by Kit Berry
‘Shall we go for a walk?’ she asked casually. It was a lovely afternoon and she wasn’t teaching again today. He’d come to find her in the empty school room and she hoped that maybe he planned to spend some time with her. But he held her at arm’s length and gazed into her eyes.
‘I can’t, Miranda, much as I’d love to. I’ve just got too much to do this afternoon.’
She drooped in his arms and he squeezed her tightly.
‘Oh come on, Miranda, none of that please! I know what you’re thinking, but I promise you our love-making wasn’t just a one-off. It meant a great deal to me.’
He bent down and kissed her coaxingly, and then after a while, deeply. She felt herself melt into him; his kiss was heaven on earth. She didn’t want to stop but eventually he pulled away.
‘You’re a bewitching woman,’ he said thickly, his eyes dark with passion. ‘But I really must get back to work. You know I’m taking the seniors away to Exeter in the morning?’
She nodded and reached up to touch his face, students and exams the last thing on her mind.
‘That’s what I came to speak to you about. They’ll all be away until the exams finish in the middle of June as it’s too disruptive to come back and forth. And a spell in the Outside World does them good anyway. So I’ll settle them in and then leave them there with the teachers who’re going along too. After that I must spend some time in London on business. But I promise I’ll come back to Stonewylde at the end of this month for a couple of nights, just to see you. We could have another picnic up on the cliff-top. Would you like that?’
‘There’s nothing – absolutely nothing – in this world I’d like better,’ she whispered, still trembling from the kiss. He chuckled, stroking her hair.
‘Your hair is so beautiful, the precise colour of glossy conkers. We’ve never had red hair like this at Stonewylde. A few of the Villagers are gingery but there’s none of this deep red hair. Strange that Sylvie didn’t inherit your colouring. I’d have thought that gene to be quite strong.’
‘I know, I’ve often wondered too.’
‘Was her father as blond as her? You’ve never told me anything about him.’
‘I’m sorry, that’s a closed subject. I don’t discuss it.’
She turned aside and walked over to the window, looking out over the lawns. He followed her over and stood behind her. He nuzzled into her back, towering over her and holding her tight.
‘Don’t clam up on me, Miranda. It’s okay if you don’t want to tell me but there’s no need to be so defensive. You must let go of the past.’
He felt her sigh deeply.
‘You’re right. It was a long time ago now and I should let it go. Maybe one day I’ll be able to. Sylvie wasn’t the only one in need of healing when you rode in on your white charger to whisk us away to this magical place.’
‘And isn’t she doing well?’ he said, his lips brushing the top of her head and his hands stroking the contours of her waist and hips. ‘Look, there she is now. Oh, and Buzz too.’
They watched as Sylvie ran across the daisied lawn, face upturned to the sun and silver hair swinging in a great halo about her, apparently unaware of the youth behind her. Then Buzz caught her up and grabbed her hand, spinning her around and around. They saw her mouth open in a shriek of laughter and then Buzz rather cruelly let her go. She flew off at a tangent and landed in a heap on the grass.
‘What a difference!’ said Magus, kissing the back of Miranda’s neck through her silky hair as his hands continued their sure caresses. ‘Hardly the same girl who came here only two months ago. She’s so healthy and happy now.’
‘And so stroppy and difficult,’ said Miranda, trying to keep her mind on the conversation. ‘But you’re right – of course I’d rather have her like this. Her eczema’s virtually gone, you know. There’s barely a trace of it left. She’s actually thrown away her inhalers, and she’s put on weight and grown taller too. Now she’s just moody and horrible.’
‘That’ll pass – it’s only puberty. Girls can be very difficult, which is why we have the Rite of Adulthood when they reach sixteen. Once you’ve officially acknowledged them as women, in a public ceremony, they have to get over their silly tantrums and start acting like adults.’
‘It’s such a good idea,’ said Miranda, then gasped as Magus cupped her breasts, pressing himself hard into her back. She shivered with longing, her breathing becoming heavier. ‘Magus … please …’
‘What, Miranda?’ he murmured. ‘Does that feel good? How I wish I had more time this afternoon.’
