Shadows at Stonewylde (11 page)

‘’Tis a problem right enough,’ said Edward. ‘My eldest, Iris, is hoping to be handfasted next year but seems they’ll have to live at home with the rest of us.’

‘If I may speak about this?’ asked Hazel. ‘The shortage of cottages may not seem related to my field, but I’ve been thinking about it for a while now. We haven’t yet heard from Harold, but the way the business is going, more and more women are working almost full-time hours. This is having an impact on the elderly living in the Village. Whereas in the past, the women would be about in their homes for most of the day and able to care for their parents, that’s not always the case nowadays. And if, as I suspect, Harold’s report is going to tell us that more female labour is needed in future, this problem will only get worse.’

She looked around the circle and saw that several people were nodding. All were thinking of a recent incident where a very old woman had fallen and not been found till too late, when her family returned home and visited her in the evening.

‘So although it goes against what’s traditionally been seen as the Stonewylde way, living and dying in your own home, I was wondering if we could move the more frail and less mobile folk up into a separate part of the Hall, into a sort of geriatric wing if you like. We have rooms near the hospital wing which are no good as classrooms for the youngsters, but with a bit of adapting could be made into comfortable accommodation for the elderly. And our medical staff would be close at hand too.’

There was a buzz of comment which Yul cut through.

‘Thanks for coming up with that solution, Hazel. Maybe at our next meeting when I’ve … when we’ve had a chance to think about it, we can talk some more. It could certainly help create some space in the Village. Some of the elderly live alone in cottages which could accommodate a couple or family. It does seem like a good idea.’

‘Just to return to the issue of my Seniors,’ said Miranda, ‘Although they all have a choice to continue their education in an Outside college or remain in Stonewylde and apprentice to a trade, the majority of those who choose to study finish their two years’ further education and then return here. Very few are choosing to move permanently to the Outside World, preferring to live and work at Stonewylde.’

Yul nodded; this had been one of the earlier decisions made. Every person growing up at Stonewylde would have access to further education, even university if they wished, and would then have to choose to either live and work permanently in the Outside World, or return home.

‘So my point is this,’ continued Miranda, ‘I’d like more guidance for them earlier as to what work will be available at Stonewylde. What choices of trade or jobs they’ll have and what opportunities there’ll be if they stay here – particularly for the girls. The traditional roles are quite restrictive and now they’re thinking about their vocations, but there isn’t a proper system in place to give them advice about their options.’

‘That’s largely because
Stonewylde.com
is still so new and we haven’t really established a careers guidance system,’ said Yul. ‘But I think after Harold’s report in a minute we’ll be clearer on that. Certainly we need to co-ordinate better between the labour available and the jobs to be filled.’

‘I could do that!’ cried Sylvie. Everyone turned to look at her, startled at her excited outburst, and she blushed. ‘I mean, I could liaise with Yul and Harold about what opportunities there are, and which trades are likely to need more apprentices. And I could have a little office where I meet regularly with every teenager to talk about their interests and ambitions, what they’re best at, and—’

‘Very nice idea, Sylvie,’ said Yul, ‘and we’ll talk about it later, though we’ll probably find that sort of role is better suited to one of the teachers.’

‘But—’

‘We’ll discuss it privately,’ he said smoothly. ‘And now I think we need to break for lunch.’

Tables were brought in by students and lunch was served, as it was so noisy and busy in the Dining Hall. Maizie ate her food pensively, recalling what had just been said about further education and vocational training for the youngsters. She thought sadly of the recent row with Leveret. She’d hoped for so long that her youngest child would become a doctor. All the signs had been promising; Leveret was a natural healer and was certainly bright enough for the long years of study involved. But on the night of their fight she’d been so adamantly against it that Maizie now despaired of it ever happening. And Yul would’ve been so proud of his little sister.

