Darkness Falls

by Mia James

  ‘That’s fine thanks, Miguel, please don’t wait,’ said April, fumbling in her purse, wondering if she was expected to tip the chauffeur, but he moved off before she had a chance to make a faux pas. She hunched her shoulders against the drizzle, cursing as she failed to locate her front door key. Just then her phone chirped and she sent half the contents of her bag clattering down onto the step in her rush to answer it. Just a text from Caro.

  Need to talk – urgent.

  Not so urgent I can’t pick up my stuff, she thought, bending down to scrabble it all back into her bag. It was then that April spotted the bouquet sitting propped against the step, looking a little bedraggled in the rain. Well, bouquet was stretching it a little far. It was an old-fashioned bunch of flowers: roses, daisies, chrysanthemums and the like, obviously picked from flower beds rather than bought from a florist. She picked the bunch up and saw that there was a small rain-smudged note attached.

  Sorry for earlier, it read. There’s no one else I’d rather talk to. Gx

  April grinned and clutched the flowers to herself. He did care after all!

  ‘I thought I should hand-deliver them,’ said a voice behind her.

  ‘Gabriel!’ she gasped.

  He was drenched: his hair was plastered to his forehead, the shoulders of his coat soaked through, but he still looked incredible.

  ‘Have you been waiting here all night?’

  ‘Not all night,’ he laughed, pulling her into an embrace, kissing the rain from her nose and her eyelashes. ‘I just wanted to make sure my apology was accepted.’

  ‘Oh, it’s accepted all right,’ she said, closing her eyes and feeling his arms around her. It felt all kinds of good. ‘Are you coming inside?’

  ‘Not tonight, I wouldn’t want to ruin your carpet. But I’ll see you tomorrow night, okay?’

  ‘Tomorrow night?’

  ‘The Spring Fundraiser, remember? We do have a date, don’t we?’

  ‘Really?’ said April, her heart fluttering. ‘I didn’t think we were allowed to be seen out together.’

  ‘Not any more,’ smiled Gabriel. ‘No danger of me keeling over from Fury-itis, is there? Unless I give in to my urges and kiss you again.’

  ‘I wish,’ said April.

  ‘Me too. But at least now we can walk into that party together – I can’t wait to see the jealous looks of every man in that room.’

  Reluctantly she watched him walk back across the square before she opened the door and ran inside, straight up the stairs, calling Caro as she went.

  ‘What’s up?’ she said, looking around for a vase to put the flowers in. ‘Your message said urgent.’

  ‘You sound happy,’ said Caro.

  ‘Yes,’ she said. ‘For once, Gabriel has done everything right.’

  She told Caro about the flowers and Gabriel’s impromptu appearance.

  ‘So what was the thing you wanted to tell me about?’

  ‘Oh,’ said Caro, ‘er, don’t worry, it’s nothing that won’t wait.’

  ‘Okay, tell me tomorrow.’

  April ran up to bed, sliding a rose from the bouquet under her pillow before she fell asleep.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Gabriel looked amazing. He was wearing a grey overcoat over his black dinner suit, his shoes were polished and there was a flower in his buttonhole.

  ‘Wow!’ said April, standing on her doorstep. ‘Who are you?’

  Gabriel smiled.

  ‘Special delivery for Miss Dunne. Have I come to the right house?’

  ‘Special delivery?’ she grinned. ‘What is it?’

  ‘It’s me,’ whispered Gabriel with a playful smirk. ‘I’m all yours.’

  ‘Shhh!’ said April, glancing behind her and hoping her mother wasn’t eavesdropping. She stepped forward and kissed his cheek. Up close, she could see that his skin was radiant and his hair was sleek. He was like an airbrushed version of the man she knew. The man I love, she corrected herself, feeling butterflies in her stomach.

  ‘You do look beautiful, you know,’ he murmured, his lips close to her ear. Davina had allowed April to borrow one of her dresses, a long sheath of dark red that felt a little tight, but she knew looked pretty good. She had pinned her hair up to show off her long neck and her mother had lent her a gold Egyptian pendant; it was about as good as she got.

  ‘And you smell good enough to eat.’

  ‘Hey, you keep your fangs out of me,’ she replied, giggling. ‘Well, at least until you’ve met my mother.’

