With that, the line of six went through a hidden secret door below the organ pipes and into a small, thankfully quite warm, vestry.
Sparsely furnished with a small table, four chairs, a coat stand and a large row of hooks on the wall, and two inbuilt cupboards, the room would best be described as functional.
Miss B looked at the three of us and told us in no uncertain terms, “You should be thoroughly ashamed of yourselves.
I will leave your punishment to the Sister here to decide, but you will each get a letter to take home tomorrow to your parents telling them exactly what has happened today, what your punishment has been, and also asking them for money to pay for a new hymn book.
I hope you think well on your stupid actions.
They have put you in a bad light and cast a shadow on our over 100-year relationship with St Mary’s, for which Father, Sister, I am deeply, deeply, sorry.