The changing room was mayhem as girls struggled to remove their silk and velvet dresses quickly, replacing them with black thermal leggings. Allie tried not to look at Jules as she changed. Tried not to wonder if Carter thought Jules was prettier.
She had nothing to hold her hair back with so when Zoe ripped the ribbons from her hair Allie grabbed one and tried to use it as a ponytail holder, but her fingers were suddenly numb and she couldn’t get it to work.
Standing nearby in a lacy black bra and knickers, Nicole reached over and handed her an elastic hairband. Allie was starting to learn that the French girl missed nothing.
‘This is better, I think,’ Nicole said with a wink. When Allie just stared at her tensely, Nicole stepped closer and took the band from her hand. She studied Allie with understanding eyes as she pulled her hair back and tightened it into place with the band. ‘Don’t be nervous, Allie. It will be fine.’
‘I know,’ Allie whispered, although she didn’t.
When they ran out of the building into the freezing night, Carter was already outside, jogging in place, clad in a warm black jacket and running trousers. As the more experienced pair, he and Jules took the lead, while Allie and Zoe fell into a steady running pace behind them.
The snow fell so heavily now it was hard to see where they were going until they reached the protective umbrella of trees in the forest. Here they sped up, weaving their way through the undergrowth to the stream behind the chapel where Allie had met Christopher weeks before.
Allie’s chest tightened when she realised where they were going.
It will be OK. It will be OK. It will be OK … She repeated the mantra in her head as they skidded down the incline to the stream bed and she looked around with frightened eyes, expecting Christopher or Gabe to jump out at them from anywhere.
But the snow around the stream was pure, unbroken. Nobody had been here for at least an hour or more. They spread out into a line, with five feet between them, sweeping down the stream towards the stepping-stone bridge that Allie had imagined hopping across on a warm summer day.
This was not that day: the stones were covered with snow and ice, and the water looked black and frigid. Jules went first, hopping with athletic grace from stone to stone. She slipped on the fifth step and, catching herself, looked back at them.
‘Careful with this one.’ Then she made it to the other side.
After her, Zoe ran across with ease.
Carter turned to Allie. ‘You next. Be careful.’ He held her gaze too long, and Allie hurried to the water’s edge.
The water rushing past was louder here, which helped her to focus as she picked her way across. The fifth stone wobbled as Jules had warned and she was ready for it. But when her foot hit the sixth stone it skidded, throwing her off balance. To save herself she rushed to the seventh stone and then the eighth. By the time she reached shore she’d completely lost her balance; Jules reached out for her but Carter caught her first, holding her steady.
He’d been right behind her the whole time and she’d never known he was there.
‘Thanks,’ she muttered, not meeting his eyes.
They headed to the fence with Jules in the lead, then Zoe, followed by Allie and Carter. On this side of the stream the snow was just as unblemished as it had been on the other – a pure velvet sheet of white.
‘Nobody’s been here,’ Allie whispered to Carter. ‘Not tonight.’
He glanced up at her. ‘I agree. We’ll check the whole area though.’
‘Any idea what set this off?’
A magpie, startled by their passage, fluttered out of a tree above them sending a flurry of snow down.
One for sorrow, Allie thought, and she looked at Zoe with concern, but she was too far ahead to see it.
‘Somebody saw something,’ Carter said. ‘One of the guards saw footprints, and he said they weren’t his or the other guards’. But they could have been anyone’s. Everyone’s so paranoid right now.’
It felt strangely familiar walking beside Carter in the woods – like the old days – and Allie’s panic began to recede. They fell into an easy rhythm as their feet crunched in the fresh snow, leaving its smooth surface pockmarked.
His next words took her by surprise. ‘You looked beautiful tonight.’ He cast a sideways glance at her. ‘I wanted to tell you that in the dining hall but … I bottled it. Things have been pretty messed up between us lately. I’m sorry about that.’
Allie’s stomach tightened. He’d been so angry with her for so long she wasn’t sure how to take this new attitude.