Maizie was still angry with her wilful daughter, despite her apparent contrition. Leveret had been very quiet and subdued since that night. When Maizie had returned she’d found the girl sitting on the rug by the fire in a trembling huddle, whilst Sweyn and Gefrin played cards at the table and finished off the barrel of cider. It was lovely to see such a cosy domestic scene – all three of her youngest children together and getting on well. Although Maizie had been furious that Leveret hadn’t done any weaving, Sweyn explained that she’d had one of her funny turns and so they’d let her off. Apparently she’d fallen and was quite shaken up. The boys had wrapped a blanket round her and Maizie was pleased to see them being so considerate towards their sister.

She knew that in the past they’d been like most big brothers and Leveret had put up with quite a bit of teasing. Maizie sympathised for she herself had older brothers and remembered the tricks they’d played on her as a girl. But she hated tale-telling and Leveret had a real tendency to whinge on about Sweyn and Gefrin. Maizie had made it clear from an early age that she wasn’t interested in hearing any tales and Leveret would just have to ignore them until they lost interest. She thought her two youngest boys had grown up lately and it was good to see them acting responsibly and kindly. Sweyn had said they both enjoyed coming home and pointed out what a good thing they’d been there when Leveret came over funny.

Leveret hadn’t said a word, merely sat shivering in the blanket and staring into the flames, her face pinched and white. She’d been peaky ever since and Maizie hadn’t broached the subject of her future again. Leveret had another year at school after this one and hopefully during that time she’d come to her senses and agree to study medicine in the Outside World.

Old Greenbough was thoughtful too during lunch. He still found it difficult to be in Hallfolk territory and he couldn’t relax and enjoy the delicious food. He chuckled to himself as Dawn and Hazel made conversation with him during the meal. Who’d have thought it’d turn out like this? Old Greenbough the Woodsman hob-nobbing with Hallfolk! He remembered waiting here for an audience with Magus, when he was worried about Yul. Magus had dismissed his concerns about Alwyn’s cruelty, blaming the boy for making his brutal father angry – at which point Greenbough had begun to turn against his master.

Looking at the dark young man now, it was impossible to believe that this was the same lad who’d once worked for him in the woods; the boy he used to cuff if there was any slacking or cheek, the one who could shin up trees and the bonfires like a squirrel. He recalled the boy’s dirty face, often sporting a black eye or split lip, and the matted hair that always hung in his eyes. Hard to believe he’d grown up into this determined, powerful man. Hard to believe the wild boy was now the magus, keeper of the magic.

‘Shall we get started again?’ said Yul impatiently, signalling to the waiting students to clear lunch away. ‘We’ve still got a lot to get through.’

Sylvie watched him as the afternoon progressed and he became increasingly restless. Yul found it difficult to sit still for such a long period and his quick mind raced ahead of some of the slower, older ones there. She sympathised with Greenbough and Tom, who stumbled through their reports. They, along with everyone else, had been obliged to attend the adult education classes held every evening in the Great Barn and Village School. Miranda had enjoyed organising them in the early days and prided herself that now nearly every Stonewylder was more or less literate. The two old men preferred to talk from memory than from notes though, and Sylvie felt for them as they groped for words in front of an audience. This must be quite an ordeal and Yul’s barely hidden exasperation was almost tangible, for all the two men were dear to his heart.

Whilst Martin droned on interminably about the boilers, the roofs and chimneys and the state of the floors at the Hall, Yul drummed his long fingers and gazed up at the roof carvings and stained-glass windows with glazed eyes. Sylvie longed to stand behind him and massage his tense shoulders, or sit on his lap and kiss his annoyance away. She understood him so well; the battles he fought with himself, knowing how important it was that the people had their say, but also knowing that he’d run the estate far better without their interference.

‘Alright, Martin, thank you. I think we are now fully aware of the dilapidated state of the Hall. And yes, Tom, of the Village too. I’ll study your reports in detail later. The point is that whilst we do have materials and labour here, we also need hard cash for some of the repairs and renovations needed. The cost for a new heating system in the Hall is astronomical and it’s one of the things we simply cannot do ourselves.’

