I drop the earring as if it was a stinging nettle. I feel the burn of it on my fingers. ‘Shit! And now my fingerprints are all over it …’
‘Fingerprints? What are you talking about? Whoever lived here must have found it washed up on the beach.’
‘That could be it. Or what if this person had something to do with Lola’s death?’
‘What, and just before pushing her off the cliff they asked her to kindly remove one of her earrings?’ Ivy snaps.
I pause, chewing my bottom lip. ‘OK, that does sound a little far-fetched. So, do you think this has anything to do with the mysterious Magpie Society?’
Ivy shakes her head. ‘I don’t think so. I mean, if the society has been around for centuries, since the school began, why would they be hanging out in a cave? I think we just stumbled across someone’s temporary home.’
‘Every time we get close, it just slips through our fingers, huh?’
‘Oh, Audrey, you’re shivering.’
I hadn’t even noticed. But, now that she points it out, I realize that I do feel cold.
‘Let’s go back,’ she continues. ‘And don’t worry. I’ll tell Mr Tavistock. He’ll come down here and board up the entrance. That way, whoever was living here won’t be able to come back.’
41
Ivy
Practising the piano is the only thing keeping me distracted from this weird pressure that seems to be building up inside me. I feel almost manic as I sit at the piano now, hammering too hard on the keys. Each one makes a dull clicking sound beneath the beautiful tone of the music.
I’m starting to feel like I’ve become way too distracted with all this Magpie Society stuff when I should be focusing on my schoolwork. Get back to the Ivy Plan. We have our AS mocks coming up, rehearsals for the Christmas concert will be starting, and I don’t feel anywhere near as prepared as I should. I can picture the disappointment on my mum’s face if she ever found out what I’ve been up to instead of focusing on my work and my music. Thank God we don’t touch base enough for me to have to lie to her.
Right now, something’s telling me that if I can play this piece of music perfectly from start to finish, everything will be OK.
Half-term is almost over and students are already beginning to pile back into school – so as not to miss the big party. The corridors are filling up and the common room and library are buzzing. I think about the time we wasted chasing pointless leads all week. Lola, her earring, the unknown corridors, the magpies, the fact that someone has been basically squatting on school grounds … I swear as my finger slips and I mess up. I start again from the top.
Anyway, it’s not going to be as easy sneaking around now that the staff are coming back. Mrs Abbott will be more eagle-eyed than she already is with me because I’m sure she’ll notice I’ve been slacking. Maybe we need to stop the whole thing. What is even the point –
I forget to press the damper pedal and the notes land clumsily on top of each other. ‘FUCK!’ I slam my hands down on the keys and put my head in my hands.
‘Ivy?’ I turn and see a confused-looking Mr Willis staring back at me from the doorway.
My face burns. ‘Sorry, I was just … I keep messing up.’ I pull myself together, sitting up straight and taking a deep breath.
‘It’s OK. I bet that can get frustrating! It sounded wonderful to me, but I can barely play “Chopsticks”.’ He comes over and leans on the piano, then obviously decides it looks awkward and straightens up again. ‘Listen … I don’t suppose you’ve seen Clover about? Has she signed back in?’
I shake my head and then frown. A red rash seems to be creeping up from underneath Mr Willis’s collar. He looks younger than ever dressed in light jeans and a white T-shirt – since term hasn’t officially started, there’s no need for formal attire. I wonder if he and his fiancée have recovered from their fight. I kind of hope not. I force myself to focus. ‘No, I don’t know. Sorry! I’m guessing it’s urgent – do you want me to try and get hold of her for you?’ I shut the piano lid and turn to face him. His face lights up.
‘That’d be great. I really need to ask her a question about her upcoming podcast episode and our interview.’
‘OK.’ I pull out my phone and text Clover. ‘She seems to really believe it all.’ I don’t tell him that I believe it now too.
‘That’s what I’m worried about,’ he says.
I keep my expression neutral as I compose my text.
Mr Willis wants to see you, stat.
He seems quite panicked. Are
you back yet? X
I look at Mr Willis and smile. ‘I’ve texted her and told her you’re looking for her, but she’s not online. I can let you know if I hear from her if you’re hanging around for a bit?’
