‘Basically,’ Jo said.
A long, awkward silence fell, then Allie held up her water glass.
‘Here’s to Lisa. And nobody getting killed.’
The others raised their glasses, too.
‘To Lisa,’ they chorused.
‘And not dying,’ Jo said.
At the end of the meal Carter caught Allie’s eye when nobody was looking and tilted his head towards the door. Something in his expression made tingles of anticipation dance in her stomach. But they’d only made it halfway across the dining hall when Isabelle intercepted them.
‘Oh, Allie, good. I was looking for you. Shall we have that chat now?’
Allie met Carter’s gaze for one desperate second before hurrying after her.
Isabelle’s office was just beyond the main staircase, its door so smoothly integrated into the polished oak panelling it was hard to see if you didn’t know it was there. As Allie dropped down into one of the two leather chairs in front of her desk, Isabelle switched on the kettle in the corner. As she busied herself making tea, Allie noticed that the normally neat and elegant office was dishevelled. Papers were stacked high on every surface, file cabinet drawers were half open and a cardigan had been tossed on to an empty chair atop an open briefcase.
A frown creased her brow but before she could say anything, Isabelle pressed a steaming mug into her hands, cleared the mess of papers from the chair next to her and dropped into it with a tired sigh. Up close, Allie could see dark circles under her golden brown eyes – she looked thinner. But her demeanour was as soothing as ever as she lifted the glasses off the top of her head and set them down on the table beside her.
Allie expected her to start by talking about what had happened that night in London – they’d already discussed it briefly on the phone but she was sure Isabelle would have more information for her now. So the headmistress’ first words took her by surprise.
‘So, tell me. While you were home, did you have a chance to talk with your mother about Lucinda?’ Isabelle’s tone was brisk, almost businesslike.
‘Yes.’ Allie held her gaze. ‘And now I know.’
‘Tell me what happened.’
It had only been a week ago but it felt much longer since she’d sat down with her mother at home in London and demanded an explanation. For everything.
‘I told her you said she had to tell me.’
Isabelle watched her closely. ‘And what did she say?’
Allie remembered the way her mother’s lips had tightened, and the sad look on her face, when Allie said: ‘This Lucinda person … She’s my grandmother, isn’t she?’
For a fleeting second she’d thought her mother would lie, and if she had she would never have forgiven her. But after a second her shoulders had drooped. ‘I always knew you’d find out someday. Especially after you went to Cimmeria. Yes, Allie, Lucinda is my mother – your grandmother.’
Since she’d been so confident that this would be the answer, Allie should have been ready to hear it. Instead she felt as if the air had left her lungs. She’d grown up thinking all her grandparents were dead.
And now I have a living grandmother.
She leaned back a little on the chair and stared at her mother as if she’d never seen her before. ‘Why? Why would you lie to me about something like that? We could have got to know each other …’
‘I know it’s hard for you to believe this,’ her mother kept her voice gentle but firm, ‘but everything I have ever done was to protect you. To keep you safe.’
‘But you let me believe she was dead. All my life you let me think that.’ Allie had stared at her mother, hurt and disbelief making her chest ache. ‘How could you do that?’
Her mother took a sharp breath. ‘It is … it was a terrible thing to do. And I am sorry. I just didn’t know what else to do. Maybe I should have just told you the truth. But I was afraid if I did you’d insist on meeting her, and then everything would have been ruined.’
Allie was baffled. ‘How would my knowing my own grandmother have ruined everything?’
‘Because then she would have had you,’ her mother said without hesitation. ‘And I would have lost you.’
Dropping her chin to her chest, Allie closed her eyes and fought for calm.
Another non-explanation. Another random statement.
This time she wasn’t going to let her mother get away with this stuff.
‘What?’ Her voice was sarcastic. ‘She would have kidnapped me?’
