Cross Purposes
by Sheila
Cornelius
Reverend Grey
peered over his half-glasses and almost chortled
with pleasure. 'Charmaine, my dear, I
congratulate you on the theme you and Kevin have
chosen for your forthcoming nuptials. Angels it
shall be! And for the opening anthem, may I
suggest, ‘Angels From the Realms of Glory?’
Charmaine
crossed and uncrossed her legs. ‘Thanks,
Vicar, but I was thinking of something darker.’
‘Darker?
That is most unusual.' Reverend Grey closed his
eyes for a moment. 'There’s ‘Hark the
Herald Angels'?’ St Luke tells us seraphim
appeared as shepherds watched their flocks by
night.’
Charmaine
sniggered. ‘I think Kevin’s lot would
be singing the other version, Vicar. Besides,
isn’t that more ... Christmassy?’
‘You do
have a point. But, nil desperandum. Let me see...an
angel theme, but darker.’
The puzzled
cleric stretched a bony hand across his forehead.
‘Angels are distinguished by their radiance,
you see - metaphorical of course, but all the
same a positive aura.’
‘You are
joking, Vicar? I’d have thought if
you’re seeing angels it’s not usually
such a good thing.’
‘Well,
you do have a point. Ah! I think there is a way
forward. You wish to convey a sense of the
numinous, the portentous nature of the divine, as
it were, a heavenly harbinger or ghostly
immanence, the symbolic union of Christ and his
church?'
‘Whatever.
I just thought more threatening.’
The vicar
raised his hands, palms outward.
‘Threatening angels? No, no. I’m afraid
it’s not possible. You’re venturing
into the realm of quite contradictory spiritual
concepts, you see - a quandary of Augustinian
proportions.’
Charmaine
stood, straightening her skirt. ‘Well, if
it’s too much trouble Vicar - only I heard
you were flexible.
‘Please
wait, I don’t want to turn you away. In
God’s house there are many mansions. You
said the concept was suggested by the groom?
Charmaine set
her lips in a proud smile. ‘S’right.
He’s in the Croydon Chapter.’
‘Chapter
?’
‘Of the
Hell’s Angels!’
Reverend Grey
sighed. ‘Oh, I understand. In that case, may
I suggest two very popular options: ‘ Ride
of the Valkyries’ and ‘Leader of the
Pack’.’
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