The three of them walked through the dark. Othman was wearing a strongly scented aftershave, like nothing Barbara had ever smelled before. ‘What is it?’ she asked.
His smile was white and feral through the darkness. ‘Something very old. It’s probably gone off by now.’
Barney, if he ever wore aftershave, went for sensible smells, potions that smelled like clean male sweat, salt, but with no hint of musk.
Low Mede looked welcoming, huddled amid its garland of old trees. Amber lights shone from the windows, the chimneys reared reassuringly against the sky. Barbara turned her heel on the gravel of the drive, causing a few moments’ activity, as she hopped around to retrieve her shoe, holding onto Othman’s hard arm for support. She could smell the perfume of his own body beneath that of the aftershave, a scent of corn and ozone. It was unbearable. She made a promise to herself that she would have him, eventually. She could not stand it if she didn’t.
As they stood in the porch, having rung the ornate, cast iron bell, Lily and Owen came wafting up the drive behind them. Barbara fought to suppress the heat of jealousy that rose in her breast. Lily was wearing the beautiful dress, which floated around her body like water weed. Over it, she wore a fringed shawl. So young, so slim, so graceful. Barbara reminded herself severely that she had been the one to choose the dress, and should not be upset if it complimented the girl so well. Lily held lightly onto her brother’s arm. Barbara had never seen Owen look so appealing either. It was as if the potential of the twins had been coaxed out, or unleashed, she wasn’t sure which.
‘Hi!’ Lily said, raising an arm in greeting.
‘You look lovely!’ Barbara enthused.
Lily smiled at Barney and Othman, drinking in the approving inspection. She seemed feverish, over-excited, as if on her way to the opening night of a play, or a magical ball.
‘Evening, Mrs Eager,’ Owen drawled. ‘Thanks for taking Lily out today.’
‘A pleasure,’ Barbara said, ‘And please, call me Barbara.’
The door to Low Mede opened, and Verity Cranton stood at the threshold. Barbara felt herself tense up, but Verity seemed quite relaxed. She smiled and said, ‘Hello. Come in.’
The hall of Low Mede was bathed in low light, and the air was thick with the scent of flowers, underscored by the smell of wood polish. A huge display of fresh blooms erupted over the hall table. The floorboards gleamed dully around the edge of the Persian rug that covered most of the floor.
Verity led the way into the lounge. She was wearing a long, black dress, her hair pinned up in a chignon. Barbara thought she looked about thirty-five, but a very attractive thirty-five. What would Othman think of her? Would he be attracted by Verity’s precise aloofness?
‘This is Peverel Othman,’ Barbara said to Verity, and then, ‘And this is my husband, Barney.’
Verity submitted the men to a brief inspection, inclining her head to each.
‘And this is my sister, Lily,’ said Owen. ‘I don’t think you’ve met.
‘No,’ said Verity, not looking at Owen. ‘Hello.’
Lily shrugged awkwardly. ‘Hi.’
Verity glided over to a sideboard. ‘What would everyone like to drink?’
Barbara was surprised by Verity’s demeanour. She seemed the perfect hostess. As the drinks orders were taken, Louis came into the room, leaning on his stick. His face betrayed his pain, but only slightly. Louis brought with him a more congenial atmosphere. He greeted Barney with loud joviality, joked with the Winter twins, complimented Lily on her outfit. Lily went red in a pretty fashion, and bashfully accepted the praise. Everyone was directed to seats, while Verity drifted among them, dispensing drinks from a silver tray.
Daniel Cranton hovered outside the room, listening to the laughter and conversation coming through the door. He felt awkward about joining the party, embarrassed about seeing Owen in this unfamiliar setting. It all seemed so false to him, a travesty. What was Owen thinking now, having to sit amongst all that chit-chat, that silly, shallow socialising? There would be sarcastic comments to follow, Daniel was sure. He braced himself and went into the room.
Owen looked completely at home, sprawled on the sofa next to his sister. He glanced at Daniel as he came through the door, flashing a heart-stopping smile.
‘Daniel! You might have changed!’ Verity scolded, and then as the atmosphere congealed around her harsh tone, softened it with a mocking laugh.
