Part 41 (1/2)

Where's Daniel?' he said, looking at the apparition of health and vigour that was Louis.

Louis put his hand on Barbara's shoulder. I'm sorry, Owen, but Daniel and Verity have gone to stay with my brother and his wife for a few days. I wanted some time to myself.'

I don't believe you,' Owen said.

Louis laughed. But it's true.' He frowned. Why would I lie to you?'

Because you've changed,' Owen said.

Barbara and Louis looked at one another and laughed. If we have, I can't see why that means we've become liars as well!' Barbara said.

I want to look round his room,' Owen said. He knew it was unlikely his request would be granted, but he couldn't let these two creatures of Othman's think they'd convinced him.

That's out of the question,' Louis said, then smiled ruefully. Look Owen, this is difficult, but I really think you should know that Daniel's quite upset by... certain things that have been going on. He wanted to get away. Surely, I don't need to say more? This is quite embarra.s.sing.'

I don't believe you,' Owen said again, although he could feel his determination ebbing.

Louis stepped forward, and spoke in a confidential manner, an avuncular smile pasted across his face. Look, old chap, we all do things when we're young, which are experiments with life. I think it'd be best for everyone if you just accepted that Daniel was curious about... well, you know. But now he's decided it's not for him.'

Owen thought that if Louis looked the way he had the last time he'd seen him, he might believe what he was saying, but this was a man who'd been charmed by Peverel Othman, who'd been altered by him. His resolve was battered by the shame of thinking Daniel might regret their relations.h.i.+p, but that was a thought implanted by Louis. Owen forced himself to remember the last time he and Daniel had been together. There had been no hint of regret. Still, it was clear that short of barging into Low Mede he was going to get no information here. Without another word, Owen turned away. He would have to talk to Lily, maybe even Emma. Daniel was in danger, he was sure of it, and Othman was involved.

Bye!' called Barbara Eager as Owen retreated down the drive.

Louis closed the door, took Barbara in his arms. She pulled away. Lou, are we doing the right thing?'

He kissed her. Barbara, don't! Of course we are. We've been given another chance! Don't fight it.'

But Daniel...' she said. And Verity. What's going to happen to them? We can't just leave them down... there.'

They'll come round,' Louis said. Pev will talk to them. Don't worry! This is a strange, new world for us, and the kids are scared of it. Get one of the guns.'

What?' Barbara took a step backwards. Why?'

Louis shook his head, smiling. Barbara, my dear, we have to feed the poor children. And we don't want them causing any trouble. Now, I'll make some sandwiches, you fetch the gun.' He touched her face softly. Everything will be fine. I know it will.'

Verity had endured a day of terror, a day during which all her phantoms came back to torment her in the dark. Daniel had slept most of the time, but she had talked to him continually, stroking his face, his hair, glad of the contact. At times, she went cold and clammy with fear, thinking of Daniel dying in her lap. Then he would wake up, tell her he was thirsty, and she would tell him she loved him, not to leave her.

I can't!' he said, trying to laugh.

How do you feel?'

Sore. Vez, what are we going to do?'

She squeezed his body. I don't know. Raven will come. I know he will.'

Dad shot him,' Daniel said. I saw.'

It doesn't matter,' Verity answered firmly. He's not just a cat, Danny, something more. He isn't dead. He'll come. We must believe it.'

They'd had to relieve themselves in corners of the cellar, Verity helping Daniel to stagger a distance away from where they were sitting on old sacking and a ragged car blanket. The smell of their own urine and excrement filled the stifling room, until they couldn't smell it any more.

Once, Verity said to Daniel. Can you see anything over there?'

Some small amount of light was leaking in somewhere. They could make out dim outlines in the dark. See what?' Daniel asked.

Verity shuddered. A man.'

No, Vez, no!' Daniel's voice sounded panicked. Don't say things like that. We'll scare each other to death!'

But I know I have ghosts around me, Danny. Peverel Othman told me. I saw him get rid of one of them. He threw it up into the air like a rag.'

