Page 131 of An Unholy Affair
Jonathan was in his sixties and she’d known him for over ten years. Even though he was her boss, he was also a father figure and a friend.
She took a tupperware box from her bag. ‘I brought cake.’
His eyes lit up. ‘It’s my lucky day.’
‘Carrot and citrus. I soaked the sultanas in orange juice, added orange and lemon zest to the mix, and lime juice and zest to the cream cheese topping.’
‘Sounds marvellous. Let me get a couple of plates.’
Jonathan placed them on top of his desk in front of her, along with another empty plastic box.
‘From last time. Hattie said it was the best lemon drizzle she’d ever tasted.’
Eveline preened. ‘I’m leaving this cake for her to try. I’ll pick up the box when I next visit.’
‘Thank you, but you know you don’t always have to bring treats like this?’
She grinned. ‘I know, but I’m a terrible show-off and I like making people happy.’
Jonathan’s face crinkled as he smiled. He placed a cup of tea in front of her and she doled out pieces of cake. They sat opposite each other and ate in a contented silence.
‘What happened to your arm?’ he asked.
She absentmindedly rubbed at the bandage. It was still annoyingly itchy and red. ‘I cut it on the pigpen when I was mending it the other day. Pinky and Perky are the strongest pigs I’ve ever reared and keep getting out. They’ve got brainsandbrawn, which is never a good combination in a pig.’
‘Are they going to slaughter soon?’
‘Before Christmas, hopefully. They’re definitely big enough.’
Jonathan put his plate down and took a sip of tea, his expression sombre.
‘Is everything okay?’ Eveline asked.
He took his glasses off and rubbed his eyes before putting them back on and meeting her gaze.
‘Eveline, I’m afraid this meeting is quite serious, but I wanted it to be completely off the record so we could talk as friends.’
Her heart beat faster, and she put her plate on his desk. ‘Is it about the pews?’
He let out a sigh. ‘Not really, although that may be part of the bigger picture. I received an email from Amanda Haynes at English Heritage this morning, confirming what you no doubt suspect. Without the support of the community, they cannot get behind your plans.’
Despite knowing this would happen, the confirmation still felt like a punch to the guts. She nodded, not knowing what else to say.
‘I’m deeply sorry, Eveline. I know how much this meant to you.’
Meant. It was now in the past tense, possibly beyond all hope of resurrection. With her congregation so small and ageing rapidly, how long could Saint Saviour’s continue as a church?
‘But that’s not what I wanted to talk to you about.’
Huh?Jonathan looked troubled and her stomach cramped with anxiety. ‘What is it?’
He sighed again. ‘I received a letter of complaint from one of your parishioners about your conduct.’
‘Myconduct?’
He nodded and picked up several pieces of paper from his desk. ‘It’s quite the laundry list.’
‘Is it from the Dowager Duchess?’
