Vow of Obedience by Veronica Black Read Free Book Online

too great a feat. What had been difficult was waking at 4.30 to the muffled vibrations of the alarm clock under her flat pillow and getting up at once, mindful that it was now her duty to rouse the other sisters at five with the cry of, ‘Christ Is Risen’.
    She had achieved it but it would take a week or two before she could rely on waking under her own steam. As she hadgone past the door of the infirmary a loud whisper had alerted her.
    Sister Gabrielle, her nightcap slightly askew, popped her head up as Sister Joan put her own head round the door.
    ‘Christ is risen,’ she said.
    ‘Praise be to God,’ Sister Gabrielle said as fervently as if she were hearing the words for the first time. Perhaps at eighty-four each new morning was a joyous surprise stolen from eternity.
    ‘May I get you something, Sister?’ She approached the bed, keeping her voice low since only a series of gentle snores came from Sister Mary Concepta’s bed.
    ‘Sister Perpetua will be in soon enough to measure out medicines and get us both on our feet for mass, Sister,’ the other said. ‘What’s all this about a murder? Or did I dream it?’
    ‘Unfortunately you didn’t. A girl from the town has been – unlawfully killed and left in the Moor School.’
    ‘If you mean murdered,’ Sister Gabrielle said, giving her nightcap a ferocious tug, ‘then say so and don’t fall into the modern habit of being mealy-mouthed. It makes me laugh to hear people talking about the permissive society. We knew what was what in my day and we weren’t afraid to spell it out. Car stealing was theft and not joy riding, and a killer was a killer and not a disadvantaged member of an uncaring society. Who found her?’
    ‘I did.’
    ‘Two minutes back from retreat and the peace of the cloister is shattered.’ The old nun gave her a wry grin. ‘God bless you, girl, but you remind me of myself at your age, forever kicking against the pricks and not stopping to think that might be God’s purpose for us all along. Evil has to be fought in many ways. Come and tell me how things progress. What was her name?’
    ‘Valerie – Valerie Pendon.’
    ‘I’ll say a special prayer. Now go and wake up the rest.’
    Talking to Sister Gabrielle was frequently uncomfortable but never dull. Sister Joan hurried out with a lighter step.
    Now she went out to the car and checked the petrol level. Sister David came out and climbed meekly and heroically into the passenger seat, clutching a bouquet of tawny-hearted dahlias.
    ‘We had better go to the police station first, Sister.’ She turned the key in the ignition. ‘We can find out from them where the girl lived.’
    ‘It’s an awful thing to think about, isn’t it?’ Sister David sighed heavily.
    ‘It’s a tragedy,’ Sister Joan said bleakly. ‘I hope they catch the man who did it.’
    ‘Well, I’m only thankful that isn’t our task.’ Sister David glanced nervously at the speedometer which was hovering around forty. ‘You’ll be getting in some driving practice now that you’re on lay duties.’
    ‘Whizzing around Cornwall,’ Sister Joan answered cheerfully . There was no sense in sinking oneself in gloom because of what had happened. It wasn’t something that directly concerned any of them. Even as she thought that an inner voice contradicted her. All mankind was concerned in every single death, particularly when that death came soon and violently.
    ‘There’s Lilith.’ She forgot her preoccupation as they drew into the parking space and she spotted the pony being led out from the nearby garage. ‘Is she all right, Officer?’
    ‘Good as gold, Sister.’ The youthful policeman paused as she wound down the window. ‘I’m just going to ride her back to the convent for you.’
    ‘See Sister Perpetua. She’ll give you tea and a bun,’ she advised. ‘You’re not going to walk back?’
    ‘Sergeant Barratt’s picking me up, thanks,’ he informed her. ‘He was up nearly all night so he’s