Mystical Circles (18 page)

“I never do that,” said Craig.

Juliet gazed at him. What an extraordinary statement. Strangely disturbing. Especially the word
never
, implying that this kind of thing had happened on more than one occasion.

“Beats me why Oleg didn’t call them himself,” muttered Don.

“He knew that wouldn’t be wise,” replied Craig.

“Why?”

“Because,” said Craig, “I’ve told my students that if ever any of them gets into a fight with anyone else, they’re to put the problem in my hands. And trust me. If they do that, then everything will be all right.”

“How do you know?” demanded Don. Craig’s last words had clearly incensed him. He was so heated he failed to notice another figure in the open doorway as he threw out his next challenge to his son. “Call yourself a prophet? You forget where you’re from. A humble terrace in Barnsley.”

At this the new arrival spoke. “And why shouldn’t a prophet come from a humble terrace in Barnsley?”

Juliet turned. Theo stood there, dressed all in white – short-sleeved shirt, cargo pants and trainers. For a moment Juliet almost expected a halo to complete the effect. His sudden appearance, together with his remark, made her feel utterly disoriented.

It seemingly had the same effect upon the others too, judging by their failure to respond.

“A simple question, that’s all,” said Theo. He put his hand on Don’s arm in a friendly manner. “Perhaps I shouldn’t have broken in there.”

“Glad to see you up again, Theo,” said Juliet quickly.

“Thanks,” he said. “I look forward to a chat with you later. But I’ve agreed to meet your sister in the hermitage first.”

“Have you?” she asked, startled.

“Yes.” He swiftly changed the subject. “A heavenly place, this,  Craig.”

“Thanks.”

“Ever considered a sculpture courtyard here?” asked Theo.

Craig looked taken aback by this question. But he soon recovered. “A nice idea, but no. To be honest with you, Theo, the money ran out.”

“And other things took priority,” murmured Theo.

Juliet glanced at Don as Theo said this. His face was impassive, but the colour had noticeably begun to drain away. Odd. Why had Theo said that?

“Just a thought,” said Theo. With that, he stepped back out through the doorway again and was gone.

Juliet looked at Don, who was struggling to regain his former mood, and then at Craig. “What’s the hermitage?”

“A cabin I built in the woods,” he replied. He touched her hand. With a firm resolve, she managed to disguise her reaction.

Craig allowed several moments to pass. “What about a walk, Juliet?” he offered. “Just you and me?”

Earlier, before Don had made his remark about her and Craig, she might have taken him up on it. But now the situation had changed. “No, Craig. Later, perhaps.”

“I can see I’ve offended you, Juliet. You doubt me, don’t you. Why?”

“Not now, Craig. This isn’t the time.”

“I believe it is the time. Come with me, Juliet.”

“See you later, Craig.” She walked briskly away.

Small wonder that she’d turned down Craig’s invitation, Juliet thought to herself as she hurried across the car park away from the back door. What an outrageous comment Don had made, just before Craig’s entry on the scene (which she feared Craig may have overheard). With an effort of will, she forced the issue to the back of her mind. What she needed to know right now was why Zoe had been so quick to book a one-to-one chat with Theo in this hermitage place.  Was Zoe hoping for advice about her relationship with Craig?

She climbed over the stile and set off up the woodland track which led to the top of the ridge. Halfway to the ridge, another track branched off to the right, and she took this.  After a short walk she reached a small clearing. And there, indeed, was the simple tongue-and-groove pine cabin which she took to be the hermitage. It was evidently another place for silent retreat and solitary contemplation. And this morning, as Juliet approached, she saw her sister inside with the young clergyman.

She ventured closer. She felt she couldn’t pass up any opportunity to find out what was going on.

With the warmth of the weather, the windows of the hermitage were wide open. A glance through the nearest one told her that Theo was perched on the small wooden table. Opposite him, Zoe’s posture as she sat on the single chair was one of rapt concentration. She leaned well forward towards him. And her focus was solely upon him, and his words. This puzzled Juliet.

“Don’t be afraid to commit yourself, Zoe,” Theo said. “You’ve nothing to lose.”

