Scandal (16 page)

   “Forgive me for sounding impertinent but I haven’t a clue Father.”

   “This isn’t going to be easy for me to say.  These situations never are, but …”  The pause in his sentence alarmed Father Michael.  All he could do was wait for him to proceed.  “An allegation has been made about you and I have a duty to follow it up.” 

   Genuine shock fell upon Father Michael’s face.

   “What kind of allegation?” he asked quickly.

   “We’ve received a telephone call to say you are having an affair with a married woman.” 

   Father Michael’s jaw dropped.  “But that’s absurd!” he protested, rising from his chair.  “Who’s made such a claim?”

   “I’m afraid I’m not at liberty to mention any names.” 

   Father Michael sat down in despair.  This situation could have serious consequences to his future as a priest.

   “Please tell me you don’t believe it Father.”

   “Whether I do or don’t, I have to follow things up.”

   “This is total madness.  Who am I supposed to be having an affair with?” 

   Taking a small book from his pocket, he flicked through a couple of pages, glasses perched on the end of his nose as he read his scrawl. 

   “Does the name Ashleigh Watson mean anything to you?” 

   The colour drained from Father Michael’s face.  Real anger fed through his body for the first time in a long time.

   “Finn!” he said, more to himself than to Father Lucas.

   “I’m sorry, what was that?”

   “Finn Watson is married to a young woman called Ashleigh.  I admit I do know her, she joined the church several months ago and helps out at fund raising events.”

   Removing his glasses Father Lucas went on to say, “So how do you see your relationship with Ashleigh?” 

   Trying to stay calm, Father Michael took a seat opposite.  Taking a deep breath he began.

   “Ashleigh is a very gentle person.  She recently married her husband, Finn, who hates the church and everything it stands for.  I’ve witnessed aggressive behaviour from him towards Ashleigh on several occasions, both verbal and physical.  Ashleigh has spoken to me about him several times about his change of mood.”  Father Lucas sat listening attentively as Father Michael fed him information.  “A while ago, he attacked her at home, pushing her so hard she hit her head on something, cutting it open.  She was too afraid to go to the hospital so I took her.  It needed a few stitches but fortunately, he never found out.  Then today, shortly after we’d finished with the summer fair, I went to talk to her because she was looking a lot happier than she’d done of late.  That was when she told me she was pregnant.  I’d just asked her how Finn had reacted to the news, her reply being she hadn’t had a chance to mention it.  Then boom.  Finn appeared from out of no-where, demanding to know what she’d told me.  I refused to tell him anything.  Not my place I said.  He then grabbed Ashleigh by the wrist and dragged her out of the hall.  There were witnesses to this also.”

   “If you give me names, I’ll go and ask them.” 

   Reliving the events was horrible for Father Michael.  He couldn’t possibly begin to imagine what Ashleigh had gone through at the hands of an angry husband.

   Father Lucas toyed with his beard as he made notes in his small book.  He knew Father Michael had more to say. 

   “About half an hour after it had happened, I couldn’t stand to sit back and do nothing, so I went round to her flat.” 

   This caused Father Lucas to raise an eyebrow.

   “And how did you know where she lived?” 

   Father Michael felt nervous now when he thought about what he was going to say, hoping it didn’t make him sound like a guilty man.

   “I dropped her off near her flat after the time I’d taken her to the hospital?”

   “Why?”

   “Because I didn’t think she was in any fit state to be using public transport.  She’d had a nasty bang to her head and she’d had stitches.”

  “How many times altogether have you visited Mrs Watson at home?”

   Now a little agitated he replied, “Where’s this leading Father?”

   “Just answer the question please.”

   Nervously he said, “I don’t know.  I think it was once more before that.  Yes it was.  I remember now.  Ashleigh hadn’t been in church for a few weeks so I went round to her flat to make sure she was alright.”

   “I see.”  Putting his pen in his mouth, Father Lucas added, “Did you at any time feel you were becoming too involved in her life?”

   “No never.  We chatted several times.  I felt there were things she needed to talk about.  I wouldn’t say I was more involved with her than I’ve been with anyone else.”

   “Have you ever taken anyone to hospital before?”

   “No, but this was necessary.”

   “Couldn’t her husband have taken her?”

   “She was terrified of him.  She wouldn’t have gone at all had it not been for me.”    

   Father Lucas stood up at this point, putting his note book back in this jacket pocket.

   “I will have to make a written report of everything you’ve told me.”

   “And then what?”

   “It’ll be up to the church to decide your future.”

   “My future?  But I haven’t done anything wrong.”

   “I hope for your sake you haven’t but like I said, I have to follow up these allegations.” 

