Midsummer Magic

by Julia Williams

  ‘Now go back and sit down and go to sleep.’

  Ant wandered back to his chair, and sat down, and within seconds was fast asleep. He was dreaming about Diana, about how she’d been when they were young; remembering the joy he’d felt in her presence, when he heard Freddie say, ‘… and one and you’re awake.’

  He shook his head, and said, ‘Was that it?’

  ‘That was it,’ said Freddie. ‘Now, that wasn’t so bad, was it?’

  ‘I still don’t like it,’ said Josie, even though the others were convinced by Freddie’s display, and had eagerly agreed to meet Freddie at sunset at the Standing Stones so they could begin the experiment.

  She couldn’t put her finger on why, but Josie had a sudden bad feeling about this. There were strange undercurrents in the air. Diana and Ant were still on edge with each other, and she had the distinct impression that Harry was not telling her something. Having seen Ant suddenly come over all affectionate to Harry made her wonder if under hypnotism, they might all reveal things they’d rather keep hidden. Josie wasn’t sure she wanted to know his innermost thoughts at the moment. She had a horrible feeling they wouldn’t chime with hers.

  ‘I’m not sure,’ she said. ‘I think we should let things lie.’

  ‘Oh, don’t be a spoilsport, Josie,’ said Harry, tickling her.

  ‘Yes, go on, Josie,’ urged Diana. ‘Nothing happened to Ant, and I know it was a bit mean, but seeing what Freddie did to Mike was quite funny.’

  Everyone but her seemed to think being hypnotised was a huge laugh. But Josie had the weirdest feeling that she’d regret it if she did.

  ‘What if we cause things to happen that we don’t intend?’ said Josie.

  ‘What things?’ laughed Harry.

  ‘I don’t know. We might all turn into axe murderers, or kill ourselves.’

  ‘I doubt that is going to happen,’ said Harry, laughing. ‘You have far too vivid an imagination.’

  ‘Maybe that is a bit extreme,’ said Josie. ‘But I think we’re playing with fire. All I’m saying is that I don’t want to get burnt.’

  Chapter Fourteen

  The sun was dipping low in the sky as they clambered up to the Standing Stones, casting long shadows across the grass. It was a warm balmy evening, but Diana kept shivering. She was slightly apprehensive about what was going to happen, especially as Nicola had been quite frantic when she found out about it.

  ‘But what if you all get attacked, or fall off the edge of the cliff,’ she’d wailed.

  ‘I really don’t think that’s going to happen, Mum,’ said Josie, which was a bit rich considering she’d also been worrying about it.

  Nicola had only consented when they’d promised to go well prepared, with proper trainers, warm clothes, torches for when it got dark, and even a food parcel, but she was still fretting about it when they set off.

  Luckily Peter was more worried about being late for a golf dinner dance they were attending at a hotel fifty miles away where they were staying the night, and told them they were idiots, but it was on their heads. Diana didn’t like to say, ‘I’m only doing it for the money’; she didn’t imagine for one moment they’d understand. But it was her only motivation.

  ‘Okay,’ said Freddie, as they gathered by the Standing Stones at eight thirty. ‘You met Will earlier. With your permission, he’s going to follow us round this evening and film anything interesting that happens.

  ‘What I’d like to do, if you have no objections, is to take each of you individually, and make some suggestions that the others can’t hear,’ continued Freddie. ‘Don’t worry, Bron and Will are going to be sitting with me all the time. Nothing’s going to happen.’

  ‘So who’s first?’

  ‘Okay,’ said Diana, ‘I’ll go for it.’

  She followed Freddie to the middle of the Standing Stones, where Freddie had set up two chairs, and Will had his camera set up.

  The sun’s last rays cast golden shadows on the grass, the sound of seagulls keening floated from high in the sky, and there was the constant thrum of waves crashing against the rocks below.

  It was quite breathtakingly beautiful, and Diana felt her misgivings fade away. Somehow, she knew this was going to be a night to remember.

  ‘Where do you want me?’ she asked.

  ‘If you just sit there, we’ll check out the sound and lighting,’ said Freddie.

  Another ten minutes of fiddling went on before Freddie appeared happy.

