Meanwhile Gardens: An Urban Adventure
Written by Charlie Caselton

Chapter 134 - Mummy-fied
The only pub in the small settlement was empty apart from an old man dribbling into his Guinness. They got three pints and the promise of a sandwich from the barman, a fresh faced young man, redheaded and eager to please who, despite the gravity of the situation, had Ollie's mind wandering onto other, more pleasurable things.
"They nearly saw me you know." Jake led the way to a table beside the fire. "I don't think they did but it was close.
"We tried warning you. " Nicky took a gulp from her beer. "but the sound just didn't come and by the time it did AND the train had passed, Ted was almost in the house."
"He appeared slightly confused as to the desperate birdcalls though." Ollie said. "What did you see anyway?"
"Well, at first I thought the place was empty. All the rooms had dust sheets over the furniture and just looked very unlived in."
"Maybe it's just a holiday home." Ollie suggested.
"Maybe. But in a small room at the front of the house I saw an old woman in a nursing cot being attended to by Mary."
Nicky looked up. "An old woman?"
Jake nodded. "Mrs Dwight perhaps?"
"Gorby's mum?" Ollie combed his fingers through his hair. "Well, it's her house isn't it?"
"Then Ted came in, Mary arranged the pillows around Mrs Dwight and they left."
"Did they say anything?" Nicky asked.
"I thought I heard Mary say something like 'Perfect, it must be perfect.'"
"Hmmm." Ollie sat in thought. "But where did they go?"
Jake opened the much-used road map he had brought from the van. "Let's see." He quickly turned to page 17. "We are here right?"
"Yes." Nicky scrutinised the map once more. "Wait a second." She said excitedly, flipping to the symbols page at the front.
"Looking for something?" The barman placed three ham sandwiches, neatly quartered, on the table in front of them.
Ollie looked at the handsome young man who grinned down at him. Feeling Nicky's kick under the table Ollie pulled himself together. "We're here to see some friends but we can't find them."
"Maybe I can help." The barman folded his arms to reveal biceps of a pleasing proportion.
Wary of Nicky's kick Ollie refused to let his mind stray. "Do you know the Dwights?" He asked.
"Gorby?" Jake added helpfully.
Nicky smiled sweetly. "We're friends of Ted and Mary."
The barman looked surprised. "Are you here for the Honouring then?"
"That's enough Jason." A voice warned.
They looked over to see a man in his late forties glowering behind the bar. He had a shock of red hair and strikingly similar features to the young man.
Jason bobbed his head in deference to his father. Without a word he headed back to the kitchen. Before he got halfway across the bar Ollie called him back. "Wait."
Jason turned.
"We're really here to see Mrs Dwight. We understand she's not well."
A peculiar expression flashed across Jason's face. He looked at his father who, with a quick nod, made it clear he was to leave the room.
"Not well?" The older man asked. "Of course she's not well she's been dead these three years."
"Oh - I - " Ollie flustered before giving up. They finished the sandwiches in silence and left.
"All the woman said was they were moored outside Gorby's mother's place," Ollie muttered as they walked across the car park, "not that she was no longer with us."
"So who was the woman if it wasn't Gorby's mum?" Jake wondered.
"Haven't a clue." Ollie looked around him. "God, I hate the country," he said with feeling, "there's veiled threats and hints of 'Deliverance' everywhere."
Once they were in the van Nicky couldn't hide her excitement any longer. "I've got it!" She quickly opened the road map again. "Do you know what this is?" Nicky pointed to a curious symbol, an elliptical shape with short lines around the outside, that appeared on the map to be a mile or so from Longfelloe.
Ollie shrugged his shoulders as he started the engine.
"It's the sign for a Celtic monument!"
Jake still looked blank.
"It was something Mary McGrath said to me. Her office is full of these weird figurines of Morris Men."
"Yes?" Jake said slowly still not seeing the connection.
"Well, I'm sure she said something about their dances going back to Celtic times!"
"And you think - ?"
"It's the only lead we have."
As they drove out of the car park Jake pointed through the windscreen. "Maybe you're onto something."
Nicky looked to see the pub's shield atop a flagpole: the coloured board showed a figure of a dancing masked man. Feeling they were on the right way Ollie sped up the hill and away from Longfelloe.
They were going down the other side when Nicky shouted. "Look!"
In the picnic area below them stood a lone parked car. Coming closer it was apparent the vehicle was a maroon Rover saloon.

Chapter 135 - Make a wish
They parked the van out of sight of the picnic area and walked back.
Jake examined the Rover saloon. "It's their car alright."
"You're sure?" Nicky asked.
Jake nodded. "I recognise it from the cottage."
"Besides, look." Ollie pointed to something at the front of the car. "Who else could it be?" Whatever doubts they might have had were erased by the little masked men dangling from the rear-view mirror.
