Meanwhile Gardens (42 page)

“This isn’t the last night of the Proms,” Nicky hissed in disapproval

“What are we going to do?” Ollie realised unhappily that with one ankle out of action it was fanciful to think he could do anything

Jake obviously had the same thought. “You can’t run anywhere – they’d soon have you tied to the tree next to Rion.”

“We’ve got to do something though.”

“Just wait until the time is right.”

“How will we know?”

“
We’ll
know,” Nicky said decisively.

The full moon was now directly above the wellshaft. It sat atop the funnel so that, to the celebrants in the cave, it appeared there were two moons so perfect was the reflection in the pool.

This was the sign Mary had been waiting for.

“Stop!” her voice rising above the din brought immediate silence. All that could be heard were the panting dancers, their bodies exhausted, as they leant on the hilts of their swords.

It was time for the second and final phase.

In an exaggerated gesture Gorby plucked a quill from his pocket. He raised it above his head and thrust it through the centre of the drum, the taut skin making a loud crack as it was pierced. He now began to push in and draw out the quill, causing a horrid monotone sound, like a booming bullfrog, to fill the space.

The two women companions came out from the crowd to take their place beside Rion. They were joined by a dancer, his sword by his side. With a quick flick his blade cut the
ribbons from the young girl. She was led to the middle of the circle then left alone, swaying like wheat in the breeze.

To the sinister sound the dancers held the hilt of their swords to their shoulders with one hand, whilst grasping the tip of the sword belonging to the man in front with the other. With swords raised above their head they did a small turn and approached Rion, their hands opening and closing making it appear as if the blades were a giant scissor.

Coming closer the circle was made ever smaller until hands were linked with wrists, creating a hexagon of blades that was placed over Rion’s head.

Behind their masks two of the dancers exchanged glances.

Ted and Mary, the King and Queen, approached. Mary held a silver chalice in her hand. She looked with concern at her father who lay mewling in the cot beside the silvery moonlit pool.

The sinister monotone stopped.

All that could be heard was the slicing of swords as the blades scissored ever closer.

Ollie looked at the others, “We have to do something!”

“And how!” Nicky replied.

“And now!” Jake helped Ollie to his feet.

“Stop! Stop! Stop!” all three cried from the ledge of rocks.

After a second of stunned silence the most unexpected sound was heard: that of a walkie-talkie crackling into life followed by a man’s voice shouting, “Go! Go! Go!”

Ollie, Nicky and Jake watched amazed as uniformed police swarmed into the cavern beneath them. One of the officers rushed to Rion, protecting her with his body from any danger.

“It’s Auntie Em’s tame plod!” Nicky exclaimed. “The one who came to the cemetery that day.”

Angry shouts and screams filled the air as the celebrants
were carried away. Huge flashlights flooded the cave, dazzling the worshippers further.

Blinded by the glare people staggered into the arms of officers waiting by the main entrance. Others dashed into tunnels hoping to escape the police who rushed everywhere, collaring and cuffing with alacrity.

Ollie, Jake and Nicky took one last look at the mayhem before easing their way down. They hobbled over to Rion who was being put on a stretcher. The young girl looked pale, glassy eyes staring blankly in front of her. Behind her Mary’s father was being attended to.

“Will she be ok?” Jake asked a paramedic.

“She’s suffering from hypothermia and has obviously been drugged but yes,” he nodded, “with attention and rest she should be fine.”

Ollie held Rion’s hands. Her fingers felt so cold against his.

“She can’t hear you,” the paramedic advised.

Ollie felt a tiny pressure against his thumb.

“It’s Ollie. Nicky and Jake are here too. You’re going to be ok,” he looked at the young girl’s face and could swear he could see tears welling behind her eyes. “You’re going to be ok.”

Choking up Ollie, Jake and Nicky watched Rion being stretchered through the melée and away.

“May I have a word?”

They turned to find Inspector Devine beside them. “You nearly ruined a complex operation.”

“But – ”

The policeman put up his hand to stop Nicky. “I said you
nearly
did.”

“I thought you didn’t believe me.”

“You were right. Then I checked to see if Lady Chessy could shed any light on the situation in the catacombs – ”

“And?”

“It turned out she died more than twenty years ago.” Inspector Devine looked at them earnestly. “You see I’m not such a plod after all.”

