Chapter Twenty-Eight
Father Gregory escorted Celia back out along the landing to the top of the stairs, and waited, patiently, while she descended back down to be with her children.
He waited until she had closed the downstairs door behind her, hearing a rousing cheer of excitement from her younger daughter when she entered the room.
The priest turned and stared up the small staircase that led to the attic rooms.
He could sense the hostile presence above, glaring down at him with sightless eyes, daring him to venture up to face it, one to one.
He pulled the crucifix he was given on the day he entered the priesthood out of his pocket, and placed the chain around his neck; kissing the body of Christ before leaving it to dangle against his chest.
Gripping his prayer book tightly in his
