by Ellen Dean
Sure this whole nightmare scenario would be resolved quickly, Beth tossed the note into the fire that H had so obligingly lit in the large bedroom. Then she climbed into bed, her thoughts briefly bordering on the hysterical, as she wondered if she should have eaten the note in true James Bond style, before falling into an exhausted sleep.
H was downstairs in the snug talking on the phone with her solicitor. He confirmed all members of the Amethyst Group, except Serena, were under arrest; the police were insisting she helped them to flush her out. H was furious; this had not been part of the deal. It was hardly surprising Serena had gone to ground after they’d cocked-up her arrest in America and had to let release her. They can find her themselves, I have more important things to do. It’s a pity Beth didn’t come to me willingly, but, never mind, a little reluctance on her part will spice things up. And I can always give her a potion to help things along.
Beth slept for over twelve hours; thanks to the sedative H had slipped into her drink. When she awoke it was early evening and she could hear voices.
H and Angela were sitting outside enjoying the early September evening. It was their voices that drifted up to Beth’s open bedroom window.
‘Do you really know what you’re doing, H?’ Angela said.
‘Of course I do.’
‘Don’t take this the wrong way, but I am concerned. Remember the rule of three?’
Stony silence as H tossed her head impatiently not prepared to acknowledge Angela’s words.
‘What you give out will come back three fold, you reap what you sow. Need I go on?’
‘I know what you’re saying, but I can’t help myself. You don’t really expect me to go to prison, do you?’ H flicked her hair back from her face.
‘How can I answer that? It’s not diamonds I’m talking about, it’s Beth. You are taking away her free will. We can’t do that. You know that it’s against everything we believe in.’
‘I have to have her, Angela.’
‘No, you don’t. If you are meant to be together, Beth will come to you willingly, not like this. I really don’t agree with it. In fact I’m appalled at what you’ve done. It’s disgraceful Hyacinth, how could you?’
This was the closest anyone had come to criticizing her for years and she didn’t like it, yet the element of truth struck its mark. She snatched her glass off the table and stormed into the house. Angela followed, not prepared to give up. The conversation continued inside, so Beth was unable to hear anymore.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Beth realized she could have an ally in Angela. Better tread carefully though. Can I manage to play along until Lindsay’s help arrives? I have no choice until I get proof positive that Lou is out of danger.
Showered, and dressed in denims and a white cotton shirt, Beth went downstairs into the drawing room. Hyacinth and Angela were discussing the weather now and the forthcoming autumn solstice.
H jumped up when she saw Beth, ‘Darling, are you rested? You must be starving, come with me.’ She spun Beth around and pushed her towards the kitchen. ‘We have lots of food ready.’ Looking over her shoulder at Angela, she said, ‘Come along, darling. We’ll all eat together.’ For once she did not want to be alone with Beth; she couldn’t say why she felt unsettled, but blamed police harassment and Angela’s criticism for it. Whatever it was she didn’t like this feeling, it was alien to her.
To Beth’s surprise the meal and next couple of hours passed without incident mainly because of how well she got on with Angela. The television was switched on in time for the late news. Beth watched as the newscaster reported how the members of an all-female diamond smuggling gang, known as The Amethyst Group, had been arrested. The gang had been under police surveillance for some time, they had operated worldwide and the successful arrests had been made due to the co-operation of an unnamed insider.
‘British aristocracy will be stunned to learn Lady Penelope Corday, wife of Lord Albert Corday, whose shipping empire is on the brink of bankruptcy, headed the operation assisted by Lady Davinia Macfarline, better known to many as Davinia’s Catering. Her illegitimate daughter, Felicity, a successful event rider, was also arrested along with Alison Hogan, owner of the growing chain of Hogan’s Health and Leisure Centres, and Montanna Gilby from San Diego. Several other women are being held for further questioning at various police stations throughout the UK, including a jewellery designer from Cumbria, a corporate lawyer from the north-east of England, and a Swedish Au Pair.’