But her mother didn’t back down. ‘You don’t understand, Alyson. You’ve never met her. Lucinda … your grandmother is a powerful and dangerous person. She gets what she wants – it’s just how she is. Nothing gets in her way. I …’ She’d stopped and thought for a moment; when she started again, her voice was quiet. ‘When I was your age, I was very different from her. She is a very controlling person, and she dictated my life down to the most elemental detail. What I wore, who I knew, what I studied, where I went – everything was decided by her. At first I accepted it, but as I grew older I rebelled. I didn’t want to be like her. I didn’t want to be rich and miserable. I didn’t want what she had. I wanted to be myself. To make my own decisions.’ She looked at Allie searchingly. ‘I should think if anyone would understand that, it would be you.’
And Allie did. But it still didn’t make sense. ‘Fine. If she was like that, then running away was the right thing to do. But lying to me about it wasn’t right. I have to make my own decisions too. Just like you did.’
A bitter smile curved her mother’s lips. ‘Isabelle says exactly the same thing. But neither of you is Lucinda’s daughter, so neither of you knows what she’s really like.’
‘Mum, who is Lucinda? And why are you so scared of her? I get that she’s some huge bigwig. But who is she really? The Queen? God?’
She hadn’t liked her mother’s ironic smile.
‘Not quite,’ she said. ‘But close.’
Allie studied her warily. ‘What does that mean?’
Her mother spoke very deliberately. ‘Her last name is Meldrum.’
That time Allie couldn’t pretend not to be shocked. ‘No. Way.’
‘My grandmother is Lucinda Meldrum.’ Allie said now; Isabelle inclined her head very slightly, as if to confirm that information.
The words still felt odd in Allie’s mouth. How could it be? Lucinda Meldrum was the most famous woman in British politics. The first female Chancellor, and now head of the World Bank, she advised presidents, prime ministers and kings. Even Rachel had been impressed when Allie told her.
‘Thank you for convincing Mum to tell me about Lucinda. I don’t know if she would have admitted it otherwise, and it meant a lot to me to know the truth.’
‘It was time for you to know,’ the headmistress said. ‘Past time.’ She straightened in her chair. ‘Allie, I know you’ll have more questions about what this means for you and your place in Night School, but first I need to talk to you about the incident in London, and explain what’s going to happen next.’
Although Allie didn’t react, a rush of excitement sped her heart rate.
‘As you know by now,’ Isabelle continued, ‘there should have been somebody watching your house that night – somebody was always there while you were home.’
Allie nodded.
‘But the guard left shortly after 11 p.m. after receiving a panicked text from his wife telling him their child was critically ill. He called Raj to warn him – he actually spoke to Raj, who personally authorised his departure.’
When Isabelle paused, Allie felt goosebumps rise on her arms. Before the headmistress said her next words, she knew what they would be.
‘Except Raj never received that call. He never spoke to the man. And the guard’s wife never sent the text. There was no problem with their child.’
‘Nathaniel,’ Allie breathed.
Isabelle nodded. ‘The guard’s phone records bear out his story – he did call Raj in a phone call lasting several minutes. That call was
diverted.’
Remembering that night – the footsteps thundering after her – Allie wanted to punch something.
‘Why?’ She set her mug down with a bang; the milky tea sloshed dangerously. ‘Why is he doing this, Isabelle? I don’t understand. What is so important that he would try so hard?’
A long moment passed as the headmistress seemed to struggle to decide what to say.
‘The history of Nathaniel’s obsession is long,’ Isabelle said. ‘And if I try to explain it now we’ll be here for hours. But you should know that you are not what he really wants. What he really wants … is me.’
‘You?’ Allie stared. ‘I don’t get it.’
Isabelle rubbed her fingertips against her temples. ‘It really would take me ages to tell you the whole story but, suffice it to say, he and I have very different views on how the world should be run. But I have Lucinda’s ear, so my views hold more sway. She doesn’t always do what I tell her but she listens to me.’ She picked up her teacup and took a reflective sip. ‘And that is what Nathaniel is trying to change.’
Her brow creased with thought, Allie tried to put the pieces of the trouble together. ‘I’m sorry but I still don’t understand. What exactly does he want?’
