‘He laid into me about Mike, said I was getting too friendly and leading him on. Asked me again if we were sleeping together.’
‘Are you?’ Helen asked.
‘No! Not you too – Helen, you know me better than that.’
‘I saw you, Sarah, kissing him outside the ladies at the pub.’
Sarah buried her face in tissues again, then when Helen said nothing more, she took another gulp of wine.
‘It was nothing, really. We’ve just been getting on so well lately and Dan and I have been going through a rough patch for what seems forever.’
‘So you got a bit carried away.’
‘Yes! That’s it exactly.’
‘Is that the only time it happened?’
Sarah looked down at her wine and emptied her glass.
‘I guess that answers that question,’ Helen said and refilled it.
‘Anyway, back to Dan,’ Sarah said. ‘We were having a full-blown row – another one – when Mike called.’
‘You answered it, didn’t you?’
Sarah nodded. ‘Dan said that it showed that Mike meant more to me than he does, and proved that we were sleeping together.’
‘Then what happened?’
‘I—’
‘Sarah?’
‘I denied it, but by this time I was so furious with him, I mean talk about double standards – I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve caught him watching porn on his phone.’
‘What did you say?’
‘I said I wasn’t but I wished I was. That I’ve had it with Dan’s moods and aggression and told him that he couldn’t control me any more and it would be his fault if I did get with Mike.’
‘Oh Sarah.’
‘And he hit me. So it’s my own fault.’
‘No. No Sarah, it’s not your fault. Yes, you could have handled it better, but that’s no excuse for him to punch you in the face!’
‘I was shocked more than anything,’ Sarah said, taking another sip. ‘Dan’s never been violent before.’
‘But he has been getting more and more belligerent.’
‘You’ve seen it too! Yes – ever since we started this play. It’s like I don’t know him any more. He’s not the man I married.’
‘And Mike? I know you’ve always been friendly, but not like this.’
‘Yes, he’s different too. He’s there for me, and makes me laugh. He even listens.’ Sarah gave a hollow laugh. ‘Just like Dan used to.’
‘So what now?’
‘I can’t go back there, I just can’t.’
‘No, of course you can’t, and you’re welcome to stay here, but what about the kids?’
Sarah rested her head on her hand and Helen rescued the glass of wine before the remainder slopped on to her sofa.
‘What am I going to do?’ Sarah wailed through sobs.
‘John and Kate shouldn’t be in the middle of this, Sarah.’
‘I know.’
‘Where’s Dan now?’
‘At work.’
‘Right. Then we’ll go and get your stuff, the sooner the better.’
‘Thank you, Helen, but I don’t want to impose – you don’t want me underfoot all day when you’re working. I’ll stay with Mike, he won’t mind.’
Helen shut her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath, then said, ‘Sarah, that’s not a good idea. Running off to Mike will not help things – you can’t throw away a ten-year marriage like that.’
‘I’m not! Dan did that when he hit me!’
Helen nodded. ‘But think of the kids – how would they handle it? And if Dan gets help, some counselling and anger management, maybe he can work out where this aggression is coming from and deal with it.’
‘The way he is now, he won’t even hear of it,’ Sarah said.
‘Okay, but still give it some time before shacking up with Mike.’
‘Maybe you’re right,’ Sarah said and leaned forward to refill her glass. ‘Thanks, Helen, you’re a good friend.’
Helen clinked her own glass against Sarah’s. ‘Always.’
‘I just don’t know what’s got into everyone.’ Sarah said. ‘It’s not just Dan and Mike who have changed. Paul and Charlie are competing over everything. I know they always had a rivalry, the two of them always being up for the main parts, but it’s gotten ridiculous. Do you know Charlie even took Catherine out to dinner?’
‘The girl who threw her drink over Paul?’
‘The very same. Paul’s furious. He’s getting so bossy as well – in the rehearsals it sounds as if he’s the director these days. What’s got into everybody?’
Helen hesitated. ‘Nothing. I hope.’
The two women looked at each other and paled.
Chapter 28
‘Thanks for coming, everyone – I appreciate the hours you’re putting in,’ Helen said.
