Shaman of Stonewylde (47 page)

The little girls were exhausted from their trip and the new and strange experiences they’d had, and the others weren’t much better. Everyone had been longing for a quiet return to normality. Miranda in particular was emotionally drained, and had been looking forward to a peaceful cup of tea in her rooms. Rufus had much to think about, and had been anticipating a long session on the Internet researching his new dream, whilst Clip wanted to see Leveret and tell her all the latest developments. Yul and Sylvie had enjoyed the closeness of being together constantly over three days and two nights. They’d loved feeling like a couple again and their daughters had basked in the warmth and happiness of their parents’ reunion.

But, despite their reluctance, they all trooped obligingly up the stairs and Martin paused at the threshold to the grand apartments. The light was already starting to fade in the overcast October afternoon and the corridor was shadowy. Bluebell’s hand slipped into Sylvie’s and she shivered. Martin turned and smiled at everyone, and Clip recoiled at the expression in the man’s eyes as he spoke.

‘Welcome back to Stonewylde!’

Martin threw open the door and they all went inside. The table lamps cast soft light around the room and a generous fire
burnt
brightly in the hearth. Clip was surprised to see people seated in there already: Maizie, Rowan and Faun. He wondered if this were some kind of Elders’ meeting, although others such as Dawn, Cherry and Tom weren’t there. Mallow hovered near the dumb waiter and when it pinged she jumped like a frog. As everyone found a seat, she brought a tea-tray over to the table and began to set out the cups for pouring. Everyone tried to ignore the rattling of cups on saucers as she did her best to steady her hands.

‘For Goddess’ sake, woman!’ hissed Martin and she flinched at his tone.

‘Do let me help,’ said Sylvie quietly, leaning forward.

‘No!’ said Martin. ‘Even she can manage to pour tea.’

Celandine and Bluebell, squashed between their parents on the sofa, exchanged looks of resignation at their plight. They’d been longing to run out and play on the Village Green after days of being cooped up.

‘Did you have a lovely time?’ Maizie asked them, feeling awkward sitting around like this. ‘I missed you both and so did the chickens.’

‘Yes, thank you, Granny Maizie. It was all very exciting.’

‘Yes and our hotel had a television and a little fridge and air came out of a hole in the wall, but guess what – the windows didn’t open and—’

‘Enough tittle-tattle!’ said Martin sternly. ‘If you all have your tea and are sitting comfortable, I’ll tell you why you’re here.’

Bluebell buried her face in Sylvie’s jacket as his wintry gaze swept the assembled group. Yul had been silent until now, bemused by Martin’s authority but trying to be true to his new promise to Sylvie; from now on he’d be a member of the community and wouldn’t dominate. But looking at the tired faces around him he had to intervene.

‘We’ve had a very busy few days,’ he said, ‘and we all need to unwind, especially my daughters. So please make it quick, Martin.’

Martin glared at him and his thin face darkened.

‘I’ll take as long as I like, and no upstart—’

The arched door opened suddenly and Leveret walked in.

‘Oh! Sorry – Swift just brought me a message to come here immediately. I . . .’

‘Come and sit down,’ said Clip to the bewildered girl. ‘Martin was just about to explain why we’re all gathered here so mysteriously.’

‘Aye, sit down and keep your mouth shut! I’ve brought you all here to show you once and for all that I can no longer stand back and watch the rot, the canker, the blight that has blackened Stonewylde for so many years. The time has come for me to—’

‘The time has come for me to return.’

At the sound of the deep voice, everyone’s heads swivelled towards the interconnecting door leading to the other rooms. Mouths fell open in shock at the sight of the blond hair and expensive suit.

‘And how good it feels to be back at long last,’ he continued.

‘What the hell are
you
doing here?’ Yul demanded furiously, trying to jump up from his place on the sofa. He was wedged in by Celandine who’d jerked with surprise, and Sylvie reached across the children and grabbed his arm to prevent him rising.

‘No, Yul! Please, don’t do anything . . .’

Buzz walked across the room to the fireplace where all could see him. He stood with the flames dancing behind him and smiled at everyone, scanning the shocked faces.

‘What the hell am I doing here? Good question. I could ask the same of many of you. These were my father’s rooms, and I have every right to be in them. Thanks to Martin I’ve come back – only to find that Stonewylde has been run into the ground, ruined and laid waste. All the hard work and dedication my father poured into the estate has been wasted, squandered by poor leadership and lack of skill.’

