The postulant (part 3)

 

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The father didn't linger long downstairs. He took the belongings handed to him by Ondine, thanked her politely before quickly taking his leave to return to Valeria.

“Here's a nightgown. You can take a bath and change, then Ondine will take you home for the night.

-My parents will be worried!

- I'll call them and tell them Ondine drove you home after a late singing rehearsal.”

This explanation was quite plausible, since Ondine was the choirmaster of the parish choir and Valeria the soloist.

“- Can't I stay here instead, Father?

- I can't, my dear Valeria. I'll be accused of hurting you!

- Oh Father, I know you're an upright man and so do all your parishioners... Please let me stay!”

“- All right, but you'll leave tomorrow at Lauds and won't tell anyone where you spent the night.

- I promise. Thank you, Father.

- You're welcome, my dear Valeria. Ondine has also brought you a sweater, jeans and sneakers. I put them on the chair next to the bed.

- Yes, thank you so much.

- Good night Valeria

- Good night, Father Soubiran.

The priest turned off the light and went down to the sofa where his cat Nougat was waiting for him.

“Ah my little one, what a day! We're going to pray for Miss Valeria, aren't we?”

The feline nodded with a  meow .Father Soubiran smiled as he grabbed his breviary and prayed the Office of Compline before falling asleep with the cat on his lap.

Valeria left a quarter of an hour before Lauds and made her way to the church. Ondine gave her a knowing smile, and the service began. The young woman left the church half an hour later, relieved that no one had asked her about her outfit.  The parishioners had never seen a woman wearing pants. In this traditional parish, all the women wore dresses. Father Soubiran had discreetly suggested that Ondine bring a pair of pants so that Valeria could hide the scratches on her thighs, the stigmata of her attack.