a pale, freckled face. He wore a suit, although neither the material nor the cut suggested a wealthy man. He looked uncomfortable enough in it to lead Sam to the conclusion that it was new, to him at least. From the wailing, moaning noise that Viola was making, Sam knew this was Tom.
âMy name is Sam Toop,â said Sam. âI have business with a Tom Melia?â
âThatâs my name. Do I know you?â said the young man.
âNo. I live on the other side of the hill.â
âThen you wish to sell me something?â
âI simply ask for a few minutes of your time.â
âIâm afraid time is one thing I am short on right now. Iâm already late.â He stepped out and closed the door behind him.
âPerhaps we can talk as we walk,â suggested Sam.
Tom seemed more amused than annoyed by Samâs insistence. âThis business you have with me cannot wait?â
âYou must tell him now,â urged Viola.
âIâd be grateful to get it over and done with,â said Sam.
âVery well. Although, I am only walking to the church and it isnât far.â
âThe church?â said Sam.
âI am getting married today.â
âToday?â he exclaimed, looking over his shoulder to glare at Viola.
âThatâs why it couldnât wait,â she said. âWe have to stop it.â
âYou seem surprised,â said Tom. âPeople get married all the time, you know.â
âItâs just . . . I wouldnât want to upset someone on their wedding day,â he said, speaking to both Viola and Tom.
âI didnât realise upsetting me was your intention,â said Tom, with a smile. âIt makes me think twice about allowing you to accompany me.â
âHe promised to love me,â moaned Viola.
âIâm sorry,â said Sam. âYou must think me most peculiar.â
âYes,â replied Tom. âI do rather.â
Last nightâs downpour meant Tom and Sam had to jump over large muddy puddles on the way to the church, which Viola walked straight through, without disturbance or reflection.
âItâs a lovely day to get married,â said Sam. âMay I ask the name of the girl you are to wed?â
âHer name is Perdita,â replied Tom. âA more beautiful, honest and kind girl you could never imagine.â
âThat harlot . . . That double-crossing witch!â Viola muttered.
âThen youâre a lucky man,â said Sam, ignoring her. âHow did you find her?â
âI have known her family all my life,â admitted Tom.
âWhat about me?â demanded Viola.
âYouâve been sweethearts since childhood?â asked Sam.
âI . . .â Tom faltered. âI have never wanted to marry any other girl.â
âLiar,â screamed the ghost. âLiar!â
âThere was never any other for you?â enquired Sam.
Tom stopped walking. They were standing at a corner where they could see the steeple of the church only a couple of streets away. âIs this your urgent business with me?â he asked, the smile having fallen from his face.
âI donât mean to interrogate you,â said Sam. âBut I suppose when I grow up I would like to find a love of my own. Iâm intrigued to know how such unions come about.â
âI was engaged to her sister,â admitted Tom.
Whether it was Samâs youth or his disarming manner, this was not the first time he had persuaded a total stranger to open up his heart to him in such a way.
âHa!â proclaimed Viola triumphantly. âThe truth. Finally.â
âBut I thought you said you always wanted to marry Perdita,â said Sam. âHow did you find yourself engaged to her sister?â
âIt was a kindness,â said Tom. âBut it doesnât always seem so.â
âA cruelty, more like,â said