Hide in Time
Page 6
Eventually, the little red Nissan, followed by the Land Rover, pulled up on the drive in front of “Foxhills”. Laura nodded to the policeman on guard and turned to see the bulldog build of Rolf just emerging from the Land Rover.
“Don’t unload or park the car, Rolf, please; I’ll do that myself later.” Rolf might wonder at some of the items she’d bought; she was supposed to be stocking up on day clothes.
She’d find Xandra, explain her plan, see what she thought and then… Well, perhaps it would be best to take it one step at a time. Her plan was only urgent if she was still in danger, surely? But Laura’s certainty had grown with every day that passed. She was now convinced that Xandra would welcome the offer of an impenetrable hiding place with a gentleman who had impeccable manners.
~
Half an hour later, Laura found Xandra relaxing in her favourite black capris and T shirt, munching chocolates from her handbag, and enjoying a book and some autumn sunshine in the conservatory at the back of the house. Outside, partially hidden, stood an armed policeman. “I could get used to a life like this,” Xandra said as she offered Laura the box of chocolates.
Laura, as usual, could not decide which one to take and she was further distracted by Rolf placing a recliner behind a rubber plant just a yard or two away; he didn’t look happy. “Rolf, would a chocolate cheer you up?”
“Rolf thinks I’m sitting in a conspicuous position.” Xandra offered Laura another chocolate and casually put the box on the floor beside her chair.
Laura thought Rolf was right. “I’m just going upstairs for a moment, then I’ll join you, so long as you promise to sit in an approved position.” They exchanged smiles.
Rolf walked across to Xandra’s table and in staccato fashion he spat out, “I am not going to feel I am doing my job unless I insist you move.” He picked up the side table and effortlessly placed it nearer the shelter of the main part of the house. Equally effortlessly he bent over to pick up Xandra’s chair, with Xandra still in it. Xandra leapt out and stood against the open conservatory door planting one hand on the door frame and the other on her hip. “Move away from the door, please – immediately.”
Xandra looked cross. "Rolf!" Or had something alarmed him? She looked at him inquiringly.
"You must move. I have Matt to answer to."
Xandra said, “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be awkward; I just hoped to be able to sit in the sun.”
It was too much to hope. A shot resounded. She slumped to the ground. Immediately Rolf dragged Xandra through to the music room. The policeman on guard outside the conservatory crouched behind one of the large ornamental tubs, frantically called for armed assistance on his radio, then searched the hillside with binoculars in one hand and gun in the other.
In her room upstairs at the front of the house, Laura heard the shot. She could not believe it. How could she have left it too late to save Xandra? She had a plan; why hadn’t she put it into action that morning? She ran down and through to the back of the house pleading with God for Xandra to be alive. Xandra was. The gunman had taken too long in getting the perfect shot. Xandra had bent over to pick up her box of chocolates and the bullet had missed; Rolf had yelled at her to play dead.
When Chief Superintendent Paul Tanner arrived with Matt soon after the incident, they commended Xandra for her instant reaction. He thought it might be possible, if an early trial of some of the thieves could be arranged, for Xandra to give evidence and then, if she wished, they could give her a new identity and put it around that she had died of her injuries.
Hide in Time ~ Anna Faversham
CHAPTER EIGHT
It hadn’t been easy to slip away from “Foxhills” but the Nissan was ready packed with all Laura thought Xandra would need, apart from her capacious handbag. Ascertaining that the pouch of diamonds was still in the bag was simple enough; leaving unseen wasn’t. Yet they had achieved it and Laura had not had to explain to Xandra why they must escape. Not until she reached her cottage did she allow herself the luxury of justifying her plan. Well, as much as was necessary.
“Xandra, I need you to do something for me. Will you come inside for a moment?” Laura unlocked the boot and took out her case. “We must hurry. Everything in this case has to fit in your handbag.”
“Impossible. And why?”