Hearing this, Juliet bristled. What on earth was he suggesting to her?

“Juliet thinks….” Zoe began.

“That doesn’t matter. All that matters is what you think, Zoe. Even what I’ve said to you is purely a matter of instinct. In simple terms, it’s this. Take part in everything; and don’t worry what your sister thinks about it.”

Again, Juliet started.

“She thinks I’m crazy,” said Zoe, “I know she does.”

Theo smiled. “Accept all that Craig offers, and everything your fellow community members offer. And leave Juliet to take care of her own problems.”

Juliet could barely contain her fury at hearing these words. What right did this interfering cleric have to say such things? Then her sister’s words cut across her thoughts.

“And you, Theo?” Zoe asked. “What opportunities will you offer?”

He laughed softly. Then he reached forward, briefly took her hand, and squeezed it. “That’s for you to find out, Zoe. Come on. Let’s go.”

Troubled by unsettling thoughts, Juliet sped back through the woods.

10

Not the Marrying Kind

Lunch had long finished; alone in the kitchen, Juliet stood by the window looking out onto the car park at the back of the house, fiddling restlessly with the bread knife. She felt agitated as she tried to decide on her next move. She hadn’t managed a single word with Zoe since she saw her in the hermitage with Theo. That was because her sister had claimed his sole attention all through lunch, too. Nor had Juliet managed to pick up any details of their discussion, as they’d remained at the opposite end of the table conferring together in low voices. She could only imagine Zoe had been seeking further suggestions on her relationship with Craig.

Juliet felt a little sore that Zoe had chosen to confide in Theo, rather than her. And the emotions aroused by that earlier overheard conversation remained strongly with her. He’d told Zoe that what her sister thought didn’t matter, and that Juliet should
take care of her own problems
. Who gave him the right to say that?

An afternoon of interviews lay ahead. But none of them were with Theo. That was no good. She must speak to him first. She could rearrange the others. She now suspected it may be Theo, not Craig, who held the key to unlock Zoe’s mind. This disturbed her. She continued to stroke the serrated blade of the knife, not quite sure why.

The door opened suddenly. She looked up to see Theo walk in, and her finger slipped. She dropped the knife on the floor as blood welled up.

Theo started forward, a look of concern on his face. “What are you doing, Juliet?” he asked.

“Don’t worry, Theo,” she said lightly. “I wasn’t self-harming.”

“I should hope not,” he said. “Here, let me staunch the flow of blood before the next group member in wonders what’s been going on in here.”

“No need, I can do it.”

He ignored her, and quickly brought the necessary items to deal with the cut. As he played the role of first-aider, she observed him closely. There was no dog collar to be seen. She supposed he only wore it when on duty. But what did being
on
or
off
duty constitute for him in this Centre? Perhaps he was
on duty
when he was being a
guest speaker
. Or so she imagined. If not, what was his role here? Did anyone know?

It was clear he noted her look of sharp appraisal. “Come on, Juliet. Have I upset you already?”

“Not at all,” she said.

“So you’re all right?”

“Couldn’t be better, Theo,” she said breezily.

“Let’s talk,” he said. “I’m about to head for the woods. Join me there?”

“Fine by me. I’ve got my Nagra. I can record anywhere.”

“Of course,” he replied smoothly. “I decided to leave Craig to take care of the group therapy. All he wants from me today is a talk after dinner. No need to prepare for that. So it’s a perfect opportunity to speak to you.”

“Glad about that, Theo.” She must remain courteous, regardless of how she felt about his comments to Zoe in the hermitage. “Are you fully recovered from your migraine?” she asked as they walked through to the utility room.

“Yes. Feeling much better now, thanks. It had me in its grip for a full twenty-four hours this time. I’ve been subject to these attacks since I caught malaria in the Middle East four years ago.”

“Sorry to hear that.” Juliet felt unsure of her ground. But she couldn’t help warming to him, despite everything.

“I’m determined to make the most of these few days in the Cotswolds,” said Theo, choosing some walking boots.