‘Are you really sure you’re too busy?’
He chuckled at this. ‘Don’t tempt me. No, I must get back to my office. Oh, look at your daughter now! So different to that frightened little child who could barely breathe. She’s blossoming into a young woman, isn’t she?’
Buzz had pinned Sylvie down on the grass and was tickling her. She struggled but appeared to be laughing, though it was hard to tell from indoors.
‘Is she alright?’ asked Miranda, pulling slightly away from him to peer through the glass. ‘I mean, should she be messing about with him like that? She’s still only fourteen and he’s not exactly a boy, is he? He’s huge.’
‘He’s sixteen, and so will she be next year. Don’t worry, he knows when to stop. The boys here know the rules, and Buzz better than any of them. All girls are strictly off limits until they’ve had their Rite. After that – well, it’s up to each individual.’
‘Oh, speaking of which, when I was in the Great Barn last week with the women, they were talking about pregnancies—’
‘One of the favourite topics,’ he laughed.
‘I know! It’s incredible how many babies are born here. The families are so huge! Anyway, apparently Rowan, that lovely girl who was the May Queen, wasn’t in the Barn and everyone thought she may be pregnant. She obviously wasn’t having a period this month.’
‘Yes, I had heard.’
‘But isn’t it terrible? Poor girl – she’s so young, only just sixteen.’
He swung her round to face him and looked down into her eyes.
‘You’re doing it again, Miranda – judging us by your Outside World standards. Having a baby at sixteen isn’t terrible at Stonewylde. Rowan is absolutely ecstatic about the possibility, I’ve been told. She’ll get all the care and support she needs. And at sixteen, a girl’s body is supple and strong and she has so much energy.’
‘Yes, but—’
‘Just imagine if you’d had Sylvie here. You’d have been happy and joyful instead of suffering the shame and worry I imagine you did. Sylvie would’ve fared much better too, growing up in such a close-knit community.’
‘I hadn’t thought of it like that.’
‘There’s so much you need to relearn, Miranda. You must adjust to Stonewylde philosophy. Whilst I’m away, why not go down to the Village Nursery and spend some time there? You need to see just how well our system works. Who knows – maybe you’d like another baby? Sylvie’s perfect, and it seems a shame to limit yourself to just one child when you’re so good at it.’
Her heart leaped at this. Was that a proposition? She suddenly felt shy and unsure of herself. Have another baby – and with this man of her dreams? Magus chuckled again and ran a hand over her flat belly.
‘See – you’re not so averse to the idea, are you? You’re ripe and beautiful and we can’t let it go to waste. We’ll talk more about it sometime. Now don’t forget our picnic, will you? I want you ready and waiting for me when I get back at the end of the month.’
Miranda gazed up into his dark eyes and felt her free will dissolve to nothing. She was completely in his thrall. She longed to make some clever, enigmatic reply, something that would amuse and impress him. But she only managed a silly grin.
14
‘Are they all here yet? And is all the luggage outside?’
Magus was becoming more exasperated by the second. Martin shook his head mournfully, eyeing the teacher
s with a look bordering on contempt.
‘I’m sorry, sir – ‘tis impossible to get anyone to give a straight answer. I’m trying to do a head count but none of ’em will keep still!’
Everyone milled about in the huge entrance hall, suitcases and bags piled up around them. Teachers tried in vain to keep the noise down, but the excitement grew as the senior students prepared to leave Stonewylde for Exeter. Those staying behind looked on with mixed emotions. People spilled onto the gravel circle outside the stone porch where Martin was finally organising the loading of bags onto a large trailer. The operation took some time.
Magus strode around impatiently, barking orders and becoming increasingly annoyed when people failed to move quickly enough for his liking. Holly clung to Buzz and made a great fuss about his imminent departure, for he wasn’t coming back to Stonewylde immediately when the exams were over. She became quite tearful, but Sylvie, standing silently watching the whole busy scene, thought it was all for effect.
‘I’ll be back for Lammas,’ laughed Buzz, extricating himself from Holly’s grasp. ‘Nothing could stop me coming home for the cricket match!’
