Convincing himself there was no immediate tragedy to worry about, Jake spent the next day rambling in the dales to the south of Ebberston. Deep down, he knew he was prevaricating about returning to the cavern for fear of what he might find there. Instead, he decided to visit an historic church in the region and chose St Martin’s in Burton Agnes. It was an ambitious hike from Ebberston but well worth the effort.
The thirteenth-century church was tucked away on the hillside immediately behind Burton Agnes Hall and was well signposted. The first thing Jake noticed about St Martins was the approach to the entrance through a striking arch formed by the low branches of yew trees, so that he felt like he was walking down a long tunnel, back in time, as he approached the south door entrance.
He
