Absolute Truths Part III

Charles drives Harriet home, and she astonishes him by telling him that she feels he's unfairly hostile to Neville whom she is very fond of. He rebuffs her rudely, and the following day, he and Neville end up in a row. Neville accuses him of having an affair with Harriet. Charles is horrified, because he and Neville are on such bad terms over Neville's bolshie behaviour about the accounts for the Cathedral fund raising... that he fears he might make this accusation public. However, he remembers that he has had a fling with Sheila Preston which means that he is very little better than Neville with his weakness for young women. He goes to Jon, who has Neville with him, also seeking help because of their row. Jon tells him that the 2 of them have to grow up and make up their differences. Charles tells Neville that he did not sleep with Harriet, and Neville realises he is sincere and accepts the assurance. Charles says that he thinks that Harriet made up the story to defend him, Neville, because she is very fond of him. Neville is flattered at the fact that this attractive woman seems to care for him, but he tells Charles he's very sorry that he believed the accusation of his having a fling soon after Lyle's funeral. Charles feels very guilty when Neville says this and it looks as if they might begin to reconcile. Neville tells him that he knows that Charles has always had uneasy feelings about him because he kissed Lyle years ago after Bishop Jardine's funeral. The 2 men try to talk and realise that both of them have had problems in their past, with difficult uncles or fathers.. but Jon pushes Neville too much, and the Dean walks out of their discussion. Charles has become friendly with Lewis Hall a maverick Anglo Catholic priest, who has come to Starbridge and wants to set up a Healing Centre. He is unusual in that he is divorced, though he does not believe it is right for a priest to remarry after a divorce. He has a daughter Rachel, and Charles finds him an interesting companion, if eccentric. Charles goes through a crisis with his sons, when Charley tells Michael's girlfriend that he was cheating on her. Holly, the girlfriend kills herself and Michael is shaken but angry with Charley who now feels guilty. Charles tries to sort out their problems and tells them that they are both his sons. He then has a scary experience in the cathedral when he goes to pray, and thinks that he sees Jardine's ghost. he talks to Lewis, who is experienced in the paranormal and Lewis helps him to accept his complicated relationship with Jardine and forgive him. When he goes back home, to his surprise, Loretta arrives. She tells him that she cancelled her flight, and wants to be with him. he is delighted and they become engaged.