Bacchus and Sanderson (Deceased) (53 page)

William turned to Annabel and said,

“Fancy a break? Wooster is now the proud owner of a pet passport and fancies seeing some of Europe in a luxurious manner.”

Annabel smiled and said,

“Us working girls have to get permission from our employers for long foreign holidays with our sugar daddies. I need to speak with whoever my new bishop is.”

William waved a hand in a grand manner and said,

“I know he’ll be fine. Shall we leave tomorrow?”

Annabel looked at William and said firmly,

“I need to check. I’ll call him or her tomorrow.”

William laughed out loud and patted her arm so she didn’t think he was mocking her.

“I said it’s fine and as I’ve just been appointed as the new Bishop of Sherborne, ordination in due course, my word is law.”

Annabel’s ecstatic hug and Ben and Jemima’s whoops of joy caused William to blush far more than he had in years.

“Congratulations. A bishop in the family, Juanita might be able to arrange a hotline to the boss.” Ernest said.

“Dad, where have you been? Hi Juanita.”

“Hi Ben, William, Annabel and Jemima we thought we’d come and see you as Ernest has something he wants to share with you. Ernest?”

Ernest floated looking unsure what to say. His face cleared and he began.

“Ben you know how I missed your mother when she died don’t you?”

“Yes, you were devastated.”

“She’s in heaven and now my unfinished business is completed I could go to her, now. If I did that I wouldn’t be able to come back, to see you all or look after you. With Felicity carrying Satan’s child, I don’t feel that everything I have to do is complete. So I’ve come to an arrangement with Juanita and the boss. Juanita is going to go and see Jess for me and explain I’ll be with her soon, but I have a few loose ends to tie up. Once the Felicity, Satan problem is dealt with I’ll join Jess.”

Ben looked pleased and unsure simultaneously.

“Dad, it could take years for that to be sorted out”

Juanita looked at Ernest and she
answered for him.

“Up there, time is as fast or as slow as you want it to be, Jess will barely know he’s late.”

The End