chase, Phil. You've never liked me because my dad was in charge of the church."
"I have never disliked you, Naomi. We had a brief affair remember."
"Don't remind me of those terrible nights spent with you in my student bedsit which I have truly regretted. I was very young then and you took advantage of me."
"You were old enough."
"I thought you were a man of God and I trusted you."
"I was far too weak in the mind and had no self-control in those days. Please can you find it in your heart to forgive me?"
"I have forgiven you a long time ago. But I want to ask you one question, Phil."
"Fire away."
"Were you ever on the payroll when my dad was in charge of the church?"
"I have nothing to say on that subject matter."
"How much offerings did you take from the church funds Phil?"
"I am not here to talk about the church finances."
"When the Charity Commission was taking action against the church, was it you who decided to get rid of the golden goose who laid the golden eggs?"
"Your father had no trouble contributing to his own downfall. He didn't need any help from me?"
"You are such a conceited pig, Phil."
"You are more attractive when you're angry, Naomi."
"Get out of here."
"Are you curious to find out why I am here?"
"To pick up from where you left off. That's not going to happen. Trust me."
"Don't flatter yourself, Naomi."
"Why are you here, Phil? It's not to welcome me back into the church."
"I am here to seek your advice and help, Naomi."
"You are asking me for help, you must be joking."
"I am here to discuss with you a most delicate matter which requires someone of your caliber and diplomacy."
"What do you want?"
"Do you still care about Mantel?"
"It's none of your business, Phil."
"It will be your business when the church no longer exists."
"What do you mean by that statement?"
"The church is in financial ruins."
"Have you been helping yourself to the funds, Phil?"
"Absolutely not."
"I don't believe you."
"Whether you believe me or not the merger of the two churches will mean the church becomes financially sound and Mantel will no longer be the pastor of the church."
"You don't know that Phil."
"I know that the pastor of the Pentecostal church is a prolific writer of bestselling books, a community leader and the president of the Churches Alliance. He is clearly the better candidate of the two to lead the new merger. To avoid further humiliation for Mantel you will need to get him to resign. I am worried about Mantel."
"No you're not. You are worried about yourself, Phil."
"You think you know me, Naomi."
"I guess I do."
"No. We should leave the decision to God and to the members of the new merger. Don't you think so?"
Phil was annoyed with Naomi responses. He wasn't one to pray and consult God for direction. He lost his focus on God when he was overwhelmed with unemployment.
"Yes. You are entirely right I have spoken to most members of both churches and Mantel is far easily the underdog. He has no chance of leading the new church. He will be utterly humiliated during the selection and recruitment processes. Mantel is a lay pastor without any theological qualifications. If you care enough for him you would spare him the embarrassment."
"I do care for Mantel but I won't let him resign. Beside he is a majority with God on his side. Don't you think all things are possible to him who believe, Phil?"
"Yes. Not all prayers are answered, Naomi."
"I think all prayers are answered by God. God will reply no, yes or wait."
Phil was heading nowhere with Naomi she was outmanoeuvring his every move. He had an ace up his sleeve to unbalance her.
"Mantel doesn't know that we had an intimate relationship and I am sure he would not welcome the news."
"It was a total mistake and I was young at the time and you knowingly took advantage of me, Phil. The revelation of our affair would devastate my family and crush Mantel. You wouldn't dare tell him."
"Yes, I would tell him about our affair for the good of the church."
"You are truly a despicable and a self-centred man I have lost all respect for you."
"It's not about you Naomi it's about helping Mantel."
"It's all about you, Phil."
"I have pre-warned you, Naomi."
"What about your wife, Phil."
"It's over between us. I have nothing else to lose."
"You know how much Mantel loves the church it would hurt him to resign from the church and I believe it would be a decision he would live to regret for the rest of his life."
"If you went a hundred miles away from Lower Ashworth he would follow you to the ends of the earth and the church would terminate his contract with immediate effect and I would say a kind word for both of you."
"You haven't got a kind word in your bones."
"Don't be so emotional, Naomi."
"So you want me to lie to Mantel."