  She took his hand and pulled him along the corridor and into the kitchen where Silvia was touching up her make-up.

  ‘Good evening, Mrs Dunne,’ said Gabriel formally. ‘I hope you don’t mind my escorting April to the party.’

  ‘Silvia, please,’ she said, holding out a hand. ‘It’s so good to finally meet you properly. I never got the chance to thank you for saving her life.’

  Gabriel gave a slight nod.

  ‘It was nothing, Davina’s father was the one who got her to the hospital.’

  ‘Don’t be so modest,’ said Silvia. ‘The doctors told me that without you, April would not have made it and for that I’m eternally in your debt. Do you understand?’

  April looked from Gabriel to her mother and back. Their eyes were locked, as if something was passing between them.

  ‘Mum …’ said April, squirming. ‘We’ve got a party to go to?’

  ‘Yes, you’re right,’ said Silvia, still staring at Gabriel. ‘And will you promise to look after my baby girl tonight?’

  ‘Of course,’ said Gabriel as April took his arm, keen to get him away from her embarrassing mother.

  ‘You make such a lovely couple,’ said Silvia following them out. ‘I just hope those heels aren’t going to sink into the ground in that park.’

  ‘No, I understand there’s a marquee with a proper ballroom floor inside,’ said Gabriel.

  ‘Oh yes,’ said Silvia. ‘But I know you youngsters, sneaking off to the bushes.’

  ‘Mum!’

  ‘Hey, I may look half-dead, but I had a life before you were born. Your father could get quite frisky …’

  ‘Enough! Please!’ cried April, putting her hands over her ears. ‘I don’t want to hear about it!’

  Silvia rolled her eyes. ‘Kids!’ she tutted. ‘You all think you invented sex. People have been managing to have babies for thousands of years, you know. Or don’t they teach you about that in your fancy school?’

  ‘Mum!’ cried April. ‘Come on, please, let’s just go.’

  ‘You sure you’ll be all right on your own? I feel terrible I can’t come, but I’ve got this thing with your grandpa and …’

  ‘Waterlow Park is only about two hundred yards away, Mum. I think we can make it across the square without getting killed. Besides, the police are everywhere these days.’

  As April pulled on her coat, Silvia flipped up the collar and kissed her on the forehead.

  ‘You look after each other, okay? Remember what happened at the last party you went to.’

  ‘Yes, Mum,’ she sighed.

  Silvia need not have worried. Waterlow Park had better security than a celebrity wedding. There were burly security guards with walkie-talkies stationed along the fence and a police van parked by the gate checking invitations.

  ‘It’s harder to get into than Glastonbury,’ said Gabriel.

  ‘You’ve been to Glastonbury?’ said April with surprise.

  ‘All of them,’ he smiled.

  ‘But didn’t it start in nineteen seventy …’ April twigged she was having her leg pulled and gave him a nudge in the side. It was hard to come to terms with having a boyfriend who you couldn’t even kiss, who had better hair than you and who really wanted to bite you. And on top of that he was hundreds of years old – that made her head spin.

  ‘Can I ask you something?’ she said as they passed through the gate and walked along a curving path lit by strange toadstool lanterns placed every few yards.

&n
bsp; ‘Sure, as long as it’s not about Woodstock – I couldn’t make that one.’

  ‘I mean it seriously. Haven’t there been other girls? I mean, you’ve been looking this gorgeous for a hundred years. There must have been times when women have thrown themselves at you.’

  He was silent for a moment.

  ‘I mourned Lily for a long time. I wanted to die to be with her, but I couldn’t. It was torture, real torture. But when pain finally fades, love stays. Yes, there were girls here and there. Feeders and others. You can’t avoid mixing with women if you want to maintain a cover story.’ He stopped and held her hands. ‘But there was never anyone but Lily. Not until you. I promise.’

  She knew she shouldn’t ask, that it was paranoid and childish, but she couldn’t help herself.

  ‘What about Davina?’ she said.

  He threw his head back and laughed.

  ‘Is that what this is about? Has she been dropping hints?’

  ‘It’s not funny. And you didn’t answer the question. Seriously, I need to know.’