"Longfelloe Iron Age fort." Nicky read out loud from the sign at the edge of the picnic area. "Let's go."
There was no one around as they followed the path across a grassy field and up through a small wood. It was only when they got to the brow of the hill that they came upon ditches and spiralling ramparts, evidence of the ancient fortress.
They clambered over the last of the simple fortifications to find themselves overlooking a flattened area on top of the hill. The large space was overrun with gorse bushes, their yellow flowers the only sign of colour in the wintry landscape.
Nicky looked at the dense thickets in front of her. "Where now?"
"Where else?" Ollie pointed to a series of paths winding their way through the prickly bushes.
Jake wasn't so sure. "Have you any string?"
"It can't be that much of a maze." Ollie jumped down from the earthworks, landing with ease on the soft, springy grass. "Come on." He led the way into the undergrowth.
Jake and Nicky watched him go then quickly followed. After several minutes of squeezing over and under gnarly roots, the path opened into a clearing in the middle of which was a small fenced off area.
Jake leapt over the flimsy railings and peered into the centre. "It's a well.
"Be careful." Nicky warned. "Maybe the ground is unsafe."
"Have you any change?"
Nicky reached in her pocket and offered up its contents. "This is all I have."
Jake took three pound coins. He gave one each to Nicky and Ollie whilst keeping the other for himself.
"Couldn't you have taken the ten pence pieces?" Nicky grumbled.
"The Gods don't respond to thrift."
Ollie squinted down the well-shaft. "I can't see any water."
"It's probably really, really deep." Jake rolled the pound coin along the backs of his fingers as any magician might. "Let's do this together, it'll increase the power."
They linked hands.
"Make a wish." Jake said as he closed his eyes.
Ollie did as he was told. "Mine involves Rion."
"Shhh!" Jake scolded. 'You're not supposed to say." After a second he confided, "But so does mine."
"Mine too." Nicky whispered
"On the count of three." Jake said slowly. "One - two - three."
The two young men flipped their coins into the darkness while Nicky simply tossed hers in. Instead of a long silence and then a splash they were met by three dull thuds in quick succession.
"It's been boarded up!" Jake said in disgust.
Nicky felt stupid. "We couldn't fish them out could we?" She asked realising superstition had got the best of her once more.

Mary looked up upon hearing the muted bumps in the wellshaft above them. Several tiny bits of earth and loose stone splashed into the bubbling pool of water in the middle of the large cavern. Mary looked questioningly at the seven dancers, amongst them Senior and Beck, and then at Gorby who stood to one side, an earthenware tom-tom under his arm.
"It's probably a squirrel." Her husband said from the shadows.
"Or someone throwing money." Gorby scoffed. "There's one born every minute."
Mary resumed the practice. She hopped from leg to leg with surprising lightness, drilling the dancers, all young men carrying swords, in the intricate steps they had been rehearsing for months. The raggedy-ann doll in the centre silently played her part.
After the dancers had executed a number of these sequences to perfection Mary clapped her hands.
"Well done." Her voice echoed around the vast underground chamber beneath the hilltop. "Be here at the appointed hour. Check and double-check everything. You know what to do." She cast her gaze on each of the dancers in turn. "Success depends on your actions tonight. Do not let us down."
The dancers clashed their swords then broke the circle, moving away they talked in soft voices amongst themselves.
Seeing his wife's anxious face Ted put his arm around her and pulled her close. "Everything's perfect." He kissed the top of her head. "It's going to work."
"It must do. It's our last chance. " She looked at the seven young dancers. "It all depends on them, it all depends on the accuracy of the ritual."

Chapter 136 - Eyes Watching Unseen
Nicky, Jake and Ollie made their way out of the gorse bushes. They walked around the low ramparts of the ancient fort, Longfelloe and the thin line of the Grand Union Canal visible in the valley below them.
"Where are they?" Ollie scanned the woods for any sign of life.
Jake shrugged his shoulders. "They can't have just disappeared."
"Why not? Others have." Nicky reminded him.
The friends continued along the brow of the hill, soon coming to the point looking away from Longfelloe but towards the picnic area.
Three figures emerged from the woods below: one tall, one shorter, the other stout.
"It's the McGraths!" Nicky said excitedly.
"And Gorby!"
They watched as the odd trio walked across the field to their car.
"They weren't alone either." Jake pointed to a group of five young men coming out from the trees at the same place. Their voices and laughter drifted up the hill as they headed on the path away from the picnic area down towards Longfelloe.
Jake, Ollie and Nicky waited for several minutes before heading along the trail. They turned right where the field met the trees and followed the line of the woods round.
"What do you think?" Nicky asked as they came to a second, smaller path.
