Doyle was surprised by the number of people attending the funeral. The fish market had closed for the morning as a sign of respect, and most everyone from the beach – fishermen, fishwives, Dippers and Bathers – had made their way up the hill to the church, the rumours of an infectious disease notwithstanding. The pretty parish church, built in Sussexstone hundreds of years previously, had seen its fair share of sadness, but the sight of two young children, boy and girl, sitting with a member of the Watch in seats near the altar, was particularly poignant. The church was dedicated to St Nicholas who, among other things, was the patron saint of fishermen, sailors and children – appropriate in the circumstances.
Seventy years ago the church had been fitted out with box-pews in the pattern of a cross, the Norman font which was made of Caen stone and dated back to the 12th century being the central point. Lack of space meant galleries had been built on every side, giving the church a cramped, almost claustrophobic feeling. Colonel Reynolds and magistrate Runnington were sitting in a pew allocated for local dignataries, and Reynolds called the doctor and his servant over to be seated.
Chapter 5, The Jane Austen Murders.
No comments:
Post a Comment