  ‘Seriously then, I had to infiltrate the group, I needed to find my way to the recruiter. Davina was my way in.’

  ‘So did you …?’

  He snorted again.

  ‘I don’t know what she’s been telling you, but no. There was some flirtation, there was some messing about, but there’s never been anything between us. Okay?’

  ‘Okay,’ said April uncertainly. What did ‘messing about’ entail exactly?

  ‘So who is the recruiter? Who’s in charge at Ravenwood?’

  ‘Haven’t you worked that out? Mr Sheldon, of course. We all report to him.’

  ‘But I heard him on the phone to the governors, bowing and scraping. There was obviously someone way above him in the pecking order.’

  ‘Oh yes, that’s certain. But we only deal with Hawk. I guess we need to keep our eyes peeled tonight, see who he talks to.’

  They were approaching the marquee now. They could hear the music and see the lights. There was another police cordon to pass through, manned this time by Miss Holden.

  ‘April, Gabriel,’ she said. ‘How are you feeling now, Gabriel?’ she asked, not meeting April’s eye.

  ‘Much better thank you,’ he said. ‘Just a bit of a bug going around I think.’

  ‘Yes, I think a lot of people are going to get it.’

  ‘Perhaps. Let’s hope not.’

  ‘Well, don’t mind me,’ said April, pushing past them. ‘Just pretend I’m not here.’

  ‘Hey,’ called Gabriel, catching her by the marquee door as she handed over her coat to the cloakroom attendant. He pulled her to one side.

  ‘What’s the matter?’

  ‘I don’t appreciate being talked about like I’m some sort of bacteria you picked up off a dirty cup.’

  ‘It wasn’t like that, April,’ he said. ‘You have to read between the lines – I was saying thank you and telling her I owe her one.’

  ‘Well why couldn’t you just say that, then?’

  He smiled.

  ‘Because we’re sworn enemies, remember? Anyway, what’s really the matter? Is it the thing with Davina? Listen to me, April Dunne. I’m here holding your hand because I love you and I want to be with you right now – and I want to walk into that party with you on my arm, as the proudest and luckiest man in the world.’

  ‘Oh. Okay.’

  He reached up and straightened her hair, gently brushing it away from her face.

  ‘Come on, beautiful, this is your moment.’

  They walked in, April’s hand on his arm. She could see all heads turn in their direction. She glanced up at Gabriel. He looked amazing. Handsome, strong, stylish – she felt glamorous just being with him. Caro ran up to them.

  ‘Have you seen this place? It’s huge,’ she gabbled, ‘There’s a dance floor in the back with a band and a lounge and the doors open to the side onto the lawn next to the lake, it’s amazing!’

  ‘Well who is this lovely thing?’ said Gabriel, putting on a look of mock surprise. ‘You’ll have to introduce me to your pretty friend, April.’

  Caro looked suspiciously at Gabriel and fingered her hair. ‘Does it look okay? My mum insisted on doing it and I’m never sure. She does all these hairdressing competitions, so I always think she’s going to make me look like some sort of school craft project.’

  ‘I think you look great,’ whispered Gabriel before excusing himself to go to the bar.

  ‘He’s right, honey, you look fabulous,’ said April. ‘Honestly.’

  ‘Not too shabby yourself, although I understand it’s all down to Davina. She’s been boasting about your girly night in – I suppose she’s trying to make me jealous.’

  ‘Did it? I know we usually get ready together.’

  ‘Don’t be silly. You’re on a mission from God or Allah or somebody. You have to get yourself in with her. Not too deep though, okay?’

  ‘Okay.’

  ‘And is everything alright with Gabriel?’

  ‘Yes, why wouldn’t it be?’

  ‘No reason.’

  ‘Caro … what’s the matter?’

  Caro shook her head slightly as Davina approached, and whispered ‘later’.

  ‘I see you made up with Lover Boy then,’ said Davina.

  ‘He was very persuasive,’ April smiled. ‘And no one else asked.’

  ‘That’s only because my brother’s such a dork. I’m pretty sure he would have loved to have brought you.’

  ‘Really?’ said April, looking over to the bar where she could see Benjamin sitting alone. ‘He never said anything.’

