by Kit Berry
‘You were refused because we didn’t want you here and you can’t stay now. We don’t need you or your money, thank you.’
‘That’s not true, Clip, and you well know it,’ said Buzz. ‘I’m very aware of the situation here, perhaps better than you. Stonewylde is sinking fast and will soon go under. There are debts, bills to pay, and income is desperately needed. I have money and—’
‘We don’t want your bloody money!’ shouted Yul, jerking against Sylvie’s restraining hand and pushing it away impatiently. ‘We don’t need—’
‘Ah, but you do need money,’ said Buzz with an edge to his voice. ‘I do wish you’d have the courtesy to let me speak. I’ve come a long way to be here and it would be polite to let me have my say.’
‘Manners never were your strongest point!’ said Yul.
‘Nor yours! You’ve—’
‘Enough of this!’ said Clip. ‘Buzz, why don’t you come downstairs and perhaps you and I can discuss finances in private?’
‘Very kind, but too late. My original offer of help was refused and now things have changed. So I’ve deliberately gathered you all together – with Martin’s assistance of course – because I have things to say that you all need to hear.’
‘Please, the children are tired and need to get back to the Village,’ said Sylvie. ‘I don’t want them forced to sit here and listen to this any longer.’
She started to move but Buzz stepped forward as if he’d stop her, and held up a hand.
‘Just give me five minutes and then anyone who wishes to leave may do so. Fair enough? Five minutes and no interruptions!’
‘Mummy, I want to go!’ whispered Bluebell. ‘I don’t like that man and I don’t like it in here.’
But Clip nodded at Buzz.
‘Five minutes then.’
Edward hurried into the kitchen bringing the rain and darkness with him. He pulled off his waterproofs and shook his grizzled mane of hair. He joined Cherry, Marigold and Tom seated at one end of the vast table running down the centre of the kitchens, noting their worried expressions.
‘We ain’t called Hart, Robin nor Greenbough,’ said Tom. ‘Nor Harold neither, though he’s in the building somewhere. But we wondered if we ought to get Hazel and Dawn – what do you think, Edward?’
‘How long have they all been up there?’ asked Edward. ‘And have you heard anything?’
Cherry shook her head.
‘We’ve heard nought, but we’ve not been standing outside listening. They been up there a good half hour now, maybe a bit more.’
‘We think ’tis Buzz in there and we just don’t know . . . will everyone be alright?’ wondered Marigold.
‘Aye, there’s more of us than there is o’ him!’ chuckled Edward. ‘And man to man, Yul’s tougher than Buzz as we know from the past. I don’t think we need to bother anyone else just yet. Far as we know, there’s no trouble.’
‘Just thinking o’ these Hallfolk crawling all over the place again makes my blood boil!’ said Cherry. ‘As if they have every right to come back here! Yul won’t stand for it, I know he won’t!’
‘Aye, sister, but Yul’s hands are tied,’ said Marigold. ‘He’s not in charge and ’tis a committee that runs Stonewylde. Yul may have to do as he’s told.’
‘Never!’ said Edward. ‘We’re a part o’ that committee too, and I’d not stand by and see Buzz or any o’ them others suck away our lifeblood again.’
In Magus’ grand chambers, the fire crackled in the momentary silence. As the last person to arrive, Leveret was sitting slightly on the outside. She watched the faces carefully and felt the awful tension in the room. So much emotion, and most of it negative and destructive. Her brother’s face was dark and hollowed, and Leveret saw how his eyes glittered dangerously. She felt his control, the coiled energy and hatred held in abeyance, but all the more vicious for being kept in check. She noticed Yul’s hands flex on his lap and understood what he’d like to do. Sylvie must have noticed too, for again she reached across the children and took his hand in hers. Together they formed a barrier of protection for the little girls – but also a restraint to prevent sudden action on his part.
Sylvie had turned very pale now, after that strange flush, and looked as if she might faint. Poor little Bluebell and Celandine – they were obviously terrified and had no idea of the history behind this hatred and rivalry that pulsed around them. Leveret herself had no memory of Buzz and all her knowledge of his behaviour and banishment was hearsay. But when she looked at him her skin prickled in an odd way, and she felt his evil and malice. He was a good looking man, well-built and well-groomed, his silvery blond hair fashionably styled, his face smooth and lightly tanned, his hands manicured. His features were small but even, his eyes robin’s egg blue.
