Grantchester - Strangers & Prayers

The village was busy as the congregation made their way to the church to Sunday Service. It was your average typical Sunday which meant church, visits to relatives, the pub or sometimes the odd Sunday lunch at home. Will Davenport was giving sermon to the believers, his words resonating with them as he spoke about family, the importance of God within the nucleus - and cream tea and scones. In the pews was Sylvia Chapman alongside her husband listening attentively, her mind now focused on the huge Sunday lunch she was going to concoct for her brood. Not far in front was Leonard Finch, also listening attentively. His partner was seated at the other side, glancing at him every so often. The service came to an end with the final blessing, and the congregation stood to receive it.

Geordie Keating meanwhile was at the station as always going through some leftover paperwork. He has just completed the arrest of someone who had been on his radar for the past couple of months. This was a coup for Geordie as this particular criminal had been more than a pain in the backside. Larry Peters was on hand of course, but he was about as much use as...well...very little! Geordie still missed Sidney. It had been a long while since he departed for the Southern US, and he wondered how he was getting on. Geordie took a look at the time and began to think about food...or drink...or both. He finally gave up on the paperwork and stood up, grabbing his jacket on the way as he left slamming the door behind him.

Will was shaking hands with the congregation outside the church as they left, wishing them a good Sunday and the rest of the week. Sylvia Chapman walked towards the vicarage in a hurry to get lunch started. Both Will and Leonard watched as she scurried off and looked at each other knowingly. The last of the congregation left, and both vicars walked back inside the church.

A figure rushed down the road, slightly out of breath like it was fox on the run. Its shadow was cast on the rather bright ground giving away the outline. The church was in the distance, and the figure stopped. It turned to face the gate head on before running towards it, pausing again before running through, the entrance to the church not far ahead.

Will walked inside the entrance but stopped to turn. The figure gasped in fright and hid in the bushes nearby. Will scanned the grounds in front of him, hearing rustling, but put it down to the breeze that had suddenly blown across from nowhere. However, his instincts told him otherwise. He stepped back out taking a few steps forward and once more scanned the grounds ahead of him. It was empty. He heard Leonard call him but waited a little longer before turning his back again walking inside.

The figure stepped back out again having watched Will's movements. It looked up to try to find the clock to give some indication of the time before running back out from where it came from.

The figure ran back down the road, having no idea where it was going. The faster it ran, the more out of breath it became quickly. It ran into the village turning a few corners, passing the buildings as it went by. It dodged cyclists, pedestrians and even some on coming traffic. It then turned another corner, its shadow indicating it was looking over its shoulder. All of a sudden it collided with someone who accidentally walked into its path. The figure stopped and looked upwards at the person in front of it.

"Hello," the person greeted with a smile. He was tall, his height eclipsing the sunlight behind him. "What are you running away from?"

"That was an amazing lunch, Mrs C.!" Leonard announced, his plate empty. Will nodded in agreement, his still a quarter full. He picked up his glass to take a drink and carried on eating. Sylvia meanwhile collected Leonard's plate as she hurried off to put his things in the sink. Leonard was still feeling awkward. He knew she was still coming to terms with his sexuality, and he knew that was part reason why Will got the position of vicar in the first place. That was quite a while ago now, but Leonard was patient. He loved Sylvia dearly and didn't want to push. Will clearly felt the slight tension and looked at his curate.