‘I know we’ve had a rough time,’ he continued, slowing his pace so they dropped further behind the other two. ‘But I’ve missed talking to you. And … I just wanted you to know that.’
An image of kissing Sylvain earlier flashed into her mind and for a second she flushed.
Carter’s not my boyfriend any more, she reminded herself. I can kiss whoever I want. But she didn’t want to think about how he’d react if he found out.
‘I saw you with Jules earlier. You looked happy.’
He stumbled and caught himself. By the time he had his balance again he’d composed his expression. But she knew him too well. She could see the colour in his cheeks. ‘Yeah, about that …’
‘I didn’t know you two were together.’ Allie was surprised at how calm she sounded. He must think she didn’t care at all.
‘Yeah, it’s … new.’ When he glanced up at her, his eyes were guarded.
‘Well, she’s great, so I hope you’re both happy. You deserve to be.’ It hurt to say it, but she meant it. He did deserve to be happy.
‘Thanks.’ His tone was gruff.
A long pause fell between them.
‘This is weird,’ he said finally, with a sheepish smile.
‘Super weird.’
‘The fence is clear,’ Jules called back to them. ‘Shall we go over it again?’
THIRTY
‘Carter?’ Allie was screaming at the top of her lungs but the snow seemed to absorb her words. ‘Where are you?’
There was no answer. She trudged through snow up to her knees, searching through the darkness. Each step was such hard work but she had to find him. He was out there somewhere, all alone. And it was so cold.
A single magpie fluttered right above her head, so close she could see light glinting off its glossy black and white feathers.
‘Carter!’ she screamed again.
This time she thought she heard a faint reply, and she tried to quicken her steps but her feet refused to cooperate. It was so dark – she couldn’t see a thing.
Where had the moon gone?
Then the wind blew his words her way. ‘Allie be careful. It’s not safe.’
For some reason this terrified her.
‘It is safe.’ A tear trickled down her cheek. ‘It is.’
‘Be careful, Allie,’ he said. ‘And wake up. Wake up.’
Jerking awake with a gasp, Allie sat up so quickly she nearly knocked Rachel over.
‘What …?’ Allie squinted in the sudden brightness. The room was flooded with light. ‘What happened?’
‘You were screaming in your sleep. I could hear you from next door.’ Rachel sat down on the bed next to her and picked up her hand, rubbing it as if to warm it. ‘Bloody hell. Your hands are so cold. It must have been a nightmare.’
But the dream was already slipping away – trying to remember it was like watching a film through fog.
‘What time is it?’ Allie leaned over to try and see the clock.
‘Nearly noon, you lazy sod.’
Allie stretched. ‘We got in so late last night.’
‘I heard you didn’t have any luck …’ Rachel’s voice was hesitant.
Allie shook her head. ‘Nothing. It was a false alarm. But they didn’t decide that until, like, two in the morning. God, I’m so hungry I could eat that desk.’
‘Or you could just have lunch.’ Rachel stood up and headed for the door. ‘With
me. Meet you down there?’
Jumping out of bed Allie glanced at herself in the mirror and winced. ‘Bloody hell,’ she muttered to herself. ‘Forgot about the hair.’ When they’d finally come in last night she’d just kicked off her shoes and tumbled into bed. Her makeup was smeared across her face and her bright red hair stood on end as if alarmed.
She grabbed a towel and made her way to the bathroom. The hallway was strangely quiet – some students had left last night with their parents. More would have gone this morning. Soon the building would be almost completely empty again.
After a hot shower she felt better and, returning to her room, she flung open the shutter. Cold white light poured in, brighter than normal daylight, and she peered out into a snow-covered world.
Throwing on her uniform and a warm jumper, she dried her hair and applied a sweep of mascara and lipstick.
The entire time she was thinking about kissing Sylvain. And knowing it had been a bad idea. And hoping nobody would find out about it.
And wanting to do it again.
Zoe and Jo were already at the table with Lucas and Rachel when Allie arrived. Jo’s hair was a bright pink crown above her delicate shoulders.