‘Thanks, Ivy, I really appreciate your help. I’ll be in the staffroom for a couple of hours.’
‘Are you … OK, sir? You look a little flushed.’
‘I’m fine, I’m fine. Just have to get this sorted.’ And with that he heads out.
That’s when I get a reply from Clover.
DON’T TELL HIM I’M BACK YET.
It’s because I’m late with my
coursework.
My fingers drum the top of the piano. Something about that entire interaction felt very off. Mr Willis seemed really uneasy. And why would Clover lie to me about having coursework due?
I text her one more time.
Where are you??
What could Mr Willis know about the upcoming podcast that we don’t? A cold feeling settles in the pit of my stomach. What if he wants the next episode stopped for his own reasons?
In a mad panic, I text Audrey.
Meet me in our room asap. X
42
Audrey
When I walk into the SCR, I almost jump with shock: it’s completely rammed. When did all these people arrive? I’d been so used to having this place to just Ivy and me that it’s weird to see everyone back again.
‘Audrey, over here!’ Araminta is sitting with a bunch of her friends. She waves, and hesitantly I make my way over.
‘Hey,’ I reply. ‘Um, have a good half-term? Katie? Bonnie?’
Katie shrugs. ‘Didn’t do much. Just chilled out at home really.’
‘I went to the Cotswolds. Honestly, my parents are psycho,’ says Bonnie. ‘Glad to be back.’
‘How about you, Audrey? Was it miserable staying here?’ Katie asks.
But Araminta jumps in before I have a chance to answer. ‘Look, we were just talking about something important and you should be involved. Even though what I did to Clover was wrong, what she’s doing to us isn’t right either.’ She addresses the wider group now, who murmur their agreement.
I frown. ‘What do you mean?’
‘What, apart from the malicious and terrible lies she’s spread about me? Well, it’s obvious from her last podcast over half-term – did you listen?’
I nod cautiously.
‘Well, she said that something bad was going to happen at the Samhain party. She is clearly trying to get back at me. It’s just cruel.’
I must look confused, because Araminta rolls her eyes. ‘Don’t you see? I’m the one organizing the Samhain party. She’s trying to scare people into thinking something awful’s going to happen. She wants to ruin my first big event as head girl! Well, I’m not going to let her.’
‘And you shouldn’t!’ says Bonnie.
‘This is going to be the biggest and best Samhain party the school has ever seen,’ says Katie.
I can’t believe I didn’t realize how far up Araminta’s ass they all are.
‘Oh, Audrey, you’re going to love it,’ says Araminta, all warmth now. It’s kinda freaky how this chick can switch from hot to cold and back again.
‘What if Clover does know something?’ I ask.
There’s a pause.
‘No way,’ says Araminta, the ice back in her voice. ‘I think she’s full of shit. And, if she knew anything real, why wouldn�
��t she just come out and say it rather than forcing everyone to listen to those horrible podcasts and dragging out this “investigation”? I, for one, am not going to listen to them any more. Who’s with me?’
‘I am,’ jumps in Bonnie. One by one, the rest of the group agrees.
‘I dunno,’ I reply. ‘Me and Ivy …’
‘Oh, what, you guys are best friends now?’ says Araminta.
‘Yeah. We’ve actually been doing some of our own investigating,’ I blurt out.
‘And?’
Oh God. I should’ve kept my big mouth shut. ‘Well, just that there might be something to this Magpie Society thing.’
‘Oooh, I love the idea that a secret society operated at the school. Or maybe there is one operating? Though, if I was a member, I wouldn’t go around shouting about it!’ Araminta throws her head back and laughs. She’s definitely mocking me. It’s not always easy for me to figure out the British sense of humour, but I’m fairly certain about this one.
Just then, Teddy walks into the common room, and my stomach flips. He makes a beeline for our table.
‘Hi, Teddy,’ says Araminta, tossing back her hair.
‘Hey, all. Audrey, actually, I was looking for you. Can we talk?’
‘Um … I guess?’
