‘The old man has been grumpier than ever since his son went back to Britannia. God, he is an awkward sod!’

‘Watch out, here he comes!’

The two guards stood to attention. They could hear the Pontifex’s shoes squeaking as he came down the long corridor to his private apartments. The old man sniffed at the guards.

‘Have you been drinking?’

‘No, your holiness’.

‘Are you sure?’

‘Yes, sire’.

‘Absolutely sure?’

‘As we would swear on the Bible, your grace’.

‘Very well. Now open the door for me’.

The two soldiers made short work of pushing back the heavy doors into the basilica. Even after all this time they marvelled at the sight of t...

Please subscribe to keep reading.