‘Feed me now,’ she said by way of hello.
‘Cheese.’ Reaching over, Zoe deposited a sandwich on her plate.
‘I love you Zoe Glass,’ Allie said passionately, biting into it.
‘You should have got up earlier. You missed an amazing snowball fight.’ Zoe bounced with glee. ‘I think I actually hurt people.’
‘Borders, Zoe,’ Rachel said. ‘Remember the borders of normal behaviour.’
‘They all lived,’ Zoe mumbled defensively.
‘This time,’ Lucas finished the thought for her.
The others were still laughing when Sylvain sat down in the empty chair next to Allie. She swallowed hard.
‘Hey, Sylvain, any news?’ Lucas asked, arching his eyebrows.
Sylvain shook his head. ‘Nothing – all clear.’
‘Cool.’ Lucas served himself some soup. ‘No equals good.’
Reaching for a sandwich, Sylvain asked about the snowball fight and Zoe launched back into her story. He listened with interest as if it were the most fascinating story he’d ever heard. A knot tightened in Allie’s stomach. He hadn’t looked at her once.
It hadn’t occurred to her that he might think it was a bad idea too. He might be embarrassed by what happened. He probably wished it had never happened.
What if he’s sorry? What if it was all some twisted joke?
Just as her paranoia and confusion reached a fever pitch, under the cover of the tablecloth he reached for her hand. Without ever turning his head her way, he laced his fingers through hers until their two hands were tangled up together. Out of sight.
Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. This was so wrong. She and Sylvain could not do this and she’d have to tell him that. But then she remembered what it had felt like kissing him. How she hadn’t felt lonely for the first time in ages.
And under the table her hand tightened on his.
As the others caught Allie up on all she’d missed that day – the elaborate snow pirate, complete with tricorn hat and real sword, the chaos of the mass exodus of students – she found herself sneaking sideways glances at Sylvain from underneath her eyelashes. Once he caught her doing it, and his instant half-smile told her he was thinking the same thing.
They were through eating when Allie remembered something she wanted to ask Rachel. ‘Hey, did your dad make it back yet?’
The summit was over. He should have been back by now, but Rachel shook her head. ‘A lot of roads are closed; he’s having trouble getting back from London. He should be here tonight.’
Advanced Night School students were in and out of meetings all day, so Allie never had a chance to talk with Sylvain. Instead she spent most of the day with Rachel and Jo, reading and napping.
By nine that night she was wide awake. All the conflicting emotions of the last twenty-four hours had left her charged with pent-up adrenaline. So as she pulled on her patrolling gear, she was actually looking forward to the work ahead. All the Night School students who hadn’t yet left for Christmas were splitting up into shifts. She and Zoe had the first one.
It was even colder out than last night, so they’d been issued snow boots which laced up nearly to their knees, as well as thicker leggings, a bulky jacket and thermal gloves.
Zoe, who already had her gear on, including a black ski mask, was air punching in the corner.
‘I’m like an Eskimo Ninja,’ she announced.
‘That’s exactly what you’re like.’ Allie stood up. ‘Blimey, I’m so bundled up I can hardly move. I’m not a Ninja. I’m a Marshmallow Man.’
‘Yeah, you have to move a bit to kind of loosen the layers.’ Zoe tried to kick high and couldn’t raise her leg. ‘This isn’t going to be easy. I hope nobody breaks in tonight. We’d have to just run at them and try to knock them down with our layers.’
‘In this weather,’ Allie said as they walked out into the corridor, ‘nobody’s even going to be able to get anywhere near here, much less break in.’
When they reached the top of the stairs, Sylvain was waiting by the door. He affected nonchalance but Allie knew he was waiting for her. As their eyes met, she melted inside.
‘I’ll catch you up, Zoe,’ she said, her gaze locked on Sylvain’s.
Still struggling with her thick layers, Zoe didn’t notice anything. ‘Cool.’ She dashed outside trying to kick things.
Amusement flickered in Sylvain’s eyes as he studied Allie’s clothes. ‘Well, at least I know you won’t freeze to death.’
