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The tinker ranted on and Gareth wandered off Tink's English was difficult to understand at the best of times and hadn't improved with the drink He took a candle from the altar and went to the porch where his cousin, David, was exa a niche in the wall

'Take a look at that'

David splashed so wet at him

'Have you found oodit at a penny for just a little bottle It'll cure warts and it's good for the flux See if you can find so to put it in'

Owen appeared by the boy's side'

'What are you crapping on about?'

'Holy Water, Uncle We can put it in bottles and sell it'

'Don't be daft' Owen pulled a face 'It has to be in special bottles and you have to get a priest to write on it'

'We could get Dickie Vowell to do that'

'Don't waste your ti on the roof There'll be lead all over the place We'll have no trouble selling that'

Owen opened the processional door and staggered into the abbey nave The tinker followed, lost his footing on the steps, lurched forward and crashed against the baptismal font at the bottom David raised his candle