Part 16 (1/2)

Wednesday 21st - Friday 23rd October: High Crag House, Cornwall Enniel knew that Aninka would be divulging the end of her story during their next interview. As she made herself comfortable, as usual, on the sofa in his office, Aninka noticed a covered trolley beside the drinks cabinet. She recognised the outlines of plates heaped with food; more comforts than usual were to be provided, then. Enniel had no doubt guessed this last session would be the most traumatic for her. Already, her mouth felt dry at the prospect.

You will speak plainly, won't you?' Enniel said gently, placing a globe of brandy into her hands. Normally, he reserved the administering of liquor until the end of the session.

Aninka nodded. Yes. I've already made up my mind about that.' She glanced at him. It will not be easy, but I'll do it.'

Enniel smiled tightly and sat down behind his desk, creating the distance between them Aninka always needed to begin resuming her story. Shall we start?' His fingers hovered over the tape recorder.

Not yet.' Aninka took a drink. Enniel, I need to know why all this is so important to you. I get the feeling I was involved in something much bigger than I realised. I wonder how you're going to use the information I'm giving you.'

Enniel withdrew his hand from the tape recorder. His expression was quizzical. I don't really know until I've heard the whole story. I have only suspicions, at present. I'm sorry, my dear, but I can't say more than that. Not yet. Now, can we begin?'

Aninka's Story: Cresterfield, October The last Friday night Aninka spent with Othman began like any other. Aninka drove over to Grey Gables early, after Othman had called her to tell her he'd be late and would see her at the Marks' later on. She parked her car at the bottom of the drive. The smell of cooking m.u.f.fins wafted from Wendy's kitchen window, a scent which mingled pleasingly with the fruity, smoky late summer aromas that filled the air. Aninka hadn't seen Wendy since the previous weekend as she'd had to go to Birmingham to organise a new exhibition of her work. Aninka had only been away for three days, but the enforced separation from Othman had been almost unendurable. She'd returned to the flat in the early hours of Friday morning, and had almost wept to find him there waiting for her. She'd wanted to devour him with love, and consequently had had very little sleep.

As she walked up the sloping driveway to Wendy's house, Aninka remembered thinking how contented she was. Perhaps that had been tempting fate.

Ivan let Aninka in, greeting her with a brief hug and kiss. No-one else had yet arrived.

Wendy was busy preparing an ornate salad in the kitchen. Mmm, garlic!' Aninka said as she took off her soft wool jacket and slung it over a high stool.

Wendy seemed effervescent, bustling around in an almost manic manner. Wait till you taste it!'

Oh, a new recipe?'

Variation on an old favourite. Pev has given me some ingredients to try.'

Othman had not struck Aninka as being interested in cookery before. She couldn't help smiling. Really! This is a side of the man I've never seen!'

Wendy picked up a little crock bowl full of what looked like raw incense: herbs, small twigs, chopped root. Here it is. I think it has an unp.r.o.nounceable name, can't remember it.'

Aninka took the bowl and sniffed. It was sweet, like a flowery perfume, but also acrid when it hit the back of her throat. She pulled a face. I'm not sure I want to eat this!'

Oh, don't worry. It tastes divine. Ivan and I have had some already.' Wendy giggled in an uncharacteristic manner. Aninka felt slightly unnerved: Wendy didn't seem herself. I told Pev last week about... well, he came round one evening to see Ivan, and arrived before Ivan got home from work. I don't know quite how it happened, but I ended up telling him about...' She lowered her voice, her eyes flicking briefly to the kitchen door. ...Misty.'

It was news to Aninka that Othman had visited the Marks without her. Still, should she be surprised? She knew so little about his movements when he wasn't with her, and she only spent a few nights a week with him. No doubt hearing about the domestic problems of the Marks would have amused him; more ant behaviour to observe. Was he a sympathetic listener?' Her voice, she noticed, was sharp.

Wendy appeared to be oblivious of Aninka's tone. Oh, very. Our discussion was quite frank. He told me I needed a tonic, and Ivan too. Our lives have become... very routine. This herbal mixture has been very beneficial. I feel wonderful!'

Aninka picked up the crock bowl again, and stirred its contents with her finger. A suspicion came to her. Grigori rituals sometimes involved the use of haoma, a concoction of hallucinogenic herbs which could be eaten or smoked to induce ecstasy. Haoma was a highly secret substance. Would Othman dare to give some to the Marks? Aninka herself had never taken it. Once she'd been old enough to make a choice, she'd refused to become involved in magical work with her family. Children, naturally, weren't ever given haoma.

What's in it?' Aninka asked.

Wendy shrugged. Oh, just herbs and stuff. It's all harmless, and none of the ingredients are illegal. Pev a.s.sured us of that. He said we could grow them all in our garden, if we wanted to.'

