Sidney Chambers and The Forgiveness of Sins by James Runcie

he’s become an ambassador, which means that he is forever in the public eye.’
    ‘Has he got a good wife?’ Sir Mark asked.
    ‘Not as fine as yours, of course.’
    ‘That goes without saying.’
    ‘I went to see him in Paris earlier this month and he told me that the only day he really enjoyed was Remembrance Day because he didn’t have to speak to anyone. All he had to do was lay a few wreaths.’
    Shouty Meynell turned to Sidney. ‘I imagine in Grantchester you lost a few good men?’
    ‘Sixteen in the Great War, six in the last. Even in a small village . . .’
    ‘Did you take part yourself? Or were you a conchie?’
    ‘No, I fought.’
    ‘Unusual for a clergyman.’
    ‘I wasn’t one at the time.’
    ‘I would have thought it might put you off.’
    ‘Most people say that, but once you have seen such darkness and despair perhaps you reach out for hope.’
    Sidney could hardly contain himself. Why was he being put on his mettle like this?
    There then followed a discussion of how war affected faith and Serena Stein asked Hildegard ‘what it felt like’ to be a German, before Amanda changed the subject by asking Henry Richmond about his plans for Christmas. No one dared mention his dead wife.
    Just before the women left and the port and cigars were brought in, Sir Mark drew the dinner to a close by looking forward to the shoot on the morrow. He said that the weather was set fair and he hoped that he would outdo his previous record provided there was no poaching of his air space. Did everyone know the rules? ‘The main one being that I have to bag the most.’
    ‘I am sure no one needs to worry about that,’ Shouty Meynell laughed. ‘You always do.’ Then, perhaps thinking that this was a joke everyone had missed, he repeated the phrase: ‘I say, YOU ALWAYS DO.’
    ‘Now we have a doctor and a priest with us we should be well catered for should we have any mishaps,’ Sir Mark added.
    ‘We also have a detective,’ Amanda pointed out.
    ‘Oh I don’t know about that . . .’ said Sidney quickly.
    ‘Ah yes, I have been hearing about your exploits, Canon Chambers,’ Sir Mark replied. ‘It appears that the clergy are just as capable of murdering each other as everyone else.’
    Sidney knew he was referring to a rejected ordinand who had taken revenge on his former tutors. ‘I think that was an exceptional case.’
    ‘I should hope it was.’
    Dr Robinson intervened quickly. ‘Canon Chambers has something of a reputation for his powers of observation. We shall have to be on our toes . . .’
    Serena Stein reclaimed her previous intimacy. ‘I’ve just been privy to his acute sensibility.’
    Sidney smiled. ‘A clear conscience is the safest way to a happy life.’
    ‘BUT WHO’S GOT ONE OF THEM, CANON CHAMBERS?’ Shouty Meynell asked. ‘We’re all guilty of some misdeed or other.’
    ‘That’s why people go to church,’ said Elizabeth quietly, rising from her chair in order to take the ladies out of the room. She made a slight adjustment to her hair as she did so, revealing a large red burn at the back of her neck.
    ‘Oh, gosh . . .’ said Amanda.
    ‘What is it?’
    ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean . . .’
    ‘What?’
    ‘Your neck.’
    Sir Mark cut in swiftly. ‘That’s a very personal remark, Amanda.’
    ‘I do apologise. I shouldn’t have said anything.’
    Lady Elizabeth was flustered. ‘I think I must have sat under a dryer at the hairdresser’s for too long.’ Everyone was staring at her. ‘It’s nothing to worry about.’
    ‘Elizabeth’s always having little accidents’, Sir Mark explained. ‘Aren’t you, darling? She has to learn to take better care of herself.’
    ‘I try my best, but it’s not always easy.’
    ‘Then perhaps you just have to try a little harder. Port, chaps?’
     
    It was well after eleven before Sidney and Hildegard were alone. They had been given a spacious bedroom that included a sofa and a couple of armchairs on either side