Lady of Hay by Barbara Erskine (reading an ebook TXT) 📕

Jo tried to understand what she was saying. "Shall I get you some water, dear?" The words seemed to come from a huge distance away. Weakly Jo shook her head.

William! William had been there in the flat with her! Like the baby, other people had heard him. He had shown himself as a real presence.

She sat up with a terrific effort of will. "I am sorry. " She took a deep steadying breath. "I—I saw a doctor yesterday about these dizzy spells. They're so silly. I'll—I'll try to make sure there isn't any noise in future. I am sorry you were disturbed, only William—" She bit off a hysterical laugh. "William doesn't understand about apartments. He's not used to them, you see. In fact, he's not really used to neighbors at all. "

Sheila stood up and with a little automatic gesture twitched her skirt straight. "I see. He lives in the country, does he? Well, we'll say no more about it. " She glanced around the room. "Do call upstairs, dear, if you are feeling poorly, won't you? I'm always in. Would you like me to make you a nice cup of tea now?"

Jo shook her head. "That's kind but I've some coffee, and I was just going to get dressed. " She pulled herself upright. "Once again, I am sorry about the noise. "

Obviously reluctant to leave, Sheila backed slowly toward the hall, but at last she was once more out on the landing and resolutely Jo closed the door behind her.

Slowly she walked back toward the bedroom and picked up her cold cup of coffee. Sipping it with a grimace, she sat down on the end of the bed; she hadn't even the energy suddenly to go and warm it up.

On the floor something touched her bare foot.

Looking down, she saw, half hidden by the folds of the bedspread, a broad leather belt.

"Look, Jo, I can only take a short break. " Tim tucked the receiver closer to his ear as he looked over his shoulder at the two models on the dais. He sighed. "I tell you what. I'll meet you at Temple subway at twelve. We'll go for a quick walk along the Embankment. That really is all the time I can spare today. Are you sure you're okay, Jo?" he added. She sounded strangely tense and breathless.

"I'm fine, Tim. See you at twelve. "

As he picked up his camera, he turned back to George with a grimace. "I'm going to have to go out in a couple of hours, so let's get this show on the road. Now, " he said.

Jo was sitting on a bench in the Embankment Gardens near the statue of John Stuart Mill, staring reflectively at the pigeons pecking around her feet. She glanced up with a smile when she saw him. "Have you ever tried to photograph that incredible color in their necks? I'd love an evening dress like that. "

"Try shot silk, " Tim said dryly. He was looking down at her intently. "You look very tired. What's the matter, Jo?"

"Can we walk up through the Temple?" She stood up and he saw her flinch slightly as she hitched the strap of her bag onto her shoulder. "It'll help to keep moving. "

"Anything you like. " With a half-regretful glance at the roses in the beds behind them, he fell into step beside her in silence, from time to time glancing at her. He was puzzled and a little apprehensive.

"I had to talk to someone, Tim, " she said at last as they climbed the steps up into Essex Street slowly. "I'm going to give it all up. The book, the articles, the whole idea. I'm not going to follow it through anymore. " She hesitated. "I thought I might fly over to the States. "

"With Nick, you mean?" His voice was carefully neutral as they walked slowly down Devereux Court and turned into the Temple.

"He left this morning—" She stopped, then she began again, fumbling for words. "I can't cope, Tim. Last night something happened. " She eased her bag on her shoulder uncomfortably as they stood staring at the fountain. The high jet of water glittered in the sunlight, spattering slightly out of the circular base. Where they stood the grass had been walked away, save here and there where a few blades stuck up through the dusty soil, but in the shade of the trees the air smelled cool and fresh from the water. There was a yellow iris in the corner of the pool. She stared at it in silence for a moment.

"Sam came over. "

Tim's eyes narrowed.

"Some strange things happened, Tim, and they frightened me. " She began walking again and he followed her. "I had a regression, but I don't think it was spontaneous. And I don't think I was alone. "

"You think Sam hypnotized you?"

"He's done it before. I asked him to. But this time I hadn't, and I wanted him to leave, but I don't think he did. I think he hypnotized me without my even knowing it. This morning I found—" She bit her lip. "I found a tape of music that I remember from the trance. Flute music, and I don't think they even had flutes at that period—or at least not that kind of flute. It's the only anachronistic thing that's happened. And there was something else—" Again she stopped. This time she couldn't go on. Glancing at her, Tim saw her face was pale, the skin drawn tight with fatigue and worry. He drove his hands into the pockets of his trousers, his fists clenched.

"What else, Jo?" he said softly.

She shook her head. "Tim, I think Sam may have some- how been directing the whole thing. I don't think any of it was genuine after all. I think he's behind it all—even you and Nick. Somehow he's manipulated us all into believing that it was all real. Do you know, this morning when my nosy neighbor