Page 51 of The Village of Lost and Found

‘I’m so hung-over,’ said Molly, looking green. ‘Are you OK to take Simon up to be blessed? I think I need to just sit outside in the fresh air.’

Lucy peered past Molly to look at the pet cage. ‘Me?’

‘You’ll be fine,’ said Molly, suddenly clutching a hand to her mouth. ‘Gotta go.’

Molly then disappeared back outside, leaving the box on the floor next to Lucy. She could see a paw through the cage at the front. She had no idea what to do regarding the blessing so tried to concentrate on the lyrics of the hymn.

After the song, the congregation sat. Or, most of them did.

To Lucy’s surprise, a few loose animals began to wander up and down the aisles as the vicar began her sermon.

‘Animals play a huge part in our lives,’ said Glenda. ‘You don’t have to drive far from here to see the cows and sheep that we rely on for food, milk and wool. Many families in our parish have pets of all kinds and birds visit our gardens. Animals are all around us and for that we must be grateful. For without them, there is no nature. No insects. No world to live in.’

The animals she was speaking about squeaked, yelped, purred, and whinnied throughout the sermon and yet Glenda merely smiled and seemed to enjoy every minute.

Then the vicar welcomed everyone to come up for the blessing.

Lucy let most people go up first before she finally shuffled along the pew. With a deep breath, she grabbed hold of the handle on top of the box and stood up, before slowly walking up the aisle.

‘I think this is our last customer,’ said Glenda, with a smile as she reached the altar. ‘And what is your friend’s name?’

‘Simon,’ said Lucy. She stood still as Glenda made the blessing and the sign of the cross over them.

Lucy suddenly felt choked up at the blessing, though didn’t know why. Her parents had never had a pet, although she’d always wanted one.

By the end of the service, she was beginning to enjoy herself and had even managed to take a few notes and some photographs with her phone.

Outside the church, everyone surrounded Uncle Frank and Lucy, who was still holding the pet box with the cat inside.

‘It’s so lovely to have you back,’ said one woman to Uncle Frank. ‘We missed you last week.’

One man had brought his chickens. ‘Good to see you, Frank,’ he said before heading off.

Another man had a python around his neck.

‘He’s called Monty,’ said the man. ‘Geddit? You know, Monty Python.’

‘Yes, hilarious,’ replied Lucy, backing away a little.

She managed to take a few more photographs before leaving Uncle Frank briefly to find Molly sitting nearby on a bench.

‘How are you feeling?’ asked Lucy.

Molly grimaced. She looked terribly pale. ‘Awful,’ she said. ‘What about you?’

‘I didn’t drink too much of the gin, luckily,’ said Lucy, before handing over the cat box. ‘Here’s Simon. He’s had his blessing.’

‘Thanks,’ said Molly. ‘He’s an absolute menace, but Mum loves him. She’s doing roast beef this afternoon if you want to join us.’

‘Thanks, but I’m going to spend some time with Uncle Frank,’ said Lucy.

But as she went to join her uncle once more, Lucy began to wonder how on earth she was going to broach the subject of the newspaper. And how upset he was going to be when he realised just how bad things really were.

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Lucy drove back the short distance to Uncle Frank’s bungalow after the church service.

‘How’s the foot?’ she asked.