Deep Water

by Lu Hersey

  “Are you sure you’ll be okay catching the bus back?”

  “Of course we will, Dad. We want to look round the shops after we’ve been to the hospital.”

  “Well here’s some money to cover the bus fare, and maybe a drink in a cafe if you want one.” Dad hands me a ten-pound note out of the car window. “Call me if there’s a problem.”

  “Thanks, Dad.”

  We wave at him as he pulls out of the hospital grounds.

  “Okay, let’s go. Race you to the lift!” Michelle starts running towards the hospital entrance. I laugh and start running too. Visiting Mum almost seems like fun when Michelle’s with me. Almost.

  The ward smells of cabbage again. Or maybe it’s the drains. It doesn’t smell good anyway. There isn’t anyone on the reception desk. I’m surprised. There seems to be a lot of banging and crashing going on somewhere, so I guess everyone’s busy.

  “Do you think we should wait?” Michelle looks anxious.

  “It should be okay for us to go along to her room. They know who we are. Maybe they’re serving up lunch or something.”

  I start having doubts as we walk down the corridor. We hear shouting before we even get close.

  “LET ME GO! I have to get out of here, PLEASE LET ME GO!”

  “Hold her down, can you?”

  I glance at Michelle and wonder if she realizes who’s doing all the shouting.

  “Shell, this doesn’t sound too good. Go back and wait for me by the desk, and I’ll find out what’s wrong.” I start to run.

  “HELP ME, SOMEBODY!”

  It’s Mum. Why is she shouting? What’s happening?

  “Calm down, Mrs Lancaster. Please stop struggling!”

  I reach the door of her room. It’s open. The male nurse and a doctor I haven’t seen before are holding Mum down on the bed. She’s kicking and struggling to get free, and the nurse is holding a syringe in the air, obviously trying to get an opportunity to stick it into Mum.

  “What are you doing to her? Stop it! LEAVE HER ALONE!”

  Mum hears my voice and stops struggling for a second as she looks towards me. The nurse seizes the opportunity and sticks the syringe in her thigh. There’s nothing I can do to stop him.

  “Danni! Please tell them. I have to get out of here!” Mum’s looking at me. She recognizes me. She knows who I am! So why are they holding her down? I’m paralysed with shock and don’t know what to do.

  The nurse looks up. “Danni, it would be best if you leave the room for a moment. We’ve just given your mother a sedative and it’ll take a little while to work.”

  “Why did you do that?” The tears spring to my eyes as I look at them. “She recognized me! She wanted to talk to me!”

  “This is her daughter?” the doctor asks the nurse. The nurse nods.

  The tears run down my face. “Why did you stop her? Let her go! Please let her go.”

  The nurse loosens his grip on Mum, but it’s too late. I know he thinks he’s done the right thing, but he’s wrong.

  “He’s going to burn it – I have to get there – stop him.” Mum struggles to sit up, but falls back on the pillow. The drugs are taking effect.

  “Danni?” Mum turns to look at me.

  “Mum? Tell me about it so I can help.”

  Mum’s eyes are starting to close, but she’s struggling to stay awake.

  “Fire – today – high tide.” Her eyes close. The nurse lets go completely.

  High tide? Does she mean the fire is on a beach? Maybe Porthenys beach?

  “WHERE? Mum, where’s the fire? YOU HAVE TO TELL ME!” I shake her to try to keep her awake.

  She rolls her eyes and mumbles. “By…gravestones…”

  “It’s okay, Mum. I’ll go, don’t worry.” The tears are pouring down my face.

  “She’s been having terrible nightmares.” The doctor, a young sandy-haired man with freckles, looks at me, concerned. “I’m so sorry you had to witness this, but your mother was very agitated and we had to give her a sedative to calm her down. She’ll be fine.”

  “No she won’t! You don’t understand!”

  I notice the nurse is looking intently towards the door and I turn to follow his gaze. Through my tears, I see Michelle standing in the doorway.

  “Danni? What’s wrong? What’s happening?” She runs over and hugs me round the waist.

