Cue Me In

by Nell Dixon

  Flash snatched up the flashlight from the table and strode towards the door. “I’ll take a look.”

  Before Fae could stop him, he’d opened the door to the scullery and soon she saw the feeble beam from the flashlight sweeping the misty courtyard.

  “Come and sit down.” Rhodri placed his arm around Izzy’s waist and led her back to the table. “I’ll get you a drink.”

  “What did you see?” Fae resumed her seat next to her sister, anxious for more details.

  Izzy accepted a mug of tea from Rhodri with trembling fingers. “I’m not sure, it was so quick. I thought I saw eyes looking in through the window, watching me. Big yellow eyes.”

  Rhodri turned away for a moment to add more wood to the fire. “Perhaps it was a cat. There are some feral ones which live wild in the outbuildings.”

  His voice sounded casual, but Fae noticed his hand shook as he stoked the burning wood. The kitchen door banged as Flash came back inside.

  “Nothing. I checked all around, but its pitch black out there and the mist has closed right in.”

  ****

  Izzy was touched by Rhodri’s concern for her. How silly to have been spooked by what was probably a feral cat. Of course John wouldn’t have found anything when he looked around outside. The atmosphere in the castle and Rhodri’s story had made her as daft as Fae.

  Although, the strong comfort of Rhodri’s arm around her waist and the sparks that had flown between them when he handed her a drink were enough to make her head spin and set her pulse racing. It was as if she’d known him all her life.

  “I probably imagined it.” The colour returned to Izzy’s cheeks. “It’s not like me to get carried away. Sorry I freaked you all out.” She took a gulp of her tea.

  Fang rose from his place on the rug, stretched out his huge back legs, and padded across to lick Izzy’s hand.

  “Fang doesn’t usually take to strangers,” Rhodri commented as she scratched the top of the dog’s head.

  “Really? How odd. I like dogs though. I wish the power would come back on,” she said, glad the big dog had turned out to be friendly after all.

  “I’ll find the other lanterns so you can have a light to take up to your room later, and I’ll fill some hot water bottles,” Rhodri assured her.

  ****

  The clock began to chime the hour and Fae braced herself, waiting to see what would happen.

  “Where is that clock?” Flash asked.

  “It’s in the library. Would you like to see it?” Rhodri picked up the lantern while Flash took the torch. Izzy stayed close to Rhodri as they made their way along the portrait gallery.

  Near the door to the tower, Rhodri pulled a tapestry aside to reveal another door. Izzy gasped as the door opened. The lantern was too small to illuminate the entire room, but even in the poor light Fae could see the room was vast.

  Two stories high and completely lined with books from floor to ceiling, the only breaks in the walls were the tall, thin, leaded, casement windows. Rhodri set the lamp down on a polished circular mahogany table in the centre of the room.

  “There’s the clock.” He pointed to a large stone fireplace decorated with the carved coat of arms of Rhodri’s family. On the mantelpiece stood a big brass clock. The slow steady sound of ticking filled the room, and Fae quivered with a sense of expectation.

  “That’s some timepiece.” Flash stood in front of the clock.

  “This is some library.” Fae couldn’t shake the prickly feeling at the nape of her neck.

  Izzy had drifted off towards the bookcases and appeared to be browsing through the covers of the volumes.

  “Oh!”

  “What is it?” Fae crossed straight to her sister’s side.

  “Look.” Izzy held a book open in her hands.

  Fae stared at the pages where the book had fallen open whilst Flash held the torch. On one side of the page was the portrait of the Green Lady that hung in the gallery. On the other page was a picture, which Fae at first thought was of Rhodri.

  “That’s the prince she married, Prince Morgan,” Izzy whispered.

  “But how did you find this book? And this page? I mean, there are thousands of books in here.”

  Izzy shook her head, a baffled expression on her face. “I don’t know. I just had this feeling to come over here.” She snapped the book shut, ready to replace it on the shelf. As she did so, a scrap of paper yellowed with age fluttered to the floor.

  Fae bent to retrieve it and carried it to the lantern to examine it more closely.

  “What’s that?” Flash peered over her shoulder.

  Rhodri came to join them. “What is it?”

  “Izzy found a book with pictures of the Green Lady and her Prince. When she put the book back, this paper fell out.” She opened the paper carefully, half expecting it to fall to pieces in her hands. Inside she could just make out a few words scratched on the surface in a crabbed old-fashioned hand.

  “What does it say?” Flash aimed the beam of the torch on the paper to try and maximise the lighting.

  “She comes at midnight.” Rhodri read the words aloud.

  “I wonder how long that’s been inside there.” Izzy gave a little shiver.

  “You’re cold. We should go back to the kitchen.” Rhodri picked up the lantern ready to lead the way.

  ****

  Izzy wished she knew what had compelled her to cross the library floor and choose that particular book from the shelf. Except for the clothes, Rhodri could have doubled for Prince Morgan. An hysterical giggle bubbled up in her throat and she swallowed it back down. That kind of thinking would make her as crackers as her sister. There was no way fate had conspired to bring her here tonight as Rhodri’s destined mate – had it?

