Part 2 (2/2)

It's all very Biblical, though. Are you a religious woman?'

It's pre-Biblical, actually,' Aninka said. The stories of those times are very colourful. It has nothing to do with Judaeo-Christian religion.'

Still, he did not respond. He could not be Grigori, then, surely, unless he was playing with them.

At the end of the meal, he asked if he could call her. She gave him her phone number. Are you staying here long?'

Depends on what I find to interest me,' he'd answered.

He did not call her for over two weeks, by which time, she'd given up on him.

Enniel paused Aninka's discourse at this point. He went to his desk and pressed one of the b.u.t.tons on a tape recorder. Aninka hadn't realised he'd been taping their conversation. This is only the beginning,' she said. There's so much more.'

I know that,' Enniel replied, but I don't want to tire you. I want you to recall everything in detail, and there's no rush.'

Aninka rubbed her forehead. A headache was starting. Do you never think about what a burden our heritage is to us?'

Enniel laughed. A common complaint of the young! My dear, if you insist on spending so much time among humans, you will start thinking like them.'

Aninka felt a hot surge of irritation pa.s.s through her. I'm claustrophobic amongst family. To be honest, most of the time I want to forget what I am.'

And it seems you have been unusually successful,' Enniel remarked lightly, otherwise you wouldn't have found yourself in that unsavoury situation.'

Chapter Four.

Sat.u.r.day, 17th October, Little Moor On Sat.u.r.day morning, the traveller rose up from his bed of ferns and heather. He looked around himself, hunting for signs. There it was: the flash of light. He moved without stiffness towards it; a star in the sky, the reflection of light on gla.s.s. Mid-morning, he found a cl.u.s.ter of houses nestling in the cupped hands of a valley. The road that led to it was hewn into the land itself, its high banks thick with seeding gra.s.ses. There was a deep, loamy smell, as if some elemental creature was breathing hard beneath the soil. He came to a crossroads where a black and white sign pointed towards the houses and said, Little Moor'. Little more than what? wondered the traveller, smiling to himself. The other roads, it would seem, led to nowhere.

Verity Cranton was roused from peaceful sleep by the insistent ringing of the doorbell. For a moment, she was disoriented and couldn't remember what day it was. She glanced at her bedside clock; eight-thirty. Early for someone to come calling. Strange. Louis was generally out of bed by eight every morning, so she lay waiting for him to answer the door. Some quality of the ringing had awakened a memory within her. The urgency of it. She thought of heralds, news, bad news. The ringing came again. Where was her father? Reluctantly, Verity got out of bed. She shrugged herself into her dressing-gown as she walked across the landing. Whoever was at the door now had their finger pressed continuously on the bell.

All right, all right,' Verity muttered beneath her breath. What could be so urgent? She wondered, briefly, whether something could have happened to Daniel, and then ran down the stairs, filled with a brutal optimism.

A whey-faced man in a grey suit stood in the porch. Miss Cranton?' he said.

Verity pulled the collar of her dressing-gown together. The air was chill, the garden beyond the door still and empty. There was a strange, static quality to the morning. The moment before she answered the question seemed abnormally long. Yes. What do you want?'

She was waiting for it. Is Daniel Cranton your brother? She was almost smiling.

The man was clutching a briefcase. I am Oswald Grise.' He proffered her a business card, which revealed he was a solicitor. I have come to collect you. You were notified.'

No, I wasn't. I have no idea what you're talking about. You'd better explain.'

The man frowned in slight impatience. Miss Cranton, I think you're aware of why I'm here. You did sign the contract. And you were notified of the date.' He looked at his watch. We have two hours' drive ahead of us. Perhaps I could come in and wait while you get ready to leave?' He made to step over the threshold, but Verity would not let him pa.s.s.

There is obviously some of kind of mistake. I really don't know what you're talking about. What contract? What date?' She had begun to feel uneasy, even threatened, to the point where she wished Louis would make an appearance.

The marriage,' said the man. Your marriage.'

Verity uttered a shocked laugh. You have the wrong person, I'm afraid! I'm not getting married. You've come to the wrong house.'

I've come to the right house. Please don't delay any longer, Miss Cranton. We're cutting it fine as it is.'

This is a joke,' Verity said. Just who am I supposed to be marrying?'

Grise looked at her in disbelief. Verity realised he thought she was lying, covering up. This was absurd.

You are due to marry Mr Ambleton at 12 noon today. Mr Anthony Ambleton. Surely you remember.'

Verity's vision went momentarily black. She could not draw breath. For a terrifying few seconds, she wondered whether she really had signed some kind of contract, and subsequently erased the memory of it from her mind. Was that possible? Then, bewilderment and fear were replaced by anger. Go away!' she hissed. Get off my property!' She made to close the door in Grise's face, but he stepped forward quickly and prevented it.

Now, Miss Cranton, please don't make any fuss. You've had the money, you signed the contract, now you are required to fulfil your part of the agreement. Should you refuse, you will find yourself in trouble.'

I don't care!' Verity cried. If you don't leave now, I'm calling the police. Ambleton's mad! I never signed a contract, never! I haven't seen him for over a year. This is ridiculous!'

Mr Ambleton is absolutely sure you agreed to marry him, Miss Cranton.'

I signed nothing! Get out of here!'

Vez?'

Verity turned in relief. Louis had come down the stairs. Strangely, he was dressed in a dark suit and tie. Dad! Tell this man to go. Get rid of him.'

Louis smiled, that crooked, wry smile. Come on now, Vez. Run upstairs and get dressed. We don't want to be late, do we?'

Verity froze. Dad?'

Louis limped forward, and smiled at Grise. I'll have her ready in a moment or two.'

No you b.l.o.o.d.y won't!' Verity snapped. This is crazy! I'm not marrying that creep! You can't make me!' He wants to be rid of me, she thought. He's in on this. He wants to get rid of me.

You will marry him,' Louis answered in an even tone. You have no choice. It's all arranged. It'll all work out. You'll see.'

No!'

In horror, Verity tried to pull away as her father took hold of her arm, but his grip was surprisingly strong. Grise stepped into the house, taking her other arm in a firm grasp.

Don't play up, Vez,' Louis said. You're going to be a bride. He's waited for this. He went through so much. Now he's much better and you'll be happy with him, Vez. For ever.'

Together, the men frog-marched her back towards the stairs.

Verity kicked and struggled, but could not escape. She began to scream.

The doorbell woke her up.

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