by Pat Spence
“I’ve seen sheep that’ve been attacked by dogs,” she’d told them, “and this ain’t the work of any dog. This is somat much more powerful, with far bigger jaws. Them sheep weren’t just savaged, they were torn apart, like somat ‘ad picked ‘em up in its mouth, shook ‘em around and ripped ‘em open. They were partially eaten… the remains were tossed around the field like old rubbish. That’s not the work of a dog, that’s a major predator.”
But they’d refused to listen and now, rather than lose any more of her prize beauties, she was taking the matter into her own hands. Let the beast attack now and she’d blast it to kingdom come. She stroked the barrel of the shotgun, comforted by the cold, dark metal. “Don’t let me down, old friend,” she said quietly. ”I’m relying on you.” Once again, she surveyed the field, her eyes straining in the moonlit darkness to see the slightest movement. But all remained still and quiet.
Out in the fields two yellow eyes watched her, saw her come into the field, muttering to herself, and sit down in one corner, holding the old gun. Two wide nostrils inhaled deeply, taking in the scents of the night, the damp hedgerow, the stench of the cowpats, the fresh blood of the sheep, pulsing through their veins, waiting to be taken. Saliva dripped from its mouth in anticipation, the lips pulled back revealing jagged white teeth, and a low growl emitting from its throat.
Sensing an alien presence approaching, and their instincts warning them of impending danger, the sheep reacted, calling loudly to one another, legs stumbling in their panic to escape, desperately trying to form a group. Grace Wisterley moved quickly, raising her gun and looking across the field. She could see nothing, hear nothing except for the sheep’s noisy commotion.
“Come on, show yersel, yer coward, get out in the open,” she muttered into the night. This was going to be harder than she thought, and possibly more dangerous. Old Tim Mastock from down the road had offered to help her but she’d turned him down, telling him she could manage quite well on her own. Now she began to wonder if her confidence had been a little misplaced. She knew something big was out there and had heard the low growl, but whatever it was, the beast was keeping a very low profile.
Hidden by the hedge surrounding Grace’s field, the creature slunk along on its belly, its black fur rendering it virtually invisible. Slowly and silently it crept, circling the field until it was positioned alongside her. It watched her walk into the centre of the field, the sheep bleating and cowering to her left, and saw her raise the gun. Keeping low, the creature continued around her, until it had Grace’s back clearly in sight. Slowly it crept, dropping to its haunches and getting ready for the kill, its yellow eyes never leaving its prey, every muscle in its sleek black body taut and tight, its concentration absolute.
At the crucial moment, just as it prepared to pounce, it lifted its ears, detecting an almost inaudible sound. The animal cautiously raised its head and looked up, ears pricked, hearing once again the summoning call. With a regretful glance towards the field of crazed sheep and the woman in the centre, it turned round and bounded silently across the fields, intent now on one thing only, getting back to the voice that called it.
Standing stock still, every cell in her body on high alert, Grace Wisterley sensed movement behind her and turning rapidly, swore she saw something large and dark moving speedily across the fields and she knew she’d missed her chance.
“Yer’ll be back,” she muttered under her breath. “I might have scared y’off this time, but yer’ll be back. And I’ll be waiting for yer, whatever y’are.”
She stomped back into the house, pulling off her old red woollen hat and kicking off her wellington boots. She carefully placed the shotgun in the cupboard and warmed her hands against the old Aga. She felt chilled through, and it wasn’t just the temperature of the night air.
18. Party Preparation
“I won’t be able to see you for a few days,” said Theo, sitting opposite me in the cafeteria, gauging my face for a reaction.
“Why not? Are you going away?” I asked, a little surprised.
“No, it’s not that. We have a big function coming up at Hartswell Hall, and it’s all hands on deck. I need to be there to help my mother and father.” He spoke in the matter of fact voice that I’d come to recognise. There would be no changing his mind, although I decided to have a go anyway.
“What kind of function? Can I come and help you?”
“Sorry, Emily, not allowed,” he said firmly. “It’s a private party for friends, colleagues and acquaintances of my parents, before we open to the public. … All very boring, but Violet, Joseph and I need to be there to help. Believe me, I’d much rather not be involved, but I’ve promised. Sorry.” He laughed nervously, and I knew he hadn’t been looking forward to telling me.
“When is it?” I asked.
“Two days’ time. We need to prepare the house.”
“Must be some party if you need to spend the next two days getting ready.”
“It’s important to my parents. They have friends coming from all over the world. Some are well known and expect total privacy. We can’t let it be known that famous people will be visiting, otherwise we’ll have the media swarming all over the place. So, I’m afraid it’s strictly no visitors until it’s over.”
“Famous people?” I questioned him. “Like who?”
“I can’t say, sorry. I’ve already told you too much.”
“Can’t I even come and peek from the sidelines? Hide in the shrubbery?” I joked.
“No,” he said sharply, “absolutely not.”