“You’ll need it.” As Laura said this, she was flinging out Xandra’s purse, a packet of paper handkerchiefs, a pen and notebook, but she left the diamonds and some small jewellery tools. She then rammed into the VacPack as much as she could of what she had bought for Xandra. Using the Dyson to suck out the air, she was finally satisfied it should fit in the Mulberry. And it did. Just. She left out the thick poncho and the bulkiest of the dresses. “Xandra, if at any time you have second thoughts about what I’m suggesting, you must tell me. You do understand, do you?”
“Laura, I trust you, but what exactly are you suggesting?”
“I can’t explain. I thought I’d be able to, but I can’t. I can only tell you that you will be safe and it will be impossible for the gang to find you. I also think that you will have time to enjoy all the things you have longed for.”
“Write?”
“More than that. A new life where you can be yourself – no VAT, nothing like that, just plenty of time.”
“Not a new ID?”
Laura shook her head.
Xandra smiled. “As helpful as the police might be if they relocated me, I would still feel vulnerable.”
Laura understood, nodded, and brushed it aside; there simply wasn’t time for full justification. “I know you will bring happiness…” oh this all sounded so trite – what the heck could she say? Tears began to stream down her face.
“Stop right there, Laura, you have become the best friend I could wish for. You have somewhere I can hide that is known to you alone and, if that is so, I need to be there. I know I feel sick with fear here. You have Matt: I have no one.”
“Oh, Xandra, I probably led the sniper to “Foxhills”. What a fool I am.” Then she looked Xandra, brave Xandra, straight in the eyes. “All I can offer for comfort is that all this will soon be forgotten by you. The gang will one day meet their Waterloo – never forget that.”
“Let’s go! I’m anticipating some excitement.”
Laura took a deep breath and flung the poncho at Xandra. “I need you to get dressed and put this poncho on over the top. Keep your shoes, socks and cropped trousers on underneath, but remove everything else, especially your wristwatch with all its dials and things. Forgive me, but you must take off your bra too.”
“My bra? Whatever for?”
“Trust me; we may not have much time. We’ve probably got both the baddies and the goodies looking for us now.”
There was a moment when they both almost laughed. Almost.
“This is certainly an effective disguise, Laura. A flowery, empire line frock and a woolly poncho. I feel like a seventies’ hippie.” Laura looked baffled. What on earth was… “Never mind, I’m sure I can grow to like these. All I need now is a bonnet.”
A bonnet! She’d forgotten a bonnet. How could she?
Xandra was laughing, “Oh your face, Laura. It can’t be that important, can it? What about a shower cap? Couldn’t I wear that?”
“No! You’re meant to be…” Laura dashed to the bathroom and returned brandishing a pale blue cap. “Oh well… a shower cap it is,” Laura said, as she flung it at Xandra who twirled it around on her index finger. “Now wrap this white lacy scarf around it like a ribbon and let it trail to one side. Yes, that’s it,” she said, pushing it on to Xandra’s head. “And try to keep your hair up underneath it; sort it out while I’m driving. It’s important as we haven’t time to dress your hair properly and loose hair would give the wrong impression. Oh, and just a thought, you might want to apply a little make-up over the bruises.” Laura could not help herself. She went forward and hugged this brave, engaging, thoughtful young woman who trusted her completely. It had been like finding a sister
and now she must lose her. Xandra was still wearing the silver ring charm around her neck but Laura had to ignore it for now – there were more important things to do. “Xandra, I am the last person to see you before you disappear. If you do not write something in your own hand, I may be charged with your disappearance.”
“Pen. Paper. Let me set your mind at rest. Now what do you want me to write?”
Laura felt a tear forming. She must not cry. There must be no emotion to hold them up. As Laura remained silent, Xandra began, “I, Xandra Radcliffe, being threatened by the gang which kidnapped me after I thwarted their robbery in Archangel Hill, do hereby wish to state that I am leaving this… this…” Xandra stumped for a moment, quickly resumed with gusto, “leaving this place for the time being. I do not wish to be followed. I shall not be present for the trial – please use my witnessed statements.” She looked less than satisfied as she said, “No time for formal composition but does that suit the purpose?”