Leveret felt uncomfortable even looking at him, but his presence in the room was powerful and compelling. This was the cause of the terrible undercurrents, because Yul’s presence at the opposite end of the spectrum was equally potent. The conflicting energy seemed almost to crackle in the air – strange to think they’d been fathered by the same man. Looking across at Maizie, Leveret wondered about Buzz’s mother, who’d produced so different a son.
‘I know that the coffers at Stonewylde are empty,’ began Buzz. ‘I’ve heard of the hardships the people have had to face, with overcrowding in the Village and cottages needing repairs. I’ve heard that the boilers, roofs and floors at the Hall are in dire need of maintenance or replacement. I know that this year’s harvest has been abysmal. I’ve heard about the problems you’ve experienced with troublesome youngsters and then I gather your computer network was compromised, which led to serious consequences with the attempts you’d made to build up a mail-order business. Not to mention police involvement because of obscene spamming. It’s a very sorry and pathetic state of—’
‘How the hell do you—’ cried Yul, but Buzz immediately blocked him with a sharply raised hand.
‘No!’ he barked, making several people jump. ‘No interruptions!’
Leveret felt Yul’s absolute fury but saw Sylvie’s hand squeeze his, silently begging for no violence in front of the children. Buzz took a deep breath and continued in a smoother voice.
‘It’s been almost fourteen years since my father was killed. In that time, you’ve all coped very well considering the lack of leadership and direction. I know you’ve tried to do your best with some sort of committee to run the place, but many of those members are getting older and, to be frank, they lack experience in running anything greater than a kitchen or a farmyard, let alone such a vast and complex estate as Stonewylde. I feel for you all – you have my respect for what you’ve managed to achieve, and my sympathy for your present plight.’
‘How kind!’ muttered Clip, and Martin glared at him. He still hovered by Buzz like some kind of sidekick. Buzz seemed to notice this all of a sudden, and directed Martin to a chair near the door, as if appointing a footman to his rightful position.
‘This is where I come in,’ he said, with a smile as sincere as a politician’s. ‘Since my father’s death I’ve played a major part in running his company. Once I’d graduated from university, I assumed control of the business. Not all of you would be aware of this, but in his lifetime Magus had built up a hugely successful organisation and was a very wealthy man. I’ve ensured that his company has gone from strength to strength and it’s now worth a vast amount, as, of course, am I personally. So my reason for coming here now – not sneaking I assure you, but with necessary concealment due to the hostility I knew I’d encounter – is to make you, Clip, as owner of the estate, a proposition.’
‘But—’
‘Please – hear me out! In return for the opportunity to move back permanently to Stonewylde, along with my family and any other Hallfolk who wish to come, I’ll pour all my personal wealth into the estate, as my father used to do. After a thorough inspection and appraisal, I’ll replace the boilers and repair the roofs. I’ll have new cottages built and a pr
oper water supply installed, which won’t be reliant on the spring that feeds the river. I’ll put in a sewer system and electricity to every cottage, expanding the wind farm and solar panel systems. I’ll replace the tractors and replenish the farming equipment, and invest in new and better livestock and agricultural systems. I’ll continue the sterling work of educating the youngsters here – one of the few areas where I know my father failed – and will provide every Villager with a decent home and a decent living. In return I expect to have the Hall exclusively for my personal use and any guests I see fit to invite, and a full complement of staff handpicked by Martin.’
He paused and there was a stunned, shocked silence broken a moment later by Maizie, who laughed mockingly.
‘You’re as blind as your father were if you think for one minute we’d ever, ever go back to the bad old ways!’
Buzz regarded her for a moment, and then pointedly turned his back on her to address Clip.
‘Of course I appreciate, Clip, that you may need an opportunity to think about my proposal.’
