Out of the Shadows

by Susan Lewis

  In the end she got out of bed and went downstairs to make herself a hot drink. To her surprise there was a light on in the sitting room, and pushing the door open she found Susannah curled up in the corner of a sofa with a script open on her lap.

  ‘Hi,’ Susannah whispered. ‘Can’t sleep?’

  Patsy shook her head and came to sit down.

  ‘Me neither,’ Susannah said, ‘so I thought I’d go over my lines.’ After a beat she said, ‘Is it the text? Did he say something …’

  ‘It’s fine,’ Patsy interrupted. ‘He was just letting me know that he’s going to be in Marseilles and Bordeaux next week.’

  ‘Is that a problem?’

  ‘No, not at all.’ Reaching for the script she began flicking through it, but then handed it back. ‘Everything’s changing, isn’t it?’ she said quietly. ‘We’re on the threshold of something new, you especially.’

  ‘You too. Your job’s still only a couple of months old.’

  Patsy turned to her and put a hand on Susannah’s cheek as she smiled. ‘Your life’s already moving forward in ways you hardly dared imagine,’ she said. ‘You have Alan now, this house, your newfound fame, but it’s going to be what happens up there in Derbyshire that will bring about the biggest changes of all.’

  ‘I know,’ Susannah responded, ‘it’s why I can’t sleep, because thinking about what they might be scares me half to death, but nothing in the world would make me back out now.’

  ‘It’s going to be a wonderful journey,’ Pats said with certainty, ‘just make sure you remember to enjoy it, and don’t forget who your friends are.’

  ‘That’s something,’ Susannah told her with feeling, ‘that I know I will never forget.’

  Chapter Eighteen

  JUST AS SUSANNAH had been told, the Larkspur Centre of Equitation was set entirely in its own valley, a rich, dramatic sweep of natural land buried deep in the Derbyshire dales. As far as the eye could see the fields, forests, peaks and streams had been taken over by Michael Grafton’s production company, as had the small village that straggled over one of the slopes. Several more individual cottages were scattered through the vale, along with a collection of variously converted barns, sheds, stables and mews and other outbuildings, all tucked randomly into the swathe of land. Sitting resplendently at the valley’s heart was the seventeenth-century mansion which was to be home to Larkspur’s fictitious family by day, and to senior members of production and crew by night. Though Susannah had already seen pictures of it, and read about it in the publicity handouts, the soaring turrets and ivy-clad walls were so thrilling in reality that it made her heart swell with pride to see it.

  As the bus began its descent into the valley she was eagerly drinking in the magical landscape, and feeling so much emotion that she couldn’t even murmur her admiration as many of the others were. If there were anywhere in the entire country more beautiful than these sweeping hills and fells, she had never been there. Even on a day like today, when the sun wasn’t much in evidence and the startling and soothing colours of early summer were veiled by the drabbing fall of rain, its charm was so encompassing that she could feel herself being drawn into it as though she really was Marianne, and this was where she’d always belonged.

  At the end of a narrow winding lane the bus paused for a barrier to swing upwards, and just beyond it Susannah caught her first glimpse of the lodge she was to share with Polly Grace. It appeared every bit as quaint and inviting as the photographs she’d seen, nestling amongst the trees with its wisteria-covered walls and newly thatched roof. Surrounding it was a small garden with a freshly laid patio area and a privet hedge to mark out its borders.

  Since the itinerary called for everyone to be taken straight to the big house on arrival, the bus continued along the beech-lined drive, passing carefully tended manèges and a small fleet of horseboxes, before turning around an enormous stone barn that was announced as the production offices and a prop store. Beyond that was another, smaller barn with a vast parking area behind it, much of which was taken up by cranes, lorries, forklift trucks and various other construction vehicles.

  Then they were crunching over the gravel of the stableyard, which was littered with benches, brooms, buckets and hoses. A handful of grooms and handlers were going about their business either on foot or horseback: one trotted off towards the exercise fields, while two others rode in from the gallops. Each of the horses Susannah could see was a chestnut, so no sign yet of Silver, whom she was as nervously excited about meeting as she was about starting the shoot.

  When the bus finally came to a halt outside the house Harvey and Jayna, the publicists, were waiting to take everyone through to the kitchens where the caterers had refreshments waiting. The large stone-walled room with its bank of ovens, rack upon rack of utensils and dark oak cupboards was, like most of the rest of the house, doubling as a set. On the days it was being used for filming, meals would be served in the recreation barn on the far side of the stable blocks.

  As everyone milled around, sipping tea and biting into triangular sandwiches, Susannah wandered outside with George Bremell, who was also seeing the Centre for the first time.

  ‘It’s beyond amazing, isn’t it?’ she murmured, as they strolled towards a manège where a groom was putting a proud-looking stallion through its paces.

