AllFreeNovel
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“Still,” said Justin. “Who displays a bomb in a station? In this day and age? What sort of barbaric northern hole have we come to? I mean, Phi, I came to support you. You know ballet’s not really my thing, but if it’s going to be— Oh, thank God.”
We stepped out of the station and into a very large, very bright shopping centre where Justin immediately wanted to buy a retro neon wristwatch, but it was established that there was not time for shopping. The bus was waiting. Or that was what I hoped the friendly lady had intimated with her unintelligible words and slightly more understandable gestures.
It was. Out in the car park, a white minibus awaited. We piled in and set off. We passed huge boats in the harbour, orange and blue and white. Then: grey streets, small shops, a view of the sea to the right, and finally we were out into the countryside. The bus windows displayed expansive but bleak spaces in an ever-darkening damp world. Justin’s alternative rendition ofShe’ll be Coming Round the Mountaindid nothing to raise spirits. “Come on, join in,” he encouraged us. “Anyone? Sun? She’ll be coming with a woman when she…” No one was amused. “Simone? Who wants to come with Aleksandr when she—?”
I gave him a push.
The unintelligible woman turned round in her seat to look at us. “Fa’s the veggie?” she asked.
We all looked at her blankly.
“The veg-e-tar-ian,” she enunciated.
“Oh, me,” I said, as if confessing a crime.
“Aye.” She looked me up and down.
Simone giggled. “So much for vegetarianism being slimming.”
The woman turned to her. “I’m een ana.” But what that meant, nobody knew.
“How did you know?” I asked the woman. “I don’t remember anything about food on the questionnaire.”
“Yon Ukrainian manny telt me.”
“Aleks?” said Simone, understanding something. “So, Amalphia. You didn’t just speak about ballet with him if he knew that?”
“We did talk about food,” I admitted.
“Maybe in his car?” suggested Simone. “That last Tuesday of term?”
The bus turned sharply through grand and ornate gates, fortuitously distracting everyone. The bright headlights allowed a glimpse of metal scrolls entwined with bunches of cast-iron fruit and flowers. Two majestic stone pillars, one topped with a mermaid and the other with a fearsome-looking bear, loomed large for a second and then were gone. It was properly dark between the densely packed trees that lined both sides of the single-track road. Everyone was quiet, looking ahead, awaiting the first view of the castle.
It burst into sight, all pink and floodlit at the end of the forest tunnel. The building was made up of various segments: a main square block, an imposing round tower at the back and a long flat part to the right. A familiar figure sat on the steps below the many brightly lit narrow windows and little gun-loop holes. He ground a cigarette out with his foot, and the intimidating grandeur of the place faded.
Vaguely aware of the scent of pine trees and wood smoke as I got off the bus, I wanted to run over for a hug, but couldn’t. This was the first time that the secretive nature of our relationship had seemed problematic, or like a big deal. Forcing myself to look away from Aleks, I dragged my suitcase awkwardly over the gravel and listened to the others exclaim about the magnificence of the place.
Up the castle steps we went and into a huge entrance hall. The thick medieval door banged shut behind us, metal studs glinting in the light, and everyone was awed into silence. A wide stone staircase lay at the back of the room, winding up to who knew where. The ceiling was high and ornately corniced. Carved stone angels flew round the perimeter; some sounded trumpets while others held their hands wide as if offering blessings or protection. There were large double doors on either side of the foyer and an elevator at the back, providing transport to the top of a turret, perhaps? The black-and-white parquet floor looked like a giant chessboard and spoke of games, old and new.
“How was your journey?” enquired Aleks, having come in with us.
Justin answered him. “Boring as sin. Hearst asking Phi to marry him was the highlight of the day.”
“A cake-related joke,” I pointed out, but Aleks didn’t smile.
“Aye, weel, ye’ll get yer dinner in an oor,” barked the friendly woman. “In there.” She indicated the doors to the left. “Hae a winner aboot first, like. See yer rooms.”
“Yes, indeed.” The receding man spoke perfect English, though seemed even worse at eye contact than me. He addressed his words slightly to the left of our group. “Explore, and after dinner we’ll have an introductory talk and get properly acquainted.”
“Your rooms are all in tower, with names on doors,” said Aleks, pointing to the stairway. “Mine too, as I am one of the research participants also. Just like you.”
But no one was listening to him. At the mention of our bedrooms, my fellow students had all taken off towards the stairs at great speed. I shot Aleks a wide smile and then followed everyone else.
Up and round we walked, passing an open corridor to the left. The first door we came to bore a paper name tag: William.
“I have the shortest climb,” said Will.
We all peered into the room. I walked over the plush blue carpet, then admired the large double bed and antique looking furniture. “I hope we all have one of those,” I said, pointing to the ensuite bathroom.
