We lean on the balcony looking down on the Square; it's a summer evening, light still, kids playing by the pram sheds, on up and down the ***** on their scooters or bikes.
Fay smells of flowers; her fair hair let loose about her slim shoulders; I sniff her secretly.
My father's away, she says, he'll be back on Saturday.
Where's he gone?
Business in Scotland; he said I was to learn Chapter six of St John's Gospel.
Why?
Just his way of making sure I don't waste too much time on earthly things.
Will you learn it?
I will have to; he'll test me when he gets back and if I haven't there will be trouble, he said.
I see two kids fighting over by the pram sheds; a crowd gathers.
Don't your parents make you read the Bible?
No, my old man wouldn't know the first thing about the Bible; he thinks it's all a load of tosh, but my mother says we should go to church and sometimes we do, especially the Bible-thumpers by the iron bridge who take poor kids to the beach in the summer and they have feast night with bread and cakes and such.
Fay looks at me; her eyes have a sadness about them like a puppy left out in the rain.
The nuns say that those who do not believe will go to Hell.
Be quite a packed place, then.
I believe, but I want you to believe, too, she says.
Believe what?
In Jesus and God.
I watch a tall kid ride his bike by a couple and shout KAZOO! as he passes them by.
I do believe.
You do?
Sure why not?
She smiles.
I would kiss Miss A's backside for a smile like that, but I don't tell Fay; I just look at the brightness of her eyes where stars are born and an old star dies.