Father James rubbed his hands together vigorously to help keep out the night’s chill, although in truth, if he were being honest, the main reason for his shivers was the task at hand which he and Mathew Hammond were about to embark on.
Even though the priest knew that their endeavours had been officially sanctioned by the church, he could not help the deep-rooted feelings of unease which had burrowed inside him, ready to erupt whenever he was called upon to assist Hammond and his crew.
I was not just the priest who felt anxious that night, even the horses were jumpy, pulling at their tethers as if trying desperately to escape. One of Hammond’s crew went over to them and tried to calm them down, whilst also ensuring that their reins were secure.
He last thing any of them wanted was for t
