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

Despite the obvious sing-song in his voice, Jane took a hard line. ‘Pardon me, young man. How dare you.’

It was embarrassing.

‘Shane,’ I said, trying to save the situation. ‘Don’t joke, it’s nasty. Here,’ I pulled out a chair, ‘join me for some toast.’

Rupert, unusually sensitive to the atmosphere for once, made an effort to grab Jane’s attention. ‘You seemed to know all about reeling etiquette. Very helpful to the rest of us.’

‘Oh yes,’ she beamed and sailed into a lengthy reply.

‘Shane,’ I said under my breath, ‘you shouldn’t have done that.’

‘But Miss, she started it. Saying I might steal the silver on the first night. I was just getting my own back.’

‘She was teasing.’

‘And so was I.’

‘Okay. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to come down hard on you.’

‘I’m going to ask her if she was looking for you. Just to make sure?’

‘No,’ I snapped, ‘that’s unfair, please leave it be.’

‘Susie,’ said Rupert loudly down the table, ‘we were just talking about your charming friend.’

‘I do hope he enjoyed himself?’ said Fergus.

‘Yes,’ said Zoe with a yawn, ‘it was lovely he came.’

‘Thank you for having him. I bet he enjoyed it.’

Louis was staring at me, I think he was trying to read my thoughts. I smiled and, to my complete surprise, his lips puckered and pouted and he blew me a kiss. Crumbs, I blushed but I didn’t actually care, it was so nice to have Louis here.

‘Susie, would you like an egg?’ asked Zoe. ‘Mhàiri’s got some on the boil.’

‘Yes please, shall I tell her?’

‘No need.’ The kitchen door swung open. ‘Here she is. Mhàiri, one more egg for Susie please. Shane?’

‘Nah thanks.’

‘So, Jane,’ said Giles. ‘Are you leaving today?’

Shane sat up.

‘No, I’ve decided to stay.’ She smiled and I wondered if last night’s reeling had miraculously spun her into a better mood.

‘Oh good,’ I said, truly relieved. Jane’s departure would have undoubtedly reflected badly on me.

‘Well,’ said Giles, ‘it’s so wild outside today, I wonder if any of us will make it home tomorrow.’

‘I shall,’ said Minty. ‘Mummy’s picking me up.’

‘There’s no need for the rest of you to worry,’ reassured Fergus. ‘I’ll give Inverness Airport a call, and double-check the flights.’

‘Don’t worry, angel,’ said Zoe, ‘I’ll do it before lunch.’

‘What are we going to be doing today, Susie?’ said Minty.

‘Learning something new.’

‘In the music room?’

‘Yes, inside, don’t worry.’

Louis sloped off and Rupert took the words out of my thoughts. ‘He’s a bit jaded this morning. Too much whisky I’ll bet.’

‘Susie,’ said Fergus, ‘do you need anything from me this morning?’

An energy bar would be good, I wanted to say, but instead I asked if there were a couple of objects I could borrow for a still life.

‘Yes,’ said Zoe getting up. ‘Let’s go and dig out some china.’

We found a sage green jug and a cerulean blue vase and I took them to the music room and arranged them on a high table ready for class.

Zoe popped her head around the door. ‘Susie,’ she said, ‘as everyone’s a little tired this morning I’ve suggested a quick blast of fresh air. Would you like to come?’

I gritted my teeth. Zoe was about to delay my class.

‘You don’t have to,’ she said. ‘Jane’s staying here but the rest of us are going to brave the elements. Fergus wants to check on how high the river is.’

‘I see,’ I said, thinking, if Jane’s the only one here, I can catch her alone.

I followed Zoe out of the room and into the hall.

‘I don’t think I’ll come if that’s okay?’

‘Of course, Susie,’ she smiled, and flung open the front door. Haggis yelped with excitement at being outside. Everyone else trundled after them, all dressed in wet-weather gear.

As soon as they’d left, I scampered upstairs and knocked on Jane’s door.

‘Yes?’

‘Hi Jane, would you mind if I came in?’

‘Why would I mind?’

I stepped into the room and got straight to the point. ‘I know Shane spoke out of turn at breakfast, but I’d like to know why you were in my room.’

‘Was I? I simply can’t remember.’ She plonked herself down on the bed.

‘It was before class on Tuesday morning,’ I said, leaving her in no doubt of the exact timing.

‘Is that what Shane was on about?’

‘Yes. What were you up to?’ I sat down on the bed opposite, hoping if I settled in she would talk.

‘Hmmm…I remember now, I did wander down the children’s corridor. Briefly, yes, I spoke to Mhàiri.’

‘Why were you down there?’

‘That’s right, I was looking for you.’

‘But you knew I’d gone for a walk with Rupert.’

‘Did I?’ Her voice was steady but her pursed hands were now trembling.

‘Yes, we discussed it at breakfast.’

Silence.

‘Why were you in my room?’

She didn’t answer. ‘Please tell me.’

‘There’s nothing to tell.’

Her lips tightened. She was getting on my nerves.

‘I don’t believe you,’ I said.

‘It’s none of your business.’

‘It is, you were in my room.’

Her head dipped. I think a vulnerable side is surfacing.

‘You can trust me, honestly you can,’ I said, towing a sympathetic line.

I wanted to get to the truth.

Her expression gave briefly and I leapt in. ‘I think you found something under my floorboard. Am I right?’

Bingo, Jane’s shoulders slumped; I’ve almost broken her.

‘Have you been here before?’ I asked, thinking, why not get all my questions out at once?

‘Why are you pushing me like this?’ she moaned.

‘I don’t like to be lied to.’

We had eye contact again.

‘I’m not lying.’

‘Not answering is as good as lying.’ I repeated the question, ‘Have you been here before?’

‘Yes,’ she mumbled and stared at the floor.

Mhàiri was right.

‘And you knew there was something hidden in my room?’

Silence.

‘Jane?’

She sat up with a second wind. ‘Stop sticking your nose into my business.’

Help, she had a point. Blackmail is now my only option.

‘I’m going to speak to Zoe about this.’

‘Good god, girl, don’t do that.’

I held Jane’s stare until she gave in.

‘I came to stay with my parents when I was very young,’ she whispered, ‘they were friends of Fergus’s father, it was before he