Sylvie tried to shrink into the wisteria as he approached but couldn’t avoid him. She saw Holly over his shoulder watching with narrowed eyes.
‘Take care while I’m away, Sylvie,’ he said cheerfully. ‘Remember what I said about keeping away from that Villager. I’m sorry I won’t be back for the Summer Solstice and your birthday, but this chance to visit South Africa with my mother is too good to miss. Have a lovely summer and think of me. I’ll see you at Lammas!’
To her relief he only patted her arm; anything more would have enraged Holly, who was already looking daggers. Rainbow, taking a dramatic cue from Holly, hung on to her brother and presented him with a large good luck card she’d made. July and Wren flitted about showing off, hugging everyone and making a great deal of noise. Sylvie sympathised with Magus’ growing impatience. He came over to where she stood quietly, and rolled his eyes in exasperation.
‘What a load of drama queens!’ he said, and Sylvie smiled in agreement. ‘I hope you won’t make as much fuss next summer.’
She hadn’t thought of that; this time next year she’d be doing the same. She watched as Magus sought out her mother, which wasn’t difficult as Miranda had positioned herself where he couldn’t fail to notice her. Sylvie didn’t hear what he said, but saw him whisper in her ear and noted the way her mother lit up at his words. He bent and brushed her lips with his. Sylvie noticed the discreet caress as his hand slipped over her buttocks, and looked away in embarrassment.
Finally they were ready to go. The tractor pulling the trailer of luggage set off first, and an assortment of cars and farm vehicles arrived to collect the people. They went in slow convoy up to the Gatehouse where a hired coach waited for them; Magus never allowed Outside vehicles in through the gates. When the party had left the Hall, amid much waving, blowing kisses and good luck wishes, the sleek silver Rolls Royce was brought round. With a final salute to everyone, Magus slid into the soft leather seat and purred away down the drive. He drove to Exeter alone.
Once they’d gone, the atmosphere at Stonewylde became very relaxed. Clip roamed the estate, rarely making an appearance in the Hall. Occasionally he’d be seen leaving or entering his tower, and Sylvie saw him several times up on the roof gazing out over the crenellations. She was a little wary of him since the weird encounter up in the stone hut, which she’d since discovered was called a dolmen. She didn’t like the idea of travelling, nor did she see herself as a saviour, and dismissed his ramblings as the consequence of eating too many special cakes.
Many of Sylvie’s teachers had gone to Exeter and with more time on her hands, she decided to explore further afield. So far she’d only seen a fraction of the estate. Buzz’s departure was a relief as he’d become a real nuisance lately, indulging in horseplay that was becoming increasingly rough. She wasn’t sure whether she should say anything to anyone. Holly had noticed and wasn’t speaking to her at all now.
In the absence of her usual friends, Holly had teamed up with Rainbow and they made a formidable pair. Rainbow was very pretty, with brilliant sea-blue eyes and thick wavy hair of a darker blond than most of the Hallfolk. Her outspokenness got her into trouble but she didn’t care. She deferred to Holly alone, respecting the older girl’s vicious tongue and status. Sylvie avoided them wherever possible, ignoring the snide comments and keeping to herself.
Yul had chosen an ancient holly tree whose spiky foliage formed a great dome, and had built his shelter where three thick branches grew horizontally, creating a natural platform. It was unnoticeable from the ground and Greenbough had supplied a blanket and thin mattress. He also brought food for Yul every day, and allowed him time in the mornings, after Alwyn had left for work, to go home for a while.
Maizie hated Yul living out in the woods. He saw the anguish in her eyes and regretted being the cause of it, but knew there was no alternative. He needed to be safe and hidden in case his father came looking for him at night while he slept. He was very frightened of this possibility and slept fitfully with his whittling knife to hand. Alwyn hadn’t questioned the boy’s absence, other than to remark that he’d never be allowed back again. Yul worried how his family were faring and hoped desperately that Alwyn wouldn’t choose a new scapegoat. If that happened, he’d return home despite Mother Heggy’s warnings.