  ‘No need to be worried,’ he said eventually, ‘just let your mind empty.’

  ‘Do I have to look into your eyes?’ said Diana.

  ‘No, nothing like that,’ said Freddie calmly. ‘I just want you to relax, take some deep breaths and imagine somewhere that makes you feel safe and happy. If at any time you feel worried, go to your safe place, and everything will be fine. Shut your eyes if it helps.’

  ‘Okay,’ said Diana. She felt a little shiver of excitement. Now it came to it, it was quite thrilling being hypnotised. She shut her eyes, and tried to think of the last time she’d felt safe. A picture popped into her head of her being eight years old, and lying by the fire, staring into the flames. She saw sprites, and fairies and magic in those flames, and she knew somewhere in the house her mum would be cooking dinner for her. She felt secure in a way she hadn’t done for years.

  ‘Now I want you to imagine climbing down a spiral staircase, till we get to your safe place. I’m going to count down from ten. Ten; you are descending the first couple of stairs …’ his voice rolled over her like warm melted hot chocolate. ‘Think calming thoughts.’

  Despite herself, Diana began to relax. Freddie’s voice was like a summer’s breeze blowing gently through every corner of her mind, making her feel safe, warm, content. She was vaguely aware that when they reached the bottom of the stairs, a picture came into her head of playing by the fire with a small furry black and white kitten. He’d been a present for her eighth birthday. A deep feeling of contentment stole over her and she felt utterly relaxed.

  ‘I’m going to unlock your deepest desires,’ Freddie purred. ‘When the film crew have gone, you’re going to have a little sleep, and when you hear an owl hoot, you will wake up, completely refreshed. The first person you see when you wake will be the person you plight your troth with at midnight, tonight.’

  Diana felt detached from herself, but very happy. She let out a deep sigh. Slowly she became aware that she was resurfacing, ‘Three, you are climbing back up the stairs …’ Freddie’s voice soothed her, and she could see the next step, feel the metal handrail, ‘Two, nearly at the top now … One, wake up …’

  Diana shook her head, blinking a little.

  ‘Was that it?’ she said, feeling a little disorientated.

  ‘That’s it,’ said Freddie. ‘Now go and join your friends, and we’ll have the next person. Let’s say, Ant.’

  Ant came strolling into the centre of the circle. He was feeling more confident tonight. Whatever suggestions Freddie might think he’d planted earlier, nothing had happened, apart from him feeling mildly affectionate towards Harry which was undoubtedly the booze talking, proving the whole hypnotism thing was pure bunkum. Easy money.

  ‘So, Ant, how do you feel tonight?’ said Freddie, as he sat down.

  ‘Fine,’ said Ant. ‘I still don’t think you can do it.’

  ‘Really?’ said Freddie, with an amused smile. ‘We’ll see, shall we?’

  Ant settled into his seat, vaguely aware that Freddie had started speaking again. Once more he was descending a spiral staircase, one step at a time, ‘three, two, one, you’re asleep …’ said Freddie, and then Ant had the strangest sensation of floating. He was soaring high above the earth, feeling that the stars were almost within his grasp. It was a dizzying, intoxicating sensation. Looking down, he could see his own body slumped over a chair, while Freddie was leaning in and whispering in his ear. Freddie was saying something like, ‘… as this was your idea, you are responsible for your co
mpanions. If anything goes wrong tonight, it is up to you to put it right …’

  That didn’t seem too bad, Ant thought lazily, wondering if he could float as high as the gulls. It was a pleasant sensation up here, with the soft sea breeze on his face, and the sensation of wheeling, arching up, up and away. He felt freer then he’d ever felt, and almost wished he could stay here for ever. ‘… Three, two, one, and you’re awake.’

  Ant sat up with a jolt. For a minute, he felt cheated, as if deprived of some great treat, and then a little foolish. Had he really imagined he’d been floating up in the sky? How daft was that?

  ‘We done?’ he said, to hide his embarrassment.

  ‘We’re done,’ said Freddie.

  ‘I think your wallet is going to be somewhat lighter by the end of the evening,’ said Ant. ‘I don’t feel any different at all.’

  ‘We’ll see,’ said Freddie. ‘We’ll see.’