‘Don’t apologise. Nathaniel’s obsession is a kind of madness. So not understanding it is logical.’ Isabelle’s smile was sad. ‘He doesn’t want Cimmeria. He wants to use the school as a stepping stone. You see, what he really wants is the larger organisation of which Cimmeria and Night School are just a small part. Lucinda is head of that organisation. And I am her closest advisor.’ She studied Allie as if trying to ascertain if she understood the import of what she was saying. ‘We are a powerful group, Allie … and he wants it all.’
‘How would Cimmeria help him get the organisation?’
‘It’s hard to explain, but the Cimmeria is where it all began – it’s the heart, if you will, of the group. The Cimmeria Board doesn’t just run the school, those same people run the entire organisation. We are at the core of it all.’ Isabelle made a sweeping gesture with her arms. ‘So if he can get rid of me he can then eliminate Lucinda. Then he thinks the board will put him in charge. It’s a mad plan but he believes it will work. That’s what he’s working on, that’s what he’s been doing – trying to make it appear that I can’t even control a school or protect my students …’ The tendons in her throat tightened as her voice trailed off. ‘Well,’ she said after a second. ‘You get the idea.’ She reached over and straightened a pile of papers at the edge of her desk. ‘You are a pawn on his playing board. And I am the rook. Protecting the queen.’
‘Queen Lucinda,’ Allie murmured, thoughtfully. She looked up at the headmistress. ‘Why does he hate you and Lucinda so much?’
Isabelle’s gaze was chilly. ‘That,’ she said with finality, ‘is a conversation for another time.’
‘But,’ Allie persisted, her mind whirring through the possible escape routes, ‘surely Lucinda can stop him? If you tell her what’s happened and that I’m in danger … She wouldn’t want bad things to happen to me. Surely she’d help?’
An uncomfortable pause fell.
‘Lucinda is aware of what’s been occurring.’ Isabelle’s tone was careful. ‘And she is not willing to become involved at this time.’
‘What?’ Allie couldn’t believe it. ‘Why not?’
The headmistress shot her a warning look and when she spoke she used her most authoritative tone. ‘I know you want to know everything, Allie, but just trust me when I tell you, this is complicated. Now, we must protect ourselves and not wait for a rescue from Lucinda or anybody else. So I have hired Raj and his company to protect the school. He knows more about Nathaniel than anyone. Except me.’
She said the last words so quietly Allie hardly heard them as she stared at her hands. She felt mutinous. Once again, her safety was being entrusted to other people. Once again, she was powerless. When she glanced up, Isabelle was studying her as if she knew what she was thinking.
‘And you have a role to play, Allie.’ Her voice was gentler now. ‘In London you showed tremendous calmness under pressure. You were innovative and fast. You followed my directions perfectly in a situation where very few people would have been able to do so. Based on that, as well as your vastly improved marks over the summer term, I have recommended that you be accepted into Night School on an accelerated training module.’
Allie was so excited she quit breathing. ‘I … I …’
‘Training this term will focus on self-defence, and you’ll work very closely with people who are highly skilled.’ As Isabelle reached for Allie’s hand the intensity in her eyes was almost frightening. ‘What happened to you in London should never happen again.’
FIVE
Allie hurtled out of Isabelle’s office into the hallway, fairly dancing with excitement. She turned right, then left, then stopped and spun in a circle, giddy.
Carter, she thought. I have to tell Carter.
She ran across the canvas dust sheets thinking about how great things were going to be now. She and Carter could train together. He could give her tips. They could spend loads of time together.
And we won’t have to keep secrets from each other any more.
He wasn’t in the common room. And when she yanked open the dining hall door, the empty room echoed with the ghostly sound of dishes clinking in the unseen kitchen.
As she rounded the corner towards the classroom wing, she barely avoided colliding with Rachel who was coming the other way with an armload of books.
‘Oh hi,’ Rachel said, unruffled as ever. ‘What’s up?’
Allie meant to be cool, to say nothing about her new status. Besides, she was forbidden to talk about Night School. But it all burst out in a tangled rush.
‘I just had a meeting with Isabelle! I’m going to be in Night School! Advanced training module! Have you seen Carter?’