The three friends remained silent.

“And also, well – ” the policeman smiled, “ – what’s the betting we don’t find two of the dancers?”

“So you were tipped off?” Ollie asked.

“That would be telling wouldn’t it?” He made to leave then turned back. “By the way, where did you hide?” Upon seeing their confusion Inspector Devine continued, “When you jumped off the ramparts and ran into the bushes?”

“So it was you!” Jake exclaimed.

Ollie smiled. “That would be telling wouldn’t it?”

C
hristmas Day dawned cold and got colder. The snow started to fall in big flakes shortly after nine fulfilling Yuletide wishes of children and grown-ups alike. It clung to the balconies of Trellick Tower giving the enormous block a softer, dusted feel.

By early afternoon the snow had been blown in to drifts that settled unevenly in the mews below. Inside the large house at the end Christmas lunch was slowing down. Rion had been released from St Mary’s the previous week since when Auntie Em hadn’t let the girl out of her sight. She couldn’t cope with a third bout of illness, especially not with the news she’d heard about Rion and the possible plans for the New Year. Fully recovered the young girl sat at the festive table between Auntie Em and Ollie. Opposite were Nicky and Jake. Auntie Gem was ensconced on the sofa captivated by the bumper edition of Eastenders.

Above them all, in her niche on the chimneybreast, Merlijnche de Poortje cast her calm gaze over the proceedings.

“When’s the TQ of the Year lunch Ol?” Nicky asked.

“On the 30th.”

“What are your chances?” Auntie Em asked.

“Hopefully fairly slim,” Ollie pushed his chair away from
the table and undid the top button on his trousers. If there was one thing that would top off a miserable few months it would be by being voted Tragedy Queen of the Year. “I think Pete’s in the bag with that one.”

“What did he do?” asked Rion shyly.

“Oh his ex-boyfriend was getting married.”

“Ouch,” Nicky shuddered in sympathy.

“It gets worse,” Ollie stretched out and put his hands behind his head. “You know the part in the service where the priest asks, ‘Is there anyone here who knows of good reason why these two etc etc’?”

Auntie Em guessed what was next. “He didn’t?”

Ollie nodded. “Fell into the church – literally – belted out the first couple of verses and a chorus or two of ‘It Should Have Been Me’, before the bride’s brothers threw him out.”

“The poor boy.”

“He’s ok now though isn’t he?”

“Oh yeah. He was miserable for a while, in fact he checked into a clinic he was feeling so sorry for himself, then he stopped drinking, lost two and a half stone and is now seeing a Swedish footballer who’s crazy about him.”

“And you think that’s going to win him TQ of the Year?”

“The first bit will. No question.”

“Shouldn’t it win him some other trophy like ‘Most Admired’ or ‘Most Improved’ or – ”

“We don’t have lunches like that Auntie Em – where would be the fun?”

The elegant woman didn’t answer, suddenly distracted by the thought of seeing Kanwar later that day – now
that
would be fun.

Nicky took advantage of Auntie Em’s silence. “Did I tell you Andy called? He’s back from Japan and was asking after you.”

“Really?” Ollie tried to feign disinterest which was never one of his strengths. He took a sip of wine and slowly wiped the side of his lips. “You know I sent him a text thanking him for his help with Hum – never heard back.”

“Well, you know how texts can get lost in the ether, and what with being in Japan…..”

“Actually I sent him three texts and a voicemail.” Ollie suddenly had a desperate urge to look at the tv. “What’s going on in Albert Square Auntie Gem?”

“Ollie!” Nicky said indignantly. “Andy wanted to know our, well more specifically
your
plans for New Year’s.”

“Aren’t we going to Lloyd and Clive’s?”

“That’s what I told him.”

“What so he can snog me rotten and give me some false name?”

“I thought you said he was a great kisser.”

“He was but I’m not into closet cases.”

Welcoming the distraction Ollie reached for the ringing phone but Auntie Em got there first. She handed the receiver to Rion, “It’s Tanya. Take it in my room.”

As soon as Rion had left the room Auntie Em turned to Nicky, “Have you told her yet?”

Nicky shook her head, “I’ll tell her when she gets back.”

Auntie Em rubbed her hands together in glee.

“Tell Rion what?” Ollie asked.

