‘I must admit, it’s very nice.’
‘NICE?’ challenged Sarah, wide-eyed. ‘I’ve never seen anything like them!’
‘I know, I know...you’re right,’ Alice agreed. Freya’s done a great job. You can clear off now, Thomas, so we can try these on.’
‘Oh, will that be all for today, m’lady? No, of course not, madam will require a lift this evening,’ said Thomas, before leaving the room with a bow. Sarah giggled.
‘Don’t flatter him,’ snapped Alice.
‘You’re not very nice to him, are you? He’s good to you.’
‘He never used to be. He only changed when he realised I was becoming one of them.’
‘Whatever, you’d have been in a right mess without his help.’
Alice shrugged her shoulders. ‘Let’s try these on quickly, I need to spend some time studying that map today.’
Needless to say, Alice had tried hers on and wolfed down some breakfast before Sarah managed to tear herself away from the mirror.
‘Blimey,’ remarked Alice, as she came back into her bedroom. ‘Would you like some more time alone with the mirror, or has it confirmed that you are the fairest of them all?’
‘Give over!’ said Sarah, blushing. ‘I’m admiring the clothes, not myself.’
‘Mum asked if we were going out today. I said no, too much to do for this evening.’
‘Really? That sounds boring. Surely it won’t take all day to learn the layout of the castle?’
‘Can’t be too careful,’ replied Alice.
‘What will happen, will happen,’ said Sarah as she hung her dress on the back of the door.
‘Ooh, the voice of reason has spoken.’
‘Yes, it has and you know it’s right.’
‘Fine, let’s concentrate on it until lunch time, then we’ll take the afternoon off.’
‘Agreed. Did you leave any breakfast for me?’
‘Cheeky cow.’ Alice took out the map and laid it on her desk while Sarah went downstairs. She marked with a pencil the entrance, the Great Hall where the banquet would take place, and the ballroom. To get from there to the South Tower would mean walking along the back of the main building and passing many windows. She hoped that their dark cloaks and masks would be sufficient to blend into the darkness. Would CCTV be able to see much at night? She hadn’t been to the castle for a couple of years, but as far as she could remember, there were no trees on that side of the Inner Court which they could hide behind. She studied the map closely. They knew about the door into the tower from the courtyard, but there was no door on the other side of the tower to get outside the castle wall. Alice didn’t fancy walking back through the party, even if Theo was in costume. He’d probably still look dreadful after his ordeal. But they needed to get out via the Great Hall. She took out her ruler. If the scale on the map were correct, the tower itself was only 30m away from the river. Surely it would be simpler to escape through a ground floor window? They would have to scramble across the dry moat, though. That would be no mean feat wearing long dresses and helping an old man - and they might still be caught. Alice couldn’t think of anything worse than being deprived of food at the moment...
‘Have you sorted it all out yet?’ asked Sarah, appearing with a plateful of breakfast.
‘I think there are two possible options,’ replied Alice. ‘But I’m not sure which one’s worse. Are you up for climbing out of a window?’
‘If I must.’
‘We need to get past so many windows without being seen, I just don’t know how we’ll manage it.’
‘Well, let’s leave it until as late as possible. The more people have had to drink, the less likely they are to take any notice of what’s going on outside. Or who’s missing.’
‘Good point,’ said Alice, stealing a piece of toast with honey.
She talked Sarah through the map, showing her both escape routes.
‘Mmm, I see what you mean,’ said Sarah, wrinkling her nose. ‘I think I prefer your grandad’s suggestion. Anyway, I’m going to start packing my bag. Are you going to raid the fruit bowl when your parents go out?’
‘That’s the plan.’
‘Excellent. That’s the boring bit over, then. Put the telly on!’
Sarah busied herself with her bag while watching a cartoon and Alice dug out her blue glass spray bottle. Would Brian dare to lock up a thirteen-year-old? She tried to convince herself that he wouldn’t. ‘Please don’t let me need this,’ she said under her breath.
Sarah watched her wrap the bottle in a cloth and hide it in her bag. ‘Do you think there will be a display of fruit on the banqueting table?’ she asked.