Yul looked around at the circle of faces, annoyed to see that Clip seemed to have gone off into a trance. Not that he could blame him, really. Sylvie smiled at him encouragingly and he understood her message.

Don’t be hard on them and don’t get angry
–
they’re all doing their best
.

He grimaced at her and raised his eyebrows. These Samhain annual report meetings felt like stirring set honey and it only seemed to get worse each year. He was just grateful that Clip allowed him to chair the meetings, or it’d be even more rambling and tedious.

‘So, we’re going to hear the final report now, which comes from Harold. Before he begins, I want to stress how important it is that everyone—’

‘Oh, Yul – sorry to interrupt, but could I just say something?’ said Dawn. ‘It may be relevant, about the money problem. It’s just that … I had an e-mail the other day from Rainbow. Do you all remember her? She—’

‘I didn’t realise you were in touch with the old Hallfolk,’ said Yul slowly. Sylvie noticed the tightening of his mouth.

‘I’m not, not really. But I think she knows David, the new art teacher, and she got my e-mail address from him. It’s not difficult to work out, is it? Once you know that we’re all to be found at
Stonewylde.com
. Anyway, she was very nice and it turns out she’s doing really well in the art world. She’s quite a successful painter and she asked if she could come and stay at Stonewylde next summer as a paying guest. She has wonderful memories of the place, she said. She wants to take a sabbatical and spend the summer here relaxing and painting, and she really wants to see Merewen too.’

Sylvie swallowed. Rainbow? At Stonewylde?

‘We’ll have to think about it,’ said Yul. ‘I’m not sure … we always said that we’d never have any of the exiled Hallfolk back. Present company excepted, of course.’

‘I suppose she was only a child,’ said Miranda. ‘What was she … thirteen when Magus died? Not much more than that. She can hardly be tarred with the same brush as everyone else. And if she’s a successful artist, she may be able to do something to help us financially.’

‘But if you let one in, you’ll be letting ’em all in. ‘Specially if she pays,’ said Greenbough, his old face furrowed with concern. ‘Like ants – this girl’s the scout and the others’ll follow on. We’d be overrun with ’em afore we know it.’

‘What do you think, Sylvie?’ asked Dawn, thinking that she’d find an ally. Nobody had a kinder heart than Sylvie.

‘I don’t know. My initial reaction is no, never. As Greenbough says, she could be the thin end of the wedge. But … I remember Rainbow’s art and it was wonderful. She was a talented girl and if she’s become a proper artist now …’

She trailed off, hating the thought of Rainbow breaching the Boundary Walls but despising her meanness of spirit.

‘Clip? Any thoughts on this?’ asked Yul, thinking to catch him out in his day-dreaming.

‘Stonewylde is a magical place,’ Clip replied gently. ‘Impossible for those banished not to dream of it. If her heart is right, we should allow the girl a visit. But let’s find out more about her before we make a decision.’

Everyone nodded at this.

‘Sorry to bring it up now,’ said Dawn, a little flushed. ‘I just thought … what you were saying, Yul, about Stonewylde needing money. I thought maybe Rainbow could help or something.’

‘That’s fine, and we will consider it. So, back to Harold’s report. I was talking about our difficult financial situation. You all know my father subsidised the estate with his own personal wealth earned through his London business. I don’t have access to that and nor would I want to – the only way we can raise any cash is through our efforts at Stonewylde. You all know how well Harold has done in setting up
Stonewylde.com
to sell our excess produce. He’s also begun certain new ventures, looking into ways to raise money, and he has some exciting ideas for the future. So first let’s hear what we’ve achieved this year, Harold.’

All eyes turned to the thin young man sitting beside Yul. He coughed nervously and pushed his glasses back up his nose. Shuffling his pages of figures, he launched into a rapid recount of the success achieved by the company. He’d worked diligently and was a natural project manager, but he wasn’t a natural speaker and much of what he said went straight over the Council of Elders’ heads.