‘Actually, I don’t think—’
‘And there’s something else that we need to factor into this equation too,’ said Buzz. ‘I’ve only presented to you the bare bones of this wonderful opportunity, but naturally there are other considerations. You perhaps think that you enjoy a united front, a committee of equals where everything is run democratically? Apart from the odd outburst from Yul, who I gather likes to think of himself as the magus.’
Buzz paused here, ready to counteract any reaction. But Yul kept very still and silent, and Leveret admired the steely self-discipline that refused to rise to Buzz’s rather clumsy baiting.
‘But in fact, you are far from equals here. There are three people apart from myself, who will one day also have access to Magus’ great wealth. We four children were given equal shares in our father’s Will.’
‘What?’ cried Miranda. ‘What are you talking about? Magus died before Rufus – and Faun – were born!’
‘So he did,’ said Buzz. ‘But he’d made a Will that summer, after they were conceived, and just before I left Stonewylde, in which he acknowledged both your and Rowan’s unborn children as his heirs. Of course as minors they’re not yet entitled to their shares in the company or their place on the Board, all of which are administered by a Trustee until they reach adulthood – in the Outside World sense. I too had to wait until such a time, as I was only sixteen when my father was killed.’
‘But . . . in that case, Yul must also be entitled to his quarter share,’ said Sylvie. ‘He reached adulthood not long after you, Buzz. Why hasn’t he inherited yet? Surely—’
‘Yul? Oh no, Sylvie – he wasn’t mentioned in the Will. Despite all that happened, Magus never officially acknowledged Yul as his progeny.’
‘What?’ Now it was Maizie’s turn to be astounded. ‘But Magus did acknowledge Yul as his! At Samhain, in the Stone Circle! And he—’
‘He may have verbally done so, but he did not alter his Will. He hated Yul until his death and didn’t want Yul to inherit any of his wealth.’
There was a silence. Buzz turned round and threw a couple of logs onto the fire. He glanced up in the massive mirror above and regarded the slightly distorted reflection of the group of people, all their faces registering complete amazement.
‘Are you saying that my Faun has inherited a lot of money?’ asked Rowan slowly. ‘She’s rich from Magus’ money because she’s his daughter?’
‘That’s right,’ said Buzz, turning back to face the room. ‘Faun owns twenty-five per cent of the shares of Magus’ company, as one of his four children. She can’t touch them yet, not until she’s eighteen, but she has a great deal of money accrued from the dividends that have been invested for her over the years. Following the original Trustee’s retirement, I’m now the official Trustee for the minors, and I could arrange for some of this money to be released. Faun, you’re a very rich girl!’
‘But . . . but you said four children, twenty-five per cent,’ said Sylvie. ‘And you said Yul wasn’t acknowledged as Magus’ child. I don’t understand . . . if you, Faun and Rufus are Magus’ recognized heirs, who’s the fourth child?’
Buzz smiled again, and this time he closely resembled a snake approaching its victim. His mouth was stretched wide but his eyes were cold with malice.
‘Yes, I was shocked at this too. But really, it’s not hard to believe. She ensnared my father when she was very young, which put paid to his relationship with my own poor mother. And then, despite being married to someone else, she did it all over again several years later! What a Village slut had to offer a man such as Magus is—’
‘No need for that, young man,’ said Maizie quietly, her cheeks crimson. She looked over at Leveret, whose heart had started to thump loudly in her chest. Maizie’s deep grey eyes were full of shamed apology as she faced her white-faced daughter, who felt everything slide suddenly into perfect place. ‘Leveret, my love – Magus were your father too.’
The four sitting at the table were interrupted by the arrival of a gang of youngsters spilling loudly into the kitchen.
‘Get out!’ screeched Cherry.
‘But we’ve come for work detail!’ protested a girl. ‘We’re down for doing food prep with Marigold.’
‘And we’re laying up with you, Cherry!’ said another. ‘It’s all dark in the Dining Hall and we wondered where you’d got to.’
‘Oh Sacred Mother!’ exclaimed Marigold. ‘I forgot all about dinner! I’ve got nothing on yet.’
She rose hastily and snatched her apron from the peg on the door. Cherry also sprung into action and shooed the group of students towards the Dining Hall.
‘Right, you lot – cutlery on the tables, water jugs filled!’