Jake took his alignment from the hillfort above them. He nodded his head. "This is it."
They followed this smaller path through the woods until it joined the main trail.
Eyes watched them unseen from the forest.
"What can we have missed?" Ollie asked as they retraced their steps for the third time.
"Shh!" Jake cupped his ear. "Do you hear that?"
Nicky and Ollie listened but all that could be heard was a soft, distant hum. "Traffic?" Nicky ventured.
Ollie wasn't so sure. "We're pretty far from the road though."
"It's water isn't it?" Jake said listening again, this time trying to see where it might be coming from. He looked to the left where he could see a mosscovered cliff face surrounded by dense wood about thirty yards from the path. "It must be coming from there."
Ollie's heart sank as he looked at the branches and fallen trees blocking their way. They quickly began moving the debris to one side. After a second Jake called out. "Look!"
Beneath the logs and brush was the unmistakable sign of a path. They moved another few light branches away to find a clear trail skirting the fallen trees. Before long all three were in front of the rockface from which a steady curtain of water streamed into a pool.
Behind the wall of water a cave was visible.
"Come on." Ollie led the way. Ducking under the water he entered the small cave. Jake and Nicky were close behind.
"Anyone got a lighter?"
Jake took out his wallet. "Even better." He removed what looked like a credit card from his pocket, pressed it and a strong beam of light lit up the wall in front. "If you live like I do you always come prepared."
Nicky couldn't stop herself marvelling as the torch lit up simple ochre drawings of dancing men. "Wow."
"How old do you think these are?" Ollie asked.
Jake shone the flashlight around, lighting up other crudely drawn dancing figures. He moved in for a closer look. "And what do you think they used - blood?"
Ollie and Nicky looked at each other and shuddered.
Bouncing the beam off the walls Jake saw what they had had been looking for. "There we go." He shone the torch to the end of the cave where the beam lit up an opening stoppered by a heavy studded door.
Nicky was the first one there. "There's no lock, no handle."
Ollie examined the door. "Not even a keyhole."
Jake ran his hands over the surface. He pushed against it with all his might but there was no movement. "Come on. As one they put their shoulders to the door but nothing, not a fraction did it budge.
Ollie banged it with the flat of his hand to be met with a deadened thud. "It must be a foot thick."
"At least." Nicky reckoned.
Jake took a closer look. "We're never going to get in there." He shook his head. "There's no way."
"What are we going to do then?"
Jake flashed his torch around. "We should get out of here that's for sure. There's no place to hide if someone comes."
"Back to the vantage point?" Nicky asked.
Jake nodded. "As good a place as any."
Leaving the cave they were again unaware their every move was being followed. They replaced the brush and branches where the hidden track joined the main trail before heading up to the hilltop fort with its views over any and all arrivals.

Chapter 137 - The King and Queen
"We should have got some more sandwiches." Nicky said, feeling her stomach grumble.
"I think we were lucky to get out when we did."
Ollie agreed with Jake. "The landlord was hardly the most welcoming was he?" There's no telling what he might have done." He watched the full moon rise over the end of the valley. "It's so beautiful isn't it?"
"And so cold." Nicky hugged her fleece tightly to her. "I can't wait until the days start getting lighter."
Their attention was soon taken by headlights coming up from Longfelloe. Instead of driving past as others had done these pulled into the picnic area.
Jake sat up with interest. "We're on."
"What's that?" Nicky pointed to flickering lights approaching from the valley. The sound of voices singing in unison drifted up to the hillfort.
Ollie grabbed her arm. "What's that?" He said more urgently pointing to two silhouettes coming towards them from not twenty yards away.
"Do you think they've seen us?" Nicky whispered.
"If not they soon will. Let's jump." Jake said. "I'll follow you."
They landed more heavily than before. Jake tumbled but was on his feet in a flash.
"Stop there!" A man's voice ordered above them.
Ollie dashed into the gorse bushes, Nicky and Jake at his heels. They crashed along a narrow track, tripping and stumbling against the roots and undergrowth, their progress shadowed by the yells of their pursuers.
Coming to the clearing in the middle Jake made up his mind in a second. "Get in the well!"
Hearing the crashing come ever closer Nicky followed Jake and Ollie over the rails. They slid down the brick-lined shaft, using their outstretched feet and hands to slow their descent until Jake felt board beneath his feet. He tried not to cry out as first Ollie then Nicky landed on top of him.
With hearts in mouths they heard their assailants stumble into the clearing.
"Where could they have got to?" said one breathing heavily.
"There they are!" Cried the other.
Nicky closed her eyes waiting for the moment of discovery. The heavy footsteps came closer and closer. Nicky's heart pounded ferociously against her ribs. She could feel her face flush warm as blood raced to her head.