Daniel was dressed in ripped jeans and an old, faded black T-shirt. Louis couldn’t help wincing inside, conscious of the fact that the Winters had at least made an effort. Typical of Daniel, he supposed. ‘Drink, son?’ he said.
Daniel nodded sulkily, immediately aware he had made a mistake in his choice of clothes — a choice over which he had deliberated for at least an hour. He’d been convinced Owen would turn up looking extremely scruffy and had dressed down in an attempt to defuse the situation. Yet here was Owen looking groomed and splendid, his sister as elegant and appealing as a slender super-model beside him.
Presently, Verity disappeared discretely from the room, only to put her head around the door a few minutes later to announce that dinner was ready. Louis offered Lily his arm in a gallant fashion and they led the way across the hall. Louis caught a glimpse of himself in the long mirror beside the front door. So long since a beautiful woman had held his arm. He liked the picture, and experienced the first, faint stirrings of desire, after a long desert of arid feeling.
Behind him, Barbara froze upon her husband’s arm. Was this pretty little waif going to captivate every man Barbara was interested in? She had noticed Louis’ glance into the mirror, and read its significance only too keenly.
‘You ladies are outnumbered tonight,’ Louis said as they all sat down. He had suggested the Winter twins sit either side of him near the top of the table. ‘But it seems we gentlemen must consider ourselves fortunate to be in the company of such lovely creatures as yourselves!’
Verity smiled thinly from the other end of the table, wondering how much her father had had to drink before the guests arrived.
‘Barbara tells me you write,’ Louis said to Lily as they began the soup.
She coloured again. ‘Well, a little.’ She wished Barbara wouldn’t tell people that.
‘I hope you’ll come to our meetings soon,’ he continued.
‘I don’t think I’m ready for that yet,’ Lily answered, and then, because she thought that might have sounded rude, ‘I need to practise a bit first.’
‘Lily’s being very coy about her writing,’ Barbara said, stranded further down the table. She was sitting next to Barney, with Daniel Cranton opposite. Peverel Othman was being very quiet and reserved, concentrating on his soup, and not looking at anyone.
Lily couldn’t help feeling Barbara’s remark was a little barbed. Had she done something to offend the woman?
‘Then she must be the same as Dad,’ Verity said, daintily sipping her soup. She’d sensed that Barbara was jealous of Lily Winter, and decided to play a card of her own. This dinner might be even more interesting than she’d hoped. Othman was looking at her. ‘My father refuses to show me any of his work.’
Othman smiled. Verity felt her spine stiffen. His glance made her feel more conscious of herself, her elegant gown, the long sweep of her neck. All in all, she felt very attractive that night. The diners seemed like toys lined up, ready for her to begin play.
Louis had begun to laugh. ‘Aren’t they cruel to us!’ he said to Lily.
To Daniel, the meal seemed to be progressing in the excruciating manner he’d dreaded. The sharp comments, the subtle interplay between the diners, grated on his nerves. Also, the stranger he was sitting next to unnerved him. What was he doing here? First, Daniel had heard that Owen had befriended the man, then this interloper had invaded Low Mede. From his appearance, Daniel guessed he might be interested in Owen’s secret activities in the woods. Had Owen taken him to the High Place already? Had he told him about Daniel?
B
arbara had begun to talk. She was aware that her voice was a trifle too loud, and her accent more cultivated than usual. Inside, she was a maelstrom of conflicting feelings, dominated by a bright green stripe of pure jealousy. She couldn’t help it. Verity and Lily looked so lovely in the candlelight, which played on their creamy, young skins, and highlighted their rich, red hair. Verity looked like Audrey Hepburn in her prime; Lily like Kate Moss at her most gamine. While Barbara felt her age, conscious of her wide hips, her less than creamy breast which was partially exposed by the low top of her trouser suit. Apart from Barney, and Daniel, who didn’t count, because he was hardly more than a child, she was in the company of extremely attractive men. Normally, in these conditions, she would be sparkling. But tonight, the sparkle seemed gaudy, obvious and tarnished. Not fresh. Not fresh at all. ‘Pev’s very interested in our local history,’ Barbara said. ‘He’s been poking around our old ruins.’ Why, at that moment, did she have to catch Verity Cranton’s eye?