Tom and Edward remained at the table as Marigold directed students towards the sinks to peel potatoes and others to prepare carrots and cabbage.
‘What’s to be done, eh?’ muttered Tom. ‘Old Greenbough were right – that Rainbow were the scout and here they all are, marching back in.’
‘Never!’ said Edward again. ‘Things may be difficult at the moment but I’d rather that than have to doff my cap to anyone just ‘cos they got pale hair! Look at my Kestrel away at university! I’m that proud o’ the lad, and if Yul hadn’t rid us o’ Magus all them years ago, my Kes would be working alongside me on the farm. Nought wrong with that, o’ course, but he has a choice now. I for one will never let them Hallfolk take over again, and I reckon all the folk will feel the same.’
Clip ushered everybody out of Magus’ rooms, although Rowan and Faun elected to stay there and talk privately with Buzz. Everyone trooped out, shocked and upset. Clip murmured to Leveret and Maizie to go straight to the tower, saying that he’d join them soon. Sylvie and Yul were anxious to get the children down to the Village and ready for bed, and Miranda and Rufus wanted to discuss the incredible news of his inheritance. Clip stayed behind for a minute whilst Mallow scuttled over to clear away the tea things under Martin’s watchful eye.
‘Martin can serve you dinner up here,’ Clip said to Buzz. ‘You’ve given everyone plenty to think about, and as for humiliating Maizie and telling Leveret like that, in front of so many people . . . We’ll meet tomorrow morning in the Galleried Hall, and you can present your proposal to the Council of Elders. I would advise you though that it’s highly unlikely that anyone – other than Rowan and Martin – will be interested.’
‘I don’t see why you’re putting this to a committee,’ said Buzz irritably. ‘This is an offer I’m making to you personally, as the present owner of Stonewylde. It’s not really anything to do with the others, and I’m not prepared to start negotiating with a bunch of Villagers, I can assure you.’
‘I realise that,’ said Clip. ‘Which is why you’d never be welcome back here.’
‘I might have known you’d be incapable of leading the community,’ sneered Buzz. ‘Still weak and vacillating, unable to stand up to people or make a decision.
You haven’t changed a jot in all these years, Clip.’
Clip merely smiled at this and headed for the door.
‘And neither have you, Buzzard.’
Clip hurried through the Hall, down corridors, into the Galleried Hall, and to the entrance to the tower. The door was unlocked and he went through and climbed the spiral stone stairs. He could hear voices from the large room on the top floor and hesitated, not wishing to interrupt. But Shadow had heard him and growled, and Leveret called out for him to come up.
He entered the beautiful circular room, full of his precious things, to find that Leveret was building up the fire in the hearth whilst Maizie lit the oil lamps. They had electricity but usually preferred the softer, more natural light of the old fashioned lamps. Leveret put the kettle on the stove and invited her mother to sit on the sofa. Shadow sat at Maizie’s feet, his tail thumping, and Hare tried to jump onto her lap.
‘I’m not sure as I want the hare, thank you,’ said Maizie, pushing the creature away and patting Shadow reluctantly. Traditionally Stonewylders didn’t keep animals as pets and she felt awkward.
Clip sat in his chair and watched Leveret making tea for them all, understanding her need for busyness. Her face was closed and she was deep in thought, ignoring them both. Maizie sat in silence, her face miserable with shame, unsure how to begin. Then Leveret brought their cups over and sat down, regarding her mother steadily.
‘Mother, this is a complete shock and I had no idea. But I’ve heard such dreadful things of Alwyn that it’s a relief to know he’s not my father. I’d rather have Magus’ blood than the tanner’s.’
Maizie nodded, her cheeks still rosy and her eyes a little too bright. Clip lent across and clasped her trembling hands in his.
‘That was a terribly cruel way for Buzz to announce it to the world but nobody will think any the less of you, Maizie. As long as Leveret’s alright, then don’t feel upset. Sometimes secrets are better out.’
Maizie looked up at him gratefully and a glimmer of the pretty young girl who’d so captivated the young magus of Stonewylde was evident for a moment. Then she turned to her daughter, her lips quivering, and took a deep breath.