‘Absolutely not!’ spluttered Clip. ‘We’ve actually—’

‘But no longer! I’m here now and—’

‘You may be here now, but you won’t be staying!’ said Yul, shaking with suppressed rage. Sylvie still held his arm and could
feel
him tremble. ‘I don’t know why you think it acceptable to come back now, when you were banished and have never been invited back. But—’

‘Oh, but I have been invited back,’ said Buzz smoothly. ‘Martin’s invited me back, and he assures me there are many at Stonewylde who’d welcome a return to the old, proper regime.’

‘Aye, the old regime!’ cried Martin, capering across the room to stand next to Buzz. He was tall, thin and old, and looked particularly so next to the younger, stockier man. ‘We’re getting rid of the upstarts, the bastards and cuckoos! We’re—’

‘We’re going to see a rightful shake-up,’ said Buzz. ‘I’ve come back with a great deal of money to put Stonewylde to rights again. I shall repair all the damage you’ve inflicted over the years, and once more swell the coffers and the granaries. My father left the running of his business to me, and now I’ve returned to put everything right. By all accounts, just in the nick of time.’

23

M
arigold stared at Cherry and Tom in consternation as they faced one another in the kitchens.

‘There’s someone up there, that’s for sure!’ said Cherry. ‘ ’Tis not just our Yul and Sylvie and all them who came back today. Another car arrived earlier and ’tis parked now out o’ sight round the back.’

‘Aye, and the Gatehouse said Martin were up there waiting by the gates and told ’em to let the car in!’ said Tom.

‘But who was in the car?’

‘We don’t know! Its windows are all black and you can’t see inside. But it must be someone Martin knows ‘cos he got in the car hisself and came back down to the Hall with ’em, so the Gatehouse said.’

‘But did nobody see who got out here?’

Cherry shook her head.

‘Nobody saw them arrive and Martin must’ve sneaked ’em upstairs so quick! And then I had to send up a big tea tray.’

‘I reckon ’tis Hallfolk back. And I reckon as there’s so much o’ this secrecy that ’tis Buzz this time around.’

‘Oh Goddess! What shall we do?’

The three of them stood on the worn flagstones of the kitchens paralysed with indecision. Daylight was fading fast and Marigold turned the lights on.

‘I think we should leastways get Edward up here – and be ready to go in and help if we’re needed,’ said Cherry.

‘Aye – Yul and Clip are in there, and Miranda, Maizie and Sylvie. But why Rowan and Faun? And the children?’

‘Well, Cherry – you and I are Elders,’ said Tom. ‘Shall we go up and see what’s afoot? Martin’s been acting very strange of late.’

‘Aye that’s true, but you can’t just barge in there,’ said Marigold. ‘No, I think we should ask Edward to come just in case there’s trouble. But even if ’tis Buzz back, he won’t be staying.’

‘Can you imagine Yul letting Buzz stay?’ mused Cherry. ‘He vowed to kill him once, and after what he said at the meeting that time, I don’t reckon much has changed there.’

Inside the grand apartments, the atmosphere was as taut as a high-wire. Buzz still stood with his back to the fire smiling genially at the assembled group, whilst Martin fidgeted from foot to foot. Mallow huddled in the corner, and everyone else was seated.

‘So, are you my half-brother then?’ asked Faun, staring at the big blond man in the well-cut suit. ‘Mother said I have a brother called Buzz.’

‘That’s right! It’s a pleasure to meet you, Faun – how lovely to have such a beautiful sister.’

Faun dimpled prettily at this and wriggled in her chair.

‘It’s nice to have a brother who thinks that,’ she said boldly. ‘The other two don’t.’

‘Ah yes, and this must be Rufus?’ Buzz turned his gaze to the boy who blushed scarlet through his freckles. ‘A pleasure to meet you too.’

‘Hold on a minute!’ said Yul sharply. ‘This isn’t some bloody family reunion! You have no—’

‘Actually it
is
a family reunion,’ said Buzz, his pale blue eyes fixing on Yul with dislike. ‘Faun’s right – she’s my sister and Rufus is my brother. I’ve never met them before, and that’s partly why I’ve come here.’

‘You may be Rufus’ half-brother,’ said Miranda, ‘but we want nothing to do with you. You were sent away by your father
because
you attempted to strangle my daughter, so don’t try to pull the kindly brother act now.’

Buzz gazed at her, his smooth skin darkening slightly, but he maintained his expression of benign calm.

