The Serpent in the Glass (The Tale of Thomas Farrell) (5 page)

Miss McGritch’s office — the door of which bore the sign
Housekeeper
— sat on the landing between the entrance to the girls’ and boys’ dormitories. As they passed it, Miss McGritch stopped and shifted her gaze to a glass-panelled room filled with bookshelves that sat on the other side of the landing. ‘You will wait in the library over there while I check to see if Mr Trevelyan and your parents are ready to have you return. Perhaps you will take the time to educate yourselves a little?’

Jessica wasted no time in exploring the library. It seemed to be her remedy for forgetting about whatever it was she was upset about. The library wasn’t enormous, though larger than the one they had at their junior school. The low bookcases, various chairs, small tables and several stands for lighter books had been spread out across the wide landing overlooking the entrance hall below. There was a row of shelves dedicated to science, a row on technology, another on history, languages, and quite a few other subjects too. Jessica had found a shelf holding some big and old-looking books.

Thomas remained by the stands, his thoughts more upon speaking to Mr Trevelyan about his father than on books or the tour of the school. He ran his finger across a nearby shelf holding a small selection of novels, but he wasn’t really looking at the books. Eventually he sat down. It was only then that he realized that Jessica stood looking out across the entrance hall to the large window set high in the wall above the door to the Manor. She hugged a large book to her chest.

Thomas leant back in his chair. ‘Did you find a good book?’

Jessica didn’t turn around. ‘It’s beautiful.’

‘What’s it called?’ Thomas couldn’t see the book’s title from where he sat.

‘I think Scotland’s a beautiful place, don’t you Thomas?’ she asked.

Jessica still faced the window. Thomas realized she wasn’t talking about the book, but about what she could see out of the window.

‘Yeah, I guess,’ Thomas said.

‘It’s a nice school too. I think you should accept the Headmaster’s invitation.’ Jessica sounded as if her thoughts were miles away. Perhaps she was homesick?

Thomas could see no reason not to accept. The school was a link to his father, or at least to those who must have known his father. Mr Westhrop would probably decide for him anyway. But why was Jessica acting so strangely? ‘I guess I will.’

Jessica turned to face him. ‘You don’t seem to care very much either way!’ She dropped the book down heavily on a nearby table.

Just at that moment Miss McGritch appeared in the entrance hall below and looked up at them. The Housekeeper paused, gave Jessica a thoroughly disapproving look, and then called for them both to come down.

Thomas followed Miss McGritch, but didn’t speak to Jessica, who looked as if she’d bite his head off if he tried. Why was she acting this way? Suddenly Thomas had a thought. Perhaps she was jealous. She’d said it was beautiful. St Prudence-in-the-fields was a nice enough school no doubt, but probably not as exciting and picturesque as Darkledun Manor. That must be it, Thomas thought. He’d been thinking so much about what Mr Trevelyan might know of his father that he’d given no thought to how Jessica might be feeling or the implications of him actually going to school here. He had to make a decision that would affect his life, and the Westhrops’ lives, for at least the next five years. Had Mr Westhrop thought about that? Yet Thomas felt strangely comfortable with the idea of living here for most of the year, excited even. Though he wasn’t sure what the Headmaster would do once he found out that he had no special gifts. Or perhaps Mr Westhrop had already told Mr Trevelyan about Thomas’s lack of talent. By the time they got back to the Headmaster’s Office Thomas had made up his mind on the matter.

Miss McGritch took up her place by the door, like a guard, whilst Jessica and Thomas returned to their seats under the delighted gaze of the Headmaster. Mr Westhrop looked pleased with himself, though it was hard to gauge Mrs Westhrop’s mood as she cautiously picked at a pink-topped fairy cake.

‘Ah, welcome back the both of you!’ Mr Trevelyan said with some exuberance. ‘I trust you have enjoyed the tour? Sorry it was so brief.’

Thomas nodded and smiled, though Jessica said nothing.

Mr Trevelyan leaned forward and raised his eyebrows. ‘Well, Thomas, your guardians have agreed to your enrolment here. That only leaves me to ask you whether you wish to attend?’

Thomas saw Mr Westhrop’s eyes widen a little. Clearly he hadn’t been expecting the question. Thomas looked at Jessica who sat staring out the window. ‘Yes, very much.’

Jessica didn’t show any reaction, though Thomas thought he heard Mr Westhrop give a very faint sigh of relief.

‘But I wondered if — if it would be possible for —’ Thomas mumbled much to Mr Westhrop’s irritation. ‘I mean would it be possible for Jessica to go to school here as well?’

Jessica looked up, her eyes wide in surprise at what Thomas had just said. But her eyes weren’t the only ones filled with surprise.