Araminta’s eyebrows shoot up, and there’s a chorus of ooohs from the crowd. ‘You and Ivy so close that you’re sharing a boyfriend now?’
‘Grow up, Araminta,’ I snap back at her. ‘See you guys,’ I say to the rest of the group.
‘Don’t forget your Samhain outfit!’ Araminta says cheerily to my back. Ice and fire, that girl. I wonder if she has a killer instinct too?
We head out of the common room and walk in companionable silence until we get outside. It’s pretty cold, but the grounds are so beautiful at this time of year. Back home, it rarely gets super cold, so we don’t get the vibrant fall colours. Here, the leaves are turning and tumbling from the trees, coating the ground in a carpet of crisp golden stars.
‘How was your sailing trip?’ I ask.
‘It was good. You should really come on the boat … for real this time. No pirates.’ He grins.
I stop and turn towards him. He stops too, and when he looks at me my heart lurches inside my chest. My God, he really is cute. A bit of a prick, as Ivy would say, but definitely cute.
No, Audrey, I tell myself sternly and shiver with the effort.
‘You’re cold.’ He reaches in his pocket and produces a knitted beanie. He tugs it down over my head and curls my hair round my ears, his touch gentle. We’re standing very close now.
‘I know it was wrong of me to be messaging both of you guys.’
‘At the same time,’ I add, just in case he’d forgotten.
‘Yeah. But I really just wanted to get to know you. And Ivy and I were on a break …’
‘Still …’
‘Still, I should have broken it off properly before texting you. But now that it is broken off … can we get to know each other better?’
‘I don’t know. Ivy and I have just started becoming friends.’ And I don’t want to ruin that.
‘You guys are hanging out a lot, huh?’
‘We are. Don’t you guys have “girl code” in the UK? It wouldn’t be very girl code of me. Plus, you haven’t exactly shown yourself to be the most stand-up guy.’
‘OK, I understand. But I’ve been thinking a lot over half-term. Ivy and I had our moment, and it didn’t work between us – even she would agree with that. The thing is, I really like you, Audrey. And I’d really like to take you to the Samhain party tonight.’
A moment follows where the air feels like it changes between us, and that has nothing to do with the cooler temperature outside.
‘Oh.’
All of a sudden, it’s like we both know what’s about to happen, and our bodies seem to lean into each other without any conscious thought. Oh my God, I’m about to have my first British kiss …
But the spell is broken as something darts between us. ‘Jesus!’ I cry out as it brushes against my leg, letting out a loud wail in the process.
Teddy and I fly apart and he laughs. ‘Oh, that’s Shadow – Mr Tavistock’s pet. He’s harmless. Where were we?’ He steps forward.
A black cat crossing my path … more bad luck. I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. ‘I’d better check this.’ I take a step back, allowing air to swirl between us, dissolving whatever had been drawing us together.
‘Are you OK? You look weird,’ Teddy asks.
‘I have to go.’
‘Audrey …’
‘It’s Ivy. She needs me.’
‘Think about what I said?’
‘You got it.’ I spin on my heel and run towards the school, knowing, if I stay a minute longer, I might get drawn back into a situation I don’t want to escape.
43
Ivy
Audrey charges through the door, her hair dishevelled and her cheeks pink.
‘Jesus, Audrey, did you just run a marathon?’
‘We can’t all breeze a 10k like you, Ivy! You said asap and this is what asap looks like …’ She slumps down on her bed. ‘What’s happened?’
‘I just had the weirdest conversation with Mr Willis!’
‘Ew. I’m not sure I wanna know. Is it the sort of conversation that could end with him being fired?’ She laughs, still trying to catch her breath. I throw my pillow at her.
‘Um, no! He was talking about Clover, and the podcast. Said he’s worried about the next episode and needs to speak to her urgently? He asked me to text her and say he was looking for her …’
‘That is weird,’ Audrey replies. ‘So, did you message Clover?’
‘Yeah, and she told me to say she wasn’t back, even though she is.’
‘Why wouldn’t she want to see him then?’
‘She said something about being late with her coursework, but I don’t believe that for a second.’
