Page 62 of The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels
AB:They didn’t have long to break the cycle. The … whatever hold the angels had over him.
OM:He must be mortified.
AB:Why?
OM:If I once believed I was an angel sent from heaven, I’d be embarrassed at the very least.
AB:He may be. We’ll find out.
OM:I’d never speak to people like us about it.
AB:Hopefully he won’t feel the same way.
OM:What? So youhaven’tspoken to him?
AB:Not directly.
OM:But hedoesknow we’re coming today.
AB:Not in the strict sense of that phrase.
OM:Then he might send us packing. He may not even be here!
AB:It’s a monastery. Monks don’t go out. Do they?
OM:Or in prayer or something. [He’s right, Mand. EC] What are we doing here?
AB:We’re here to visit the abbey, look around and if, on the off-chance, Jonah fancies a chat—
OM:How will we know which monk is Jonah? If we get to see any monks at all!
AB:His age. His … demeanour. We’ll pick something up about him. I’ll know.
OM:[Exasperated sighs. You’ve really pissed him off! EC] That ferry ticket was a hundred and fifty quid.
AB:You’re on expenses.
OM:[He whispers. EC] Jesus wept.
AB:Ssh.
File 3
[I’ve named the person you speak to here ‘Friendly Monk’. EC]
FM:… on the site of an old Cistercian monastery from the twelfth century. What you see today was built between 1907 and 1914. These main monastic buildings were added to the original Victorian house, behind you, by an architect who had taken vows with the Benedictine order. [Dom Paul Bellot.I looked him up. EC] He favoured Belgian brick. Its particular qualities mean the monastery changes hue throughout the day and the year. Our sanctuary tower is said to remain standing purely through the grace of God and prayer from within. [Dramatic pause. EC] Local people at the time had never seen a structure so tall. I assure you it’s quite safe.
OM:How many monks are here?
FM:The number changes. We take in guests and interns. Men who are contemplating this life, or simply wish to experience a period of prayer and solitude.
OM:Do you have any younger men in the monastery, say in their thirties?
FM:Yes, men of all ages. From their twenties to their eighties.
OM:If I wanted to speak with one in particular …
AB:Do you have a press office?
