A Trick of the Light by Ali Carter (surface ebook reader txt) 📕

Is there a problem between Fergus and his brother?

Zoe flicked her hair over her shoulder and walked out of the room. Haggis and I followed closely behind her.

‘Night, Susie,’ she said as she bent down to hold the dog back.

‘Night, and thank you.’

‘Haggis,’ beckoned Fergus as I went upstairs. ‘Come on, boy, let’s go and look at the stars.’

‘Think I’ll join you,’ I heard Rupert say as I turned under the arch into the children’s corridor.

Stuart’s words, ‘Make sure youse lock your doors tonight’, crept into my head and when a bedroom door creaked open I jumped on the spot.

‘Susie,’ said Minty, catching me fumble, ‘are you okay?’

‘Yes, sorry, I just got a fright.’

‘Sure?’

‘Of course,’ I smiled. ‘Sleep well.’

I’m actually quite a brave person at heart but this house has me on edge. From the moment I stepped through the front door I’ve been acutely aware of an unsettled feeling inside. And as friendly as our hosts are, there seems to be a string of surprises ready and waiting to pounce: Stuart in a fluster; Mhàiri’s scream; Rupert’s connection with the past; Louis knowing Fergus’s brother – and that’s all just from the first night. Is there some funny business going on?

Old Scottish houses often have a tale or two and I’m beginning to think I might enjoy working this one out. I have played amateur detective in the past. Me and Toby, should I say. He was a side-kick extraordinaire. But I’d love to solve a puzzle without him. Prove I can stand on my own two feet.

Monday morning is here and day one of teaching has begun. We’re in the music room and I’m handing out orders as if I’ve done it before.

‘Drawing boards behind the door. Easels over here, there’s enough to go around. Just ask if you don’t know how they work.’ I counted everyone up. ‘Anyone know what’s happened to Louis?’

No answer.

‘Anyone?’ Still no answer. ‘Well, Giles, as you’re all set up please go and give him a shout.’

‘Certainly.’

The class’s work clothes told a tale. Jane and Felicity had matching smocks tied over calf-length skirts. Rupert had splashed out on a linen artist’s apron, one with brush holders in the front. Clearly all three of them had been on a shopping spree up the Fulham Road. That’s where the best art shop is, apparently – out of my budget so I’ve never been. Lianne and Shane were in paint-splattered boiler suits, Minty was in a man’s shirt possibly belonging to a boyfriend, and Giles, who’d returned with no word of Louis, was in a tattersall shirt not in the least bit tatty.

‘I’m afraid the model is going to be a bit late,’ I explained. Zoe had filled me in after breakfast. ‘Her car wouldn’t start so Fergus has gone to pick her up. In the meantime, let’s get everything organised. Shane and Giles, please can you move that chaise longue into the centre of the room? Then you can all make a circle with your easels around it, not too close, you’ll need a wide angle.’ My arms pointed left and right as the orders flowed. I was a natural. This confidence is alien, but I’m thrilled to have it within.

The room was warm. Someone must have been in early to turn on the gas heaters as they’d burnt off their initial smell.

‘Lianne,’ I said, ‘grab those rugs in the corner and drape them over the back of the chaise longue, perhaps extend them onto the floor, you choose. Minty.’ She was fiddling with her mobile. ‘There are some cushions in a bag over there. Take your pick of colours and scatter them on the rugs, please.’

‘Miss, I’m boiling,’ said Shane.

‘You’re only drawing this morning so why not take your overalls off?’

Lianne followed his lead.

‘Louis,’ I said as he strolled into the room, ‘is everything okay?’

‘Just fine, sorry, I lost track of time.’

‘Where were you?’ asked Giles.

‘In my room.’

‘No, you weren’t, I looked in there…nice room by the way.’

‘I was also outside for a bit of fresh air.’ Visiting his friend Ewen I bet. ‘Anyway, sorry I’m late. What can I do?’

‘Copy the others and set up an easel. Then tape a large piece of paper onto a drawing board.’

‘There ain’t no tape,’ said Shane.

‘We were meant to bring our own,’ said Minty, having hidden hers.

‘You can use some of mine,’ offered Rupert as he dived into his picnic basket.

‘Thanks, mate.’

Felicity’s short arms were struggling to secure the tall board onto her easel.

‘Here, let me get that.’

‘Thanks, Susie.’

‘I hope you slept well.’

‘Yes, sorry I didn’t stay up for dinner.’ Her eyes dipped to the floor. ‘I didn’t feel strong enough.’

‘Do you feel okay now?’

‘Much better. Raring to go.’

Louis was by the windows looking out at one great big expanse of untouched snow with only a stone fountain in the centre peeking up as if gasping for air.

‘Beautiful,’ I said, sidling up to him.

He gave me a cheeky wink. ‘It’ll be gone by lunch. It’s mild out there.’

The door to the room flew open and Haggis rushed in before Fergus’s outstretched leg could stop him. ‘Haggis, Haggis. Come here. Drawing isn’t for doggies.’ Minty helped usher the dog out.

‘I’m so surry,’ came an apology from the young woman strutting her fine figure into the room. ‘Hiya youse, I’m Cailey Baird.’

Fergus hovered a second longer than necessary, then left, pulling the door closed behind him.

None of the students uttered a word.

‘Hi, Cailey, I’m Susie, the tutor.’

‘Hiya.’

I decided it was best not to introduce everyone by name. Getting on too personal a level with a life model can bring about all sorts of complications and the risks of this were rising by the second. Calling central casting, this blonde bombshell (think Nastassja Kinski in Paris, Texas) was now wrestling off her crimson mohair sweater. Baird by name bared by nature.

‘I’ve put a screen up over there,’ I pointed outside the circle of easels encouraging