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perversion – what he believed to be Laura’s history. The farfetched tale was utterly implausible, yet Reverend Stuart took it seriously, trusting the storyteller. After he had learnt as much as Father Rossi knew about the monster in their midst, he asked, “What are you going to do about her?”
    “ We are here to control her.”
    “ If Laura is that person, and I feel that it has to be proven more conclusively,” Reverend Stuart said, realising that, as a member of his community, it was his duty to protect her until she was proven to be a witch, “how could such a person be controlled?”
    “ We have ways.”
    Reverend Stuart kept talking with him for a while longer before he left the cottage to go in the church where he knelt and said a silent prayer. He believed that Laura was all that Father Rossi said that she was, which also meant that demons and witches were real, and he talked to God for comfort. His prayer was long and when he got up his legs were stiff and he felt a hand on his shoulder, making him jump.
    “ It’s just me,” Father Rossi said, noting his alarm. “I hope what I’ve told you hasn’t disturbed you too much.”
    “ The world has changed. If dark forces are real that means that our work is more important, I think. My mind is a little clouded,” he admitted. “Are my parishioners in danger?”
    “ The beast is quiescent. For how long, we don’t know, but we endeavour to find out. God is with us, Craig,” he said supportively.
    “ From what you’ve said that’s just as well.”
 
    Laura couldn’t sleep and heard Tony stumble around in the early hours, helped to his bedroom by Alice who Laura sensed had never been to bed, sitting up alone. She went down to join her, startling Alice who didn’t hear her approach.
    “ Aren’t you feeling tired?” Laura said.
    “ I know I’ll have horrible dark circles under my eyes tomorrow but I can’t sleep. My mind’s too active.”
    “ It’s a big day for you. I think that’s why the men get so drunk, because they know they’d never sleep either.”
    “ I’m sure Ewan will be sleeping soundly now. He said they were going to drink Ravensbeck dry and I wouldn’t be surprised if they’ve done that. My dad can hold his drink and he was paralytic so I don’t know what the rest of them will be like tomorrow. A lot of those old wives tales they were telling you for headaches will be being tried out in the village.”
    “ Now that you’ve seen the place are you interested in moving up here in the future?”
    “ I don’t think so, though it’s beautiful. I’d have come here to live with him if he wanted but I’m pleased he doesn’t mind settling in Southampton because that makes my life easier. I work as a teacher and I think I would find it hard to find work around here, and Ewan loves his job down there at the docks. We will come up here a lot though.”
    “ What do you think of your in-laws so far?”
    “ His mother is really friendly, I can see she’ll be a proud grandmother.”
    Laura stared at her knowingly, smiling a little and Alice smiled back at her and admitted, “Yes, there will be a baby Chapman early next summer. Spring probably.”
    “ I imagine your parents know.”
    “ Yes, but the wedding was arranged before I knew I was pregnant so they’ve never been cross or anything.”
    “ I didn’t think they would be. They seem very easygoing.”
    Alice nodded. “They’re both treasures. We’ll be living with them for a while and I’m sure there’ll be no problems. I don’t think there’d be any problems if we were staying with Ewan’s parents either.”
    “ Has his father talked to you at all yet?”
    “ Yes, but I think he’s a man who’ll take time to get to know,” she said generously.
    Laura looked at her closely and smiled at her and took her hands in hers. “Even if you don’t get a wink of sleep tonight you’ll still look beautiful. You’re glowing,” she said, Alice’s happiness making