‘My Jessica, come here?’ Mrs Westhrop almost whimpered. She looked at her husband for support.

‘Thomas, the invitation was only for you, and we couldn’t afford to pay for Jessica. You see,’ — Mr Westhrop turned to look at the Headmaster — ‘the school we’ve picked out, St Prudence-in-the-fields, is very reasonable in its costs.’

‘Please, sir,’ Thomas began, ‘I don’t know how much my father left, but if there’s enough I’d like to pay for Jessica too.’

Mr Westhrop looked as if he were about to disapprove of the idea, but then stopped himself. Thomas recognized those eyes. Mr Westhrop was doing some mental calculations at a speed way beyond Thomas’s ability.

‘Yes, Thomas, your father left enough,’ Mr Trevelyan said. ‘You cannot spend the money though. You see, it was put in trust until you come of age.’

Thomas felt disappointed, and his face didn’t hide it.

‘However,’ Mr Trevelyan continued, ‘I am sure the representative of your late father’s estate would release funds for such —’ Mr Trevelyan paused as if trying to find the right words, ‘for such a magnanimous gesture.’ Mr Trevelyan smiled warmly and Thomas reddened quite deeply. He’d no idea what a ‘magnanimous gesture’ was, but he was sure he’d just been paid a compliment. And for some reason that felt really good, coming from Mr Trevelyan as it did.

‘That’s if it’s all right with Mr and Mrs Westhrop?’ the Headmaster asked, casting his blue-eyed gaze their way.

Mrs Westhrop looked undecided, but Mr Westhrop didn’t. ‘It certainly is all right. Yes, it is very acceptable.’

Mr Trevelyan looked at Jessica. ‘And that’s OK with you?’

By this time Jessica’s eyes were all but popping out of her head. ‘Oh yes! Yes! Thank you!’

Thomas smiled awkwardly. He was glad she’d agreed. Thomas glanced at Miss McGritch who gave a disparaging look at Jessica. She didn’t seem to approve, but then Thomas got the impression she didn’t approve of much at all.

‘Well, that’s settled then!’ Mr Trevelyan announced. ‘The school year begins on the first Tuesday of September and we expect all students here the day before. I will send a letter nearer the time regarding the travel arrangements and so forth. You won’t need to buy anything. The uniform and books are all covered by us. Miss McGritch here will take Thomas’s and Jessica’s measurements before you leave. Now, do you have any questions?’

Thomas wanted to ask about his father, but it felt awkward with Mr and Mrs Westhrop present. Jessica, however, had lots of questions, and she asked the first one before Thomas would’ve had a chance to ask his own anyway.

‘Mr Trevelyan?’ Jessica said, a look of some concern on her face.

‘Yes, Miss Westhrop?’ Mr Trevelyan responded as Miss McGritch wrapped a yellow tape measure around Jessica’s waist.

‘Are there any shops near the school?’ Jessica asked.

Mr Trevelyan contained a grin and rubbed his plump chin. ‘Well, let’s see. I’d recommend you make use of one of those new-fangled bicycles we keep here. Most students use them. No bus route near here you see. There are a few small shops around in the villages, and there’s the town of course — bit of a ride, but that’d be your best bet.’

Bicycles? New-fangled? Thomas was sure bikes had been around long enough not to be called new-fangled anymore; though they might as well have been, he’d never owned or even been on one.

‘Thank you,’ Jessica replied as if the matter were extremely important. Thomas felt certain she was taking mental notes. Perhaps she was working out how much shopping she could carry on a bike.

Miss McGritch, however, took written notes in a small notebook. She finished with Jessica and moved on to Thomas, who endured it silently. Jessica continued to ask questions all the way down the corridor after Miss McGritch had recorded Thomas’s measurements. Questions such as how many books were in the library, what sort of dishes were on the school menu, and whether or not there’d be any hockey. Eventually they reached the door, and Mr Trevelyan wished them all a fond farewell.

Thomas paused as he stepped onto the path and, when the Westhrops were a little way ahead, turned back to the Headmaster who waited patiently, as if he knew Thomas had something to say all along. ‘I thought maybe you knew my parents?’

The Headmaster looked at Thomas with gentle eyes. ‘Sorry, Thomas, I can’t say I knew Fearghal and Eleanor.’

‘Fearghal and Eleanor? Those were their names?’ Thomas asked.

‘Well bless my soul, you didn’t know? No, you wouldn’t have I suppose,’ Mr Trevelyan answered his own question.

Fearghal and Eleanor Farrell. He knew their names. It almost felt like too much information. All these years not knowing, and then to find out by way of a brief comment. Thomas decided he wouldn’t tell anyone about this. It would be his secret.

