Gerry never shirked responsibility. From an early age he learnt to accept the consequences of his actions. At the moment he needed time to think.

Gerry drove to a long winding drive which would lead to an old monastery. A small balding man of sixty glided towards his car. The man had a huge smile which Gerry found so reassuring.

‘Peace be with you, my son,’ beamed the monk.

‘Good day, Brother. I’ve come to see Father Abbot.’

‘Of course. If you would like to follow me.’ Inside it was the dank smell mixed with disinfectant that arrested Gerry’s nostrils; the same smell from his youth. He was shown into a gloomy room. His gaze fell on a picture of the martyrdom of St Sebastian.

The door clicked open; Gerry rose to his feet as Father Abbot entered.

‘How can we help you, my son?’

‘Do you remember me? Gerry O’Gorman?’

The Abbot looked puzzled at first but then like a light being switched on his face beamed with recognition.
‘Of course I do. How are you Gerry? It must be nearly twenty years.’

‘Twenty-one years, Father.’

‘How’s that lovely wife of yours?’

Gerry did not answer but turned away.

‘Something is troubling you.’

Gerry cleared his throat, tears began to well up.
‘Father…. I need time…. I need to know what to do next.’

The Abbot’s face showed concern and understanding which made Gerry want to tell him everything but he held back.
‘Father I need a few days to sort myself out.’

‘Take all the time you need.’

Gerry spent the next two days agonising over his thoughts; sleep eluded him despite the calm and silence of the monastery. He had trained to be a monk but days before his final commitment he had fallen in love with a young woman. They were married within the year; he put the monastery and the austere life behind him. How had it all gone so horribly wrong?

On the third morning of his stay Gerry asked to see Father Abbot. He was surprised to find several newspapers on the desk.

‘I see you are surprised,’ said the Abbot, ‘You seem to feature in several of the papers.’

‘Yes,’ muttered Gerry.

‘I feel you have used us. You have intruded into our world.’

‘I needed time to think,’ pleaded Gerry.

‘I’m listening.’

‘For the first few years of marriage everything was wonderful. Marriage did not satisfy her she wanted more. I suggested we try for a family she refused outright. She flirted with everyone. It incensed me.’ Gerry paused gathering his thoughts to reveal the evil act he had committed. ‘I killed her.’

The words hung in the air between them.

‘Why?’

Gerry looked at him incredulously.

‘I had to put an end to this evil.’

The abbot closed his eyes and said nothing. He was deep in thought. It was the same expression of twenty-one years ago; Gerry knew there was only one thing to do.