  ‘I’ve never seen anything like it,’ he replied, his wrinkly face appearing genuinely overawed. ‘Quite humbling, in its way,’ he added. Then, as they reached the fence and leaned against it, ‘How are you feeling about tomorrow?’

  Susannah inhaled the wonderfully invigorating scent of horseflesh and fresh country air. ‘I think I’m ready to get started now,’ she finally answered. ‘How about you?’

  ‘About the same. If there’s time later, I’m happy to run lines.’

  Touched, and honoured, considering how established he was, she said, ‘I’d love to. Thank you. Where are you staying, by the way?’

  ‘Here, at the house, I believe. And you’re at the lodge with Mzz Grace?’

  Susannah smiled as she flicked him a look.

  His only response was an eloquent raise of his eyebrows, but it was enough to confirm him as a friend, perhaps even an ally, should she need one.

  ‘Hey, you two!’ Harvey shouted through his cupped hands. ‘We’re about to tour the house. Are you coming?’

  Taking the arm George offered, Susannah fell into step beside him, and didn’t miss the sarcastically knowing look she received, courtesy of Mzz Grace, as they caught up with the group inside the main hall. The walls were crowded with a macabre display of stuffed animal heads, along with various trophies, old-fashioned tapestries, and an impressive collection of family portraits adorning the stairs. It wasn’t until they’d been shown around the main drawing room, morning parlour, library and an extremely grand study, and were on their way up the stairs that Susannah recognised one of the portraits as her own. It was a strange and slightly unsettling experience, seeing herself as a member of another family, and the subject of a painting she didn’t even know had been done. Clearly the artist had worked from a photograph, but it was still as though she had some kind of doppelgänger who was watching her from the other side of a mirror.

  The master bedroom suite, belonging to her and George – or more accurately Marianne and Jerome – was almost as high as it was wide, with an intricate network of studio lights cluttering up the ceiling, a deep bay window overlooking the stableyard, and a vast four-poster bed, its monstrous headboard crammed with carvings of gargoyles and griffins. It was the only room upstairs that was to act exclusively as a set – the others were private living quarters for the producers, directors, designers and a very pleasant suite at the back for George.

  The last port of call was the stables, but only for Susannah, since the others had either seen them before, or were keen to start settling into their quarters before the evening’s welcome meeting in the production barn.

  As she crossed the stableyard with Jayna, th
e publicist, Susannah was already falling in tune with the sound of hooves clattering on the cobbles, and the occasional breathy rumble of a horse snorting or munching on feed. She could smell the potent scent of hay and manure, and inhaled it like a perfume. Though she might still be a long way off the riding standard required for her character, it didn’t mean she hadn’t developed a love of horses, because she certainly had. Of all the new experiences that had come her way over the past few weeks, acquiring the confidence to mount a beast whose back was higher than her own head, and then to let go of her ego so she could become one with the animal, had proved by far and away the most thrilling. If she’d had more time there was no doubt in her mind she’d have spent it having more lessons, not only to help with her character, but because she truly loved being in the saddle.

  ‘Josie’s here somewhere,’ Jayna informed her, as they walked into the enormous complex of purpose-built stables. ‘She’s Silver’s groom, and I know she’s really looking forward to meeting you.’

  As they passed, the stable hands, all of whom were to act as support cast in their own real-life roles, stopped work to come and shake Susannah’s hand and welcome her. They were so kind and pleased to see her that she was starting to feel like a visiting monarch, until they reached a much larger stable at the rear of the building, and then, just as Michael Grafton had predicted, she knew she was in the presence of true royalty.

  ‘Oh my God,’ she murmured, putting a hand to her mouth as the most magnificent horse she could ever have imagined was led out of its stable. ‘He’s beautiful,’ she said, swallowing hard.

  ‘He’s been very impatient to meet you,’ Josie, the groom, informed her. ‘We’ve had such a fuss on, haven’t we, you old tyrant,’ she said, giving a tug to Silver’s lead rope.

  Susannah spluttered with laughter as Silver gave a haughty toss of his head, then treated Josie to a retaliatory nudge.

  ‘You be on your best behaviour now,’ Josie warned, ‘and remember, you’re the beast half of this partnership. OK? I know you think you’re the beauty, but she’s that. Got it?’

  As though he’d understood, Silver let go a derisory snort, then with a swish of his luxuriant tail and an elegant pawing of the straw he took a step closer to Susannah, stopping just short as though to challenge her to do the same. Delighted, Susannah moved in to stroke him, putting her head back to gaze up into his watchful dark eyes. Silver allowed the caresses, and even nudged her for more when she stopped, but then he required a reward for such graciousness, which Josie passed to Susannah to deliver.