‘Oh.’ Instead of looking happy for her Rachel looked as wounded as if Allie had slapped her. But all she said was, ‘No, I haven’t seen Carter.’ Then she turned and walked away.
For a long second Allie just gaped at her back, then, as if she’d only just realised she could move, she ran after her.
‘Rachel? Hey. Don’t run off like that. I’ve just broken like ninety-seven rules by telling you and you seem …’ Catching up with her, Allie touched her arm. ‘What’s the matter?’
‘I just … I can’t believe after everything that happened over the summer, you want to be part of that.’ Holding the books against her hip, she shoved an errant dark curl out of almond-shaped eyes filled with anger. ‘I thought you were smarter than that.’
‘Hey,’ Allie said, wounded. ‘Ouch, Rach. Don’t be mean. Let’s talk about this.’
‘You think I’m mean?’ Rachel shook her head in despair. ‘I’m trying to save you, Allie. Night School isn’t just a school thing – crazy times to look back on later when we’re old and boring. It’s for life. I’ve seen what it did to my dad, Allie. They own him. This is his whole life for ever. You shouldn’t be a part of it. But if you are …’ She took a step away. ‘Well, I’m not in it, so we can’t talk about it any more. You could get in trouble – a lot of trouble – if you talk about it to me or anybody else who’s not in it.’
Rachel walked away, and this time Allie let her go, glancing to either side as if there were people next to her sharing her bewilderment.
What the hell just happened?
Muttering to herself, she climbed the stairs to the girls’ dorm. As she opened her bedroom door, she was so deep in thought that she didn’t notice the light was already on until she saw something move.
Jumping back, she gave a small scream.
‘Hey,’ Carter said sleepily. ‘Don’t call the cops. It’s just me.’
Still upset about her encounter with Rachel, Allie glared at him, her panicked heart slowly returning to normal speed.
‘What are you doing in here?’ Even though the wing was virtual
ly empty, she lowered her voice to a whisper out of habit; boys weren’t allowed in the girls’ dorm. ‘You scared the crap out of me.’
‘Sorry. I was just waiting for you to get back so we could talk.’ Carter’s dark hair was rumpled and his face was flushed. ‘I guess I dozed off. You were ages.’
‘Yeah, well, first I had to talk to Isabelle and then Rachel was pissed off with me.’ Her voice sounded more snappish than she intended but she couldn’t seem to stop it. ‘That stuff takes time.’
‘Rachel was pissed off?’ Carter cocked his head to one side. ‘What happened?’
Without thinking, Allie launched into her account of their encounter in the hallway. ‘I told her I was going to be in Night School and she ranted at me about how it would ruin my life and I was stupid and it was evil … What’s the matter?’
Carter’s hands had dropped to his sides as he stared at her. ‘You’re going to be in Night School? Isabelle actually said that?’
Nobody was reacting the way she’d thought they would.
Where’s the joy at my big opportunity? Where’s the ‘Yay Allie’?
‘God, what’s wrong with everyone?’ She threw up her hands. ‘Why isn’t anyone happy for me?’
‘I’m sorry … I’m just surprised.’ Carter seemed unsure of what to say. ‘I didn’t think … We hadn’t really talked …’ He pulled himself together. ‘It’s a big deal, Allie.’
‘I know it’s a big deal. I’m not a complete idiot.’ Her voice rose sharply. ‘And I was all excited about it until I started telling people and everybody acted like I’d just told them I had tuberculosis. Now I’m all, like … Whatever.’
Fully aware she was the picture of self-pity, she flopped down on the bed.
After a second, Carter sat next to her and took her hand, twining his fingers between hers. Even in the midst of her misery, she liked the way his hand felt – warm and strong.
‘Look,’ he said, ‘I’m glad you’re excited. I just need a couple of minutes to sort of process this. What exactly did Isabelle say?’
‘She said I’d showed, like, grace under pressure, or something, in London, and that I was … I don’t know … I had good marks. And that I needed to be able to protect myself so she was putting me in Night School on an accelerated training module.’
Night School: Legacy Page 4
