Ivy nodded, as if all-knowing. She seemed to float across the shop, looking up and down the shelves. The snow continued to fall, like it had all day, burying the festival hype underneath it.
He got to his feet and headed to the door, turning the open sign to closed.
‘We need to talk.’
Ivy’s eyebrows knitted together. ‘What’s the matter?’
An idea had formed in Quinn’s head when he saw Ivy swan into the room. Propelled by the woman seeking advice, and his own chat with Harold, he knew he needed to do something. Time was running out.
Quinn pointed to the back of the shop, and they headed there together, coming to the church’s old altar, which had kept its original features. To the side of the altar were two confessional booths. Quinn pulled one of the purple curtains back, revealing boxes of stock. He slid in and looked at Ivy.
‘You want me to hear you confess your sins?’
‘Just get in the other one,’ Quinn pleaded.
‘I love this.’
Ivy did as she was told, climbing into the second booth. ‘There are so many boxes in here.’
‘Got to keep the shop stocked.’
‘I’ve never done this before. Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned.’ Ivy giggled. ‘Oh, this is wonderful.’
‘Ivy, please, I need you to listen to me.’
Quinn leaned his head against the solid oak wall behind him. Drawing the curtain, he put himself in darkness.
‘I am all ears, Father.’
‘Wait, you’re the father.’
‘Oh, yes.’ Ivy cleared her throat. ‘I am all ears, child.’
Quinn rolled his eyes. ‘Ivy, something is wrong and I don’t know what to do.’
‘Go on,’ Ivy said. ‘There is no judgement in the eyes of God.’
Quinn adjusted where he sat, shifting a box of books with his foot. ‘I think I’m going to lose everything.’
Those words, spoken so openly, scared him. Speaking them aloud felt like it was a done deal. It felt real. He tasted them, so sharp, like citrus on an ulcer.
‘I’ve had a letter. Multiple letters. I’ve ignored every single one of them. But I can’t ignore them anymore.’ Quinn closed his eyes as tears welled, letting them trickle down his freckled cheeks. He didn’t bother to wipe them away, even when the salty taste brushed past his lips. ‘Eviction notices, Ivy. I’m being evicted.’
The curtain ripped back, and Ivy stood before him.
‘What the hell is going on?’
‘No blasphemy in this church.’
‘Enough.’ Ivy shook her head. ‘You’re beingevicted?How long have you known?’
‘A couple of months.’
‘A couple of… A couple of months?’ Ivy’s voice raised to a shriek, the necklaces she wore jangling together. ‘What? Why?’
‘It was easier to talk when I couldn’t see you.’
Ivy drew the curtain, disappearing from view, and Quinn heard her stomp back into the second confessional booth.