‘Oh come, Miranda – that was all so many years ago! Surely we can all be forgiven for youthful folly? You of all people should be aware of how easy it is to make mistakes when young and passionate! Besides, I know she’s forgiven me, haven’t you, Sylvie?’

He turned his blue gaze on her, a smile playing on his small mouth, and Sylvie’s cheeks stained an ugly red.

‘The old regime you spoke of is well and truly dead,’ she replied shakily. ‘You’re not welcome here.’

‘Speak for yourself!’ said Rowan. ‘As far as I’m concerned, any true son o’ Magus is welcome here!’

‘What do you mean by that?’ cried Maizie. ‘Are you saying my Yul isn’t Magus’ true son? Because—’

‘Please, everyone, stop!’ said Clip. ‘This isn’t getting us anywhere. Buzz, I appreciate that Martin has invited you back and has perhaps given you a false idea of the situation here at Stonewylde. I can assure you it’s not all doom and gloom, and it’s—’

‘Oh yes it is!’ said Martin. ‘The whole place is—’

‘Martin, please! That’s enough!’

‘No ’tis not! You got no right to tell me what to do, son o’ Raven! No right at all. My mother—’

Buzz laid a heavy hand on Martin’s arm.

‘Martin, perhaps this isn’t the time for that right now – not yet. Maybe I can finish what I’m trying to explain to these good folk?’

Martin flushed but closed his mouth and looked down at his feet. Buzz smiled and his eyes fell on Celandine. He winked at her and she quickly looked away. Sylvie’s breath caught in her throat and she felt Bluebell stiffen next to her.

‘Buzz, I have no wish to be unpleasant,’ said Clip, ‘but you can see that your presence here is upsetting for many. You’ve come here without an invitation, despite whatever Martin says,
and
it was wrong to sneak in when we were all away. That was underhand and—’

‘Sneaking is
not
something I do!’ said Buzz sharply. ‘Any subterfuge involved was out of sheer necessity. I tried a direct approach earlier this year via your office boy. I’ve e-mailed and I’ve phoned, politely requesting a meeting. But I was rebuffed, refused, without even the decency of a proper hearing, and that’s why I’ve had no choice but to resort to this unannounced visit.’

‘You were refused because we didn’t want you here and you can’t stay now. We don’t need you or your money, thank you.’

‘That’s not true, Clip, and you well know it,’ said Buzz. ‘I’m very aware of the situation here, perhaps better than you. Stonewylde is sinking fast and will soon go under. There are debts, bills to pay, and income is desperately needed. I have money and—’

‘We don’t
want
your bloody money!’ shouted Yul, jerking against Sylvie’s restraining hand and pushing it away impatiently. ‘We don’t
need
—’

‘Ah, but you do need money,’ said Buzz with an edge to his voice. ‘I
do
wish you’d have the courtesy to let me speak. I’ve come a long way to be here and it would be polite to let me have my say.’

‘Manners never were
your
strongest point!’ said Yul.

‘Nor yours! You’ve—’

‘Enough of this!’ said Clip. ‘Buzz, why don’t you come downstairs and perhaps you and I can discuss finances in private?’

‘Very kind, but too late. My original offer of help was refused and now things have changed. So I’ve deliberately gathered you all together – with Martin’s assistance of course – because I have things to say that you all need to hear.’

‘Please, the children are tired and need to get back to the Village,’ said Sylvie. ‘I don’t want them forced to sit here and listen to this any longer.’

She started to move but Buzz stepped forward as if he’d stop her, and held up a hand.

‘Just give me five minutes and then anyone who wishes to leave may do so. Fair enough? Five minutes and no interruptions!’

‘Mummy, I want to go!’ whispered Bluebell. ‘I don’t like that man and I don’t like it in here.’

But Clip nodded at Buzz.

‘Five minutes then.’

Edward hurried into the kitchen bringing the rain and darkness with him. He pulled off his waterproofs and shook his grizzled mane of hair. He joined Cherry, Marigold and Tom seated at one end of the vast table running down the centre of the kitchens, noting their worried expressions.

‘We ain’t called Hart, Robin nor Greenbough,’ said Tom. ‘Nor Harold neither, though he’s in the building somewhere. But we wondered if we ought to get Hazel and Dawn – what do you think, Edward?’

‘How long have they all been up there?’ asked Edward. ‘And have you heard anything?’

Cherry shook her head.

‘We’ve heard nought, but we’ve not been standing outside listening. They been up there a good half hour now, maybe a bit more.’