked him to come in and sit in one of the casual chairs I keep in the office for such chats.
As I sat opposite Peter I couldn't help reflecting on how much Peter seemed to have matured in the few months he had been away at university. I knew he was in the rugby team, and he had certainly developed his physique, but also his voice seemed somehow more adult, and richer. Leaning towards him, I asked him what the problem was. Staring at the floor, and wringing his hands in front of him, he said "There's a woman I've fallen in love with, and I don't know how to tell her." I assumed he was talking about some girl at uni, and asked if she was aware of his feelings. Peter raised his head and his pale blue eyes locked onto and held mine. To my shock he lightly placed his hand on my bare knee and said "She is now".