The footsteps came nearer and nearer still then rushed past into thickets on the other side. The voices faded as the men went further away from them.
"That sort of thing could make you religious couldn't it?" Jake whispered. He pulled the creditcard sized torch from his pocket. The beam clicked on showing them to be some way from the surface. A system of rungs spiralled to the top.
"Let's stay here abit." Ollie linked his arm around one of the metal rungs.
"You bet." Jake said. "I'm not going anywhere." He flexed his legs, feeling the board wobble beneath his feet.
"I wouldn't - " Nicky began but it was too late.
The thin board wasn't meant to carry the weight of one let alone three people. With a nasty crack it snapped, splashing into water not far below them. Ollie held tight to his rung. Nicky managed to grab one above him. Jake wasn't so quick but he was quick enough. In his fall he clutched at Ollie's legs. For a second they dangled there swinging from side to side, Jake sliding lower and lower.
"Hold on!" Ollie said between his teeth, the strain almost unbearable.
"I can't!" With a final gasp Jake let go. He landed to the side of a small spring. "Come on!"
Ollie looked down to see Jake gesturing with his hands. He glanced up at Nicky. "You alright?"
Nicky automatically nodded.
Ollie moved down to the last rung. He swung his legs in the manner of a trapeze artist getting up speed.
"Now!" Jake hissed.
Ollie felt Jake's hands around his ankles and let go. He landed with a heavy thump, Jake pulling him away from the water. Ollie looked round to find himself beside a gently bubbling spring in a large cavern. Dark tunnels led off at the four corners, the whole space faintly lit by a single flaring torch against the far wall.
"I think I've twisted my ankle." Ollie grimaced, the agonising pain causing bile to rise in his throat.
Jake went to support his friend when footsteps could be heard. He looked up. "Someone's coming. Hurry!"
Nicky needed no second urging. She quickly worked her way down until her legs were left hanging in the air.
Jake looked back as the footsteps drew near "Quick!"
Nicky let go. Her fall was broken by two sets of hands pulling her to safety.
With Ollie in the middle Nicky and Jake hobbled into a tunnel to one side, each step causing Ollie to gasp with pain.
From the shelter of the shadows they saw beams of flashlight enter the space followed soon after by two men. One took the flaming torch from the wall and moved to the well in the centre. He looked up into the shaft through which the night sky could now be seen. "I thought they were going to do that later."
His companion pulled the piece of board from the water. "As long as it's done that's the main thing." He said, his voice tinged with the same pleasing Oxfordshire burr as his colleague.
Their faces caught in the lamplight made Ollie forget his pain for a second. The pair were identical twins.
The next sentence brought the pain back. "Let's return to the girl." The first one said. "They'll be here soon."
The twins wandered back the way they came.
When their footsteps could no longer be heard Nicky whispered. "Wasn't that the guy in the vault?"
Ollie nodded excitedly. "They must mean Rion! Should we go after them?"
"Judging by your ankle I don't think we're going anywhere." Jake looked around the dark cavern. "Don't move."
"Is that a joke?" Ollie asked but Jake had already gone.
Nicky and Ollie watched as he ran across the darkness to the tunnel through which the twins had vanished. They saw Jake creep up the sloping sides to a small ledge of rocks, which he ducked behind.
Within seconds he was back at their side.
"Come on." They half-carried Ollie across the floor and up to the ledge of rocks. "You should be out of sight up here."
Ollie shifted about until he found the position that caused him least pain. With his back against a rock he found he could peer through a gap in the ledge to get a good view of almost the entire cave.
"I'll go look for Rion."
Nicky looked concerned. "Be careful Jake."
"Aren't you going to tell me not to move?" Ollie smiled weakly.
As Jake made his way down the slope voices echoed into the cave. Some were singing, some laughing but all joined in a sense of excitement. Jake hurried back up to hide behind the ledge. "Too late!"
They watched as the McGraths entered at the head of a crowd of perhaps twenty people. Mary was dressed all in white. On top of her head was a simple crown. Her husband wore a frock coat and a black box hat. The people behind carried a tree trunk on their shoulders which they placed beside the bubbling pool. Under Ted's directions the trunk was raised, its top nearly touching the ceiling. Mary looked up at the open wellshaft and nodded in satisfaction.
Others followed, many - but not all - in white. The worshippers carried flowers and small branches which they scattered around the upright trunk, creating a semblance of a garden in the ancient cavern. More torches were lit and placed in grooves in the rock hands had carved for them centuries before. Soon the vast space trembled with a flickering light.
Hidden behind the ledge Ollie, Jake and Nicky watched as Mary and two women, also dressed in white, entered the tunnel beneath them.