  ‘Like I said, he’s a dork. Do me a favour and go over to say hello or he’ll be unbearable. I’ll keep Caro entertained. In fact, I think Ling wanted to show you her new tattoo. So cool.’

  Caro rolled her eyes and mouthed ‘So cool’ as she was led off. Gabriel was laughing with a group of older men, having been sidetracked while getting the drink, so April walked over to Benjamin, who was sitting at the bar, a cocktail in front of him.

  ‘Hello stranger,’ she said. ‘Gonna buy me a drink?’

  ‘You sure your boyfriend won’t mind?’

  ‘Hey, I’m sorry if I …’

  ‘No, no,’ said Ben, signalling to the waitress. ‘I’m joking. You look great together.’

  ‘Thanks.’

  ‘But seriously, Gabe’s one of my best friends and he can be a little flaky.’

  ‘Tell me about it.’

  ‘If you ever need someone to talk to when he’s on one of his disappearing acts, or if you …’

  April put her hand on his.

  ‘Thanks, Ben, I will.’

  ‘Okay then,’ he said, ‘How about a bit of an eye-opener? They’re not allowed to serve us youngsters booze for some reason, but I have an understanding with the waitress.’

  ‘An understanding?’

  ‘I slip her a twenty, she slips vodka into anything I order.’

  ‘Sneaky.’

  ‘My middle name,’ he said, passing her a vivid orange and green confection. ‘Here’s to … what shall we toast?’

  ‘To happy endings.’

  He looked at her, his blue eyes twinkling, and clinked his glass against hers.

  ‘April Dunne, you do ask for the most difficult things.’

  It was certainly an impressive turnout. Caro had identified half a dozen politicians and four or five heavyweight businessmen.

  ‘See that guy over there talking to that horrid police psychologist?’ she said to April.

  ‘Dr Tame?’

  ‘Yeah, the fat guy next to him in the awful grey suit. He’s Conwin Briar. He’s a Canadian oil and gas man, worth about ten billion.’

  April stared at him. Billion? Why was it that super-rich men looked so shabby? Because they could, she supposed. Who was going to tell them to get a decent suit?

  ‘How do you know who all these people are?’ asked April.

  ‘I read the business pages,’ said Ca
ro simply. ‘Don’t you?’

  ‘I rarely get beyond the gossip pages.’

  ‘Well, if it isn’t my favourite Marxist agitator,’ said a voice behind them.

  April turned to see Nicholas Osbourne.

  ‘Enjoying yourselves, girls?’

  ‘Yes thank you,’ said April. ‘And I never did get a chance to properly thank you for saving my life last year.’

  ‘It was my pleasure, April, really.’

  ‘Wouldn’t have looked good having a corpse on the lawn, would it Mr O?’

  Mr Osbourne laughed.

  ‘Good to see your cynical streak hasn’t dimmed, Caro.’

  ‘Oh, you know me, I like to get to the truth.’

  ‘The truth can come in many guises, you know.’

  ‘Talking of which, not out on the dance floor, Mr O?’

  He laughed again.

  ‘I’m a steady captain of industry tonight, Caro. So no Boogie Wonderland. I save that for my own parties.’

  ‘So whose party is this?’

  ‘Ravenwood school’s, of course.’

  ‘But who actually set it up?’

  ‘Mr Sheldon sent out the invitations, I believe.’

  ‘But it’s funded by the governors?’

  ‘Yes of course, the governors. But before you ask, they value their anonymity, so I’m not about to give you a list.’

  Caro looked at him sideways.

  ‘You’re only postponing the inevitable,’ she said. ‘I’ll find out eventually.’

  ‘I don’t doubt it, Caro,’ he smiled, walking off. ‘I don’t doubt it at all.’

  When he was gone, April gave her friend a playful little shove.

  ‘Caro Jackson, I do believe you have a little crush on Davina’s daddy,’ she said.

  Caro blushed slightly.

  ‘Well, a girl has needs. I’m certainly not getting it anywhere else.’

  ‘Yes, I saw Simon was here with Ling.’

  Caro shook her head.

  ‘I’m not interested in Simon any more, that’s ancient history. But I am interested in hitting that dance floor,’ she said, making a tactful departure as Gabriel returned carrying drinks. He put them down on the table and turned to April, holding out his arm.