Revenge by Martina Cole Page A

rest of your life with you. The sacrament of marriage is a serious event in anyone’s life. It’s pledging your love and your allegiance to each other in the eyes of the Lord God Himself.’
    Michael bowed his head. ‘That’s the plan, Father. She is everything to me.’
    As they sat side by side in the church, Michael felt a peace settle over him. He loved the church and the solitude that it afforded him. He had often come here as a child to sit and think. For him there was nowhere else in the world where a body could be so utterly alone as in a Catholic church.
    He was a believer, of course, in his own way. He had a deep respect for his religion, and he knew that it was something that would always be a part of his life, even if there were a lot of the teachings he couldn’t help question. That was just part of growing up; all in all, he still needed the stability it afforded him.
    Josephine shared his beliefs and it was something they would pass on to their children. It was important that they learn that they were a part of something so big and powerful, that would be with them for their entire lives.
    ‘You ready to make your confession, Michael?’
    ‘Yes, Father, of course.’
    Michael knew he had to make a good Act of Contrition before his marriage. He wanted to be able to take Communion on his wedding day without any blemish on his soul whatsoever. A Catholic marriage was a blessed sacrament. There would be no divorce; his marriage was for life and for the life thereafter. Michael knew how serious it was.
    Father Riordan wished with all his heart that he had more young men like Michael Flynn in his parish. Decent young Catholics were getting rarer by the year.
    ‘Come on, then.’
    Michael followed the priest into the confessional box. He knelt down immediately, appreciating the softness of the leather beneath his knees. It was quite dark inside. He knew that the priest was now his conduit to the Lord Himself, and it was something he had never taken lightly. This was so powerful a thing that even the laws of the land had no authority in the confessional box. Whatever he told the priest could never be repeated and, as long as he was truly repentant, his sins would be forgiven and his soul would be once more without blemish.
    He blessed himself quickly, wanting to get this over as soon as possible. ‘Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been over two years since my last confession.’
    Father Riordan blessed him, taking his time over it. He always enjoyed hearing confession. It was such a personal, private thing, the opportunity to talk to God Himself in person. You could unburden yourself of your sins and worries, and ask His forgiveness, knowing He would not refuse you. He would not stand in judgement of you or turn away from you. Father Riordan believed that this was the mainstay of the Catholic religion – the concept of the power of forgiveness and the knowledge that if you made a good confession you would be cleansed of your sins. You would be without stain, have a pure soul – for a short while anyway. You could take Holy Communion with a light heart, knowing you were in a state of grace. It was a very powerful thing to the true believer.
    Michael bowed his head, and he started to speak quietly and respectfully. ‘I have sinned, Father. I have used profanities, taken the Lord’s name in vain. I have also had bad thoughts, terrible thoughts. I have not always honoured my mother.’
    Father Riordan had expected as much. He smiled to himself. He had heard much worse than that over the years. ‘Go on, my son.’
    ‘I have also taken Josephine into my bed on more than one occasion. I know that I should not have done that. I should have waited, treated her with more respect. And I will do that now. I will wait until we are married in the eyes of the Church. I will make sure that our children are born in holy wedlock.’
    Father Riordan already knew all about this. Josephine had been confessing