Chapter 138 - We'll Never Get Away With It
The twins tensed as people approached, their shadows dancing along the wall before them.
Beck kicked the floor. "I don't like it."
"You'll do as you're told." Senior ordered. He moved near the young girl but saw the drug was already taking effect. Communication was impossible.
Mary came up to the flimsy wicker door. "Is she ready?"
"Ready for you." Senior let Mary in, her two companions close behind.
"And she's had the drink?"
"About ten minutes ago." Although he had not wanted to give Rion the blue-tinged tablets Senior knew it was best she be drugged. The girl hadn't struggled this time. It seemed she had resigned herself to whatever fate lay in store for her.
Mary beamed. "Good!"
As the women removed her clothes Rion had a last musing before the rohypnol overwhelmed her: maybe this is what death is like, she thought, everything a blur, vaguely awake but unable to move, unable to do anything.
"She is perfect." One of the women said as Rion stood naked before them.
"Just exquisite." Her companion caressed the girl's long hair. Rion gave no reaction. She just stared at the middle distance, oblivious to everything around her. "And intact?"
"Of course." Mary replied.
Rion was dressed by the three women in a simple white dress that touched the ground. Her long hair was combed to fall loose around her shoulders. A crown of woven flowers was placed on her head.
Mary couldn't hide her pleasure. "She is perfect isn't she?"
At that point Rion gave a loud throaty cough before flopping back into her semi-conscious pose.
Mary whipped round, the smile ripped from her face. "She's supposed to be in excellent health!"
"She is, it's just the cold in here." Senior said hurriedly
"It won't work unless she's 100%" Mary put her face to Rion's and looked her level in the eye. Satisfied the cough was a one-off her smile returned. "It's time."
Her two companions went either side of Rion. They linked their arms through hers and stood behind Mary who moved out of the cell, Rion and the companions two steps behind.

"It's not right." Beck complained again.
"You're right." Senior agreed. "It's not right."
"I don't mean that." Beck frowned at his twin who had an annoying habit of changing his words around and giving them a different meaning. "That's what we're meant to do." Beck shook his head unhappily. "We'll never get away with it."
"We will."
Mary and the other dancers waited for them where the tunnel joined the main area. Mary glared at the twins as they got into line behind her. She took one last look to check everything was in order before she nodded at Ted and smiled.
The procession began.

Chapter 139 - The Honouring

Holding hands Mary and Ted stepped into the large cavern. Gorby followed, a fool's hat jangling on his head, the tom-toms under his arm.
The crowd hushed upon seeing their King, Queen and Fool move at a stately pace to the well, the starry night sky visible through the shaft above them. On one side of the spring stood the tree surrounded and bedecked with flowers. Colourful ribbons radiated out at eight points from the trunk. On the other side was the cot bearing the shrunken figure of Gorby's mother. With her head wrapped in a bonnet the poor woman gazed with blank eyes at those assembled, spittle dribbling from the side of her mouth.
Mary rapped the ground three times with her wand. There was immediate silence. "We thank you all for attending this Honouring to my father." She said regally, her voice reaching every part of the hall. Mary bent down to kiss the frail person in the cot.
Ollie sat up with a start. "Do you mean," he whispered. "that's her dad?"
"Must be." Nicky said confused.
Mary continued in the same powerful voice. "This midwinter night of the moon we will strengthen our bond with the Gods through tribute and dance as has always been done." She gestured to the trunk next to her. "As the tree appears dead in winter before Spring weaves her spell so we call on the Gods to bring life to their trusted servant in this midwinter of his life and let Spring fill his body!"
Shouts of acknowledgement and support rang out from the crowd until Mary held up her hands for quiet. She cast her gaze over the assembled before bursting into a triumphant smile. "See what the Gods have provided on this most special of nights." Mary nodded to the tunnel.
The crowd gasped as the two women companions stepped slowly from the shadows. Their arms were linked around Rion who shuffled unsteadily between them, her mind and body lost in a dense fog.
Nicky bit her clenched fist to keep from screaming.
Mary knelt by the pool in which the very edge of the moon was reflected. "Let sister moon add her power!" Mary scooped up a handful of water which she flicked gently over her father and then over Rion. Again she rapped the floor three times with her wand. At this signal Gorby began a solemn beat on the tom-tom he held beneath one arm.
Hearing the drum the six dancers entered. They were dressed identically in white shirt and breeches with gold buttons, red stockings and a red sash around their left arm. They had bells on their legs, tightfitting black velvet caps and white eye masks to further conceal their identity. Swords rested in silver scabbards on their sides. As each entered they extinguished the flaming torches until only two remained.