*
By seven o’clock the girls were ready and waiting for Thomas in the lounge. Alice’s parents had already taken lots of photographs of them, keen to record the unusual occasion of their daughter looking elegant. Her mum was feeling rather envious.
‘Couldn’t you have got a ticket for your dad and I?’ she asked with mock indignation.
‘Er, no, sorry. No fossils allowed.’
‘You’ve got some nerve! We’re younger than Lucinda’s parents!’
Alice grinned.
‘Her usual, complimentary self,’ commented Thomas as he walked in.
‘I have to say, Thomas, your friend who made these outfits is very talented,’ said his mother.
‘She certainly is. She’s managed to make Alice look like a girl.’
They all laughed as Thomas ducked to miss a cushion that was thrown across the room.
‘Alright, you both look very nice,’ he admitted. ‘Though I’m disappointed you’re not wearing the rabbit slippers you had on this morning.’
‘They’re upstairs if you want to borrow them while we’re out,’ said Alice.
‘I might take you up on that. Come on. You shall go to the ball!’ He picked up their bags and carried them out to the car. ‘There’s some weight in these, are you worried you won’t like the food?’
‘Shh! You know very well what’s in there.’
‘Well, you couldn’t ask for more festive scenery, could you?’ said their father, shivering as he stepped out of the front door. The frosted landscape already had a blanket of snow and a few more flakes were trying their best to top it up.
‘Oh no...we’re not going in the Mini are we?’ asked Alice in dismay.
‘I’m sorry, did m’lady order a carriage? You know I’m not insured to drive Dad’s car!’
Alice pulled a face.
‘He only needs to drop us at the end of the main drive, doesn’t he?’ Sarah reminded her.
She pulled the passenger seat forward and squeezed into the back, taking care to pull her dress and cloak in around her. Alice sat in the front and waved goodbye to her parents before putting her mask on.
‘At least no one will know it’s me. Fancy going to the ball in a Mini!’
‘You’ve turned into a dreadful snob, considering you didn’t even have an invitation this time last week!’ said Thomas.
‘We do have a chauffeur, though,’ Sarah pointed out.
‘Thank you. And how many chauffeurs would come back in a couple of hours to wait in a rowing boat in the freezing cold?’
‘Well, that depends on how many guests would abandon a party to search for some old bloke they’ve never met,’ retorted Alice.
‘Touché,’ sighed Thomas in his usual manner.
On arrival at the castle they saw a knight on horseback outside the gate house and a gazebo with a green and gold flag on the top. Guests were sheltering from a light flurry of snow as they waited for the next carriage to transport them up to the castle. The entrance and driveway were lit by burning torches.
‘Not as good as the ones in the village, are they?’ Thomas remarked. ‘These torches are guzzling oil.’
‘Spot the geek!’ muttered Alice, as she got out of the car and helped her friend out of the back seat.
‘See you later! Behave yourselves!’ Thomas waved as he drove off.
&nbs
p; Hiding their oversized evening bags beneath their cloaks, the girls made sure their masks were in place and joined the group huddled under the gazebo.
‘Wow!’ exclaimed a tall American lady with flame-red hair. ‘You two look fabulous. I think I went to the wrong hire shop! I’m Amber, by the way and this is my partner, Zack.’
‘Nice to meet you,’ they replied and introduced themselves.
A giant court jester, or rather a man on stilts juggling burning torches, appeared from behind some trees, making Sarah jump.
‘My lords and ladies, the next carriage is approaching,’ he announced. He caught all three torches and took a bow as a resplendent gold carriage drawn by two black horses ground to a halt. A footman jumped down and opened the door.
‘Room for four more.’
Another carriage arrived as that one departed. The girls took the third one, sharing it with Amber and Zack. They looked around in fascination as the carriage rumbled up the cobblestone drive to the imposing castle building.
‘Moving, isn’t it?’ said Amber, noticing Alice’s eyes welling up.
‘Er...yes. Gets me every time,’ fibbed Alice, taking out a handkerchief. It was actually Amber’s overpowering perfume making her eyes water.
When they pulled up outside the entrance hall the footman helped them out of the carriage. They were greeted on the steps by a ‘lord’ in exquisite medieval costume, wearing a long curly wig and a black mask. He shook hands with fellow lords, asking if they had encountered any highwaymen on their journey, and kissed ladies on the hand. He held Alice’s hand a little too long for her liking. Creepy. Thankfully, she was wearing gloves, but she still wiped the back of her hand on her cloak as they were led inside to meet their hosts.