  “It was Mum – she recognized me! But they put her to sleep before I could talk to her.”

  Michelle squeezes me tightly. “Don’t worry. She’ll wake up again. We can wait here.”

  I look at Mum. The nurse has sorted her bedding and tried to help her into a comfortable sleeping position. But Mum’s face is still twitching and she looks like she’s straining to open her eyes. Every so often they flicker and the whites show for a second and she moans in her drug-induced sleep. The doctor turns to us.

  “It would be much better if you could both come back later. The sedative is quite strong and she may be asleep for a while. But please don’t worry, it seems as though she’s starting to make a recovery.” He smiles at me encouragingly.

  I nod in acknowledgement, and leave the room quietly, taking Michelle with me. As we walk along the corridor holding hands, my mind is whirring. How come Mum could suddenly talk to me properly and knew my name? Since her sealskin’s been locked away, she hasn’t even been able to recognize me.

  And what did she mean, gravestones? Was she thinking of the church outside Ancrows where her father’s memorial is?

  I remember my dream from this morning. The sealskin screaming. The fire. Mum’s not the only one who has nightmares. Something Mamwyn said comes back to me.

  Foretelling is part of the gift.

  Suddenly it clicks. I think I can guess what’s happened. Crawford must have taken the skin out of the lead-lined chest in his study, which is why Mum came back to her senses – at least, she did until they sedated her.

  There’s no way Crawford has had a change of heart and decided to give the skin back to her. Piecing together what Mum was trying to tell me, I reckon he’s taken it out because he intends to burn it. At high tide. So when’s that?

  I’m breaking out in a sweat and I feel like I can’t breathe.

  I have to stop him.

  Something tells me he wants to finish his mission back in the village where he started. Even though it’s a long shot, I’m going with my hunch that he’ll be in the church outside Ancrows. I need to get there straight away to find out if I’m right.

  I just hope I’m not already too late.

  chapter 32

  As we go down in the lift, I let go of Michelle’s hand and try to explain a little of what’s going on.

  “Listen, Shell, Mum needs me to get something for her and I have to leave Bodmin right away and get over to Ancrows. Can we save going shopping for another day?”

  “Of course. Come on, let’s run to the bus station.”

  “The trouble is, I need Dad to pick you up.” I catch her expression. “Sorry, but I have to do this alone – I’ll phone him and see if he can come and collect you.”

  “Why do you have to be alone? I don’t understand.”

  “It’s too dangerous.”

  “So what about you? If it’s dangerous, you need me with you.”

  “No – I really can’t risk it. I’m not being mean, honestly. It’s just Dad would never forgive me if anything happened to you.”

  Michelle is upset. She’s practically in tears. “So how come you’re going?”

  “It’s a long story. Let me call Dad a minute. Then I’ll try to explain.” I feel terrible upsetting her like this. I smile to reassure her, but she looks pale and worried.

  I listen to the phone ringing at the other end of the line. It goes on and on for ages. I look at Michelle and raise my eyebrows and roll my eyes. She manages a weak smile. Finally the answerphone cuts in and I have to leave a message.

  “Dad? It’s Danni. Guess you’re busy in the shop. Look, I have to go to Anc
rows to get something for Mum. I was wondering if you could pick Michelle up – it’s really important or I wouldn’t ask. Sorry about this.” I try to think what to say so he doesn’t get too worried. “Um, Dad, if I don’t hear from you, I’ll try and get hold of Levi and he can look after her for a bit while I sort it out. Um, bye, Dad. Hope to hear back from you soon.”

  Damn. I definitely don’t want Michelle getting involved in this mess. I call Levi. He and Elliot should already be in Ancrows at Aunty Bea’s by now. The call cuts straight to his answerphone so he must have switched his phone off. Of course he has. He’s breaking into someone’s house. I leave a message.

  “Levi? Listen, something important’s come up. It’s a serious problem to do with Mum. I have to get something of hers back off someone – oh, you met him in fact. Remember the minister on the beach that day? Er, maybe you could look after Michelle for a bit for me?” I’m just hoping Levi can read between the lines and realize why I don’t want to take Michelle anywhere near Crawford. “Call me back when you pick this up. We’re about to catch the bus to Ancrows, so hope to meet you there in a bit. Bye.”

