There was a low undercurrent of muttering from the group now, a few cries of ‘hey, take it easy’. Elias turned away from a stammering, whey-faced Brian to address them. ‘I can see that my comments have unsettled some of you, and for that I apologise. I believe there is some cake?’
He looked around, but no one moved. They were all staring at him, eyes wide and thoroughly alert, the faces of people who had been channel surfing and accidentally caught a good movie. All except for Brian, who looked like ricotta cheese left out in the midday sun, and Tammy, looking at him with something like victory. After this performance he was finished at Harrison, and she was revelling in his downfall.
‘Cake, Tammy, you dumbass. Isn’t that what we pay you for?’
The congregation swung around to stare at h