Verity smiled in a long, slow fashion, fascinated by the flush of red that crept up Barbara’s bosom to her neck. ‘Is that so?’ she said to Othman, in a sultry, pointed manner.
‘I’ve been delving around the old manor house, Long Eden,’ Othman said, pushing his empty soup plate away a little. ‘The place seems shrouded in mystery.’
‘Really? In what way?’ Verity had never been interested in Little Moor’s history, and was only dimly aware Long Eden existed. Now, because this puzzling man — puzzling simply because he was here in this company — was interested in the house, she suddenly became interested herself.
‘The Murkasters, the family who lived there, simply upped and left some years ago,’ Othman explained. ‘No reason given. The house is empty and boarded up, yet it hasn’t been sold. It seems odd, wouldn’t you say? No-one seems to know much about the Murkasters, or rather, if you ask any of the locals about them, they get extremely cagey. Personally, I find that very fascinating.’
‘You like mysteries then?’ Verity enquired.
‘Very much so. I have a nose for them. I’m wondering whether some scandal happened at Long Eden. You never know, the bastard heirs to the place might actually still be living here in Little Moor, but unaware of what they are.’
Verity laughed. ‘That’s quite a conclusion to jump to in so short a time! You obviously like scandals as much as you like mysteries.’
‘Often the two go hand in hand,’ Othman said. He smiled at Owen.
Lily was staring at her plate. How dare he! He must be alluding to herself and Owen.
‘But don’t you think there might be a danger in probing other people’s secrets?’ Owen said with utter sang froid. He took a sip of wine. ‘Especially if there are scandals involved. You never know who you might upset, and what they might be capable of.’
‘I assure you, I’m always aware of what people are capable of,’ Othman answered coolly, ‘perhaps more so than they do themselves.’
Daniel was by this time convinced Othman knew all about what went on at the High Place. He felt the man was tormenting him personally with his hidden knowledge.
Verity stood up. ‘If you’ll excuse me, I’ll just see to the next course.’ She began to gather up the soup plates.
‘I’ll help,’ Owen offered, jumping to his feet and collecting plates before Verity could protest.
He followed her into the darkened kitchen. Verity hurriedly slammed down her cargo on the table and ran to turn on the light.
‘It’s getting a bit heated in there,’ Owen said.
‘Just put those by the sink,’ Verity answered, refusing to comment on his remark. It was hard for her to equate this slim, beautiful young man with the scruffy yob she usually encountered. The transformation confused her, yet she sensed Owen was completely in control of how he appeared to people. That unnerved her. It made her think he was, therefore, not to be controlled by her.
‘Is there anything I can do?’ Owen asked her.
Verity fussed over a hostess trolley, where the main course was being kept warm. ‘Not really. Everything’s here.’
‘You look different, tonight,’ Owen said. ‘I approve.’
‘I am indifferent to your opinions,’ Verity answered coldly. ‘Excuse me.’ She began to wheel the trolley from the room.
‘Why do you hate me?’
Verity did not want to get drawn into this conversation. What was Winter playing at? And she knew he was playing. ‘I have no feelings about you one way or the other,’ she said. ‘You’re Daniel’s friend, and he’s my little brother. If you think I’m going to be nice to you just because you’ve had a bath tonight, forget it. I’m the person who has to put up with your slobby behaviour the rest of the time when you’re hanging around here.’ She realised she’d said too much. That was what Winter wanted. She should simply have walked out of the room. Still, it was difficult to make a dignified exit while pushing a hostess trolley.
‘It’s harder to be hostile than friendly,’ Owen said, ‘but then, that’s your choice.’ He gestured with his arm for her to lead the way back to the dining room.
Verity felt nettled. The Winter lout had scored a point.
Back in the dining room, the conversation still revolved around the vanished Murkasters. Everyone, apart from Daniel, was conjecturing what their secret scandal might be. It seemed that in the short time it had taken Owen and Verity to go to the kitchen and back, the wine had affected everyone’s spirits. Even Lily looked animated. ‘It was a murder,’ she was saying, caressing her empty glass. ‘It has to be.’ She turned to Daniel. ‘What do you think, Daniel?’
