The great cathedral resounded with organ, choir, and sermon. Its scale and splendour had an air of timelessness. Solemnity reined. Except, that is, within Alan, who could barely contain his leaking joy. Each subdued giggling fit was followed by an arm pinch from his mother. His arm was beginning to feel sore. With a sigh and a wry smile, his gaze travelled from the stained-glass windows to the stone masonry to the hammerbeam ceiling. Where most would have found them impressive, its grandness and beauty w...