The dancers formed a circle around Rion who was held against the tree by the two woman companions. Each picked up the end of the ribbon in front of him, giving it a short tug to check it was secured tightly to the trunk. At some hidden signal one dancer moved around the tree, his ribbon securing Rion to the trunk. He was followed by another going the opposite way and then another so that soon all six of the dancers were weaving in and out of each other as they went their different ways, dancing around the tree as they might a Maypole.
As one they ended. The dancers returned to their original points of the circle where they stood facing the centre, the points of their swords resting on the ground in front of them. The two women companions moved away from the tree leaving Rion there, her neck, body and arms bound to the trunk with the thick ribbon.
Mary looked on in satisfaction. She nodded to Gorby who slowly increased the beat on the drum.
The dancers moved slowly round the ring. They pointed their swords towards the centre, clashing the blades in time with the drum. Patterns of jagged angles were created with swords that the other dancers would jump into and out of. As the beat increased so did the speed of the dancers. They executed turns and half-turns, switching positions across the circle, sometimes dancing singly, sometimes in pairs, but all the time clashing swords that drew sparks in the cavernous space.
The patterns quickly changed. From the circle they moved to file formation executing a series of steps, their feet moving so quickly it was hard to follow without becoming dizzy. When they had finished one sequence it would be repeated in reverse order, the steps demanding perfect muscle control. Circles and spirals, weaving both inwards and outwards, were traced on the floor upon which feet battered as if trying to awaken spring in the enfeebled old man.
As the tempo increased so the bells on their legs jangled ever louder, the dancers jumping higher and higher over swords in a kind of contest. A section of the audience started clapping in time with the drum. This spread and spread until everyone present apart from Ted and Mary, who retained their regal disposition throughout, were lost in the frenzy of the moment.
For a second or two Ollie forgot where he was, mesmerised by the spectacle before him. He was hypnotised by the speed and agility of the dancers, the clapping and drumming inducing a sense of euphoria in him. It was when he found himself tapping the ground that he suddenly woke up.
"This isn't the last night of the Proms." Nicky hissed in disapproval
"What are we going to do?" Ollie realised unhappily that with one ankle out of action it was fanciful to think he could do anything
Jake obviously had the same thought. "You can't run anywhere - they'd soon have you tied to the tree next to Rion."
"We've got to do something though."
"Just wait until the time is right."
"How will we know?"
"We'll know." Nicky said decisively.
The full moon was now right above the wellshaft. It sat atop the funnel so that, to the celebrants in the cave, it appeared there were two moons so perfect was the reflection in the pool.
This was the sign Mary had been waiting for.
"Stop!" Her voice rising above the din brought immediate silence. All that could be heard were the panting dancers, their bodies exhausted, as they leant on the hilts of their swords.
It was time for the second and final phase.
In an exaggerated gesture Gorby plucked a quill from his pocket. He raised it above his head and thrust it through the centre of the drum, the taut skin making a loud crack as it was pierced. He now began to push in and draw out the quill causing a horrid monotone sound, like a booming bullfrog, to fill the space.
The two women companions came out from the crowd to take their place beside Rion. They were joined by a dancer, his sword by his side. With a quick flick his blade cut the ribbons from the young girl. She was led to the middle of the circle then left alone, swaying like wheat in the breeze.
To the sinister sound the dancers held the hilt of their swords to their shoulders with one hand, whilst grasping the tip of the sword belonging to the man in front with the other. With swords raised above their head they did a small turn and approached Rion, their hands opening and closing making it appear as if the blades were a giant scissor.
Coming closer the circle was made ever smaller until hands were linked with wrists, creating a hexagon of blades that was placed over Rion's head.
Behind their masks two of the dancers exchanged glances.
Ted and Mary, the King and Queen, approached. Mary held a silver chalice in her hand. She looked with concern at her father who lay mewling in the cot beside the silvery moonlit pool.
The sinister monotone stopped.
All that could be heard was the slicing of swords as the blades scissored ever closer.

Chapter 140 - The Most Unexpected Sound
Ollie looked at the others. "We have to do something!"
"And how!" Nicky replied.
"And now!" Jake helped Ollie to his feet.
"Stop! Stop!" All three cried from the ledge of rocks.
After a second of stunned silence the most unexpected sound was heard: that of a walkie-talkie crackling into life followed by a man's voice shouting. "Go! Go! Go!"
Ollie, Nicky and Jake watched amazed as uniformed police swarmed into the cavern beneath them. One of the officers rushed to Rion, protecting her with his body from any danger.
"It's Auntie Em's tame plod!" Nicky exclaimed. "the one who came to the cemetery that day."
Angry shouts and screams filled the air as the celebrants were carried away. Huge flashlights flooded the cave, dazzling the worshippers further.
Blinded by the glare people staggered into the arms of officers waiting by the main entrance. Others dashed into tunnels hoping to escape the police who rushed everywhere, collaring and cuffing with alacrity.