Laura felt the tears rising again as she said, “It does. More than you realize.”
“And I’ve added,” she said as she scribbled, ‘I wish to thank my good friend, Laura Yager, for finding the time to hide me and, until I need them, she may use my car and other possessions.’ Keep it with you Laura, or take it to Matt, just in case the gang comes here too.”
“How would you feel if you could never come back here?”
“I don’t know, Laura.” She shrugged her shoulders. “I felt I was just beginning to make an interesting circle of friends and that my life had direction at last. But I’m afraid I wasn’t insured.” Choking back welling emotions, she elaborated, “The fire destroyed my livelihood.”
There was a moment’s silence when they both stared at each other as Xandra let Laura absorb the full implications of her situation and Laura hoped Xandra was doing the same. Evidence that she was came as Xandra added, “The thought of the gang’s retribution for my being unfortunate enough to identify them as robbers, kidnappers, arsonists and attempted murderers, narrows my options. And one of them’s a mad man.”
The mention of the gang provoked fear, and fear brought haste, but Laura knew with overwhelming certainty that they were racing with destiny on their side.
Within moments, one twenty-first century lady got into the driving seat and one passable nineteenth century lady slid into the passenger seat clutching a heavy brown leather bag.
They drove in silence until they reached the motorway.
“Xandra, suppose you don’t like where I’m taking you? You may not e able to return.”
“Stop worrying, Laura. I’d led a very solitary existence until I found the courage to answer your agency’s advertisement. I was happy enough but knew I couldn’t continue forever working alone day after day with no family and little opportunity to make friends.” Xandra seemed to be considering carefully before she added, “I felt I had at last taken a step towards changing my life. Everyone I met was so friendly; Andy, Nick, you. It sounds ungrateful, I know, but still I felt something, maybe someone, or a raison d’etre was missing. I now feel I’ve found the courage to live a life true to myself. It’s as though I’m going on a much longed for adventure and that you know more about it than you’re telling.”
A barely visible smile crept across Laura’s face. She checked her mirror for the umpteenth time. No, they were not being followed. “You’re right to feel it will be an adventure. I think you’ll love it.”
Xandra looked across at Laura, then pulled her poncho out to catch her eye. “So you are not asking me to join the circus or a strolling group of troubadours?”
Laura laughed. The thought of Xandra as a strolling minstrel or pirouetting on the back of an elephant was as far from the approaching reality as her beloved Micra being given a thumbs up by that guy on ‘Top Gear’. She relaxed and reduced speed as they took the road towards the coast.
~
Laura hated making decisions. Should she park close, so that Xandra was unlikely to be seen, or should she be more cautious?
Yet again, destiny intervened. It started to rain as they approached the sea at Merrygate and the rain became heavier as the car wound its way up the hill towards Clifton. Laura always kept a pocket, plastic raincoat in the boot; a vast, hooded coverall was exactly what was needed now.
She parked carefully, rummaged in the boot, ordered Xandra to put the rain cape on, checked she had all they’d prepared, locked the car and called, “Follow me.” Xandra, swamped ghost-like in white plastic, ran through the streets trailing Laura under her umbrella. The torrential rain emptied the neighbourhood of all sensible people. Only Billy Beggar saw them hurrying towards the boarded entrance to the caves and Billy never told on Laura for he adored the girl who saw beyond his old greatcoat into the life he once had fighting for his Queen and country. A justly proud soldier in The Royal Engineers, brought down for lack of care. Neglect of our warriors who protect…it was ever thus, she remembered. She slowed as she passed Billy, pulled her reserve chocolate bar from her pocket and dropped it in his lap.
She pushed her way through the overgrown hedging, followed by Xandra who was endeavouring to wrap her long skirt around herself underneath her over-sized cape. Laura took Xandra’s bag; it would be a precarious journey and she was more familiar with the difficulties to come and unencumbered by Xandra’s bulky garments. They passed the old entrance, also overgrown but just visible, and went further along to what had once been the advertising hoardings. ‘Step Back in Time,’ enticed one slogan, though the paper advert below had long gone. ‘Hide in History’ invited another. ‘Let your imagination take you to the adventure of a lifetime,’ the last urged. Laura remembered when she had first seen it and the picture, though much faded, was of a smuggler with a barrel on his shoulders. How fortunate that the caves were now closed to the public.
