Screaming Yellow by Rachel Green Read Free Book Online

the Sabbath. It’ll do no harm to anybody. Think of it as a patio, if you like. You’ve got one of those yourself.”
    “It’s hardly the same thing, is it? You’ll be conversing with heathen gods on yours.”
    “You’re the first priest I’ve met who’s admitted to their existence.” She shoveled another load into a wheelbarrow. “You’re the most progressive I’ve ever met, I think, or should that be recessive?”
    Simon laughed. “Progressive, I think.” He brushed the hair out of his eyes in what looked to Meinwen to be an affected habit. “Anything else would be admitting that yours were here first, and that would be blasphemous.”
    “Which of course they were.” Meinwen grinned and leaned on the wall. “Isn’t it against your doctrine to believe in the existence of other gods?”
    “Perhaps.” Simon looked up at the sky. “But God said ‘Thou shalt have no other gods before me,’ so even He knew they existed.”
    Meinwen nodded. “Well reasoned. You remind me of a friend of mine. He was very open-minded too. He taught me a lot.”
    “Is he still around?”
    “He hasn’t died, as far as I’m aware, but I haven’t seen him in years. Tell me something. You must know everyone in the town.”
    “Pretty much.” The priest raised his eyebrows. “Why?”
    “Do you know someone called Richard Godwin? I was asked to look out for him and have a bit of a chat.”
    Simon looked surprised. “I know Richard. He’s the stepson of Robert Markhew at The Larches. Who told you to look out for him?”
    “Robert Markhew. He asked me if I’d have a bit of a chat with him.”
    “You know Robert?” He stared at her. “From where? He’s never mentioned you.”
    “I met him online when I decided to move to Laverstone. I did a search for all the people here and he was one of the only people who was willing to chat to a lonely Welsh girl. There were a couple of others but they weren’t the sort of people you’d want to meet in real life, if you know what I mean.” She emphasized the statement with a grimace. “I’m not surprised he didn’t mention me though. Would you tell a priest you’d been talking to a witch?”
    Simon laughed. “I suppose not. What did he want you to talk to Richard about? Perhaps I could help.”
    Meinwen studied him. If you couldn’t trust a priest, who could you trust? “Robert wants this Richard to marry a girl called Mary. His niece, I think. Richard doesn’t seem to be interested, though, and that’s where I come in. I’ve already met Mary. She seems like a nice-enough girl.”
    “She is, or will be when she gets over this craze for looking like a zombie. How do you fit in, though? Does he want you to magic them together?”
    Meinwen laughed. “I’m not that kind of witch. Never cause harm, I say, though Mr. Markhew thought I might be persuaded to cast a little magic over the couple.”
    “Witchcraft? Not in my parish you won’t.”
    Meinwen laughed. “Nothing of the kind, no. I wouldn’t bend someone’s will like that. He just wants me to get to know them both and smooth the way for them so that it happens naturally. Besides, I do a lovely trade in natural aphrodisiacs.” She winked.
    “Fascinating.” The priest had an easy smile the women of his flock probably adored. “Look, I have to go out shortly on my rounds, but perhaps you’ll have dinner with us sometime next week.”
    “Us?” Meinwen glanced at the rectory.
    “Jennifer and me. She’s a fabulous cook.” He paused. “You’re not a vegetarian, are you?”
    “Not at all, I drink goat’s blood every full moon.” Meinwen managed to keep a straight face for several seconds before she burst out laughing at Simon’s expression.
    “Oh, very good.” Simon patted his chest as if to re-start his heart. “You had me going there. Shall we say Thursday at seven?”
    “Lovely.” Meinwen nodded a goodbye and watched him return to his patio table and laptop. He looked back again, then up at the