Page 88 of An Unholy Affair
Relief flooded through her. Somehow that fact made everything better, as if he hadn’t lied about who he truly was.
Eveline cleared her throat. ‘I know this is an unfair question to ask, but would you contemplate stopping your, er,currentline of work if you were with me?’
Jack’s eyes were wide. ‘You’re not considering it, are you?’
‘Please, just answer the question.’
‘Yes. I’d stop in a heartbeat.’
She smiled. ‘Well then, we’re all good.’
‘What? I don’t think you understand.’
Her hand snapped to her chest. ‘Of course, I didn’t think. I’m so sorry.’
‘Sorry?’ he repeated, as if she was now speaking ancient Greek.
‘About payment. I don’t have much, but—’
‘Eveline! Jesu—’ He ran his hands into his hair. ‘No! Fuck’s sake! You’re not giving me anything.’
‘Oh. Well, I have to say thatisa relief.’ She let out a short laugh. ‘You don’t become a vicar for the money.’
He shook his head. ‘I don’t think you get what I’ve been saying.’
Eveline held up her hand, ticking off each point in turn on her fingers. ‘Your job is having sex with women in exchange for money. You would stop doing this if you were in a romantic relationship with me. You’re attracted to me enough to pursue such a relationship, and I wouldn’t need to pay you to sleep with me. Oh! And you like all my favourite films. Have I missed anything out?’
‘But… But I’m aprostitute!’
‘So?’
‘And—’ He gestured to her clerical shirt and dog collar. ‘You’re a vicar!’
She shrugged. ‘Vicars are pretty forgiving types, but that’s not the point. There’s nothingtoforgive. You haven’t done anything wrong.’
‘Huh?’
Reaching forward, she touched his knee. ‘I believe there’s a very big difference between you and the sex workers I know.’
‘What the—You know sex workers?’
‘Of course. Did you think being a vicar is just cucumber sandwiches and cake sales, with a bit of singing and light praying on the side?’
He looked utterly flummoxed. ‘I, er… I hadn’t really thought about it.’
‘The women and sometimes young men I meet are in very different situations to you. I presume that you’re not working under addiction, coercion or dire financial need?’
He shook his head.
‘Are your clients abusive or controlling?’
‘No, not at all.’
‘And I’m guessing that due to thenatureof the sexual act itself, you have to enjoy it? Or do you take pills to achieve an erection?’
He looked sideswiped with shock. Then his cheeks reddened, and he dropped his head. ‘No, I do not need to take a pill.’
‘Well, there we go. I presume the lady who arrived late to the bar that night was a client?’