“It’s okay, I was only pulling your leg. If you say you need privacy, I’ll respect that. I’m just intrigued, that’s all.” I smiled at him, surprised at his reaction, “No doubt you’ll be offering an exclusive to Hello magazine and I can read about it later.”
He looked at me quizzically, not sure if I was still joking.
“I can assure you, Emily, Hello magazine will most certainly not be there. These are very important people and it’s vital we assure them of total privacy.”
“Is it like a Secret Ball?” I pushed him.
“Sort of, now please don’t ask me any more questions. I can’t tell you any more.”
That was as much information as I could get out of him and, for the moment, I had to be satisfied with that.
Theo and Violet rode with me on the bus on the way home. Aquila was busy on family business and had no time to collect them, so for once they had to do what the ordinary folk did. Violet seemed to have made a full recovery from Grey Boy’s death and told me not to feel responsible.
“It was a lovely gesture, Emily,” she’d said. “That’s what’s important. Sometimes accidents happen….”
“Are you sure you can lower yourself to ride on public transport?” I teased Theo, as we climbed on board.
“It’ll do me good to see how the other half lives,” he countered. “And anyway, it’ll be good to get away from Aquila’s ugly mug for once.”
“I’ll second that,” I said. “I’ve never known anyone who scowls so much or is totally incapable of a pleasant word. Has he always been that bitter and twisted?”
Theo laughed. “As long as I can remember,” he admitted. “He’s not one for pleasantries or smiling.”
We sat near the back of the bus. Tash had gone home early for a dental appointment, and so Violet sat with Seth on the seat in front.
“The thing about Aquila,” said Violet, turning round, “is that he is a very loyal servant. Wouldn’t you agree, Theo?” I noticed an edge to her voice and wondered if she was warning Theo not to say so much.
“Yes, it’s true,” he answered, “Aquila has been with our family for many years and has always been there for us 100%. He looks out for us and we all feel safer for him being there. So, I really shouldn’t say anything against him.”
“Except he looks like he’s continually sucking a lemon,” I said. “You can’t deny it.”
“No,” agreed Violet, laughing, “but there
again, we didn’t employ him for his personality. He’s there to do a job.”
“That job being?” asked Seth, who had no idea who we were talking about.
“Sorry, Seth,” answered Violet, “Aquila is our chauffeur. Emily’s met him a couple of times. He’s very efficient but not terribly amenable.”
“That’s an understatement,” I said under my breath.
“No, we had that problem with our chauffeur too,” said Seth with a straight face. “You just can’t get chauffeurs with good personalities, can you?”
It took Violet a second to realise he was teasing her.
“Ha ha, very funny,” she said, pretending to look offended, but I could see she secretly liked it.
“And as for our house-keeper…” began Seth.
She cut him off.
“Don’t even go there. We have one of those as well.”
“But of course,” said Seth. “Silly me. I should have guessed.”
Violet pretended to tell him off. “You may mock. But it’s quite normal in Egypt to have staff, you know. And before you say any more, she’s every bit as uncommunicative and surly as our chauffeur.”
“Isn’t that how servants are meant to be?” said Seth. “Not that I’d know…. Not living in a twenty-bedroom mansion…”
“Thirty-bedroom mansion that’s about to become a leading conference venue,” corrected Violet.
I listened closely to their conversation. If I wasn’t mistaken, they were flirting with one another. I smiled to myself, thinking about future possibilities.
“What are you smiling about?” asked Theo, putting his hand over mine.
Sparks of energy flew into my system and I tingled all over.
“Oh, nothing,” I said, “just thinking that life’s become very interesting since you and your family moved into Hartswell Hall.”
His hand tightened over mine.
“It’s the best thing we’ve ever done,” he said. “We’re all excited about the future, especially me. I’m only sorry I won’t be seeing you for a few days.”
“Well, you do have a big celebrity party to host,” I said. “I’m sure you’ll be far too busy to miss me.”
“Of course I’ll miss you,” he turned and looked into my eyes, “I’d much prefer to be with you, but this ‘party’ needs to happen. It’s very important to us, to my parents…”
“Hey, it’s only two days, I’m sure I’ll survive,” I said brightly. “I’ve got an English Literature project to do. …the metaphysical poetry of George Herbert…I can get on with that. At least you won’t distract me.”
The bus stop by Hartswell Hall appeared ahead, and Violet and Theo prepared to get off the bus.
“Why don’t you pop in now, just for a few minutes?” asked Theo.
“I thought you were in the middle of party preparations,” I said. “You don’t want me in the way.”
“It’ll be fine today,” answered Theo. “Come on, why don’t you?”
The bus stopped and I made a last minute decision.
“Okay, I’ll come with you.”
“How about you, Seth?” asked Violet. “D’you want to come?”
Seth looked very surprised and more than a little pleased to be asked.
“Thanks for asking,” he said, his fringe flopping forward, “but I’ve gotta get back. It’s my mum’s birthday. I need to get home. Another time?” He raised his eyebrows hopefully.
“Sure. Another time,” said Violet. “See you.”