Mike laughed. ‘Not too hard to come to the pub for the evening.’
‘Cheers to that!’ Paul said, raising his glass in a toast.
‘When did you start drinking wine?’ Charlie asked.
‘Just got sick of the beer, mate, fancied a glass of Rhenish.’
‘A glass of what?’
Paul shrugged. ‘Just fancied a change.’
‘Anyway,’ Helen said, a little uneasy, ‘let’s get down to business. I need an update on costumes, props and sets. Sarah, are John and Kate still on board to help?’
‘Yes, I want to keep them busy, take their minds off things.’
‘What things?’ Alec asked.
Sarah took a deep breath. ‘Dan and I have split.’
Silence.
‘What did you say?’ Paul asked, his voice measured and low.
‘You heard her,’ Mike said.
‘Is this anything to do with you?’
‘No. It’s to do with me and Dan,’ Sarah said quickly.
‘Well, nice timing, Sarah. What the hell have you done that he won’t join us?’
Sarah stared at him and pushed her hand through her hair to display the bruise faintly visible under her make-up. ‘I’ve done nothing, the fault is his. And he’s not here because he’s in the Borough Bailiff, getting pissed and chatting up the landlady.’
‘I thought he was barred from there,’ Alec said.
‘It seems the landlady has a soft spot for him,’ Sarah said, her voice pitched high.
‘Shush, it’s okay, Sarah.’ Mike stroked her back to calm her.
‘Yeah, I’m not surprised, looking at the two of you,’ Paul said.
Sarah opened her mouth to retort but Helen spoke first. ‘This isn’t helping. Dan will come around, he just needs a bit of time. Alec, I know you’re sound and lighting, but will you understudy Dan as well, just in case? At least he’s only in the one major scene.’
‘But if Alec plays FitzUrse, who will do the lighting in the final scene? It’s the most complicated,’ Ed said.
‘I will,’ Helen said. ‘Alec will do all the programming ahead of time anyway and I can follow instructions. And it’s only plan B. Dan’s never let us down before. It will all come together on the night.’
‘I bloody well hope so,’ Paul grumbled. ‘It’s looking a bloody shambles at the minute.’
‘All right, mate, calm down,’ Charlie said. ‘It sounds like Helen has everything under control.’
‘Thanks, Charlie. Enough of Dan, where are we with the costumes, Sarah?’
‘Costumes we’re all right with. It’s mainly tunics and hose, which are pretty simple to put together. I’ve bought The Medieval Tailor so have patterns for everything I need to make, and Kate’s helping me.’
‘That’s great, Sarah, do you need any more help?’ Helen asked.
‘No, I’m fine for the moment – to be honest, it’s good for me to keep busy.’
Helen nodded. ‘Alec, Ed, where are we on the sets?’
‘We have the main backdrop in a masonry design, and I think it will work if we then use different furniture to show the difference b
etween castle, great hall and church,’ Ed said.
‘Good,’ Helen said.
‘We already have the basics, I’ll use one of the tables as an altar, so just need an altar cloth and a cross.’
‘We,’ Alec said.
‘What?’
‘You said “I”. It’s “we” who are doing the props.’
‘Yes, of course, that’s what I meant.’
‘Didn’t say it though.’
‘My sincere apologies, Alec. We will use one of the tables for an altar. Then we will keep an eye on the local auction house for a suitable chair that we can upholster to create a throne.’
‘Good,’ Helen said, trying to quell the unexpected animosity between the two men. ‘What else do we need?’
‘A crown for Paul,’ Mike said. ‘A crook, or whatever they’re called, for Charlie, and parchment, quills and inkpots.’
‘Did archbishops have crooks back then?’ Ed asked.
‘We need to check,’ Helen said. ‘Then there’s mail coats and hoods, and those conical helmets with a nose guard for the knights.’
‘And swords,’ Mike put in.
‘Okay, that all sounds a bit pricey,’ Helen said.
‘eBay is a good place to start,’ Sarah suggested. ‘Plenty of theatrical outfitters and LARP companies. I can have a look if you like.’
