TwelveThe doorbell rang but no one came. The elderly woman stood on the doorstep, trying to peer through the frosted glass, to see if there was movement in the hallway or beyond. Nothing. She pressed the bell again, clearly annoyed that her persistence was not being rewarded. Finally, she gave up, turned and walked down the path to her friend who was stood on the pavement. “Something's not right,” she said. “No one's seen him for over a week now. All we've seen is the sign on the church doors saying closed until further notice.”
The other woman nodded. “Maybe Denise lost her mother. We know she was on her last legs, the poor thing.”
“But she is nowhere to be seen. Her car's not here. She must be still down south. Father Stephen is inside, I know he is. Unless he's sick. Or drunk. You kno