The three of us walked up the driveway and soon the hall came into view. Maybe it was the afternoon sunshine on the honeyed Cotswold stone, I don’t know, but it seemed to shine and pulse with energy. The thought went through my head, ‘It’s alive, it’s excited at the prospect of the party’, as Theo opened the front door. We walked into the reception area and everything had a freshness and sparkle about it.
“Looks like Pantera has been busy cleaning,” laughed Violet.
Viyesha walked into the reception area, calling instructions over her shoulder.
“I want lilies on the big table ….” She stopped short when she saw me, and a flash of confusion crossed her features before she smiled charmingly.
“Emily, what a surprise, I didn’t expect to see you today.”
“It’s alright, mother,” said Theo, quickly. “I won’t be seeing Emily for the next two days, so she’s just popped in for a few minutes.”
“Sorry, Viyesha, if it’s inconvenient…” I began, feeling in the way, but she held up her hand.
“Nonsense, of course it’s convenient. I’ll get Pantera to make some tea.” She spoke quickly and efficiently, and I began to realise what a force majeure she could be where organisation was concerned. Disappearing down the corridor, she called, “Violet, could you come with me and help me sort out the room plans, please?”
“Yes, mother,” said Violet. She looked at me quickly. “I’d better go. See you in a few days, Emily.”
I glanced at Theo.
“I shouldn’t have come. You obviously have a lot of things to get ready.”
“It’s fine, Emily. Don’t worry. Come on, come into the ballroom.”
We walked through the double doors on our right and, once again, a large fire was burning brightly in the huge fireplace. I followed Theo to the large purple sofas and sat where he indicated.
“I’ll go and get the tea,” he said, when I’d sat down. “It’ll save Pantera a job.”
“It’s okay, Theo,” I protested, “I don’t want tea. I’m fine.”
“It’s no trouble, honestly.”
He left the room quickly and I sat, feeling glad I wouldn’t have to encounter the housekeeper again. She gave me the creeps and was the last person I wanted to see, apart from Aquila, that is.
Theo had only been gone for a few minutes, when the French windows leading to the rear gardens opened and Joseph walked in, carrying an armful of roses.
“Emily,” he said, his face lighting up. “I didn’t expect to see you here. Come to check up on your car? It’s not quite ready yet.”
“No, of course not, take as long as you want. It’s just a quick visit. Theo invited me back,” I explained, looking at the roses he was carrying and feeling more in the way than ever. “I know you have a party to organise and loads to do.”
The scent of the roses assailed my nostrils and I breathed in deeply, adding, “They smell glorious, your guests will love them.”
“I hope so. We’re really pulling out the stops. It’s not every day you have a Blue Moon Ball.”
“A Blue Moon Ball,” I said, opening my eyes wide, “that sounds interesting.”
“I probably shouldn’t have told you that,” said Joseph, grinning but looking rather awkward. “It’s a …”
“Private party. I know,” I said.
“No, you shouldn’t have said that, should you Joseph?” said Theo, pushing open the double doors and carrying in a tea tray. He looked at Joseph. “I think those roses need putting in water, don’t you?”
“Yes,” said Joseph, taking the hint. “Yes, I must go and sort out the roses.” He looked at me briefly. “See you Emily. Bye.”
He left the room through the double doors and Theo closed them firmly behind him.
“So, the Blue Moon Ball,” I said, knowing that I shouldn’t push the point, but unable to help myself. “That sounds exciting.”
Theo placed the tea tray on a side table and sat down next to me, choosing his words carefully.
“Yes it is exciting. And it’s also very secret. As Joseph has unwittingly told you what’s happening, I’ll give you a little more detail, on the understanding you tell no one. Is that clear?”
“Yes,” I said. At least I would find out what was happening.
“The Blue Moon Ball happens every three years or so and has done so for many, many years. It’s like a family tradition, although it obviously extends beyond our family. We hold the ball in honour of the Blue Moon – I take it you’ve heard
the phrase ‘Once in a blue moon’?”
I nodded.
“To put it in its simplest terms, a Blue Moon happens approximately every three years when two full moons appear within a single calendar month. Normally, you get one full moon in a month, but it just works out that every so often, there are two. The first of these is very powerful and is known as a Blue Moon.”
“Yes, I think I’ve grasped the concept,” I said. “I have heard of this before.”
“Okay,” continued Theo, “we belong to a kind of secret society, for want of a better description, that attributes certain powers to the appearance of the Blue Moon…”
“Yes?” I breathed, leaning forward, hanging on his every word. I half wondered if he was making it up and at any moment would start laughing at me. But he remained serious and I continued to listen avidly.
“At the time of the Blue Moon, we follow certain rituals that we believe harness its power. It’s not just family and friends, we have people coming from all over the world: famous sports people, film stars, pop stars, TV personalities, wealthy industrialists….”
“Wow,” I said.
“It will be the most incredible evening, particularly now we’re in Hartswell Hall,” Theo said. “This could be the biggest and best ball we’ve ever had. But you can see the need for total secrecy and privacy. And why you can’t come. If this ever got out, it would be disastrous.”