   Father Michael became desperate as Father Lucas began to walk out of the room, totally ignoring the cup of tea he’d had made.

   “Where do I stand now as far as the church is concerned?” 

   Father Lucas turned round.  The watery blue eyes looked kind and deeply sorry for this young priest who stood before him awaiting his fate.

   “Another priest will be sent to take over for a while.  In the meantime, you’ll have to stay away from the church, the rectory and more importantly, Mrs Watson.”

   “You mean I’ve already lost my job?”

   “No you haven’t.  You’ve just been suspended until further notice.” 

   Father Michael was beginning to feel he was in a bad dream.

   “But Father, the church is my life.  I’m innocent.” 

   With his back to Father Michael, Father Lucas just held a hand up to acknowledge the subject was closed.  He saw himself out, leaving Father Michael to sit alone, totally alone.  

Chapter Eighteen

Father Michael stood by the window, watching Father Lucas’ car pull away.  The anxiety he felt at that moment brought every bad memory he’d ever experienced in his life to come flooding back.  He’d felt the church was his protector but yet here he was, feeling as though he was waiting to be executed.  All he’d done was help a friend during her time of need.  Just like he’d been helped all those years ago when he’d hit rock bottom.

   He understood that Father Lucas had a duty to follow up these accusations.  All he wanted was justice and the backing of the church.  If he didn’t have that, he had nothing.  The thought made him shiver.  There wasn’t anything he could do about the situation for now.  He was desperate to see Ashleigh again not caring if it made his dilemma worse.

   Finding a light jacket to wear, a thought struck him.  Perhaps if he hadn’t have befriended Ashleigh in such a way, she wouldn’t be lying in hospital.  But then again, he hadn’t asked for things to turn ugly either.  It had gradually happened, leading him to the conclusion that, given Finn’s unbalanced behaviour, if it hadn’t have been himself being used as a scapegoat, Finn would have no doubt found himself some other mug to accuse.

   He tried to shut things from his mind during the drive to the hospital.  No matter what was going on in his life, he knew there was no way he’d turn his back on Ashleigh.  He just hoped that he would be able to convince her of what she needed to do.

The ward was quiet when Father Michael arrived.  Before going to see Ashleigh, he went to see the nurse who’d been on duty earlier in the day.  She saw Father Michael approaching and went towards him.

   “Father.  Please could you step this way a moment?” 

   He was led into the small room he’d been in earlier that day.  It was only just big enough for them both to fit in but it was comfortable enough.  Taking a seat himself, the nurse perched herself on the corner of a table.

   “How is she?” he asked.

   “Not good Father.  We’d already noticed severe bruising on her stomach so knew her husband had used that area as a punch bag.  Later this afternoon, Ashleigh was in a lot of pain and shortly afterwards, she began to bleed, losing her baby.”

   “Oh no.  The poor thing.”

   “We think she was only five weeks pregnant and she’s been told about the loss.”  Taking a breath she went on.  “The bruising is very extensive and shocking to see.  We asked Ashleigh if she knew how it had happened and she said her husband threw her to the ground, kicking her repeatedly before leaving.” 

   The thought of Finn’s actions made Father Michael want to beat him to a pulp.  Not the thoughts a priest should have.

   “Has her husband been to see her?”

   “No.  She hasn’t had any visitors apart from you.”

   Father Michael realised at this point he didn’t know anything about her parents.  Perhaps he should ask Ashleigh about them.  She could do to get them involved.

   “How long do you think you’ll keep her in for?”

   “Possibly a week.  It could be a little less.  It really depends on her recovery.”

   “What about counselling?  Will any be offered to her?”

   “It depends whether she’ll accept any Father.  Yes, usually we do offer it in domestic violence cases and miscarriage.  But again, it is down to Ashleigh and whether she wants to go down that road.”

   Father Michael pondered with his own thoughts for a moment before saying, “And the police?  Will they be involved?” 

   The nurse shrugged her shoulders.  “Truthfully, I don’t know.  Ashleigh can only do what she feels is the right thing to do.”

   “It’s crazy,” Father Michael added.

   “You know that, I know that but you’d be surprised how many incidents similar to Ashleigh’s are brushed under the carpet.”  Glancing at her watch she stood up from the edge of the table.  “I really must be going Father.  Patients to see,” she said, with a glint of a smile.  Before she left the room, the nurse looked at Father Michael.  “You could always try talking to her to persuade her to go to the police.”

   Scratching his head a little he replied, “I think I’ve done enough damage.”

   “How do you mean?” she asked with a frown.

   “Her husband has reported me to the church for having an affair with her.” 

   Genuine shock showed on her face.  “That’s absurd.  All you’ve tried to do is help.”

   “I wish it was that simple.” 

