‘Any man could have her.’ I longed to believe what I said, for then there would be nothing to miss or regret. I would no longer be tied to her wherever she was. I would be free. ‘And you can’t teach me anything about penitence, Mr Bendrix. I’ve had twenty-five years of the Confessional. There’s nothing we can do some of the saints haven’t done before us.’ ‘I’ve got nothing to repent except failure. Go back to your own people, father, back to your bloody little box and your beads.’ ‘You’ll find me there any time you want me.’ ‘Me want you, father? Father, I don’t want to be rude, but I’m no
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