In the entrance hall, where the air was heady with the aroma of mulled wine, stood the biggest Christmas tree the girls had ever seen, decorated in gold and red. They had to stand in front of it for the photographer, who insisted on snapping all guests as they arrived. There were people dressed as monks, knights, kings, queens, jesters and even one as Robin Hood. An enormous chandelier adorned with holly had a large bunch of mistletoe suspended from the centre. Fire-breathers wearing menacing eye masks were positioned in each corner. True to their reputation, their hosts did not disappoint. Mr and Mrs Rowbottom, Isabella and Lucinda were waiting in the Red Room to welcome their guests. The girls tried to take in as much of the decor as they could, from the luxurious, though garish, red panelled walls, to an extravagant golden clock above the fireplace. Lucinda, looking like a pale porcelain doll in her beautiful red dress and black cape, appeared rather bored until she recognised Alice and Sarah.
‘Oh, I’m so glad you made it!’ she beamed. ‘I was worried when I saw more snow that it might put people off. Your dresses are absolutely amazing!’
‘Hello girls, lovely to see you,’ said Mrs Rowbottom. ‘Brian, these are Lucinda’s friends from school, Alice and Sarah.’
Alice could feel herself trembling as Brian Rowbottom shook hands. She had almost expected an electric shock when their hands touched, but his expression didn’t change. He was a giant of a man, who had more hair in his huge black moustache than on his head. There was something else strange about him; his dark green eyes seemed too small for the size of his face.
‘Pleased to meet you,’ he said in his booming voice. ‘Lucinda speaks highly of you both.’
Alice doubted that were true.
‘Help yourselves to a drink,’ he insisted. ‘The red and green cocktails are the non-alcoholic ones. Wench!’ he called, clicking his fingers at a waitress in medieval attire.
She brought over a tray of the mysterious striped drinks in champagne flutes.
‘Incredible!’ exclaimed Sarah, taking a sip. ‘Strawberry...and then melon, in alternate layers!’
Alice wondered if it was a special Sinwip cocktail.
‘Follow me,’ said Lucinda, ‘I want to show you the surprise entertainment.’
They followed her to the far window.
‘There it is!’ she announced proudly. ‘Our very own Christmas funfair.’
The girls couldn’t believe their eyes. The courtyard had been transformed into a large-scale fairground with dazzling lights and dizzy music. They could see a merry-go-round, bumper cars, even a full-size big wheel, while more jesters on stilts were wandering around with candy floss and toffee apples. Alice spotted Father Christmas leaning against a Hook-a-Duck stall eating a candy cane.
‘He shouldn’t be doing that,’ observed Lucinda, frowning. ‘Mind you, now it’s really snowing, he doesn’t need to operate the snow machine. We got one just in case, you see.’
No, Alice didn’t see. How was it possible to worry about laying on fake snow when there was an old man imprisoned here somewhere? She forced a smile. Sarah didn’t need to. She had that gormless grin on her face again.
‘It’s just unbelievable,’ said Alice, truthfully.
‘I just can’t believe I’m here!’ admitted Sarah.
‘Enjoy the evening,’ said Lucinda. ‘You’ll find more drinks and some canapés in the next room. I’ll meet up with you later.’
The girls wandered into the adjoining Cedar Room, which was similar to the previous, but with even more sinister portraits looking down at them from elaborate gilt frames. Alice was amused to see waxwork figures of ladies playing the harp and flute to entertain a waxwork Earl of Aylesford and his guests. As they made their way towards the table around which real guests were gathering, Alice stopped dead. She had spotted the centrepiece, an incredible ice sculpture. But Alice had not paused to admire the skill of the artist – she was rooted to the spot in horror because she was gazing at a sculpture of herself.
‘Come on, what’s up?’ asked Sarah, turning to pull on her arm. ‘Why have you...oh my life! It’s you!’ she said as she caught sight of the ice sculpture towering above them. It certainly appeared to be Alice. Her face, her oversized wings, her hair...
