Stepping through the doors for the first time on her own was scary. Her clothes felt strange and itchy. After thirty years cut off from the world Martha had decided to abandon the covenant.

Her moment of decision to leave came through a chance encounter at her mother's funeral. She had been escorted by Sister Anne but throughout the service someone kept looking in her direction. Martha tried to concentrate on the service but curiosity drew her back to where he was sitting and each time she caught his eye. She felt her cheeks burning, such attention she had not received since entering the convent.

At the end of the service the man came across to her, 'Sister may I introduce myself,' he offered his hand 'John Trowell. I'm not sure if you remember me.'

'Not sure I do.'

'Sister Martha I think you should be with your family,'
insisted Sister Anne.

'Of course. This gentleman - eh, John Trowell introduced himself and says I know him.'

'That's as it maybe but I shouldn't have to remind you Sister that talking alone with men is frowned upon in our order.'

'Sister I'm hardly speaking alone with all these people present.' She gestured to the others in the room.

'That is enough Sister. Mother Superior would be surprised if she got to know about this.'

'But she won't will she?' Martha stared hard at her.

'Excuse me John perhaps you would like to meet my family.'
John followed Martha to the far end of the Church Hall.

'Ah Sister Martha I see you've met up with your old school chum,' said Father O'Leary.

'Sorry Father?'

'John here was in your class and you two were sweet on each other if my memory serves me well,' he said with a mischievous twinkle in his eye.

'Snotty Trowell?' said Martha in disbelief.

'The very same,' said John.

'So what are you doing now?'

'About to enter the seminary isn't that right?' interjected Father O'Leary.

'That's right Father. I think.'

'You think? Of course you are. A fine man like yourself. Tell him Sister.'

'Perhaps John needs to make up his own mind Father.'

Martha chatted with John and reminisced over their school days; Sister Anne sat watching irritated that Martha was flaunting the rules of the order. The return to the convent was strained.


Over the next few months John wrote to Martha and their relationship blossomed. Martha began to imagine a life outside the convent walls. She spent many hours wrestling with the problem; she spoke with her spiritual director who listened attentively. Martha knew that she was the only one who could make the decision.

It was nearing Christmas when her Mother Superior tapped her on the shoulder in the cloister and asked her to come to her office.

'Sister it has come to my notice that your mind appears to be on other things and I don't mean prayer.'

'Mother I think something is happening to me.'

'The letters?'

Martha blushed at the forthrightness of the Superior.
'I'm confused but I think...'

'You're in love.'

'Yes.'

'Perhaps Sister God is calling you in a new direction. Be true to yourself.'


As Martha stepped out of the door she saw a figure standing on the other side of the road. Her heart leapt as she realised John had come to meet her.

'How did you know I was leaving the convent today?'

'A phone call from your Superior.' He nodded in the direction of a window. Martha saw the figure of the Sister smiling down at them.

Martha and John embraced and walked away arm in arm.