The Light of One Lamp

About this book

Brother Michael, the infirmarian, and Abbot John have always worked well together. John held the obedience of infirmarian before Michael, and trained him in the art of medicine: the thousand quiet skills, mundane and life-changing, that ease a sick man's body and instil in him the trust that is such a bedrock of healing. Together they have consulted about courses of treatment, and changed dressings, and cleaned up messes; together they have rejoiced when a man opens his eyes and asks for porridge; together they have watched through quiet nights beside a deathbed. When a man's time is come, Michael will send for Father John, to hear the final confession and to administer the rites of passing. They understand one another. They are friends. Now Father John has sent word to the infirmary. Please could Brother Michael kindly make time, before Compline, to come and see him? Not once - never - has it crossed Brother Michael's mind that he could ever be in this position, standing outside his abbot's door, almost too scared to knock. The Light of One Lamp follows on from St Luke's Little Summer. It is the final volume of The Hawk and the Dove series.