  I turn to Michelle. “Do you mind coming to Ancrows with me? With any luck Levi will get that message before we get there. If not, I think we can find him.”

  “Danni, I told you – I want to come.”

  “I’m so sorry about the shopping. I was looking forward to it.”

  “But you weren’t expecting that thing that happened with your mum, were you?”

  “No, I wasn’t.”

  “What did she mean about him going to burn it? Did she mean the man you’re going to see? What’s he going to burn?”

  Michelle must have heard more than I realized.

  “You know Mum used to live in Ancrows but she never told me?”

  She nods.

  “The reason she left was because she witnessed a horrible crime. She went to court to testify against the criminal. And now this man has come back and taken something of hers that means a lot to her, and she thinks he’s going to burn it.”

  “Why? What is it?”

  This is going to be harder to explain.

  “Let’s find the right bus first.”

  What am I going to say? I’ll have to think of something. But right now my biggest worry is not getting to Ancrows in time to stop Crawford. Again I wish Mamwyn had a phone, so she could help. And what am I going to do about Michelle? I just hope either Dad or Levi call me while we’re on the bus.

  The bus rumbles out of the bus station. Michelle and I sit at the front together.

  “So what did the man take?”

  “Look, I made a promise that I’d never talk about this to anyone, Shell. But you’re my sister, so I’ll try to explain part of it at least. It’s something that Mum’s had since she was a girl. This man came to Ancrows when she was young. Believe it or not, he was a minister.”

  “Not the Chosen minister?” Michelle’s eyes widen.

  “You’ve heard of him?”

  “Of course. Everyone knows. He murdered a boy. My teacher said.”

  “Really? Your teacher told you about him?”

  “We did a school trip to Ancrows. It was silly because some children in my class live there anyway. The teacher told us about Ancrows in the old days and what happened in the chapel.”

  “Well it wasn’t as long ago as you might think. Apparently my mum was there at the time.”

  Michelle’s eyes are like saucers. “No! Really? When the boy was killed?”

  I nod. I hope I haven’t said too much.

  “Your poor mum.”

  “I know. It must have been terrible for her. That’s why she never told me about her past.”

  “And now that minister has something of your mum’s?”

  “That’s right.”

  She’s quiet for a minute.

  “How did he get it?”

  “He’s moved back to this area. He found Mum on the beach the day she went missing. She’d hit her head so she probably wasn’t even awake.”

  “But you can’t tell me what he took?”

  “No. Sorry. That’s the only bit I can’t tell you, but you’d think it was silly, even if I could. It’s just something that means a lot to her, but isn’t really valuable or anything.” My mind fumbles for an example. “Like if it was us and the man was going to destroy Jackson or something.”

  Michelle gasps in horror. “Please let me help you, Danni.”

  “It’s too dangerous.”

  “Well you shouldn’t go either then. Why don’t you call the police?”

  I think about it for a moment.

  “Shell, the truth is I don’t even know if he’s going to be there. Maybe the doctor was right and Mum’s just been having nightmares. But I have to go and find out.”

  “Okay.” She seems to accept what I’ve told her.

  “I’ll call Levi again.”

  I get my phone out. Levi doesn’t answer.

  Hopefully someone will pick up soon. My sense of foreboding is growing stronger by the minute. When the hell is high tide? I try searching my phone to find out, but I can’t get enough signal.

  The bus pulls up in Ancrows. Michelle and I get off. I haven’t heard back from Dad or Levi yet.

  “Maybe we should see if my grandmother is in?” I’m not sure how Dad would feel if I left Michelle with someone she doesn’t know, but I can’t think of an alternative.

  “Don’t you want to see if you can find that man first?”

  Of course I do. I’m desperate to find out if I’m right about the graveyard by the church, but I can’t risk taking Michelle. Before I can reply, my phone rings. It’s Levi.

