It was right here in the porch that Alton had last seen Neil on Friday night. He wasn’t sure whether he had really experienced a premonition as they had stood close together in the darkness and listened to the noises from the village. It felt that way now, but hindsight was deceptive. And, of course, feelings could be even more deceptive.
Alton heard a distinctive engine noise that grumbled to a halt beyond the churchyard wall. It was muffled by the trees and the dampness that hung in the air, but it was enough to make the vicar turn away from the door and steady himself with one hand against the oak frame of the porch entrance. The smooth wood was cold to the touch and running with moisture. Alton shivered as he caught the click of the latch on the gate hidden behind the yews.
It seemed to Alton that the figure approaching him through the mist in the churchyard was one that should not have been there at all. It appeared at first to be a shape returned from the grave. Or, if not actually yet in a grave, then escaped from its drawer in a mortuary freezer to haunt the church porch. And to haunt Derek Alton’s conscience.
299
He recognized the creak of a leather motorcycle jacket and saw something familiar about the darkness of his visitor’s eyes. Neil Granger had never owned a motorbike, of course. But his brother did.
‘Morning, Vicar.’
‘Philip?’ Alton stared at the young man. ‘This is a bit early in the morning for a call. You’ve only just caught me.’
‘Sorry. But I have to be at work in Glossop in an hour.’
‘Come into the church/ said Alton. ‘It isn’t much warmer inside than out, I’m afraid. But at least it’s dry.’
‘No, it’s OK. This won’t take long.’
Alton frowned at the young man’s tone. Philip wouldn’t meet his eye, but fiddled with the strap of his motorcycle helmet and stroked the smooth surface. The movement of Philip’s hands drew Alton’s eyes to the helmet. It was bright red, and looked glaringly out of place in the church porch against the dark stone. There were several scratches on it, as if the helmet had already saved its owner from serious injury in an accident. Alton wanted to suggest to Philip that he should replace it with a new helmet, in case it had been damaged and weakened. It might not protect him next time.
But the vicar recognized that his mind was merely reacting to an impulse to change the subject whenever he sensed a difficult conversation approaching. It was one of his weaknesses. He had to learn to face the fire, and hope that he would be made stronger by the flames.
‘Well, out with it, then/ said Alton. ‘Is it about Neil?’
‘Yes.’
‘It’s such a difficult time for you, Philip. Especially without any immediate family around you to offer support. But I spoke to your uncle a couple of days ago. He explained that it would be a question of cremation, when the time comes. I mean, when the coroner releases … when the final arrangements can be made. And a humanist service, I gather. That’s perfectly understandable though I did think your brother was becoming a little more interested in the church in recent months. I was quite hopeful, you know …’
Alton realized he was babbling, and ground to a halt. Philip appeared to be paying no attention to his words at all, but kept his eyes turned down, thinking about something else entirely. The vicar felt himself beginning to grow warm under his coat.
The went to see the police yesterday/ said Philip.
300
‘Yes, of course. Are they any nearer …? Did they give you an idea …? It’s been nearly six days now. Surely -‘
Philip shook his head in a gesture of impatience ‘Please, Vicar.’
‘Sorry.’
A little hit of sun appeared through a break in the mist that hung between the yew trees. It looked as if someone had switched a light on. For now, it was pale and yellow, and ringed with a faint halo. But soon, it would dissipate the mist and the day would be fine.
‘It was more a question of me giving them information,’ said Philip. ‘That’s what I wanted to tell you.’
‘Information?’ said Alton.
‘Well, among other things, I thought I ought to tell them that Neil was gay.’
For some reason, Alton found himself latching on to the wrong phrase. ‘What other things?’
Philip looked at him then, with an enigmatic smile. ‘Nothing else that concerns you, Vicar.’
‘I see.’
‘But obviously, the police will be wanting to talk to people again now. People who were involved with Neil in some way.’
‘Yes, I suppose so.’
‘I thought you ought to know.’
Alton had promised himself that he’d make a determined attack on the overgrown churchyard today, provided the weather was fine. That was why he was early this morning, so that he could be outside and ready for action as soon as the mist had gone. He had neglected the job too long already, and no one was going to help him now. He was on his own.
Philip Granger was watching him, waiting for a reaction. ‘You get what I’m saying, Vicar? It’s something you ought to know.’
‘Yes, Philip. Thank you. Thank you very much.’
‘It’s a good thing to tell what you know, isn’t it?’ said Philip. ‘That is, unless there’s a very, very good reason not to.’
Derek Alton nodded. But all he could think of were the dock plants growing in his churchyard. He couldn’t quite
