Dear Ann

I appreciated your comments to me in the village today. Emma is the easiest of guests and she is welcome to stay as long as she wants. One of the few perks that the Church provides is these wonderful old buildings for us to live in, but I do rather rattle around in here. It will be nice to have some company in the evenings.

I know the tongues will be wagging again but it gives them a focus for their gossip. At least they won’t be worrying about me being gay! Really, when I approached the ministry I never intended to do it alone. One always imagined some helpful soul mate standing by one’s side. But the irony of always meeting people is that one never gets to meet people. You can’t even imagine how impossible it is to date while being a vicar. I rather think that the Church thinks that we should start with a mate rather than find one.

Still you have concerns of your own. Please stop by if you ever want to talk.

Nigel Banks