Abigail says no

Abigail chuckles.

“I said no last year, and I’m going to say no again. If you ask me, inviting any priests is wrong. Catholic, Anglican, doesn’t matter what the denomination. They shouldn’t be giving talks. That Dr Stricture has something against the Catholic Priest, that’s between her and him. I’m not getting in the way.”

“Even if your friend wants it?

“Look Anissa’s my friend, but she gives too much credence to the church. We’re historians. We know all the bad things the church has done in the past. They want us to forget that, say they’re no longer like that, but I’m not convinced. I’m not mocking my friend. But in this I’m not supporting her. She knows that. Is that why she sent you?”

“I volunteered to help her.”

She laughs some more. “Volunteered? That won’t help you with her. She plans to become a nun and die a virgin.”

“It’s not like that. I’m helping a friend. I’m like you, sceptical of the church, but I’ll overlook that to help a friend. I thought you might as well.”

“Alright, here’s another reason why I’m not signing. If I sign and this petition works, I’ll feel obligated to go and listen to this priest. Like you, I only go to assembly to keep Mrs Oversight off my back. I go as little as I can get away with. Sign this, and you’ll have to go more often. Sorry, not interested.”

You have no answer to that. Nothing. Abigail has made her point clear.

And anyway, it’s lesson time. You leave her to go and teach.