  Josie went next. Despite her forebodings, Diana and Ant had come back seeming very chilled and relaxed about the whole thing. Maybe she was making a fuss about nothing.

  ‘Still nervous?’ said Freddie, as she sat down.

  ‘A bit,’ said Josie. ‘Are you sure you’re not going to do anything bad to us?’

  ‘On my life,’ said Freddie. ‘Hypnotism is really harmless. I’ve done it on Bron dozens of times, haven’t I?’

  ‘Absolutely,’ said Bron, ‘there’s nothing to it. And I promise you, I won’t let any harm come to you.’

  ‘Okay,’ said Josie, slightly mollified. Bron was like your favourite uncle. She couldn’t imagine him letting anything bad happen. ‘Now what?’

  ‘I’m just going to chat to you for a bit. Think of lovely things, and things that make you happy.’

  Josie could hear Freddie’s voice floating over her, tinkling like a running stream. ‘I am going to take you to your safe place,’ she heard him say and then she was walking through a beautiful forest that had a river running through it, filled with flowers, birds, sunshine and laughter. It was wonderful, she had the sensation of being truly alive and at one with nature. She had never felt so incredible in her life.

  ‘You will find your heart’s desire tonight,’ Freddie’s voice flowed overhead from a long way off. ‘The first person you see when you wake up is your life’s partner. You know you are meant to be together for ever …’

  Josie smiled happily as Harry came running through the woods towards her, and she flung herself into his arms.

  ‘… And, two, you are at the top of the stairs, and one, you’re awake.’

  Josie felt absurdly happy, as if someone had just given her the best present in her life, if only she could remember what it was.

  ‘I feel fantastic,’ she said in surprise.

  ‘And you will continue to do so,’ assured Freddie. ‘You’re in for a magical and surprising evening.’

  By the time it was Harry’s turn, he was feeling both a little bored and a little concerned about what they were doing. He couldn’t help but feel that maybe Nicola was right and they were making themselves very vulnerable out on the cliffs after dark.

  ‘Don’t be daft,’ joshed Ant, when he mentioned his fears. ‘We’re all going to be together anyway. And it probably won’t work. What’s the worst that can happen?’

  ‘What indeed?’ agreed Harry; put like that, his fears seemed foolish.

  ‘Okay,’ he said, as he sat down in the circle. ‘How do you want me?’

  ‘You’re fine, just there,’ said Freddie. ‘Now sit still, and breathe deeply and cast your mind back to a happy positive point in your life.’

  Josie. Harry’s heart leapt as his thoughts automatically turned to Josie.

  ‘You’re getting married soon, I gather,’ Freddie’s smooth mellifluous tones continued. ‘Think of that happy day.’

  Harry felt a jerk of concentration. Josie made him happy, but the cheerful positive feelings fled away the minute he tried to picture her in a wedding dress …

  ‘Sorry, lost concentration for a second.’

  That’s okay …’ Freddie’s voice soothed. ‘Think only good thoughts. You are very, very relaxed. Now, I want you to find your safe place …’

  Harry resisted the urge to giggle. What was he doing here? A grown man. This was ridiculous. But he couldn’t seem to keep hold of Freddie’s words, they seemed to flow over and past him, sounding meaningless, yet dragging him further down into himself. Until eventually he found himself at the bottom of a spiral staircase, rooted in the earth, his arms round Josie, the safest place he could possibly be.

  ‘… And you will reveal the secrets of your heart,’ he heard Freddie say as he pulled his arms tighter still round Josie.

  Harry stifled a yawn and heard Freddie say, ‘You are ascending, slowly climbing back up the stairs …’ again the words flowed around him, and he could barely remember what Freddie was saying till he heard, ‘Three, two, one. Now you are awake.’

  Harry roused himself, feeling a bit confused about what had just happened.

  ‘Now what?’ he said.

  ‘Now you go back to the others,’ said Freddie, and when you hear me count to three, all four of you will fall asleep.’

  Harry went back and sat down next to Ant, as Josie and Diana were preoccupied in a giggling girlie session.

  ‘What are you doing?’ said Harry to Josie.

  ‘Look, I’m making daisy chains,’ she grinned. ‘Here’s a crown for the king of my heart.’

