Ritual by David Pinner Page A

of her mouth. At least it would have been a reality. It would feed her until the time came.
    The Squire fully understood the situation. He stroked the left sleeve of her knitted jumper. It was surprising but he enjoyed the quiet electricity of the wool under his fingertips. He could feel the feminine muscles tighten on her forearm. It excited him. Then she relaxed. The muscles slept again. She forced a smile in the direction of the Squire. He stopped stroking her sleeve and manipulated his words with care.
    ‘If you believe that Cready, or I, or anyone in this room, or in this village, was in any way wilfully responsible for the death of your daughter, I honestly recommend you visit the Police Station and state your case to them. In my opinion you are constructing nightmares for yourself. You know it was an accident. I’ve read little psychology but I know you only want your daughter’s death to be murder so you can work yourself up to a fever. As the Squire here, I feel it is my duty to warn you of the harm you are doing yourself and everyone else. Accusations, such as yours, are libellous.’
    Mrs. Spark tried to speak but the Squire went on.
    ‘Shall we fetch the police, then? Shall we?’
    Cready joined in the hunt.
    ‘Well, shall we, Mrs. Spark?’
    Rowbottom giggled like a tickled lizard. He jabbed at the cornered she-wolf.
    ‘Yes, let’s fetch the police! They’re so helpful! Especially Festival time! Especially tomorrow. Look, I’ll save you the trouble, Mrs. Spark—I’ll fetch them for you!’
    The lizard slid to his feet. The werewolf smelt the mouths of the dogs. She was surrounded. In the eyes of the hunters, she could see acres of policemen grinning at her helpfully. The dogs waited to see what the wolf would do next.
    She moved back to the table. She sat down and lugged a monster Bible towards her. Everyone resumed their places.
    And the waiting continued. With a sharp movement of her hand, she opened the Bible and began to read the opening lines of the Book of Revelations.
    *
    Anna and the children had reached the wood almost at the same time as Gypo and David were leaving it. If it had not been such a topsy-turvy village, David would have sworn that this accident was really design on the part of a precocious deity.
    No sooner had Gypo seen Anna, than his deference to the Inspector bloated to mock heroics. The more distasteful variety. He went straight up to Anna and cupped his left hand on her breast. The left one, naturally. Then he pulled her dark hair back and practically ate her alive. The children and the Inspector were impressed. Such sexual gallantry! The prologue to rape! It was certainly very good entertainment in the middle of the afternoon. Anytime really, thought David.
    In reply to the grope, hug and kiss, Anna brought her knee up smartly in the direction of his excited potential. She didn’t fully achieve the centre of the groin but it certainly rang the odd bell. Gypo staggered back, cradling his privates publicly. Then he lay down in the correct foetal position and hugged his agony to him, whimpering. The actual cry was the hopeless keening of a baby monkey. One long held note of nothing but infinite pain. He rocked backwards and forwards. He was very impressed.
    Whilst this side-show progressed, Anna moved towards the Inspector. She found him attractive. Sunglasses hinting mystery. His mouth unusually cruel. Even when he was smiling. And he was smiling now.
    ‘And who are you, then?’
    ‘I’m…’
    Out of a particularly painful whimper, Gypo screeched, ‘He’s a buggering policeman! He’s a copper! Don’t trust him!’
    And the pain took over again. Gypo had to be satisfied with the long tearing vowels that erupted from him. He rocked to and fro, praying the pain would subside. No such luck.
    When the children heard the Police announcement, their laughing faces masked to gargoyles. They backed away from him. Policemen were wrong ‘uns!
    David shrugged. Well, the news is