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that would be my bet,” Laura said.
    “ Don’t be cross with him though, Mum, he had to go with them.”
    “ I’m not cross with him. I’m going to go and wake the others up – I’ll leave him for a little while – and then we’ll start getting you ready,” Kate said, starting to feel excited herself.
    “ The countdown has begun,” Laura said to Alice after her mother had left them.
    The house was madness all morning, the bathroom perpetually occupied and clothes being ironed last minute as the bridesmaids (all three of Alice's friends and her two sisters) and Kate and Tony ran around in a panic. Alice was calm throughout, as was Laura, who dressed up for the occasion in a long flowered dress with a thick grey man’s long blazer buttoned up over it and her long black hair brushed back. Alice looked beautiful in her demure bridal gown but it was one of the bridesmaids, Georgie, a made-up bleached blonde, who appealed more to Laura, who would have seduced such a girl during her bisexual period. Another car was laid on for the bridal party and Laura travelled with Alice’s three friends to the church. Laura took her leave from them and entered the packed church – almost every villager was there, along with many young men she didn’t recognise, likely friends of Ewan. He was already there and was being propped up by two of his friends, joking with a couple of others nearby, and in front of him, next to the inexperienced vicar, she saw them. They were sent from the Vatican, she had no doubt of that, and the elder of them looked right at her and smiled disingenuously. She smiled back – while they wouldn’t fall for her front, she still had to give it a try, deceit preferable to confession.
    Laura remained at the back as the bridal party entered, continually subtly looking at the two priests, who also monitored her throughout surreptitiously. Tony and Alice both kept their composure as they walked down the aisle, having shared a private moment before they left. She merely smiled when she saw the state that her groom was in, too happy to find any fault in him.
    The service went smoothly, to Reverend Stuart’s relief. After what he had heard about Laura Spencer her presence unnerved him but he gave no sign of nerves and was patted on the back by Father Rossi as the bride and groom walked out of the church and the celebrations began.
    The reception was held at the small village hall, everyone clubbing together to lay on a decent spread of food for them, and it soon became clear that another drinking session was underway. Alice didn’t mind – she’d had her big wedding and didn’t begrudge him drinking with his family and friends. She called Laura over to her table, wanting to bring her more into things, but Laura didn't go across and merely raised a glass in her direction and continued her conversation with Billy Beckett, who was discreetly warning her about her enemies. Once he had told her all that he knew she thanked him sincerely and he said, chivalrously,
    “ They’ve nee business bothering you. You’ve ne’er done anyone nee harm.”
    She thanked him again and exchanged pleasantries with other villagers. He believed his folly wholeheartedly, but she knew the priests who had followed her to the party were not so easily fooled. Late in the afternoon Father Rossi approached her as she sat down by herself, asking her courteously if he could trouble her for a dance.
    “ Of course, Father,” she said politely, apprehensive and agreeing only for appearance’s sake. As she stood up Father Sciali came across to her, which Father Rossi explained.
    “ I’m asking for Umberto, who’s too shy to ask for himself.”
    “ Okay,” Laura said, holding her hands out for him to take, which he did, powerfully. Without using her powers this man was physically stronger than she was, and while he was not rough with her, he used his strength to lead her across the room wherever he wanted to take her. While there were