   She could tell by his body language, this situation he’d somehow found himself in was taking its toll on him.

   “What will happen to you now Father?”

   “I’m suspended from the church and need to find somewhere else to stay for now.”

   “And Ashleigh?  What about her?”

   He studied her face, seeing the trust in her eyes, knowing what he was about to say wouldn’t go any further.

   “I’ll stand by her if she’ll let me; persuade her to go to the police.  And, I’ll try to make her see Finn for who and what he really is.”

   “Well good luck with that Father.”

   “I think it’ll take more that luck sister.”

   They left the room together.  Just before Father Michael went to see Ashleigh, the nurse touched his arm gently. 

   “I really hope everything works out for you Father.  You’re doing a splendid job.”  He didn’t answer, just smiled.

He hardly recognised the small frame lying in the hospital bed.  If it hadn’t have been for the name above her head saying who she was, he would have walked straight passed.  Ashleigh was lying on her side with her body curled up slightly.  As Father Michael pulled up a chair, moving it closer to her, she made no attempt to acknowledge him.  He’d felt nervous about this visit, one he’d been unsure of how to deal with, but now he was here, all his fears vanished.

   “Ashleigh,” he whispered.  “I’m so sorry it has come to this.”  Her mouth opened but words failed to come out.  One of her arms lay on the top of the covers with fingers clenched into a ball.  He took that hand in his own, uncurling her fingers a little.  For a brief moment he sat quiet, just with his hand holding her tiny one.  Her eyes searched his, haunted by the day’s events.  “Ashleigh, you may not feel like talking about things but Finn needs stopping.” 

   A single tear slid down her face as she whispered, “I know.” 

   A sense of relief washed over him, filling him with confidence to carry on.

   “Will you go to the police?”

   “I’m scared Father.”

   “I know but I’ll be there for you.”

   “Promise?” she asked weakly.

   “I promise.”  With a slight nod of the head, Father Michael accepted her promise as confirmation she
would
go to the police.  “Good girl.”  Still her eyes searched his.  All he could think was how frightened she looked and above all else, how lost she seemed.  “There’s something else you need to do as well.”

   “I know,” she said, again painfully quiet.  “I need to speak to Jack.” 

   Father Michael realised that no matter how weak she looked now and how vulnerable she was, Ashleigh was a fighter and she was very strong.

   “I’ll help you all I can.”  Her eyes were trying to fight the exhaustion of her body.  Sensing it was time he should leave, he bent over her, kissing her forehead as if it was the most natural thing in the world.  Her eyes were already closed, unaware of his simple kiss which spoke volumes.  He stroked her hair gently, whispering, “I’ll be back tomorrow.”  Then he left her to sleep.

His journey to the rectory, he knew, would be one of the last he’d make until his mess of a life was sorted out.  With every curtain closed, shutting out the darkness, he sat with a small cup of coffee, his thoughts turning once again to Ashleigh.  He’d kissed her today.  Why he’d done that scared him a little.  To the outsider, if he’d been a
normal
person, it wasn’t a big deal, but he was a priest, her priest.  For that split second he’d forgotten who he was.  That hadn’t happened before.  All he’d thought about was Ashleigh laying there bruised and battered, tortured by physical and emotional pain.  His heart was telling him how much he cared for her.  Never once had he thought his actions were wrong or inappropriate.  He’d wanted to take her in his arms tonight, holding her close so she felt loved.  Finn had damaged so much of her, taken so much from her.  How she’d recover he wasn’t sure.  All he hoped was her future didn’t include Finn.  Tomorrow at the hospital, he’d ask about her parents and if possible, arrange for her to stay with them for a while.  Once she felt strong enough, she could speak to Jack Watson, exposing Finn for the scumbag he was.  Father Michael had lost a little of his faith today.  Today he didn’t feel very much like a priest.  He felt like a man who’d lost too much, wanting to seek revenge on the man who’d accused him of something he hadn’t done.  Knowing his dilemma with Ashleigh could cause a huge scandal as far as the church was concerned, possibly finishing his career as a priest for good, only fuelled him more.  At that moment, he wanted his own revenge on Finn.  He wanted to have the bastard exposed for all of his wrong doings.  If Ashleigh was right with her suspicions about Finn’s indiscretions, who knew what more they could dig up if they went looking?  Father Michael was determined he wasn’t going to be the only one facing a scandal.  Finn had ruined Ashleigh’s life today, a day which should have been one of the happiest days for them as a couple.  He’d taken a life too; a life he hadn’t even known existed.  Priest or not, he didn’t like Finn very much and would not ask for forgiveness from God for feeling the way he felt about him.  Father Michael thought of Finn as a son of Satan, hoping he’d go to Hell where he belonged.