“Oh no thanks Miss B... And what a dreadful, awful, shocking thing... I need to go and lie down. I'm so, so... I don't know...” Sammy said theatrically, staggering out of the door with Maddy close behind her.
“You both have a nice day now, eh?” Miss Boyle called out.
“Oh fuck, who the hell's gonna bless our water now? And God help us... who ate Philomena's throat, and worse still, old Wally's hand... Uggghhh? Please say it wasn't me...” Sammy asked her with a horrified look.
“I've no idea. Honestly! I only caught a glimpse of you all,” Maddy half lied.
They trudged back to the truck heavy hearted to relay their news.
Aden acted positively. Maddy loved that about him. He'd try and get them thinking rather than giving up.
“Look, there's nothing to say it has to be blessed here, is there? We can go to Elk Pond. Explain to the local pastor that our dear Reverend Porter is indisposed or missing... It might even be a godsend.”
They set off for the ten mile drive to the next town. They tried to keep their spirits up. They had plenty of time and Maddy had abilities. There was no need to contain the pack any longer. In fact full moon madness was a thing of the past from now on. They could sleep happily in their beds, whatever the outcome of today's curse-lifting ceremony. They could drink and be merry until sun down and collapse in the safety of their own household. No threat to anyone or themselves. Their container prisons were no longer required. The terrible deaths of Heart were an unavoidable and sad tragedy. One that would never be repeated again. As long as Maddy was in their midst. And she planned to keep it that way.
The Elk Pond chapel was a small and understated affair as far as churches went. But that wasn't important to Aden. All he needed was to find the pastor, V. Saunderfoot, whoever and wherever he was, and fast. The small garage across the street was a good place to start. He called in to the tiny attached shop and was given the address and directions by the young cashier.
Less than two minutes later, he was sitting outside his door
Suddenly he felt awkward and like a fraud. Persuading the clergyman to bless water for them was not his forte. However, it needed to be done, and now was the time to do it. He entered the front yard trying to feel confident. He noticed the name plate next to the door.
“The Black Crow's Nest”.
Rather an odd name for a holy father's house, but still, each to their own...
“Hello there, what can I do for you?” An elderly, white haired woman popped her head up from behind a large bush, holding a pair of deadly sharp looking shears.
“Hello, I'm looking for the Pastor Saunderfoot, is he in?”
“She is. You're looking at her. How d'you do, I'm Victoria Saunderfoot.” She held out her hand and shook his with a firm grip.
“Oh, I'm sorry... I was expecting... well I'm sure you know... I'm Aden Carr. I live in Heart. I was wondering if you'd mind carrying out a small good deed for us, as our own Reverend Porter is somewhat ill, or so we hear.”
“Well I'm sorry to hear young Mark isn't well... Hopefully it's nothing serious. I'll give him a call later... Now then, what good deed would that be?” She asked with a blazing white holy smile.
“We'd like you to bless some water. Quite a lot of it.”
“Not doing any exorcisms, are you? That's strictly forbidden, very ill advised,” she frowned at him, a bone chilling frown as if she could see right through him and knew what he was. “So strange... I'm feeling something from you. Something very familiar, like I know you...” she went on with a strange look in her eyes.
“Exorcism, ha ha...” he replied in a panic. “No... We are filling an ornamental pool, at our ranch. For the staff and for our guests. So we need a lot.”
“No you don't. One drop of holy water in a hundred gallons is enough,” she replied, still looking at him far too intensely for comfort.
“It is?”
“D'you think we bless every single drop of it individually?” She laughed at him, her concern apparently forgotten or put to one side.
“Kind of, yes...”
“It's a fluid Mr Carr... You can't dilute holiness,” she chuckled. "Give me a bottle and I'll do it now. It's a simple prayer.”
Aden grabbed a bottle from the truck and popped it in her hand before she changed her mind.
She turned and went inside and he hovered in the doorway.
“Come in my dear,” she called to him. He followed her into the kitchen, and she took out a pot of salt from the cupboard, and holding some in her hand, blessed it with a few words. She then unscrewed the bottle, added the salt, and replaced the cap, giving it a good shake. She then proceeded to bless the salted water with a very long and atmospheric psalm, which she obviously knew by heart, and which made his hair rise up.