  The note had probably been left by some scholar researching the legend years ago, and it was just coincidence it had tumbled out tonight. Perhaps the book had been out of line from the others and that had been why her gaze had been drawn to it.

  Izzy sighed. Now Fae would be even more determined to try and film in the castle, convinced there was something in the Green Lady story after all.

  Which room does the Green Lady usually appear in?” Flash asked.

  “This one.” Rhodri’s face was expressionless, and he turned away before her sister could ask any questions.

  ****

  Fae longed to sneak upstairs and fetch her camera. Even if a ghost didn’t make an appearance, she was certain she could get a good piece of footage for the contest. One that would clinch the job of her dreams.

  Fang brushed past her in the gallery as her brain teemed with ideas for her film. If only she could persuade Rhodri to allow her to use the castle. She desperately wanted to get the Ghost UK job. Surely he’d change his mind if she asked him again and told him how important it was to her? Told him it wasn’t a selfish desire at all that drove her to such extraordinary lengths. Maybe he’d respond favourably if she told him about wanting to help Izzy return to college.

  The kitchen felt warm and homey after the vast, dark emptiness of the library.

  “You never really said why you were so against us filming here,” Fae blurted out as soon as they were all back around the table.

  Rhodri frowned, his eyes black in the dim light. “I’ve seen the programme you mentioned in your letter. I’ve seen what happens afterwards. Hordes of tourists tramping all over the place, taking stuff as souvenirs. No, thank you. This castle is my home. My legacy. I have a duty to protect and care for it.” His voice trembled with emotion.

  Izzy glared across the table at Fae.

  “But what about the positive side? More money would mean you could make the repairs you want and pay for the castle’s upkeep. You wouldn’t have to let loads of people in if you didn’t want to. It would be good for the village too.” Fae did her best to plead her cause. He had to change his mind; he just had to.

  “No filming!” He bit the words out and walked off.

  “Now look what you’ve done
.” Izzy hurried after him as he went out the door into the scullery.

  “Well, that’s fixed that.” Flash flopped down on the chair next to Fae. “Hasn’t it? Or do you have a plan B up your sleeve?”

  Chapter Four

  Fae drummed her fingers on the tabletop. She could see her perfect job slipping further out of her reach.

  “We’ll have to go with our first idea and film in secret.”

  Flash raised an eyebrow. “Okay, you know I love you, but when did it become our idea?”

  Fae shuffled on her seat. “Oh come on. You promised to help me. We can make the castle anonymous, you know. A mystery destination. Surely Rhodri can’t object to that?”

  Flash sighed.

  “Please,” Fae wheedled as she placed her hand over his. She knew what she suggested was wrong, but she couldn’t seem to stop herself. Flash, of all people, had to know what this film opportunity meant to her. She’d worked so hard for so long hoping for just such a chance. It would be too cruel to dash her hopes at this late stage.

  “Okay.”

  Fae realised she liked the sensation of their hands touching. Earlier, when she’d kissed Flash, there had been a crackle of energy between them that had reached right down to her toes. She’d known he wanted to be more than friends with her for a while now. But with all her energy being poured into her career, she hadn’t wanted to look too closely at her own feelings towards him. Ever since their earlier kiss however, everything seemed to have changed.

  “I’ll sneak up to your room when Izzy’s asleep. We need to be in the library at midnight.” Excitement bubbled inside her.

  The kitchen door creaked open, and Fae withdrew her hand before Izzy and Rhodri returned with another couple of old-fashioned oil lanterns.

  “There’s one lamp for your room, Flash, and one for us, Fae.” Izzy stood a lamp on the table.

  Rhodri placed the one he carried alongside Izzy’s and trimmed the wicks before lighting them both with a match. The kitchen filled with yellow light. The flickering of the flames sent eerie shadows dancing around the white-washed walls.

  “I’m ready for bed. We do apologize for the trouble we’ve caused you, Rod,” Izzy announced as she collected her hot water bottle.

  “I’m pretty tired too.” Flash yawned and stretched. “I guess I might as well turn in if you girls are heading off.”

  Fae got to her feet and picked up a lantern. “I’ll say goodnight as well.” The sooner they went to bed, the sooner Izzy would fall asleep. Then Fae would be able to sneak out and get the camera from Flash.

  “I’m sorry about your film, Fae, but I can’t have my home turned into a sideshow. You do understand, don’t you?” Rhodri’s dark eyes burned into hers and her cheeks flared hot with guilt.

  “If that’s how you feel.” She shrugged her shoulders and turned away so her face wouldn’t betray her. Surely once she made the film and showed it to him, he’d understand. What did they say? A picture was worth a thousand words. Now she had to prove it.

  Izzy narrowed her eyes suspiciously at her as she picked up the other lantern and handed it to Flash.

  “Goodnight, Rod,” Izzy called from the doorway that led to the gallery.