Beth hung on to every word, horrified at the mention of the corporate lawyer. How can Constance possibly be under arrest? Unable to trust herself to speak she left Hyacinth and Angela and went to her room. She needed to think.
A little while later H breezed in. ‘You see, darling, we’ll be fine. The police can’t touch us and we can live happily ever after.’
‘I doubt that very much, Hyacinth. There are practicalities even you can’t sort out.’
‘Believe me, Beth, there is nothing I can’t sort out,’ H replied darkly. ‘Now, are you going to promise to stay in your room or do I have to lock you in?’
Beth turned her back and walked over to the window. Frustrated Beth hadn’t fallen gratefully into her arms, H left her, and locked the door between their adjoining rooms. I’m sure Beth will see sense tomorrow.
Following a night of careful deliberation, Beth started to formulate her plan. Angela could be constructive in that. Not knowing how long it might be before she could have contact with Lindsay, she decided the only way to go was to lull H into a false sense of security. Knowing how H relished a challenge, she would delight in taking that pleasure away from her by becoming the demure, subservient type — a mouse. I’ll make Angela’s job easy and she just might relax her guard duties enough to give me the opportunity to contact Lindsay.
Over breakfast, Beth put her plan into action. Finishing up the plateful of scrambled eggs on toast, although they had nearly choked her, she spoke as if she didn’t have a care in the world. ‘I was thinking we could have a run into Inverness today.’
H almost spat her coffee across the table. ‘What? Inverness did you say?’
‘Yes, please, if you don’t mind. There are one or two things I need. We could go shopping together.’ Playing it cool Beth sat back in her chair.
‘We can certainly go into Inverness tomorrow, darling.’ H attempted to weigh up the situation before she continued, ‘We can’t go today. I have some business to attend to.’
‘Tomorrow’s fine.’ Beth picked up her cup and went to look out of the window. After surveying the sun shining on the Cairngorms, she looked over her shoulder, almost smiling at H and said, ‘It’s going to be a warm day.’
Beth’s calm attitude confused the hell out of Hyacinth. ‘Angela will be here soon to keep you company until I get back.’
‘How nice,’ Beth’s expression was tranquil. ‘I hope she doesn’t have far to travel. She should have stayed over.’
‘She’s just along the road.’
‘I think she’s arrived.’
‘Don’t give her any trouble.’ Frowning, H picked up her shoulder bag and hurried outside.
She spoke briefly to Angela, climbed into the old Land Rover that Angela had left with the engine running, then sped down the drive, scattering gravel as she went.
Chapter 56
H did not return so the trip to Inverness never happened.
Angela stayed over. There were no telephones in the house. All the paper and pens were locked away. Hyacinth had searched Beth’s luggage to remove all of the diamonds, and confiscated anything she thought fit, including Beth’s mobile phone.
Oblivious to the day-time television programmes that Angela was watching, Beth stood for most of the day gazing moodily out of the windows watching the ever-changing light on the Cairngorm mountains. Angela felt desperately sorry for her, but was powerless to help.
The word meditation kept flashing into Beth’s mind. Okay, okay, I’ll meditate, she said to hers
elf. I’ve got sod all else to do and at least I can pretend to be somewhere else.
‘Angela, I’m going to my room. I’m so bored I’m going to sleep for a while so please don’t disturb me.’
‘That’s fine, Beth.’ Angela continued to read her book while watching television.
Up in her room Beth lit a candle. She placed it on the floor in front of her as she took up the Lotus position at the bottom of the bed. She cleared her mind with surprising ease.
Focusing on the flame of the candle, her mind went off on its own and a vision of Lou in LA took shape drifting into her subconscious. Lou stood silently before her looking happy and radiant in her red silk dress. As that image faded it was replaced by another showing Lou working on set acting out one of the final scenes of her film. Finally she was home in her kitchen, dressed for riding, leaning against the Aga holding a mug of hot coffee as she often did. Beth could see it all so clearly, she was even able to identify the steam rising into the air from the hot drink. The aroma of strong coffee filled her nostrils and the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end as she heard Lou’s voice, and felt her warm breath caress her cheek. A gentle whisper, more like a sigh. ‘My brave Beth. Don’t worry. You are not alone. We’re all here. Waiting. Help is coming and we’ll be together soon. I love you.’