Ollie, Jake and Nicky took one last look at the mayhem before easing their way down. They hobbled over to Rion who was being put on a stretcher. The young girl looked pale, glassy eyes staring blankly in front of her. Behind her Mary's father was being attended to.
"Will she be ok?" Jake asked a paramedic.
"She's suffering from hypothermia and has obviously been drugged but yes," He nodded. "with attention and rest she should be fine."
Ollie held Rion's hands. Her fingers felt so cold against his.
"She can't hear you." The paramedic advised
Ollie felt a tiny pressure against his thumb. "It's Ollie. Nicky and Jake are here too. You're going to be ok ." He looked at the young girl's face and could swear he could see tears welling behind her eyes. "You're going to be ok."
Choking up Ollie, Jake and Nicky watched Rion being stretchered through the melee and away.
"May I have a word?"
They turned to find Inspector Devine beside them. "You nearly ruined a complex operation."
"But - "
The policeman put up his hand to stop Nicky. "I said you nearly did."
"I thought you didn't believe me."
"You were right. Then I checked to see if Lady Chessy could shed any light on the situation in the catacombs - "
"And?"
"It turned out she died more than twenty years ago." Inspector Devine looked at them earnestly. "You see I'm not such a plod after all."
The three friends remained silent.
"And also, well - " The policeman smiled. " - what's the betting we don't find two of the dancers?"
"So you were tipped off?" Ollie asked.
"That would be telling wouldn't it?" He made to leave then turned back. "By the way, where did you hide?" Upon seeing their confusion Inspector Devine continued. "When you jumped off the ramparts and ran into the bushes?"
"So it was you!" Jake exclaimed.
Ollie smiled. "That would be telling wouldn't it?"

Chapter 141 - All's Well

Christmas Day dawned cold and got colder. The snow started to fall in big flakes shortly after nine fulfilling Yuletide wishes of children and grown-ups alike. It clung to the balconies of Trellick Tower giving the enormous block a softer, dusted feel.
By early afternoon the snow had been blown in to drifts that settled unevenly in the mews below. Inside the large house at the end Christmas lunch was slowing down. Rion, now fully recovered, sat at the festive table between Auntie Em and Ollie. Opposite were Nicky and Jake. Auntie Gem was ensconced on the sofa glued to the bumper edition of Eastenders.
Above them all, in her niche on the chimneybreast, Merlijnche de Poortje cast her calm gaze over the proceedings.
"When's the TQ of the Year lunch Ol?" Nicky asked.
"On the 30th."
"What are your chances?" Auntie Em asked.
"Hopefully fairly slim." Ollie pushed his chair away from the table and undid the top button on his trousers. If there was one thing that would top off a miserable twelve months, he thought, it would be by being voted Tragedy Queen of the Year. "I think Pete's in the bag with that one."
"What did he do?" Rion asked shyly.
"Oh his ex-boyfriend was getting married."
"Ouch." Nicky shuddered in sympathy.
"It gets worse." Ollie stretched out and put his hands behind his head. "You know the part in the service where the priest asks, 'Is there anyone here who knows of good reason why these two etc etc'?"
Auntie Em guessed what was next. "He didn't?"
Ollie nodded. "Fell into the church - literally - belted out the first couple of verses and a chorus or two of 'It Should Have Been Me', before the bride's brothers threw him out."
"The poor boy."
"He's ok now though isn't he?"
"Oh yeah. He was miserable for a while, in fact he checked into a clinic he was feeling so sorry for himself, then he stopped drinking, lost two and a half stone and is now seeing a Swedish footballer who's crazy about him."
"And you think that's going to win him TQ of the Year?"
"The first bit will. No question."
"Shouldn't it win him some other trophy like 'Most Admired' or 'Most Improved' or - "
"We don't have lunches like that Auntie Em - where would he the fun?"
The elegant woman didn't answer, suddenly distracted by the thought of seeing Kanwar later that day. Nicky took advantage of Auntie Em's silence. "Did I tell you Andy called?"
Ollie tried to feign disinterest which was never one of his strengths. He took a sip of wine and slowly wiped the side of his lips. "Really?"
"He's back from the Far East and was asking about you."
Ollie suddenly had a desperate urge to look at the TV. "What's going on in Albert Square Auntie Gem?"
"Ollie!" Nicky said indignantly. "Andy wanted to know our, well more specifically your plans for New Year's."
"Aren't we going to Lloyd and Clive's?"
"That's what I told him."
"What so he can snog me rotten and give me some false name?"
"I thought you said he was a great kisser."
"He was but I'm not into closet cases."
Welcoming the distraction Ollie reached for the ringing phone but Auntie Em got there first. She handed the receiver to Rion. "It's Tanya. Take it in my room."