‘Brian must know...’ whispered Alice, panic-stricken. She started to feel sick with fear.
Eventually, Sarah snorted with laughter and slapped Alice on the back.
‘What a pair of idiots!’ she chuckled. ‘It’s not you at all, it’s meant to be an angel.’
‘What? Are you sure?’ asked Alice.
‘Look to the side. Can you see the halo at the back of her head?’
‘Oh, yes. Blimey, my heart’s racing, I really thought we’d been rumbled.’
‘Alice Parker with a halo? We can laugh that one off!’ Sarah delved into her bag for her camera.
Alice was red with embarrassment.
‘Look, if it makes you feel better, I thought the same at first. And you are a frosty cow at times!’
Alice wanted to hit Sarah with her bag, but knew that the weight of its contents might do some damage. She smiled sheepishly.
‘Ooh, wait for it!’ said Sarah as she reached the table. ‘Frosty has even got a giant bowl of fruit in front of her! It is you after all!’ She passed Alice some red grapes.
‘Very funny.’
They browsed trays of cocktails, watched a waitress pouring a champagne fountain and helped themselves to small gold cups passed around on trays by waiters. These contained tasters of traditional medieval dishes. Although they were unusual, the girls liked them. Katy and Olivia were nearby, but promptly turned away when they made eye contact. Mingling was out of the question, since they didn’t know anyone else here.
Alice looked around feeling rather awkward and her gaze rested on a haunting figure across the room. Standing next to the fireplace was a man dressed as a plague doctor. His grim white mask with glass eyes had a long beak that protruded from his wide-brimmed leather hat. She remembered from a history lesson that those beak doctors signified that death was imminent, and couldn’t help wondering if it was a sign. The black cloak looked particularly sinister compared with the colourful outfits around him. He nodded at Alice and touched his hat with his cane. She took a step back and reac
hed out for her friend. Sarah had her back to him, staring at a painting.
‘Oi!’ hissed Alice. When she turned to point out the morbid character, he had disappeared. ‘Oh! He’s gone!...Never mind...’ She shuddered and pulled her cloak around her, chilled by the sensation of cold water trickling down her spine. Who was he?
Admiring the furniture and over-the-top artefacts passed the remaining time during pre-dinner drinks, until they were summoned to the Great Hall for the banquet. Everyone moved slowly and politely, which was impressive, considering there must have been a hundred and fifty guests or more.
The Great Hall was just as Alice remembered it from childhood visits, with its chequered floor and immense sideboard, hand-carved from a single tree. Like the rest of the castle, the room smelled of old wood, worn leather and spices. Usually it was cordoned off by thick rope barriers, and she looked up at the balconies where tourists could stand and take photographs during the day. There was another magnificent Christmas tree in one corner and miniature Christmas trees on the tables, along with cascading arrangements of holly, poinsettias and candles. Suits of armour were residing in alcoves, one of which had no head and gave Sarah the creeps. Swords and shields were displayed on the walls and large antlers above every door. In one corner, a stuffed black bear was standing as if ready to fight. At the opposite end of the room to the Christmas tree was an artificial horse with a knight on its back, monitoring proceedings.
The girls were directed to their seats at one of three long tables, which ran almost the length of the room. Alice searched anxiously for the plague doctor but couldn’t see him.
‘Do you feel like we’re being watched as well?’ asked Sarah, looking over her shoulder.
‘Yes. Who do you think it is?’
‘The knight on the horse. And the bear. They’re spooking me!’
Alice smiled. Perhaps the plague doctor wouldn’t be at the banquet. He wouldn’t be able to eat wearing that mask, anyway.
Jugs of wine and fruit juice were plentiful and the food never-ending, while they were entertained by singers, dancers and acrobats. Course after course was served – some the girls enjoyed, some they didn’t. By the end their stomachs felt ready to explode. Alice had appreciated the variety of fruit and vegetables combined with meat, but was worried that she wouldn’t be able to run up the stairs in the tower. Still, if she was captured by Brian, she wouldn’t feel hungry for a long time. She looked at her watch. It was just before 10 o’clock. She nudged Sarah.
Alice Parker's Metamorphosis (Book 1 of the new adventure series for children) Page 11