Audrey sits up now. ‘Then what the hell is going on? This whole thing is such a mind-fuck. The Magpie Society, the podcast, Mrs Trawley, that creepy crack den in the cliffs behind school …’ Audrey stops and takes a deep breath. ‘Just feels a bit much, doesn’t it?’
Which perfectly sums up how I’m feeling.
‘It’s just … I can’t believe Lola didn’t leave something. If this really was a suicide, I mean. A note? A text? An email? Just to set the record straight once and for all …’
‘Oh my God …’ Audrey gradually sits up straighter and straighter, then almost slaps herself in the face. ‘I totally forgot!’
‘What? What is it?’
She scrambles around for her phone in among the sheets. ‘Patrick Radcliffe. He told me that Lola loved to write diaries and letters and stuff.’
‘Yeah, so?’
‘Well, I actually found a –’ Audrey’s lips snap shut.
I narrow my eyes. ‘Found what?’
She bites her bottom lip, looking like a puppy who’s been caught chewing a favourite pair of slippers. She scrunches up her face. ‘It was before you and I were friends and I kinda shoved it in my drawer and forgot about it …’
‘Well, what is it?’ My heart’s beating wildly.
‘A letter.’
‘OK, Audrey. What did the letter say?’
‘I don’t know! I didn’t open it.’
‘Seriously?’
‘I’m not like you, Ivy! I didn’t wanna know, honestly.’ Audrey heads for her desk and scrabbles around in the top drawer.
‘Here!’ She passes it across to me, and I stare at the delicate cursive writing on the front.
To my beloved
I swallow, hard.
‘What is it?’ Audrey asks.
‘This is definitely Lola’s handwriting.’
‘Oh shit. Guess I should have opened it.’
It takes me a few seconds to process. ‘What if this is the note? You know …’ I whisper. I take a deep breath, then reach over to my desk and take out
a slim silver letter opener from the porcelain pencil pot.
‘Is that a knife?’ Audrey frowns.
‘A letter opener. It was my grandmother’s,’ I say, slicing the envelope in one swift movement. ‘Saves a lot of paper cuts.’ I try to laugh, but it gets stuck in the back of my throat. With trembling fingers, I open the letter.
Dearest beloved,
This is my final letter to you.
I know that you say we cannot be together in this lifetime. That there are simply too many walls between us. Too many obstacles standing in our way. You say you wish you were my knight in shining armour, fully prepared to slay the dragons guarding me in my Helios tower, but no armour could stop the arrows that would come your way if our love was revealed.
I am not Rapunzel trapped in a tower. I cut off some of my long golden hair to show you I’m not waiting to be rescued.
If we cannot be together in this life, then I will do the only thing I can – and wait for you in the next. And I can make only one promise to you: the prize will be worth the fall.
I will wait for you on the cliffs, as we planned, for our final moment.
Yours forever,
Lola
‘Holy shit, Ivy.’ Audrey’s eyes are as wide as saucers. The paper slips through my fingers and drifts slowly to the ground.
‘Where … where did you say you found this?’ I manage to ask.
‘Behind the wall. I didn’t show you because, well, it was a bit awkward back then … and I didn’t wanna get involved … and then I just forgot …’ Her eyes are wandering all over the place and a flush rises in her cheeks.
‘Audrey, shh.’ I put my finger to her mouth. ‘That doesn’t matter now. Show me.’
She takes a deep breath to collect herself, then heads over to my side of the room and pulls aside my desk chair. Kneeling down, she reaches behind the desk and presses one of the wooden panels, which swings open to reveal a space.
‘I was going to mention it when we were in the feathers’ quarters but then I got totally side-tracked by what we found in the cave. The letter was just in here. The panel opened when Mrs Parsons locked me in the room, remember? She shut the door with such force it must’ve dislodged the mechanism. I wasn’t sitting at your desk, banging on the wall or anything.’ She smiles at me with a coy shrug. ‘I’m not going to look at any of the walls in the school in the same way again. Each panel seems to hide a secret passageway!’
The Magpie Society One for Sorrow Page 20