‘Don’t joke. You’ll have to wear this stuff later.’ Allie smiled. ‘Basically, as long as no actual physical movement is required, we’re great.’
He pulled her to him until their foreheads touched. His breath was warm on her face. He smelled of coffee and sandalwood.
‘You’re going to be careful, yes?’ he whispered.
She quivered at his touch. ‘Very.’
This is wrong, Allie told herself. I shouldn’t want this.
Standing on her toes, she kissed him quickly and passionately. When she pulled away his eyes had darkened and he breathed heavily.
‘See you in three hours,’ she said.
*
‘Look at it.’ Zoe was trudging through snow that nearly reached her knees. ‘It’s beautiful.’
Snow blanketed every branch of every tree, carpeting the ground, softening every corner. The clouds had cleared away and the moon was out, turning the white world blue.
Allie’s breath blew out in tiny clouds as her boots crunched with each step. With so many layers, and in such deep snow, walking was hard work. She was already sweating, and her ski mask hung from her fingers. It made her face itch whenever she put it on.
Zoe still wore hers, but rolled up on her head, like a cat burglar.
‘It’s weird how quiet it is,’ Allie said.
‘No birds,’ Zoe observed. ‘No foxes. But maybe we just can’t hear them; snow absorbs sound.’
It was nearly eleven. They’d already made the rounds once, and had begun their second sweep, down along the fence line, following their own prints from earlier. Zoe was in the lead. She’d adapted to her layers at last and was moving with something like her usual grace and speed.
‘Almost done,’ she was saying. ‘I think when we go back in I’m going to have a hot chocolate.’
Allie wasn’t really paying attention. She was thinking about Sylvain. His shift didn’t start until three. With the school mostly empty, surely they could find some time alone somewhere before he had to go. The thought of kissing him again made her heart race.
But all she said was ‘Hot chocolate would be good.’
‘Something’s wrong.’
Zoe’s words seemed so out of context that for a second Allie thought she was still talking about chocolate. Then she saw where the young
er girl was pointing.
Ahead of them the school’s drive crossed their path before going through the big iron gate. But something about it didn’t look right. Puzzled, Allie squinted at the road, trying to figure out what it was.
‘Something’s missing,’ she said. ‘What is it?’
‘The gate.’ Zoe’s eyes were wide with fear. ‘Someone’s opened the gate.’
THIRTY-ONE
‘How can the gate be open?’ Allie stared at the open drive as if looking at it would close it again. ‘I don’t understand.’
They were crouched down in the trees, whispering. They’d both pulled on their ski masks.
‘It’s not supposed to be open,’ Zoe said. ‘It’s a mistake.’
‘Could it be Raj?’ Allie asked. ‘Maybe he came back and left it open.’
Even through her ski mask she could see the scepticism in Zoe’s eyes. ‘Raj, Allie? Really?’
‘No,’ Allie said. ‘You’re right. He’d build a new gate with his bare hands before he’d leave this one open.’ She took a calming breath. ‘OK, we’re trained for this, Zoe. We check this out together. You loop around that way.’ She pointed towards the school building. ‘Cross the drive further down. Then you search that side of the driveway and I’ll search this side. If you find anything, yell. If I don’t yell back, go and get help.’
Zoe shot off through the powdery snow and, worry making her heart hurt, Allie watched her until she disappeared in the shadows.
She looked so tiny.
Then she began moving from tree to tree, searching for signs of trouble. As she walked, she thought about the night she went to meet Christopher. The way Gabe had jumped on her from out of nowhere.
She’d never heard a thing.
Her heart beat a staccato rhythm as she moved through the woods as quietly as possible, knowing she was making a perfect trail to follow with every step. But she saw no footprints ahead of her – the snow was smooth.
What am I doing out here? she thought fearfully. This is crazy. We’re just kids.
When she’d made it to the drive without finding anything, she peered through the open gate, out into the darkness beyond the school grounds.
Night School: Legacy Page 29
