The sugar lump dropped into the cup with a ‘plunk’. A second one followed almost immediately after before a tea spoon dove into the china cup and rattled around, mixing it into the tea.

“So you think she’d be good enough to try out for one of the lead roles to Shakespeare?” The man said as he reclined slightly in his chair, his long legs sticking out on the other side of the table as he sipped the cup to his lips, his little finger delicately sticking out to the side and wiggling slightly as he took a proper drink.

Smith lifted the cup up to his lips and took a gentle sip before helping himself to one of the English scones he had set out on a small rotating cake tray, he applied some thick clotted cream before nodding. His clothing was different, he wasn’t in his usual robes, but had instead opted for a crisp, loose and slightly baggy shirt and trousers that made him seem much more casual and even barely recognizable. There was however the large cross hanging from around his neck. He took a deep breath, savouring the smell of the blossom of the orange and apple trees in the orchard.

“Yes Tim, I think she has quite a bit of locked away talent. I was substituting for yet another one of their classes. The teachers are completely feckless and lazy, the moment they get a sneeze or minor head complaint they take a raft of days off at a time…”

“Carl.” Timothy De Montfort said with a raised eyebrow. “You’re ranting again.” he helped himself to a scone also.

“Sorry, yes anyway. I had two girls up to play Romeo and Juliet, Romeo was terrible. But this other girl, Belle, was very good towards the end, like suddenly God blessed her with a lot of talent!”

“I see, and you wanted to see if she’d be suitable in a big end performance like at the Apollo?”

“I think it’d give her a big boost, she’s so… timid.”

“That is a big problem, timidity, Carl.” Timothy said as he took another bite and swallowed, followed by another sip of tea. “After all, a timid voice refuses to carry, no matter what trickery we try in the theatre.”

“Well, hopefully she’ll turn up soon. I know Charles, my house keeper will send her this way…” he sighed and looked back towards the vicarage itself, a small well appointed house near the centre of the city and just a stone’s throw from the park it was perfect for his needs. It was also fairly easy to find.