Ignoring the rain, Laura faced Xandra. “Are you sure?”
Xandra pointed to the last hoarding and said, “I am ready for that adventure.” She paused before she said, “Laura, there has been an inescapable magnetism to this moment. You felt it. I felt it. Yet I take this step of my own free will. If I were to advise anyone else, I would say, ‘don’t do it’ or even ‘it’s impossible and dangerous’. I cannot articulate it in its entirety but I believe I know where it leads and I want to go. I believe you have been there before me.”
Laura inhaled sharply – Xandra knew.
Despite their need to hurry, they both stood completely still for a moment composing themselves like divers on the high board. Then Laura squeezed behind the hoardings and whispered to Xandra to make certain no one was looking. “I’d prefer to enter this gateway at night,” she said. Behind the visible hoardings was a single, older advertisement board. Pushing on the side of the frame, but being careful not to cause it to buckle, Laura opened it as if it were a door and gradually forced her way through the narrow gap. As a cat is faster to enter an opened door, so the daylight shone through first, allowing Laura to locate the wind-up torch stored just inside. Shivering, she whispered to Xandra, “Like stepping into a fridge.” Clutching the bag securely, knowing it held the plan for Xandra’s future, she beckoned her to follow. Unhesitatingly, Xandra did so and took off her wet cape.
Laura closed the entrance and stood the dripping umbrella against it.
“Time to start living the life you have imagined,” Laura said to Xandra. It just popped into her head and she was sure it was a quotation. Perhaps Xandra, being better read, would recognize it.
They followed the feeble beam – adequate in the chalk-walled cave. The passage descended to a vast cavern with tiny rivulets of water carving channels in the walls and running through the narrow tunnels leading from it. Laura, still concerned that they had entered the cave in daylight, clutched Xandra’s arm when she thought she’d heard a noise behind her. Even a whisper would echo, so she just put her finger to her lips and indicated to Xandra to listen. Only the sound of dripping, running water could be heard. They were safe.
“I shall miss you, Laura.”
“I can’t come any further, Xandra, but I shall be with you in spirit whenever I can,” Laura’s lips smiled but her eyes filled with tears, “whatever it costs me,” she added. The significance of this remark was lost on Xandra.
Xandra took her bag, held it close with her left arm, squeezed through, and stepped on the damp, sandy floor of the cave. Laura stood watching and, in the light of her torch, she caught sight of her wristwatch. Four o’clock. What a lot had happened on this twenty-ninth day of September. Shining the beam through the gap for as long as was useful gave her a few moments to wonder – would the time be right? Most importantly, she was sure Xandra would, in all ways, be human. Laura had previously experimented by taking a mouse from the twenty-first century and releasing it in the nineteenth. It could be seen. When she'd recaptured it and brought it back to its rightful time, it could not be seen. She'd felt terrible, poor little mouse, and she'd not been able to catch it, of course. Laura had spent a long time working out the rules. The most frightening was the way the twenty-first century faded whenever she went back, as if no one is allowed to know the future. The parson would agree with that.
Xandra did not look back. Laura stayed until Xandra’s sandy footsteps faded from the squelching sand; it was as though no one had ever walked that way.
Hide in Time ~ Anna Faversham
CHAPTER NINE
1814
How long it seems since yesterday, thought Xandra. Today, like this tunnel, seems longer than forever. Will there be a tomorrow? Apprehension sowed the seed of fear. Her feet were no longer feeling the touch of the ground. She stopped. Silence. Absolute silence. Not even the sound of her own breathing. She took a step forward then stopped again. She was in control. She had mastered fear before and would do so now. Tentatively feeling the wall with her right hand, and reassured by its cold, damp reality, she clutched her bag closer and resumed her dark journey.