One Saturday morning Yul sat in a patch of sunlight near his tree shelter eating breakfast and watching a pair of delicate Holly Blue butterflies dancing around. At the weekends Rosie brought food for him hidden in her basket while she went on errands for her mother. He’d had a bath and change of clothes the day before and was fairly clean. The bruises on his cheek and neck were beginning to fade and he relaxed in the warmth of the May morning, feeling happy for the first time in ages. The day stretched out ahead, long and inviting.
He saw Sylvie’s silver hair gleaming in the speckled sunlight of the woodland and his breath caught with excitement. He hooted like an owl and watched her step delicately through the orchids and cuckoo pint towards him. She smiled radiantly, delighted to see him, but was shocked to learn that he was now living rough in the woods. She too was free for the day and they decided to go for a walk together. She ran back to Woodland Cottage and fetched some food and water. Then they walked through the blue-violet mist of late bluebells and the thick white carpet of wild garlic, with its pungent smell, up to Hare Stone.
They sat together with their backs against the great monolith, looking across the land towards the sea. Yul felt he would burst, being so close to her. A strand of her silver hair blew across onto his arm and he longed to feel its silkiness between his fingers. Unknown to him, Sylvie was feeling a similar yearning for him. Her nose twitched at his scent of herbs and sweet wood-smoke. His dark hair, now grown down to his shoulders, was glossy and curly. He looked happy and seemed taller than before, his legs stretching out way beyond hers, his body as lean and tough as a willow whip. His hands rested in his lap and she wanted very much to reach across and take one of them in hers. How did you start to hold hands with a boy? They sat together perfectly still, wrapped up in their dreaming, surrounded by the beauty of the May morning.
Down the hillside, amongst the boulders, they saw hares and tiny leverets loping about in the grass. The golden-furred creatures with huge velvet ears nibbled at young shoots of clover, whiskers twitching. Overhead circled a pair of buzzards, their great wings catching the thermals. Sylvie was amazed at the sight of the hawks and loved their strange cries and graceful, effortless flight.
To the south, the deep blue sea glittered in the sunshine; usually at dusk, when the moon was rising, it disappeared into a purple haze. It was glorious weather, everything green and fresh. The grass around them was bright with sky-blue speedwell and tiny white stars of eyebright – nature’s confetti scattered around them in celebration. It felt good to be alive and good to be together.
‘Do you have boats down on the beach?’ Sylvie asked.
‘Boats? No, we see them sail past out to sea but we don’t have them at Stonewylde.’
‘But don’t you catch fish to eat, living so close to the sea?’
‘Oh yes, we catch stripy fish that look like the September skies, called mackerel. We go down to the beach in the evening with fishing rods.’
She looked hard at him; his beautiful cheekbones, his strong profile.
‘What?’
‘Yul, have you ever left Stonewylde in your life?’
‘No, of course not. Nobody has. Well, not the Villagers. Hallfolk come and go all the time, of course. But we stay here.’
‘But don’t you long to know what’s going on in the world?’
‘Well, I do know a bit. When I was at school the teachers told us all about the Outside World. And to be honest, I don’t want to know any more. It sounds horrible. You weren’t happy there, were you? You were ill and now you’re well, which proves it’s much better to stay at Stonewylde.’
‘True,’ she conceded.
After a while she looked at him again. His head was tipped back slightly against the warm stone, his eyes closed. She noticed the sharp strength of his jawbone, and how the bruise on his cheekbone had almost gone. She stared at his eyebrows, like dark winged sycamore seeds, and the way his long eyelashes brushed the delicate skin under his eyes. Yul was beautiful.
He opened his eyes and turned towards her. They were so clear, so very deep grey and slightly slanted. She felt a strange glow as their gaze met, and that peculiar somersault feeling again, down low in her stomach. Her mouth was dry.
‘What? You keep staring at me, Sylvie.’
‘Why did you fail the tests that decide if you stay in the Village or join the Hallfolk at their school?’
‘What? Why do you want to know that?’
‘Because you’re so obviously intelligent. From what I’ve heard the whole point of the tests is to make sure that any bright person at Stonewylde gets a good education. How come you failed them?’