And you're going to feed it to everyone tonight?'

Wendy frowned. Why not? There's no harm in cheering everyone up.'

I thought you all abstained from intoxicating substances until you'd performed your ritual.' Aninka knew she sounded accusatory, but didn't care. In her opinion, Othman was undermining the group, but perhaps he didn't know Wendy planned to use the mixture in her meal tonight.

These are natural herbs,' Wendy said. It's not the same. Pev said the ancient Sumerians used to use them. It's a very old recipe.'

Aninka realised then that her suspicions concerning haoma were probably correct. What on earth was Othman playing at? Wendy was behaving differently tonight; there was an unfamiliar brittleness about her. Aninka could sense an edgy distance between herself and her friend. Had Othman said anything to cause that?

Pev has been very helpful to us recently,' Wendy said. He's been having a few chats with Ivan about the rituals.'

Has he?' Aninka interrupted sharply.

Yes. Didn't he tell you? Well, he and Ivan have written something between them. Ivan says it's splendid. We'll have to use scripts, of course, because it's so new, and no-one's seen it yet, but we're going to enact it tonight...'

Let me see it,' Aninka said. She tried to keep the urgency from her voice. I mean, can I see it?'

Wendy frowned. I don't think Ivan wants anyone to see it yet. It's to be a surprise...'

Since when have you performed a ritual without everyone reading it first? Aninka asked. I think we should see it, Wend'.'

Wendy had paused in the act of slicing a cuc.u.mber. What's the matter?' she asked. It sounds as if you don't trust Pev.' She smiled. I hope you're not jealous!'

Aninka shook her head. Oh, please! Of course not. I'm just surprised Pev has done this. He's mentioned nothing to me.'

He probably just wants to surprise you too,' Wendy said, resuming her slicing. She clearly had no suspicions. I don't think he's actually written any of the ritual himself, but he's lent Ivan some wonderful old books he's found.'

What kind of books?'

Well, I suppose they'd be archaeological. Some scholar writing about ancient rites.'

Aninka's flesh froze. What kind of rites? Different to what you've been doing?'

Wendy laughed. Oh, don't look so alarmed! They're not that different, apparently, but just a little more... authentic.' She paused, and directed a look of appeal at Aninka. Look, Ninka, you've been an enormous help to me, recently. Please don't think I don't appreciate that. I value our friends.h.i.+p. But it's been good to see more of Pev, too. He's helped me get a new perspective on things, a man's view, I suppose. You know how worried I was about my marriage.'

I understand that,' Aninka said, but why didn't you tell me about it? What did you think I'd say? I must admit I'm disappointed that you felt you had to keep Pev's visits secret from me. He is my partner, after all.' It unnerved Aninka to think Peverel Othman might have been paying visits to the Marks without her. Even more so that he seemed to be influencing their activities.

Wendy dropped her eyes. Well, there didn't seem that much to tell you! I... I really didn't think to mention it, and anyway, I've only seen you a couple of times since it began, and then never alone.' She sighed. Look, Pev has just been here to see Ivan once or twice during the past two weeks. And while you've been away, he's come for dinner every night. I think he was missing you.' She looked up at Aninka and smiled hopefully. We do enjoy his company, Ninka. Please don't be cross about this. Pev's so knowledgeable about the past.'

Wendy, I don't think...' Aninka began, but couldn't think how to voice her suspicions without sounding as if she was being possessive about Othman. It was obvious the Marks thought highly of him, and believed he genuinely liked them and had an interest in their ceremonies. Aninka, having heard his scornful tirades against the group, knew otherwise. Or did she? To whom was Othman actually lying?

What is he up to? Aninka thought. Were his true motives for becoming a.s.sociated with the group about to be revealed?

When Othman arrived, he was in a cheerful humour. As he greeted Aninka with a brief kiss to the cheek, she asked him in an undertone, So, you've taken on the role of director, then?'

There's nothing wrong with a little direction, surely?' Othman responded lightly, and then avoided her eyes, moving away to greet the others, who were all waiting for his attention.

Aninka felt uneasy, but was unable to say anything more to Othman without being heard. Presumably, that was deliberate on Othman's part. She sensed he was off' with her. What had she done to upset him since this morning?

Wendy emerged, beaming, from the kitchen. Pev!' She hurried forwards to embrace him, hanging onto him for just a little too long.

Aninka felt faintly sick. Were Wendy and Othman being awkward with her because something had happened between them while she'd been away? She felt as if the ground was s.h.i.+fting beneath her feet.

Othman handed Wendy a carrier bag, which clinked as it moved. A rare vintage for my lady!' he said.