‘Great, thanks Sarah,’ Helen said. ‘How much do we have to spend, Charlie?’
‘What? Erm, not sure to be honest.’
‘What do you mean you’re not sure? You’re the bloody treasurer,’ Paul shouted, slamming his wine glass on to the table then cursing as the stem broke. ‘Oh, for God’s sake! Someone get me another wine.’
Mike jumped to his feet to go to the bar. ‘Anyone else?’
Helen looked around the table and realised everyone was on wine. When did we all start drinking wine? she thought, the sinking feeling in her belly gathering depth. ‘Here Mike,’ she said, brandishing a £20 note. ‘Get a couple of bottles.’
‘That won’t be enough.’
‘Then add to it,’ she snapped. ‘Sorry, Mike, that’s all I have. Anyone else?’
‘It’s okay, Helen, I’ve got it covered,’ Mike said and rushed to the bar.
Helen took a deep breath, but Paul beat her to it.
‘Charlie? You haven’t answered my question. How much money is left?’
‘I don’t know, about fifty quid I think.’
‘Fifty quid? How the hell is that all we have left from a £500 grant? We haven’t bought the bloody props yet!’
‘Well, we had that night out, I had to pay for the damage Dan did in the Bailiff, and there’s the fees for hiring the theatre for the rehearsals . . .’
‘So you’ve spent it,’ Paul said.
‘No, we’ve spent it,’ Charlie said.
‘Have you got the accounts?’
‘Well, no, not really. The cash is in a jar in my kitchen and I reckon there’s about fifty quid left, but I’ll add it up and let you know.’
‘Are you telling me you’ve not kept accounts?’ Paul demanded.
‘Well, yeah, I guess I am. No one’s needed them before, so I’ve not bothered. Come on, mate, you can trust me.’
‘Can we? You’ve spent over four hundred quid and don’t have much to show for it. Are you sure the money’s gone on this drama group?’
‘Just what the hell are you accusing me of, mate?’ Charlie spat the question and stood.
Paul rose to match him, braced his hands on the table, and leaned over to push his face into his friend’s. ‘I think it’s quite clear what I’m accusing you of, mate.’
‘Guys, guys, stop it, what the hell are you doing?’ Helen said, standing herself and putting her good arm between the men in an attempt to keep them apart. ‘Charlie, can you put some figures together – some accounts?’
‘Yes, sure, I’d have done it already if I knew you didn’t trust me.’
‘We do trust you, Charlie,’ Helen, Sarah and Alec chorused.
‘But I see the rest of you don’t,’ Charlie said.
‘Shit, shit, shit, shit,’ Helen said, slowly retaking her seat.
‘What the hell’s wrong with you, woman?’ Paul demanded.
‘It’s not what’s wrong with her, but what’s wrong with the rest of us, isn’t it, Helen?’ Sarah said.
Helen nodded. ‘We’ve got a big problem.’
‘What? God’s wounds, tell us!’ Paul said.
Helen looked up at him sharply. ‘Remember the spirit board?’
‘Oh don’t be bloody ridiculous.’
‘She’s not,’ Sarah said. ‘Look at us, we’re all . . . different.’
‘And what’s just happened also happened between Henry and Becket – they fell out over Becket omitting to make accounts and Henry accused him of embezzlement,’ Helen said. ‘Don’t you see? The spirit board worked – we brought them through.’
‘Oh don’t get hysterical,’ Paul sneered. ‘What the hell are you doing here anyway? This is the business of kings, begone, Saxon.’ He looked around at everybody. ‘What? It was a joke.’
Chapter 29
June 1171
‘My Lord, horsemen approach,’ Mauclerk said as he burst into the great hall.
‘Who is it?’ Morville demanded.
‘They fly no banner, but one of the riders is Sir William de Percy.’
‘Percy? I wonder what’s brought him so low, that he graces us with his presence,’ FitzUrse said.
‘Should we unbar the gates?’ Mauclerk asked, ignoring FitzUrse’s scowl.
Morville hesitated. ‘How many men does he have with him?’
‘A company, near enough, perhaps fifty men or more.’
