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

I’ve really got to find some way of having another proper look at his paintings in the locked wing. The art valuer Oliver left so many more questions than answers. I’m no trained expert in the technicality of forgery, but I do know about paint, and I have a beady eye – maybe I can work out for myself if they are copies or not. Should I ask Fergus if I can take another peek? But then again, if he’s already had a call from the art dealer, which I suspect he has, he’ll probably jump to the conclusion that I know more than I’ve let on. I certainly don’t want to land Oliver in it.

A dense wood encompassed Stuart’s house. I was in it, off the track, wandering free amongst the trees.

‘Whit the ’ell do yous think yer doing,’ came a booming voice.

Stuart was stomping towards me, shotgun under one arm.

‘I’m sorry, it’s only me, Susie, the tutor.’

‘Whit? Youse are drawing the cows so why the ’ell are yous ’ere?’ He was so cross he could hardly get his words out.

‘I’m going for a walk,’ I said, trying to smile.

‘Aye, aye, I bet someyun set yous up to this.’

‘Honestly they didn’t.’

A loud squawk came from above and a pair of ravens swooped right down to us and back up into the sky.

‘Raven, eh,’ I said, trying to find common ground.

‘Yous have something to do wee this?’

‘What?’

‘Yous ken Alec Ronaldsay?’

‘The ornithologist. The Tower of London aviary. Of course I do.’ Thanks to Dad.

‘Personally?’

‘No, no. Although I’d like to meet him. Does he live near here?’

Stuart put a hand to his forehead. ‘You dinne hay a clue, do yous?’

‘I’m sorry, I should probably get back to my class.’

‘All this started when youse arrived. Do yous swear me you dinne hay a clue?’

‘I don’t know anything at all, I swear.’

‘Best get yourself out of here then.’ Stuart pointed me back where I’d come.

‘Of course, I’m sorry.’

I rushed through the trees, dizzied by our conversation and terribly confused about what was going on, but just as I was trying to get it straight in my head, stepping out of the trees back onto the track, I bumped into Louis who gave me an awful fright.

‘Susie? What’s wrong?’

‘You surprised me.’

‘I know, I’m sorry, but you look very worried.’

‘An odd thing just happened. Stuart the keeper was here a moment ago. I think he thought I had something to do with the ravens.’

Louis started to laugh.

‘What is it?’

‘He thinks you released some, does he?’

‘Maybe that is what he meant? There are an awful lot around, but it’s nothing to do with me.’

‘I wouldn’t have thought it was,’ Louis sniggered.

‘Very odd. Anyway, why are you here?’

‘I came to find you.’ He smiled and tried to hold my hand but I wouldn’t let him.

‘We’d better head back.’

‘Gone off me, have you?’

I elbowed him in the side. ‘I’m not going to hold your hand.’

‘No, I didn’t think you were,’ he said with a wink.

‘So, how many times have you been here before?’

‘Twice.’

‘Long ago?’

‘Over the last two years.’

‘So, Zoe and Fergus were living here the second time you came?’

‘Oh well, it must have been twice in one year then. The Dowager Countess was still in residence.’

‘Did you stay with her?’

‘No, Ewen’s had his cottage for years.’

‘Did you meet his mother?’

‘So many questions. What is it you want to know?’

‘I’m still trying to work out what’s in the locked wing and I thought if you’ve been here before…’

He finished my sentence. ‘I’d know what’s in there.’

‘Exactly.’

I was testing Louis. Seeing if he’d tell me the truth.

‘Treasure,’ he said.

‘No, come on, seriously.’

‘A ballroom,’ he smiled.

‘So we’ll see it tonight?’

‘I doubt it.’ Louis looked cross but I think he was possibly just confused.

‘Anything else?’

‘Nothing I know of.’ He gave my upper arm a gentle rub. ‘Honestly.’

I believed him and he seemed trustworthy so I confided in him that I’d seen Zoe coming out the locked wing the other night.

‘On Monday?’

‘Yes.’

‘That makes sense. Ewen and I were drinking late into the night. Zoe came downstairs in a dressing gown asking us if we’d been creeping around the house. She’d heard a noise apparently. I guess she was having a good look around.’

‘Pretty brave of her to do it alone.’

‘I think she thought Ewen and I were up to no good.’ He gave a sheepish grin.

‘Were you?’

‘No. Only drinking. But I bet you Zoe didn’t wake Fergus on purpose. I don’t know if you’ve noticed but she manages the sensitivities between Ewen and Fergus very well.’ Louis nudged my shoulder, we were almost back with the cows. ‘I think you’d better attend to your class.’

I picked up my pace and went to see what everyone had done.

‘I’m so pleased you’re back,’ said Minty. ‘I was beginning to get cold.’

‘Me too,’ said Lianne who had packed up already.

I looked at my watch. ‘Okay, let’s stop.’

‘Giles,’ said Jane, ‘would you mind helping me take my things to the bus, I don’t want to do any more.’

‘Sure.’

‘Felicity,’ said Rupert, ‘I’ll help you.’

‘How kind you are.’

‘When we get back, I’d like you to line up your pictures in the music room.’

‘Oh Miss, not again.’

‘We must,’ said Rupert with a toot of the horn.

‘I find your crits a frightfully useful exercise,’ said Jane.

I was rather surprised.

‘Me too,’ said Minty. ‘But that’s because I’m used to it from school.’

‘And you’re the best,’ said Lianne.

And, I said to myself, it helps to have expensive equipment.

We were seated round the dining room table with bowls of hot barley soup and buttered baps. Rupert had made a great effort to bagsy a spot beside me – ‘I haven’t sat next to you yet’ – and Zoe was on my other side.

‘I’m so pleased your friend’s coming tonight,’ she said. ‘I was worried about numbers being even.’

‘Ewen could have always come.’ I wanted to know where he’d gone. I really wish they’d asked him first.

‘He’s away.’

‘Oh. Where’s he gone?’

‘We never ask.’

I didn’t believe her, but she obviously didn’t want to say.