"Not exactly, it is for the good of the whole church."
"Why should I care about the church people? They ruined my mother's life. She sacrificed her life for the church."
"It's your dad who ruined her."
"You are so lucky that I don't whack you with my broom."
"Please do."
"You are a scumbag, Phil."
"I like it when you talk dirty."
"You really need to repent, Phil."
"I will. Can you leave Ashworth tomorrow?"
"What's in it for you, Phil?"
"I'm just helping Mantel and you."
"No, you are not. It's an opportunity for you to have more power and status."
"There is nothing wrong with power and status as long as you use them wisely."
"You want power and status to help yourself. I would like you leave right now."
"I am only doing this to help you and Mantel. You both can have a great life together down South. That is what you've always wanted."
"Just go, Phil" and "Don't you dare touch me."
"You know you want me, Naomi."
"You are such a disgusting old man and I feel sorry for your wife."
"She is not your concern, Naomi."
"One day you'll wake up, Phil and she will be gone."
"Why don't you take Mantel and start a new life with him away from Ashworth?"
"Why don't you seek the Lord whilst He can be found, Phil?"
Naomi mobile phone was ringing constantly in the background. She refused to answer it at first. It kept on ringing to Naomi annoyance so she picked up the phone off the table and answered the call.
Thirty-three
"It's me, Mantel."
Phil made a quick exit leaving Naomi to converse with Mantel. He was pleased with himself.
"What do you want, Mantel?"
"You sound distress, Naomi. Has anyone upset you?"
"No. I am just tired and I need to get some sleep."
"Can we talk, Naomi?"
"What's about, Mantel?"
"It is about the church?"
"Why do you want to talk to me about the church?"
"I trust you, Naomi."
"Don't."
"What's wrong, Naomi?"
"Nothing is wrong."
"Is this a good time to talk?"
"No. Can't you speak to Jeff, Mantel?"
"I value your opinion, Naomi, as much as I do Jeff's."
"What is it, man?"
"You sound a little grumpy. Is there something wrong?"
"Yes. You are telephoning me late at night."
"I have never seen this side of you before."
"Get used to it. This is the real me. I'm a moody person."
"No. You're not. There is something troubl
ing you and I'll want to get to the bottom of it."
"I don't want to talk to anyone right now, Mantel. I'm tired."
"I just want to talk to you for a few minutes. It's important to me."
"What do you want to talk to me about?"
"I am angry with Phil and Elder Jack."
"You're not the only one."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Phil has upset a few people."
"Has he upset you?"
Naomi went deadly quiet on the phone which made Mantel even more suspicious.
"Phil has been round to see you. Hasn't he?"
Naomi kept silent refusing to reply to Mantel questioning.
"What has Phil told you?"
"It doesn't matter about Phil. He is such a loser."
"What is it then?"
"I have been offered a job in Hackney, London."
"It's a good distance to be commuting on the train every day."
"I have no intention of commuting to London. I have decided to live in London."
"What about the outcome of the investigation and leaving your family behind."
"I can't live my life for my family anymore or wait for the outcome of the investigation. I need a steady flow of income. I can't live on benefits. It's so demoralising."
"What about are friendships?"
"We will always be friends, Mantel. Jan is a good woman and she will make you a good wife."
"I agree with you that Jan is a good woman. But, I don't have the same feelings for Jan as I have for you."
"I am sure you will grow to love her in time."
"My feelings for Jan are more like an older brother and I don't want to marry her for the sake of marrying someone. Jan deserve someone who love her back."
"What do you really want from me, Mantel?"
"I really want you to stay."
"No. I can't stay and don't you make it hard for me. I am not the woman you think I am."
"I can't let you go, Mantel."
"Why?"
"My feelings for you are far above friendship, Naomi."
"We can still keep in contact, Naomi. I have to go now."
"Wait!"
"I have to go, Mantel."
"Please wait, I care about you, Naomi."
"I have to go now and I am not ready for a close relationship."
"I want to marry you, Naomi."
"I don't want to marry you. If you care for me you will let me go."
"I can't let you go, Naomi."
"I have to go now."
"Can