‘So many?’ Tracy asked, then turned to Morville. ‘He’s here to attack.’
Morville glanced at him then rose. ‘I need to see them.’ He hurried up the stairs to the top of the keep and peered out at the approaching men.
‘Permit them entry,’ he told Mauclerk.
‘Hugh, do you think that’s wise?’
‘If he were here to attack, he would have more men and brought siege engines.’
‘Yes, but it may be a trick,’ Tracy said.
‘Only one way to find out,’ Morville said and led the way out to the courtyard to greet his guests. ‘My Lord Percy, what brings you to Cnaresburg?’
Percy dismounted but said naught, instead gesturing to the other riders. Morville recognised Hamelin Plantagenet and William de Courcy then focused on the fourth man briefly before dropping to one knee. ‘My Liege, welcome to Cnaresburg,’ he said.
FitzUrse, Tracy and Brett knelt a fraction after Morville, with an audible gasp from Tracy.
Henry Plantagenet pulled his hood from his face. ‘It is a dark day indeed when a king must ride through his own kingdom in secret lest he be recognised.’
‘Welcome,’ Morville said again. ‘May I offer you some refreshment after your journey?’
‘You may indeed,’ Henry said, striding towards the keep and great hall within, without making any indication the knights could rise.
The four glanced at each other, then regained their feet the moment King Henry turned his back to them. Percy smirked at them, but Hamelin Plantagenet and Courcy’s expressions remained unreadable.
‘Hugh, where is Helwise?’
‘William, I did not see you there, why did you not send word you were coming?’
Stoteville glared at him. ‘The King did not wish it. Where is my sister?’
Morville shrugged. ‘About somewhere – the mews perhaps, she seems to spend most of her time with the hawks these days.’
*
Glancing around the table filled with dishes of venison in wine sauce, stewed swan, beef pottage and a spicy Leche Lombard, amongst many other delicacies, Morville was satisfied he had provided a meal fit for his king, even if it was being served by men-at-arms rather than young, pretty and buxom girls. He noticed Henry glare at the men as they brought more
rich fare to the table, then the King glanced at Morville, eyebrows raised.
Morville filled his king’s goblet, unwilling to explain that his servants had deserted him. ‘What brings you to Yorkshire, My Liege?’
‘I am on my way to inspect my new mighty castle at Riche Mont, which perchance provides the perfect opportunity to speak to you.’ He raised his goblet to include FitzUrse, Tracy and Brett.
‘It is our very great pleasure and privilege to receive you, My Liege,’ Morville said. ‘To Henry Plantagenet, King of England, Duke of Normandy, Duke of Aquitaine, and Lord of Ireland.’ He raised his goblet in toast as he spoke and king, earl, barons, knights and men-at-arms drank as one. Silence fell over the gathering.
Henry glanced around, seeming to enjoy the discomfort of the assembled men, and prolonged it further by taking a large gulp of Morville’s finest Rhenish and helping himself to a large portion of venison. The others took this as their cue to help themselves, although Tracy and Brett in particular found their appetites diminished by the atmosphere in the hall.
It was a great honour to host the King, but they could not help but reflect that Henry had arrived incognito. He wanted no one but his most trusted men to know of his presence in Cnaresburg. That did not bode well.
Henry looked around the almost silent hall, then said, ‘It may be advisable to dismiss your men-at-arms before I continue.’ He stared at Morville and FitzUrse, and all four knights gestured to their sergeants. A noisy five minutes later, the only men present were the nobles and their king, although Mauclerk hovered behind his lord.
Chapter 30
‘What news have you of Canterbury?’ Henry began.
‘None, My Liege,’ Morville said. ‘We receive little word of events here in Cnaresburg. What has occurred?’
‘Miracles. At the Archbishop’s tomb. Healings. There is talk of canonisation.’
‘A saint? They talk about making a traitor a saint?’ FitzUrse exclaimed.
‘So it seems,’ said Hamelin Plantagenet. ‘It appears that however high Becket was raised in life, you have raised him further in death.’
Morville opened his mouth to speak, then closed it when no words came forth.
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