Thomas took a deep breath. ‘Do you know how my father died?’

The Headmaster paused, as if thinking what to say. Thomas thought he saw Miss McGritch cast a wary sidelong glance at the Headmaster before he answered. ‘He died in battle, Thomas, soon after he left you. That’s all I can tell you, I’m afraid.’

‘What about other relatives?’ Thomas asked.

‘I don’t know about your mother’s side, but your father was an only child and his parents no longer walk this world,’ Mr Trevelyan explained.

‘I see,’ said Thomas. ‘Thank you. I had to ask.’

‘I understand, maybe we will talk some more when you return,’ Mr Trevelyan said, though Thomas couldn’t decide if it was a question or not. He wanted to ask more of course, but now wasn’t the time. Mr Westhrop had almost reached the car.

‘Yes,’ Thomas agreed with a smile before he turned and hurried down the cobbled path to catch up with the others. At the bottom, back again beside Mr Westhrop’s green Morris Minor, Thomas turned and gave a final wave to Mr Trevelyan and Miss McGritch. The Headmaster of Darkledun Manor waved back, but the Housekeeper only looked on, unmoving and straight.

— CHAPTER FOUR —

Of Dreams and Serpents

‘I found it!’ Jessica said as she appeared at the top of the ladder with a large map unfolded between her hands so that only the crown of her chestnut head was visible above it. Before Thomas could ask what she was talking about, she’d knelt down and spread the map flat across the dog basket’s covers despite the fact that Thomas still sat in the bed.

Found what? Thomas thought as he stared up at the glowing bulb he'd switched on at the sound of Jessica's feet on the ladder. And what was the time? Thomas looked at the old wind-up clock on the box beside the dog basket. It was a little before eight o’clock. It had taken Thomas a while to get to sleep, his mind on the events of yesterday and Darkledun Manor, but the tiredness incurred through the long journey to Scotland still hadn’t left him. Jessica, however, had made a full recovery, and had no doubt been up at least an hour already.

Thomas looked at the map through sleepy eyes as Jessica held it in place. He would’ve preferred breakfast. ‘What have you found?’

‘This!’ Jessica pointed to a pale patch of green on the map.

Thomas nodded and wiped the sleep from his eyes. Just above Jessica’s finger lay a splash of light green with the words
Carterhaugh Forest
written across it.

‘I remember seeing a sign with that name on it, near the bridge. I wasn’t sure if you saw it or not.’

Jessica tugged her hair. ‘I did, but don’t you notice anything strange about the map?’

Thomas rubbed his eyes again and briefly scanned the green area. ‘Erm — no.’

Jessica sighed. She always did when Thomas didn’t keep up with her, which was quite often. She pointed her finger at a position on the map where the forest had concentric lines drawn upon it. ‘I reckon that must be the hill the Manor’s on, but there’s nothing there on the map.’

‘Maybe it’s an old map,’ Thomas suggested.

Jessica nodded as if she’d expected that response. ‘I checked the date. It was printed two years ago.’

Thomas shrugged. ‘Well, maybe they don’t put everything on the maps, or it got missed or something.’

Jessica looked unconvinced. She always saw a mystery in everything. Always so curious. It was probably those adventure novels she read, thought Thomas.

‘I’ve been reading a bit about that forest too.’

‘You have?’ Thomas asked, yawning.

She sat down on the floor. ‘It seems, according to legend, it was a haunt of fairies!’

‘A haunt of fairies?’ Thomas nodded. That was another tourist-brochure quotation if ever he’d heard one. Thomas wondered why Jessica couldn’t have just said it was a place where fairies lived.

Jessica crossed her legs. ‘Yep, and not all of them very pleasant.’

‘Well,’ he began, accepting at last that he wouldn’t be getting back to sleep this morning, ‘I didn’t see any fairies.’

Jessica looked Thomas dead in the eye. ‘But there must’ve been some there.’

Thomas frowned. ‘How’d you know that?’

‘Well, who made the fairy cakes?’ Jessica grinned as Thomas groaned.

Jessica had certainly cheered up after their visit to Darkledun Manor. In the car on the way home, Thomas had got a full review of all the places to visit, where all the main shopping centres were, and a host of other information Jessica had gleaned from the tourist material she’d taken with her. He was glad of Jessica’s change of spirit. He didn’t like it when she got upset; perhaps — though he wouldn’t admit it to anyone but himself — he relied upon her to fill what would have been an otherwise friendless world. And yet something else had entered his world now. A purpose. He was at last doing something with his life that his father would have wanted — receiving an education paid for by Mr Fearghal Farrell. And knowing that was the best thing in the world.