Daniel looked miserable at having been addressed. Owen went to stand behind his chair, and put his hands on Daniel’s shoulders. ‘Daniel undoubtedly knows the truth, but will keep silent.’
‘Really?’ Lily said. ‘How does he know the truth?’
‘Because he’s psychic,’ Owen said. ‘Very psychic.’
‘No I’m not!’ Daniel spluttered. He wished Owen would move his hands. It was impossible to think while they lay upon his body.
Peverel Othman turned in his seat and put a hand on Daniel’s arm. ‘Then you must tell us what you know,’ he said.
Daniel felt as if he was held in an electric field. Othman’s touch somehow confirmed and intensified the presence of Owen. These men knew him. His soul felt naked. He could not speak, or if he did, he would speak in tongues. He didn’t want to talk about his abilities. Then Othman withdrew his hand and Owen moved away.
Daniel said, ‘They were driven out. They can’t come back.’ As usual, he didn’t know where the words came from. It was if another consciousness, who knew everything, was using his mouth. He did know, however, that what he’d said was utterly true.
‘You see,’ said Owen, swinging back into his place.
‘Daniel!’ said Louis in surprise.
Daniel rubbed his eyes with one hand. His vision was blurred. More words spilled from his reluctant lips. ‘It was the evil of a woman and the weakness of a man.’
‘What do you mean, evil?’ Othman demanded. ‘Weakness?’
Daniel looked at him and saw the man had gone very pale. What Daniel had said had disturbed him somehow. ‘It has always been this way, since the beginning, and it will always be their downfall. Even now he searches for her.’
Listening to these words, Othman wanted to lash out and strike Daniel, silence him. His words fell as prophecies, but to Othman they sounded like accusations.
Louis broke the tense atmosphere. He laughed and addressed the other diners. ‘Dan’s always been a bit sensitive to atmospheres, you know. We thought he was most peculiar as a child!’
‘Tell more,’ said Barbara, in a quiet voice, her eyes round.
Daniel shrugged, furious with his father for his last remark. ‘I can’t.’ He reached for his wine, nervously gulped it, conscious of Othman’s eyes upon him.
Verity was moving round the table, filling people’s plates. ‘Oh come on, Daniel, you were always sp
outing weird stuff off when you were a kid. Tell them some more, for God’s sake!’ She laughed, although in her heart there was a thread of unease. As long as everyone’s attention was focused on her brother, no-one would guess she herself possessed a similar talent. She smiled at Daniel, conveying that he should play everyone along just to shut them up. He should lie, if necessary. She knew Daniel would be entirely aware of what she thought.
Verity’s unexpected support made Daniel feel better. ‘Vez, you know nothing about me!’ he answered, laughing. He realised that somehow he had become a part of the evening, and was included in the gathering. What he said would be listened to by the others.
‘Oh, scary!’ Verity said.
Daniel handed her a plate. Where was the habitual harsh retort? Verity was not herself tonight either. When they looked at one another, a charge of communication passed between them, similar to what had happened in the kitchen the other morning. Strange. Was he developing some kind of friendship with his sister?
‘I think we should begin investigating along the obvious channels,’ said Barbara. ‘You know, look in the library archives or something. There must be records concerning the sale of Long Eden’s effects.’
‘That’s true,’ said Lily. ‘We could begin there.’ Caught up in the excitement of the evening, she had forgotten her misgivings about Long Eden.
Owen rolled his eyes. ‘You’ll be starting a society about it next,’ he said. He stabbed with his fingers in the air to punctuate an imaginary plaque. ‘Friends of Long Eden.’
‘You’ve got no imagination,’ Lily answered. She grinned at Barbara. ‘There could be a book in the secret story of the Murkasters. We could write it!’
‘Oh please!’ Barney said, red of face. ‘Barbara’s got too many interests as it is! I’ll end up running the pub on my own!’
‘Hotel, if you don’t mind,’ Barbara said icily, and then to Lily. ‘I think that’s a great idea!’ As the alcohol warmed her blood, her jealous feelings were dissipating. Lily was innocent and naive. She really had no idea how she affected the men.