Her meditation over, the tears cascaded down her cheeks as she gave in to the despair she’d been holding at bay since Hyacinth met her at the airport. Sobs racked her body as she climbed into bed and cried herself to sleep.
When Angela eventually came up to check on her, she was still sleeping. Reluctant to wake her and feeling guilty about her role as watchdog, she was determined to make Beth’s stay as pleasant as she could. After all, not even Hyacinth could keep the girl here indefinitely.
Chapter 57
H slammed the sticky gears of the Land Rover as she skidded to a halt at the end of the drive. Bloody Angela always lets her estate vehicles go to rot. The brakes took hold just in time to stop her from ploughing into a line of traffic speeding north along the A9. Rackety old thing, it just about bounced my tits off coming down that drive. Suddenly laughing at herself she pulled out, crossing the now clear road, turning right heading towards Perth. Already wishing she’d brought the Mercedes because it would take her at least two hours to reach Dorothy’s in this old banger, but knowing it would kill the car ’s suspension going up the long rutted track, she put her foot down and got on with it.
An hour later her mobile beeped. She had a text message. Pulling over into the next lay-by H stared at the words.
You think you are clever. I’m watching you.
She had no idea who had sent it. She didn’t recognize the number and wasn’t sure if she should ignore it or reply demanding an explanation. She decided to ignore it, someone had obviously keyed in the wrong number.
Crashing the gears again, the Land Rover shuddered down the road. If she ever reached her destination in this rust bucket, it would be a miracle. She decided she didn’t have to put up with it. On the outskirts of Perth she pulled into the Mercedes garage and thirty minutes later drove out in a top- of-the-range, four-wheel drive.
Within a short time she had bounced, comfortably this time, along the rough track to Dorothy’s isolated home. As the vehicle skidded to a halt her mobile beeped again.
Changing your car won’t stop me, the message told her.
H was astounded. She looked around, but there was absolutely no-one in sight. If there had been she would have been able to see them from up here.
Who the fuck is messing with me? What the hell do they want? It’ll be something to do with Penny Corday. I’ll make that bitch pay.
H locked the vehicle and went inside to be mobbed by Dorothy’s dogs. She had always found them a nuisance, but today was glad of their large, solid, Rottweiller bodies, sharp hearing and deep menacing barks. Barks like theirs should be enough to warn anyone off.
Dorothy greeted H like a long lost daughter, wrapping her in a great bear hug before leading her into the over furnished living room. In front of the blazing fire Dorothy had set a tray in readiness. She had baked bread and cakes. She loved to spoil her. The dogs were going crazy all clamouring for attention and were in danger of upsetting the tray.
H fussed them, ‘Well, Dot, it may have been a while but they haven’t forgotten me, have they?’
‘No, they haven’t, but then again, who could?’ Dorothy smiled fondly at the younger woman. She could still see H as the little lost soul who had stood before her on her first day at boarding school. Lost, but brimming with rebellion. As Matron, Dorothy had taken all of the girls under her wing, but Hyacinth had been special and Dorothy had been able to mould her and channelled her rebellion into productive energy. All H had needed was someone to love her and to care for her. Dorothy, in her role as surrogate mother, had done just that. And H had done her proud becoming a model student and Head Girl.
Dorothy had known about the affairs with the other girls. She had turned a blind eye. Love is love and it doesn’t matter where it comes from had always been her motto. Yet it had never come her way. Instead she had her dogs and she loved all three of them passionately.
And in her way Hyacinth loved Dorothy. She was the mother she’d never had and the one person H genuinely respected and trusted. No matter where her travels had taken her she had always kept in touch, sending letters and cards right up until Dorothy had been due to retire five years ago. Then Hyacinth had bought her this house and sent her the deeds and keys. Dorothy had been wise enough not to look a gift horse in the mouth and her home had become Hyacinth’s safe haven.
