In Joe’s diary for the next day was scrawled ‘Bishop’s meeting’. Joe smiled as he glanced at it. He was not likely to forget. Six months had flown so quickly. His bishop knew about most of the Club’s activities. Now he wanted a full report from the committee and a separate one from Joe.
The bishop greeted him warmly. “Well, Joe, it seems the Club is off the ground and progressing well. Tim has given me a fairly comprehensive report. I’d like you to go over it with me sometime. But, first, let’s go in to lunch.”
The meal was delicious and Joe was grateful that the Bishop had invited the other priests to join. This was always a chance for a group idea or a problem to be presented to the bishop. But, this day nothing surfaced.
“No problems!” Bishop commented at the end of the meal. “Well, unfortunately, I have a potential one. Mind you, for now this must be completely between us here. The primary school principal and some of the teachers are worried about one of the pupils – Chelsea – quite a bright young lady. But recently her marks have significantly dropped. And the girl herself, once a happy out-going personality, has withdrawn – quite noticeably. The principal is quite worried – seems no explanation. She has tried to talk to the girl, who seems to belong to a normal, happy family. The parents, too, are worried and have taken her to a counsellor – no answers there. I’m mentioning this to you all now so you are aware of what could be a problem of the future.”
Joe could feel his ‘bowl of cherries’ view of life fading as he quickly commented, “Surely not the future, Bishop. This is a problem for the present – right now! We need to discover what is troubling Chelsea. And how we can help!”
“Nicely put,” Bishop replied stiffly. “But there’s nothing we can do until we know if there is a problem and, if so, what it is. It’s really not our problem if it turns out to be family business.”
“Oh yes it is!”
“We have a responsibility!”
“Suffer the little children!”
Comments, thick and fast, were bursting from all present.
“All right,” conceded the bishop. “We’ll do what we can. But – most importantly – no word to outsiders. Think of what the press could make of it!”
“Perhaps help solve the problem,” whispered one of the young priests.
Joe’s meeting with the bishop after the others had left seemed like an anti-climax.
Joe had prepared a comprehensive report, clearly showing all the bishop wished to know.
It was with a heavy heart that Joe left the meeting. Suddenly the thought struck him – Chelsea attended the school at which Naomi was the REC. In her position she must know of the problem. The call to the school was answered – yes, she was still there; yes, the call would be put through. He felt a touch of relief to hear a soft, “Yes?”
“Naomi, it’s Joe. How about coffee?”
Taken aback, “What! Now!”
“Well, yes.”
“Okay. Give me fifteen minutes – say at the café in High Street.”
“Fine – see you then.”
Joe was waiting when she arrived and greeted him, “Glad to see you again.”
“Me too,” Joe mumbled, noticing her tenseness.
Coffee ordered, Joe immediately broached the subject. “Naomi, I intended calling you soon – more socially to talk of old times. But the reason for this rushed call is the result of lunch with the bishop today and what was discussed.”
She listened without interruption while he recounted in full the bishop’s report to the group of priests and their responses. He concluded, “He has instructed us not to mention this to anyone. But I knew you would already be aware of the whole story.”
Her tenseness eased as she replied, “I’m so glad you decided to call me. At school we are also sworn to secrecy – but all so worried about Chelsea. There is something seriously wrong. She was always such a bright, happy girl. Now…” Her eyes filled with tears as she continued, “It’s so pathetic. It’s as though all life has been drained from her. The counsellor whom the family engaged discovered nothing but contends she has been abused in some way. She is adamant she will not be physically examined. It’s a massive worry.”
“What about the family?” Joe asked. “Any likelihood of abuse there?”
“Of course that’s the first question we’ve asked ourselves. Her mother and father seem a pleasant, caring couple – of course that could be a cover – but I believe they are what they appear – a loving couple who really care for their children. Chelsea is the eldest, with a younger sister and baby brother. They are a well respected family – I feel rather angry that suspicion is falling their way.”
“What about her teachers?” Joe asked.
Naomi showed her surprise as she answered, “I would hope there is no problem there. You have met Mrs. Brady, the principal and you know me. Apart from us there’s Brother John, the deputy, Brother Roger, Brother William and four lay teachers, Brad Reynolds, Dennis Hoply, Sandra Wright and Kath Williams.”
“Okay. From another angle, when did Chelsea change so dramatically?”
“That’s something we’ve been thinking about. It’s hard to pinpoint it. But it seems about three months ago. It wasn’t long after the Year Six excursion.”
“Could something have happened during that excursion?”
“We don’t know. No one seems to know anything! The sad thing is that the family, who are suffering the most, are the ones under suspicion.”
As they parted Joe spoke softly, “Thanks Naomi. Call me any time this gets you down.”