“Just something I heard from Angie.”

“Where are they spending Christmas by the way?” Ollie asked anxious to move the conversation away from Andy.

“Anguilla. Edwin went a couple of weeks ago, immediately after he got the all clear. Angie left on Thursday.”

“I think the staff at Peters & Peters were rather relieved he couldn’t attend the Christmas party,” Emma smiled.

“And certainly not give any speeches,” Ollie grinned, “not after his last explosive performance. I saw it online – in technicolour!”

Auntie Gem didn’t join in the accompanying laughter. Pretending she hadn’t heard she remained engrossed in the cliffhanging destruction bringing the Christmas edition to a close. They would never know the role she played in bringing Edwin to his knees.

Ollie looked over at the sofa upon hearing the Eastenders theme tune. “Good episode Gem?”

“You know it child,” Gemma pressed the mute button on the remote and returned to the table.

“Aren’t you going to watch the Queen’s speech?” Jake asked, his arm around Nicky who snuggled in closer.

“Don’t you – ” Auntie Em began then stopped. “Of course you weren’t here last year.”

“Or the years before,” Ollie laughed. “This is one of those difficult times for Gem. Torn between loyalty to the Royal Family and idolatry of Princess Di – and recognising the feelings the Queen had for her daughter-in-law – she has to compromise don’t you?” He poured a glass of port and handed it to Gemma who bobbed her head, smiled but remained glued to the set.

“She does this by watching the speech but with the sound down,” Nicky explained.

“She should be in politics,” said Jake getting out the battered tobacco tin.

“So what – ” Nicky stopped and listened but could still hear Rion chatting happily on the phone in Auntie Em’s bedroom. “ – was the deal in the end? I mean with the McGraths and the creepy guard?” her voice had sunk so low to be barely audible.

Ollie breathed out deeply, letting go the mystery and
tension of the past weeks. “Auntie Em got it all figured out.”

Emma took a sip of champagne, letting the bubbles tickle her teeth before swallowing. “Well, from what I can gather it was a mid-winter ceremony chosen to symbolise the point where the sun was the most enfeebled, like the poor woman’s father.”

“But why didn’t they hold it on the winter solstice then?” Jake interrupted.

“It was the winter solstice to
them,
” Auntie Em stressed. “It appears they were traditionalists keeping to the old calendar which, of course, is several days out.”

Jake, Ollie and Nicky nodded their heads. Auntie Gem was still glued to the Queen’s speech.

“And they wanted a virginal girl because she obviously represents purity, but they also hoped her blood, her vigour, would replenish the old man. They also believed the Gods would smile on such a sacrifice.”

“I still can’t get over that,” Nicky shuddered

“And the chalice would catch her blood which would be mixed with water from the well and drunk, then – ”

“We don’t need to hear any more of
that
,” Auntie Gem said primly without taking her eyes from the Queen of England.

“Quite,” Ollie agreed as the Queen’s Speech turned into the Christmas edition of Top of the Pops.

The mood in the room lightened as Rion reappeared, returning the phone to its base. “Tanya sends everyone her love,” she smiled.

“When’s she coming down?”

“Some time in January.”

Auntie Em drew in the air over her teeth as if concerned. “Nicky has some news for you sweetness,” she took Rion’s hand. “Maybe you’ll be somewhere else in January.”

Rion’s eyes welled up. “But you said – ”

“Shhhhh,” Auntie Em hugged the young girl to her. “It’s good news angel.”

“Rion,” Nicky took a drag on the joint. “Angie had a call from H – ” she began to cough, “ – from H – ” the dry smoke tickling her lungs caused another outbreak.

“Who?” Rion asked nervously.

Nicky waved her hands about as she spluttered and gasped, trying to name the celebrated designer.

“For goodness sake,” Auntie Em said, “shall I tell her?”

Nicky, her face puce, nodded.

“From Hitherto Williams. Apparently she saw your picture and has made enquiries about booking you for the couture collections in January,” Auntie Em’s eyes twinkled as she looked at the young girl, “in Paris!”

As Ollie and Jake whooped and cheered Rion just felt her face flush a very deep, very hot, red.

Nicky had regained her powers of speech. “It’s not confirmed but there’s definite interest. She’ll be in London in a couple of days and wants to meet you.”