Peter almost wept. ‘You could be right.’
‘And as you always tell me and everyone else, God forgives a penitent sinner, and you sound thoroughly repentant to me.’
‘Indeed. You’re right. Thank you for that, Alex.’
Together they walked all the way home and, as they passed the Royal Oak, Peter paused. ‘You know, I first met Titus here. He was sitting outside. I’d just started my run and he caught my eye. We exchanged a few words. Even then he impressed me, just something about him. That’s how it is with some people. He made a lasting impression.’
Alex replied, ‘He was a very nice, genuine man. I liked him very much. Poor Liz Neal, to lose him like she did.’
The two of them stood for a moment silently picturing Titus on the bench and regretting their loss, then Alex began to head home, pushing his bike. Peter followed him, feeling better in a curious way. Back at the Rectory Alex flung down his bike on the back garden path, and the two of them went into the kitchen where Alex ate a second breakfast with his dad.