Rudd sees the mission truck down below, and slaps the steering wheel with relief.

“Yesss. I think he’s there.”

“The priest?”

“Well that’s the truck he was in last time I saw him.”

The vehicle is parked against the edge of the tea factory. It is one of the few inside the security fence. Rudd points out the flash of its red roof to Katania as they lurch down the bumpy track to the estate offices. She adjusts her sunglasses.

“I hope you’re right and that he’s actually here. And that he’s presentable.”

“And free,” Rudd mutters, as he stops beside the entrance barrier.

The guard greets them with a broad smile and confirms that the priest is on the premises. “Perhaps he meets the workers … perhaps the manager.”

Rudd parks, and decides they should try the office first. He leads the way under the huge corrugated iron roof, and on down past the shaking dust and noise of the conveyor belts, to the corridor of offices that run along the far end. The first door they come to has a small sign saying ‘Manager’. Rudd knocks, while Katania pats the dust off her trousers. 

“Come in,” a voice shouts.

Rudd pushes the door wide, and Katania steps past him into the room. He follows, and as soon as he enters he feels confident that he is close to finding a solution to her problem. There, already on his feet, is the tall, composed man Rudd recognises as Father Norman. Beyond him, and still behind his desk, the manager is not so quick to stand. By the time he is on his feet, and sending a questioning look at Rudd, the priest is already shaking Katania’s hand, his smile polite beneath brown, swept back hair.

Rudd crosses the room to speak to the manager. He knows him well, for he usually leads the tea tours offered to lodge guests. They exchange greetings, and Rudd explains the interruption, then turns back to Katania, but sees in an instant that no help is required, for Katania and the priest appear to be close to an agreement. Within minutes it is arranged that Father Norman will come up to the lodge as soon as his business in the factory is finished.

And that is it. With little more than a brief nod to the manager, Katania exists the office and Rudd, irritated, hurries after her.

“Good. That’s done,” is her only comment as they bounce back up the hill, past the village, and then down again to the lodge.

Rudd drops Katania by the front door, and then decides on an impulse to park the truck in the garage. Just in case, he thinks, without wanting to think any more about why.

Back in the medical room he shuts the door with relief, and leans against it. He wants to start the day again, to bring a sense of order back to his plans, and to forget Katania’s arrogance. Agitated, he rolls up his sleeping-bag, and collects his shaving kit.

Copyright Georgie Knaggs & The Phraser 2023

“Makes sense now,” says Rudd. “By the way, I’ve just met your other brother. Steve?”

Katania waves her hand dismissivley. “He’s never liked me. Feeling’s mutual. Anyway, this is about Mick. I don’t understand why he can’t come. He promised he would.”

 “Didn’t he say why?”

“No. Just something ridiculous about the weather. I mean … that kind of thing never stops him.”

 “Okay,” Rudd ushers Katania towards the nearest chairs. “Why don’t we sit down? Wait for Tim – he’s on the bird walk.”

“Typical,” says Katania, settling herself on the sofa. “And Jen’s still asleep. But Mick? He always makes a plan. Why, when it really matters, does he give up? Just like that.” Katania snaps her fingers.

As if summoned, the doors push open, and Innocence appears carrying a tray full of mugs from the birdwalkers’ tea. He nods at them and rattles onwards, towards the kitchen.

Suddenly Katania’s eyes stab into Rudd. “I know. You could take the service for us.”

“Me?”

 “Yes!” She leans towards him. “Yes, you Rudd. You’d be completely inoffensive.”

Rudd stares at her.

“Inoffensive …” The word whispers down to his shoes.

“Yes …” says Katania studying him. “Although …”

Rudd cuts her off, his face flushed. “No. No … I mean … there’s no way. I’m too busy.”

Her eyes scan over him again.

“Too busy?” she raises an eyebrow. “More like too young … and no gravitas. No style even. Never mind. It’s for the best. So who then?”

Rudd’s heart thumps. He stares at the view. Out of the corner of his eye he sees Katania’s fingers drumming on the table, and knows he needs to find an answer quickly. He retraces the guest list, putting names to faces, looking for professors, professionals, priests. Then suddenly it comes to him.

Of course. At the tea factory. That priest, from England. Maybe he can … Norman. Father Norman.

Rudd is excited now. “There is a visiting priest who might be able to help?”

Katania’s fingers stop drumming. “A priest? They are already married you know. This is a celebration. Not a service.”

“Well … unless you want Simi?”

“Simi? In those kaftans? I can’t stand the way she dresses. No, I do not want her. A kaftan? Leading the service? Can you imagine the photographs?” Katania pauses. “Who is this priest anyway?”

“Father Norman. I’ve only met him once. I think he must be from that cathedral twinned with our local church.”

Katania frowns. “I don’t want the day ruined Rudd. This might be Jen’s only wedding. We’re launching a brand here. You understand? Part of her forever portfolio.” Katania twists the large diamond ring on her finger, her eyes focused somewhere beyond Rudd’s shoulder. Then they flash back towards him. “Any chance I can meet this priest?”

“He might be at the tea factory?”

“Well, let’s go,” says Katania standing, while Rudd scrambles to his feet.

“Now?”

“Why not?”

“Well. I’ve got …” Rudd hesitates, running a hand across his chin.

 “Excellent. I’ll fetch my sunglasses, and be out front in two minutes.”

 Rudd stares after her, as she willows into the distance.

Copyright Georgie Knaggs & The Phraser 2023

Hi, to anyone still out there at this hour of the night. This is just to say that the last eighteen hours or so, have been full of surprises that have pushed today’s section of the story over the margins of what I’ve been able to manage.

I hope to be back on course tomorrow, and that Rudd, meanwhile, will have kept both the fractious Katania, and the possible cyclone at bay.

Wishing everyone rest and hope

All the best

Georgie