After Mr Akiyama’s intervention, Shiraishi decided against calling the police, observing that the protesters had got off the grounds, and that the police were unlikely to actually arrest them while they weren’t causing trouble. She did, however, want someone keeping an eye on the entrance at all times, to make sure that they didn’t try to come back in.

Which was why Akiko found herself wandering around the shrine precincts as dawn broke the following morning, having taken over from Shiraishi in the early hours. It had started to drizzle, and it was colder than Akiko thought it should be for the time of year, so she had a waterproof on over her vestments.

The weather, however, matched her mood. She could not forget what she had seen at the old folks’ home, and she still hadn’t had a chance to talk to Shiraishi about going to purify it. Mrs Watanabe’s question also preyed on her mind. What was Shinto for? Or, at least, what was this shrine for? Was it just for keeping Tamao happy and stopping him from cursing the area? That seemed unpleasantly possible, and Akiko wasn’t happy with the implications if it were true.

She continued walking around the precincts, avoiding the woods, trying not to look at the iwakura or the empty plot waiting for a new shrine. She didn’t want to see anything that might force her to deal with the kami right here and now.

Which was why Akira had been standing near the entrance for some time before she noticed him. Berating herself for not paying attention — some guard she had been! — she hurried over to greet him.

“Mr Takenaka! Good to see you again.â€

“I’m sorry I’ve not been around much recently.â€ He didn’t sound very sorry. In fact, he sounded really quite cheerful. “I’ve been busy with the business.â€ <em>That sounded very cheerful,</em> Akiko thought, and when Akira paused she decided that he wanted to be asked.

“How is the business going?â€

“Great!â€ He broke out in a grin. “We’ve just got a major commission for a new apartment block over in Tokyo. Enough work for everyone for the next six months, and a good chance of further jobs from the same consortium. Even Unc… er, Mr Nakayama is pleased with the terms. He said I did a good job in getting the contract.â€ Akira was grinning like a schoolboy who’d just been praised by his teacher, and Akiko found herself smiling as well.

“That’s great!â€

“Yes. Anyway, now that the negotiations are over, I have some more free time. I can’t supervise the work like my father did, and Mr Nakayama said that they want to get started before they have me hanging around and getting in the way while I learn the ropes. So I thought I’d come and see whether you wanted any help at the shrine.â€

“Oh, yes.â€ Akiko was sure her relief was obvious in her voice. “There have been more problems with the protesters, so we can’t leave the shrine unoccupied, but I found another concentration of kegare. Could you look after the shrine while we go to deal with it?â€

“Of course.â€ Akira sounded a little disappointed, for reasons Akiko couldn’t understand, but he soon brightened up. “So, are you going to leave now?â€

“Er, actually, I’ve not talked to Revd Shiraishi about it yet. I don’t suppose you could keep an eye on the grounds while I do?â€