  Fae sensed Rhodri’s gaze following her even after the door had swung shut. The eyes of the portraits seemed to bore into her as the group made their way through the gallery towards the tower.

  Fae paused on the landing, allowing Izzy to enter their bedroom first leaving her with Flash.

  “I’ll be up as soon as it’s safe,” she whispered.

  He planted a swift kiss on her cheek and her skin tingled with anticipation. “Good luck. See you soon.”

  Izzy pounced as soon as Fae entered the bedroom. “What are you planning? I know you. I saw the look on your face downstairs.”

  “You are so suspicious. Rhodri said he didn’t want the castle to be made public.” Fae crossed her fingers behind her back, hoping it would offset the fib.

  Izzy snorted with disbelief as she rummaged through her travel bag for her pyjamas. “You’d better be telling the truth.”

  “You seem to be very pally with Rod.” Fae decided attack was the best form of defence.

  Her sister’s face flushed crimson. “He’s a very sweet guy. He cares about this place and protecting his heritage.”

  “Sounds to me as if someone has a bit of a crush.”

  Izzy scowled. “You can’t talk. Poor Flash has been sweet on you for ages and you’ve never given him a second glance.”

  Fae knew her sister had a point. Up to now, she hadn’t treated Flash very well, and he was such a nice guy. She really had been an idiot not to notice before just how gorgeous he was.

  “Maybe that’s set to change.” She remembered the kiss on the stairs.

  “It wouldn’t be before time.”

  Fae sighed and kicked off her boots. “Let’s not fight, Iz. I’m really tired.”

  Her sister pulled a toiletry bag from the holdall. “Well, I’m going to be watching you! Don’t get any smart ideas.” Izzy marched off to the bathroom. Fae groaned.

  “Great!” she announced to the empty room. That was all she needed. Izzy probably planned to lie awake in the dark, waiting for Fae to make a move. She would just have to hope her sister’s willpower would fail and Izzy would fall asleep before midnight.

  She changed into her pyjamas, shivering in the chilly air of the room, and secreted a sweater and a pair of track pants from her bag under the bedcovers. Once Izzy had fallen asleep, she could slip them on and creep upstairs to get Flash. The library had been freezing earlier. Hanging around for a ghost would almost certainly turn her into a human icicle.

  Izzy re-entered the bedroom and dived into bed. “Rod put candles and a heater in the bathroom, but it’s still icy in there.”

  Fae picked up her toothbrush and towel. With any luck she would be able to borrow one of the candles to do a little snooping around while Izzy got all snuggled up under her quilt.

  Who knew what secrets lay beneath the tapestries on the landing walls? If the library door had been hidden, then there might be other hidden doors. The book of legends in which she had first read the story of the Green Lady had spoken of a secret passage.

  ****

  Izzy huddled under her quilt. Fae was up to something, she knew it. Her sister’s face had been a picture of guilt when she’d scuttled out to the bathroom. Ever since Fae had been small, she’d been stubborn. When she made her mind to do something, then she’d do it, no matter what.

  She shivered and added one of the blankets that Rhodri had so thoughtfully provided. He was such a nice man. The nicest she’d met in a long time, and there was a real connection between them. If her sister did something to upset him, she’d never forgive her.

  ****

  Fae hurried across the dark landing to the bathroom. The tiny room was lit by a brass candlestick holding three fat, white candles whose flames danced and flickered in the draught from the small leaded window. She brushed her teeth and splashed water on her face as quickly as possible.

  Her teeth chattered with nerves as she picked up the candlestick and crept to the door. Everything was quiet as she peeped out. She grasped the candlestick a little more firmly and stole out onto the landing.

  The first couple of tapestries she tried lifting revealed nothing more than the ancient stonework of the castle itself, firm and unyielding beneath the tentative exploration of her fingertips.

  Fae tiptoed across to the next tapestry, one showing a lady on horseback hunting a doe amongst a wooded backdrop. She had her hand on the corner of the tapestry when she heard the now familiar sonorous tones of the library clock begin to chime the hour.

  The eleventh and final chime died away as she worked the ancient fabric free in order to examine the stone surface beneath. At first Fae was disappointed as her fingers encountered more solid stone, but then she noticed a slight difference in the texture of the wall.

  The blocks beneath this
hanging felt smoother and more polished than the rough bricks behind the others. She moved the candlestick a little closer and saw a faint vertical line running down the stonework. Intrigued, Fae traced it with her fingers and barely managed to suppress a squeak of excitement as a hidden catch moved to open a secret door in the wall.

  The flames of the candles guttered in the cold air current released by the doorway. Fae swallowed hard. Her palms were sweaty, and she wiped her free hand on the leg of her pink, fleecy pyjamas. She grasped the candlestick more firmly and stepped forward to peer into the corridor.

  A narrow passage that seemed barely wide enough for her body stretched in front of her. Fae guessed that it followed the line of the curtain wall of the keep. She looked around for some way of wedging the secret door open in case she got to the other end and couldn’t escape. She didn’t want to end her days walled up alive inside Rhodri’s home.