As soon as Rion had left the room Auntie Em turned to Nicky. "Have you told her yet?"
Nicky shook her head. "I'll tell her when she gets back."
Auntie Em rubbed her hands together in glee.
"Tell Rion what?" Ollie asked.
"Just something Angie told me."
"Where are they spending Christmas by the way?" Ollie asked anxious to move the conversation away from Andy.
"Anguilla. They went there immediately after Edwin got the all clear."
Ollie looked over at the sofa upon hearing the Eastenders theme tune. "Good episode Auntie Gem?"
"You know it child." Gemma pressed the mute button on the remote and returned to the table
"Aren't you going to watch the Queen's speech?" Jake asked, his arm around Nicky who snuggled in closer.
"Don't you - " Auntie Em began then stopped. "Of course you weren't here last year."
Ollie laughed. "This is one of those difficult times for Gem. Torn between loyalty to the Royal Family and idolatry of Princess Di - and recognising the feelings the Queen had for her daughter-in-law - she has to compromise don't you?" He poured a glass of port and handed it to the old lady who bobbed her head, smiled but remained glued to the set.
"She does this by watching the speech but with the sound down." Nicky explained.
"She should be in politics." Jake said getting out the battered tobacco tin.
"So what - " Nicky stopped and listened but could still hear Rion chatting happily on the phone in Auntie Em's bedroom. " - was the deal in the end? I mean with the swords and the chalice and the goddamn tree?" Her voice had sunk to be barely audible.
Ollie breathed out deeply as if letting go of all the mystery and tension of the past weeks. "Auntie Em got it all figured out."
Emma took a sip of champagne, letting the bubbles tickle her teeth before swallowing. "Well, from what I can gather it was a mid-winter ceremony chosen to symbolise the point where the sun was the most enfeebled, like the poor woman's father."
"But why didn't they hold it on the winter solstice then?" Jake interrupted.
"It was the winter solstice to them." Auntie Em stressed. "It appears they were traditionalists keeping to the old calendar which, of course, is several days out."
Jake, Ollie and Nicky nodded their heads. Auntie Gem was still glued to the Queen's speech.
"And they wanted a virginal girl because she obviously represents purity but they also hoped her blood, her vigour would replenish the old man. They also thought the Gods would smile on such a sacrifice."
"I still can't get over that." Nicky shuddered
"And the chalice would catch her blood which would be mixed with water from the well and drunk, then - "
"We don't need to hear any more of that." Auntie Gem said primly without taking her eyes from the Queen of England.
"Quite." Ollie agreed.
Auntie Gem kept the TV on mute as the Queen's Speech turned into the Christmas edition of Top of the Pops.
"Tanya sends everyone her love." Rion said returning the phone to the handset.
"When's she coming down?"
"Sometime in January."
Auntie Em drew in the air over her teeth as if concerned. "Nicky has some news for you sweetness." She took Rion's hand. "Maybe you'll be somewhere else in January."
Rion's eyes welled up. "But you said - "
"Shhhhh." Auntie Em hugged the young girl to her. "It's good news angel."
"Rion." Nicky took a drag on the joint. "Angie had a call from John - " She began to cough. " - from John - " The dry smoke tickling her lungs caused another outbreak.
"John who?" Rion asked nervously.
Nicky waved her hands about as she spluttered and gasped.
"For goodness sake." Auntie Em said. "Shall I tell her?"
Nicky, her face puce, nodded.
"From John Galliano. Apparently he saw your picture and has made enquiries about booking you for the couture collections in January." Auntie Em's eyes twinkled as she looked at the young girl. "In Paris."
As Ollie and Jake whooped and cheered Rion just felt her face flush a very deep, very hot red.
Nicky had regained her powers of speech. "It's not confirmed but there's definite interest. He'll be in London in a couple of days and wants to meet you."
Rion didn't have time to think. In the next instant Nicky pulled her to her feet. "Turn it up! Turn it up!" She pointed to the screen where a successful girlgroup were getting ready to mime to one of their hits.
The photographer also grabbed Ollie and Auntie Em as Auntie Gem increased the volume.
"I can't dance to this." Auntie Em complained.
"Don't worry," Ollie gestured to the TV where the girls were going lamely through the motions. "neither can they."
Nicky arranged them all in the shape of a diamond. Watching the screen they followed the all-girl group as they rotated round, slowly putting their feet in and out in time with the music.
Gemma offered her hand to Jake. "Shall we?" Grinning they eased their way into the diamond, soon clicking their fingers, shuffling their feet and giggling with the rest of them.
Hum watched from his leopard-print bed by the fire. He rolled over on his back, stretched and let out a deep sigh.
All was well with the world.

THE END

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