Bored, the dogs went to lie in the kitchen, and Dorothy fussed over H settling her into one of the fireside chairs. Then she sat down, poured two cups of Earl Grey tea and handed one to Hyacinth.
‘You must eat some of this food, dear. I’ve made it especially for you. I think you are looking a tad too thin. I know it’s hardly surprising with what you have gone through, but you must keep your strength up.’
‘Don’t worry about me Dorothy, I’ll be fine. I will have some cake though. It looks delicious.’
‘How can I not worry about you? You’re like my own.’
They both ate a slice of chocolate cake, and then sat in companionable silence until Hyacinth said, ‘It’s not going to work with Beth.’
‘I know dear, and it’s a shame for you. She looked beautiful in the photographs you sent me. The tarot cards told me that she’s not the one for you.’ Dorothy patted H’s hand in a comforting gesture. ‘But I knew you wouldn’t listen if I’d tried to tell you. You had to find out for yourself. You can’t force love, dear girl. You should know that.’
H nodded her head in acknowledgment. She couldn’t argue with Dorothy’s statement because it was true, and if Dorothy had seen it in the cards it only served to confirm it. Dorothy was a much wiser witch than she would ever be and had taught H all she knew about the subject. Dorothy’s white medicine was the most powerful stuff H had ever come across.
‘Someone is sending me strange text messages. Look . . .’ she handed her phone to Dorothy.
‘Any idea whom it could be?’
H shook her head. ‘No, but whoever it is, is close enough to know I’d changed vehicles on the way here.’
‘Why did you do that? Did you know someone was following you?’
H laughed harshly. ‘I started to drive down in one of Angela’s dreadful old Land Rovers.’
‘Say no more! Wouldn’t you think she would look after them better? At least upgrade occasionally.’
‘She has, or at least I’ve done it for her. There was no way I was taking that bloody old bone-shaker back.’ H wanted to discuss the text messages. ‘Do you think it might be something to do with Penny — with the arrests? I can’t believe what she’s done. Trying to set-up a diamond run when I told her it was finished.’
‘Did you tell her about The Syndicate and that your life was in danger.’
‘No. I tried to protect her, and she double-crossed me.’ H reached for another slice of chocolate cake, but held it mid-air, looking upset. ‘Why the hell did she not come to me and tell me that stupid Bertie was going bust? I would have helped her. Not him. Not this time. I would have made sure that she was all right.’ She bit into the cake, and sank back into the chair, ‘Wonderful comfort food, Dorothy,’ she said.
‘I’m sorry about Penny. You’ve been close friends for such a long time, but you have to move on,’ Dorothy said, ‘and that means you have to let Beth go, too.’
‘I intend to get my revenge with Penny. It might take years, but I will see my day.’
‘I know you will, and that worries me. But for now, my dear girl, down to business. Do you want to leave the diamonds here with me, or take them to a bank? I presume that’s what you’ve come for?’
‘No, it’s a social visit. But I think it would be too dangerous to move them, especially now someone seems to be watching me. And the police will be as well, watching me, that is, you know, hoping I’ll make a mistake and drop myself in it.’ She laughed mercilessly. ‘Are they still in the well — the diamonds?’
‘Yes, safe as houses.’
‘Good. We’ll leave them there. Thank God I took your advice and didn’t put everything into deposit boxes. If I had done the police would have all of them, and I’d be like Penny.’
‘I’m the best deposit box you could have.’
‘Do you need any cash or anything?’
‘No thanks dear, I’m fine.’ Dorothy reached over and patted Hyacinth’s hand again, touched by her concern.
‘Can I stay the night?’
‘Of course. You don’t need to ask. Your room is always ready for you.’
‘Tomorrow I’ll give them all the runaround. The police, and whoever else is playing silly beggars with me!’
Chapter 58
Lindsay’s patience was running out. What the hell is taking Constance so long to answer the phone? Drumming her fingers on the dressing table she looked out of the hotel window across the main road that ran through Aviemore. Where the hell is she? Finally, the connection picked up.