“Good idea.” It had seemed an innocuous remark, but she sensed something else lay beneath Theo’s words which he wasn’t revealing. “You and Zoe had plenty to say to each other at lunch. I couldn’t get a word in edgeways.”

“I do apologise.” A warm look, signifying either amusement or some other emotion Juliet couldn’t read, flitted across Theo’s face at mention of this.

For a while they were both occupied pulling their footwear on. But Juliet turned this observation over in her mind, all the while. When they were ready to set off, she looked straight at him.

He wore an open expression on his face. “What your sister wants,” he said, “is to experience the spiritual reality here on this earth, in her own body.” He opened the door and stepped out.

She followed. “And has Craig delivered on it yet?” she asked.

There was a pause, as she wondered how Theo would take this question, together with all its implications.

Theo smiled. “I don’t think so. If he had, I imagine she would have told you, Juliet.”

He began to stride across the car park. Juliet had no time to consider her riposte to this evasive answer. She hurried to keep up with him, holding the omnidirectional mike. She checked the sound levels as he walked briskly past the north side of the house, and across into the orchard. It looked as if he’d settled on the same route that she, Al and Laura had taken last night on their trip to the top of the valley to look at the stars.

“Zoe’s told me nothing, Theo. So I’m relying on you. How do your beliefs and certainties stand up against Craig’s?”

“Certainties?” Theo’s tone continued amicable. “I’m human. And God’s God. He doesn’t need me. He chooses me. So sometimes I say:
What’s going on?
and
Why am I doing this?
or
Why is it so hard?
”

“And yet,” she said, surprised, “you seem to have it all together. Mostly.”

He smiled, and headed on through the orchard, toward the gate at the other side. “I’m glad it looks like that to you,” he said.

“If this isn’t the whole picture,” she said, matching his pace, “how come you’re in the position you are?”

“A long story,” he said, “and one my bishop’s probably running through right at this moment.”

“I don’t imagine your bishop’s very pleased that you’re here at the Wheel of Love.”

Theo gave a chuckle in response to this. “I’m a renegade,” he said. “I’m all about working with people on spiritual journeys. I’ll go anywhere, come in on anything.”

“How do you find Craig’s teachings?” she asked.

“Some have wisdom in them,” he replied crisply. “And you?”

“I admire Craig’s idealism. I don’t accept all his theories. Nor do I believe in God.” They reached the gate.

“What sort of God don’t you believe in?” asked Theo.

“The Judaeo-Christian one, of course,” she replied, feeling slightly ruffled by this question. “The fire and brimstone one. The one who punishes the children for the sin of the fathers, even to the third and fourth generation. The one who is supposed to be so loving, not even a sparrow can fall without Him knowing about it, but He still lets the good suffer and the evil go unpunished.” She stopped. “You know the one I mean.”

“I certainly do,” he said. “And I’ve known what it’s like to feel very angry with Him.” Theo unlatched and opened the gate. “Are you angry too, Juliet?” He swung round to face her as he stood in the gateway.

She was nearly thrown off course by the directness of this question. But she quickly recovered and was ready with her reply. “I probably was angry when I was younger, and turned my back on it all. But nowadays – most of the time I don’t give it any thought. What really matters to me at this moment is showing Zoe that there’s someone who cares about her, and has her best interests at heart – and that someone is me.” Juliet walked quickly through to the pasture beyond, and Theo closed the gate behind her.

They set off up the track. “Is there no one else?” Theo asked.

“Our mother died years ago,” she said, feeling compelled to defend herself. “We were both quite young. I was thirteen and Zoe five. My father’s health wasn’t good. He couldn’t cope.”

He nodded.

“So I suppose I’ve taken on that role for her,” she added.

“Very caring of you, Juliet.” He swept his arm out to indicate the farmhouse now falling behind them. “Remember, Juliet: to everything there is a season. Especially in that community down there.”

“Which means…?”

Perhaps her question got lost, for he didn’t answer, but continued to the far side of the pasture. They made good progress as the narrow path they joined at the field boundary began to climb the side of the valley. Talk ceased for a while, as they tramped upwards, dodging the tall stinging nettles. Eventually they both came out at the top of the ridge, and stopped to survey the panoramic views.