  Harry blushed, but accepted the gift and the kiss Josie gave him.

  Then Freddie was standing before them.

  ‘When I click my fingers, you will all go to sleep. But when you hear an owl hooting, you will wake up.’

  Harry let out a yawn; he felt enormously tired, as if he just had to lie down. He saw the others were also struggling to keep awake too. And then Freddie clicked his fingers.

  ‘Just might put my head down for a bit,’ said Josie sleepily.

  ‘Me too,’ yawned Diana.

  ‘This is ridiculous, I’m not going to sle –’ Ant’s words were muffled by the sound of his snoring.

  Sleep washed over Harry. No point fighting it. He lay down, curled up and in seconds was fast asleep.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Ant was wandering through a forest, feeling kind of dreamy. He had never been out at night like this in the country. The silver beams of the moon danced through the trees, casting a light shimmer, which meant he wasn’t afraid. He heard the snuffling sounds of woodland creatures in the undergrowth.

  It was such a lovely evening, such a pretty copse. He felt that no one would mind if he lay down here and stayed for a while. Ant lay flat on his back and looked up at the stars, feeling pleasantly detached, and then suddenly the dream changed …

  It wasn’t summer any more, it was winter, and he and Diana were holding hands, laughing, at the top of a mountain. He could feel the crisp cold air against his cheeks, see the majestic mountains around him. He was with her and nothing mattered at all. He could hear the others falling out of the bar, screaming and laughing, but nothing else mattered but this moment, with Diana by his side. He had never felt such exquisite happiness.

  ‘I will never ever let you go,’ he whispered, kissing her softly on the lips.

  Laughing, she tugged him by the hand, and then they were tobogganing down the mountain at a dizzying and thrilling rate. Time and time again they ended up in heaps of snow, only to remount and carry on. It was mad, furious and funny and he never wanted the moment to end. But end it did, with a bump, as they fell off the toboggan for one last time and ended up in a soggy giggling heap in the snow.

  ‘I’m so lucky to have found you,’ he said, ‘don’t ever change.’

  ‘Tony –’ she began, just as he heard the sound of an owl hooting. ‘I need to tell you something …’

  ‘What?’ Ant asked, but the dream was already fading, and the snow and Diana disappeared as quickly as they’d come.

  What? What was she
going to tell him? He felt sure it was important, and simultaneously sad, as if he’d lost something very dear to him.

  He felt his cheek and realised to his surprise that tears were coursing down them. He remembered more then. Diana had never answered his question, and two weeks later she’d dumped him in front of everyone, by pouring a pint of beer over his head. At the time he had no idea, why. And by the time he’d found out why, it was too late.

  Ant sat up and looked around him, and gasped. He was alone in a beautiful copse, the silvery moon casting its light in the gaps between the trees. How had he got here? He glanced at his watch, nearly ten o’clock already. He must have been sleepwalking. Suddenly it felt imperative he get back to them, especially to Diana. He’d done her a great wrong and it was time he put it right.

  Diana was dreaming she was lying on pillows in the base of a boat, being rowed down a river. Kingfishers darted across the bows, and fish jumped up out of the river. She lay back drowsily, letting her hands drift in the river, feeling the warmth of the sun on her cheek, deeply content. She wondered idly who was rowing the boat; all she could see were strong arms rhythmically rowing back and forth. She had never felt so safe and secure.

  She heard the sound of a bird – an owl at this time of the day? – and sat up to see what it was. Smiling, Diana took in the face of the rower, but the dream faded before she could tell who it was. The warmth of the sun was gone, and she was completely alone in the midst of the Standing Stones. She felt sure she’d woken up earlier and looked over and seen Harry next to her. Where had he and the others gone? What was happening? She should be feeling alarmed, she supposed, but somehow she wasn’t. They would probably turn up in a minute. Perhaps she should go and look for them? Although there was no sense of urgency.

  ‘Hello?’ a voice called out to her. ‘It’s Freddie, just wondering how you are?’

  Freddie? Oh. Then Diana remembered. She’d been hypnotised, they all had. Not that she felt any different.

  ‘Fine,’ she said, looking up as Freddie came towards her, shadowed by the cameraman, Will. ‘Where’s everyone else?’