  “Danni – got your message. Where are you?”

  “We’ve just got off the bus. Where are you?”

  “We’re getting away from this cottage as fast as we can. Man, this place is weird. We’ll head down to the bus stop and meet you there.”

  “Great.”

  I breathe a sigh of relief. At least I don’t have to involve Michelle, whatever happens.

  Michelle spots them first. She waves at Elliot and Levi walking together down the main street. Thank goodness they’re okay. As the gap between us narrows, I start running towards them. I’m so pleased to see them both. But as I reach out to give Elliot a hug, he suddenly stops and grabs at his chest. He crouches down on the pavement, gasping with the effort of trying to breathe.

  Of course. They’ve taken the poppet out of the house, but they haven’t had a chance to destroy it yet. Elliot’s probably got it with him. I was so busy thinking about Mum, I’d almost forgotten about it. I step back quickly.

  Levi looks totally bewildered and bends down to ask Elliot what’s wrong.

  I look round furtively, hoping we’re not attracting too much attention, and my eye is caught by a plume of smoke rising from behind the houses in the main street. It takes a few seconds for the information to sink in. Then I realize. I think it’s coming from somewhere by Ancrows chapel. My blood starts racing. Was I wrong about the church? Would Crawford risk going back to the very same chapel where he killed the boy? I turn to the others.

  “This might sound like a stupid question, but does anyone know when it’s high tide?”

  Elliot is still crouching on the pavement, trying to massage his ribs. He looks up at me warily then checks his watch. “Should be getting to high tide about now. Well, within the next hour anyway. Why? Is it important?”

  I’m amazed. “How do you know that?”

  “Dad’s out fishing, and he was talking about it this morning. High tide’s a good time to fish. It’s the highest spring tide of the year today because of the full moon and the spring equinox.”

  Immediately I think back to Crawford and Aunty Bea in the cafe together. I’m sure they said something about a spring tide. And consecrated ground. Ancrows chapel is where Crawford used to preach. Aunty Bea used to go there too. That’s where he’s gone to burn the skin.

 
I stare at Elliot. I want to ask him loads more questions, but there’s no time. I have to move fast.

  “Can you two look after Shell for me? I just need to check something.” I attempt to smile reassuringly. “I’ll be right back.”

  But Michelle has noticed the smoke too. She points up the road.

  “Oh look, there’s a fire!”

  “I know. I saw it. Stay here with Levi. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

  Levi looks completely bewildered. “Danni, what the hell is going on? Where are you going?”

  “Don’t worry, it’s probably nothing. I just need to take a look. If I’m not back in ten minutes, come up and find me – but leave Michelle with Elliot.”

  Elliot gazes up the road for a moment, then looks at me. “If you’re going to the chapel, you definitely can’t go on your own.”

  I choose to ignore him. “Won’t be long!” I say, and start to run up the hill.

  chapter 33

  By the time I reach the chapel car park, the smoke pluming up into the sky is getting thicker. It’s clearly coming from somewhere behind the building. My breath catches in a strangled sob at the sight. Now I wish I wasn’t alone. Maybe I should have listened to Elliot. My pulse is racing.

  I wonder briefly if Mamwyn sensed the danger, the same as Mum and I did. Since she’s not here, I guess she can’t have done. I’m not sure what to do, and I’m worried that I might be too late already.

  I reach into my pocket for a tissue and pull out a strip of blue canvas. The weather charm from Robert. Thank goodness I managed to keep it after that trip to Porthenys. There’s only one knot left. I stuff it back in my pocket, holding it in my fingers to make myself feel better. It’s the only help I’ve got with me.

  I stare at the building. The place looks different in the daylight. I need to find a way to get round the back. Then I notice a narrow cobbled passage at the side of the chapel, and run towards it. I’m already panting with exertion from running up the hill and stumble down the passage in such a hurry that I graze my elbow badly on the lichen-covered stone wall. It stings like crazy, but I can’t stop to look at it now. The acrid smell of smoke starts to fill my nostrils, making me want to cough.