Daniel reached for his sister's face. No, Vez. He must have... I don't know, hypnotised you. You mustn't believe what he said, or what he made you see.'

You don't know,' Verity moaned. You don't know about me.' She told him then, about the married professor, who seemed as if he'd give her so much, but had proved to be a weak, puling man, who would not leave his wife, then changed his mind, then changed it back. She told Daniel about how the wife had discovered the affair, the long, useless cruelties of betrayal and indecision which followed, the woman's breakdown and suicide attempts, the professor's decline into depression. Then there was Netty, and Netty's boyfriend. Verity hadn't wanted him as a partner, she just wanted s.e.x, his body. But the fool had fallen in love with her. Her coldness invoked only deeper degrees of infatuation. She'd had to be cruel. She hadn't guessed that he too was so weak, that her denial of his existence would send him plummeting into an abyss of despair, where death seemed the only viable option. Those are my ghosts, Danny,' she said, and Daniel could think of nothing to say. Now, he dared not look too closely into the dark.

When the light came on, they were blinded by it, and clutched each other more tightly. They heard Barbara Eager's voice, Oh, Louis, Louis! Look at them! Oh Louis, the smell!'

Then their father, or a man that sounded like their father used to sound when they were children. Put down the tray, Barbara.'

Verity squinted up the steps. She saw her father holding the gun, pointing it at them. Dad!' she said. Please Dad!'

Louis, you can't...!' Barbara's voice was cut short as Louis slammed the door. They heard the lock turn, but at least the light was left on. Verity glanced up at the naked bulb. It was old. How long would it last?

They've left food,' Daniel said in a dull voice. Vez, I'm too tired to go up the steps. Will you fetch it?'

Of course.' Verity eased herself from under Daniel's body. Now there was light, she could see the swelling on his forehead, the dried cut. His eyes looked glazed. Oh Raven, she thought as she mounted the steps. Come soon.

Barbara left Low Mede in a temper. She walked back to The White House in a daze of confusion. What was she doing? How had she become involved in all this? It was only yesterday that she and Othman had gone to visit G.o.dfrey Thormund, only yesterday when she'd achieved her desires and enjoyed Peverel Othman in Herman's Wood, and later taken her pleasure with the rejuvenated Louis. Now, she felt she was a criminal. It had shocked her to see the condition of Verity and Daniel. How could Louis do that to his own children? And yet, she'd had a part in it herself. She had been the one to inflict the wounds. What should she do now? Call the police? It would mean implicating herself, but she couldn't just leave Verity and Daniel locked in that stinking cellar, injured and hurting.

Louis had let her go. He'd only said, You'll be back.' He was so confident, as if he didn't believe for a minute that she'd betray him. How was she going to explain herself to Barney? Was it possible to claw back that dull, mundane, dissatisfying life with her husband? Now, she yearned for it more than anything.

Yet, by the time she'd reached the hotel, her heart was longing for Louis. It was as if she hadn't seen him for a week. Mrs Moon accosted her in the hallway, wearing an expression of extreme disapproval. The staff all knew, of course, where Barbara had been spending most of her time since yesterday. They'd drawn their own conclusions.

There's things to be seen to,' Mrs Moon said, for Friday.'

Friday?' Barbara had forgotten what was planned.

Your barbecue for All Hallows,' Mrs Moon reminded her. I've got to order rolls.'

Oh, yes,' Barbara said irritably. Can I leave it to you, Mrs M? I'm afraid a few things have cropped up, and I'm really rather too busy to organise Friday night at the moment.'

Charcoal,' said Mrs Moon accusingly, and the bonfire to be built.'

Surely Mr Eager is the person to speak to about that?'

He says it's your do',' Mrs Moon persisted. She folded her arms. He's got things on his mind. I don't like to bother him.'

Oh please! Speak to Shuni, and ask her to get her brothers to help!' Barbara snapped. Shuni knows all about it. I really can't be bothered now, Mrs Moon!'