  As Silver’s soft rubbery muzzle took the Blue Chip treats from her palm, Susannah laid a cheek against his neck, inhaling the wonderful warm scent of him and revelling in the incredible silkiness of his coat. The power that emanated from him was as thrilling as an elixir. She longed to ride him now, and as though sensing it, Josie said, ‘Your saddle and bridle are ready and waiting in the tack room. I can get them if you like.’

  Susannah looked at Jayna, whose lips flattened as she shook her head sadly.

  ‘I’m sorry, there’s isn’t time,’ Jayna grimaced. ‘Unless you want to go to the lodge after the meeting, instead of before.’

  Though torn, in the end Susannah decided she really ought to freshen up before the big get-together, so after giving Silver a hug, which earned her an affectionate-seeming brush with his nose in return, she followed Jayna out to where a unit bus was just returning from dropping off some of the others.

  To her surprise, and relief, Polly Grace alighted, saying, ‘Oh there you are. The lodge is all yours now. I hope I haven’t used all the hot water,’ and with a stiff splay of her fingers to affect a wave, she started off towards the main house.

  Susannah glanced at Jayna, smiled, then taking the key Jayna was holding out to her, she hopped on to the bus.

  Minutes later she was letting herself into the lodge, which turned out to be just as quaint inside as out. The small hallway was generously equipped with coat pegs and boot racks, and the dog-leg staircase was secured by a white spindled banister. Her bags were already there, having been delivered while she was being shown round the house, but she decided to check out the downstairs before going up to her room to change.

  The sitting room was bigger than she’d expected with low, beamed ceilings, an inglenook fireplace with a built-in wood burner, plush navy carpeting and a capacious burgundy leather three-piece suite grouped around a mahogany coffee table. The kitchen, by contrast, was small, but there was enough room for a breakfast table in front of the window, and plenty of storage in the melamine-fronted units. She soon discovered which cupboards Polly had claimed for herself, since her name was pinned to several of the inside shelves. She’d also claimed her space in the fridge, freezer and walk-in larder. Amused, Susannah wondered which side of the dishwasher she might prefer, but didn’t bother opening it to find out. Instead she stopped at a noticeboard to scan a list of the Centre’s phone numbers which had been thoughtfully provided, along with all kinds of useful information about the local area, including times of buses and trains.

  Apparently Polly had already divided up the welcome grocery pack to the point that she’d opened a box of tea bags, counted them out and left Susannah’s share in a heap on one of the unmarked shelves. Feeling tempted to cut the fruit in half, rather than taking a whole apple, orange and banana, Susannah returned to the hall and carried her bag up to the landing. She found Polly’s name Sellotaped to the first and second doors, her own to a third and no one’s to a fourth.

  Intrigued to know why Polly had two rooms when she’d already informed Susannah she was taking the en suite, Susannah decided to investigate. The answer soon became apparent – the en suite only had a shower, whereas the main bathroom had both a shower and a bath. So apparently Polly had abandoned the en suite bedroom in favour of a fully equipped bathroom. The fourth door turned out to be a linen cupboard where once again Polly had left her markers, having claimed, Susannah learned from a quick glance at the inventory, three extra pillows, a blanket and two pairs of sheets. On Susannah’s unlabelled shelves there was a single sheet, a pillowcase, and a blue chenille throw. Starting to find this quite amusing now, Susannah popped into the main bathroom to count up the loo rolls, then crossed over to her own en suite to discover less than half the number. Polly had also hoarded the lion’s share of complimentary soaps and shampoos, as well as all the cleaning products.

  Hearing her mobile ringing, Susannah ran back to her bedroom, which was rather cosy, she thought, with its deep springy mattress and mauve and lavender draperies, and grabbed it up.

  ‘Hi,’ Alan said. ‘Can you talk? How’s it going?’

  ‘Your timing is perfect,’ she told him, wandering to the window. ‘This place is … Actually, I don’t know how to describe it. The countryside around is stunning … I’m at the lodge now, which is very quaint and cosy, but I’m starting to wonder if I might wake up tomorrow to find myself sawn in half.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘Don’t ask,’ she laughed, deciding she didn’t want to waste time on Polly. ‘I’ve met Silver, which for my part was an out-and-out coup de foudre. He redefines magnificent, which I guess is only to be expected considering how many prizes he’s won. I can hardly wait till tomorrow when I get to ride him.’

  ‘You know, it feels strange to think of you in a place I’ve never seen,’ he said. ‘I’m not sure I like it.’

  ‘It’ll help once you’ve been here, so let’s hope you manage to make it up for a night some time this week.’ As she spoke she was unzipping her bag to lift out the framed shots he’d taken of her and Neve. ‘I’m so glad Neve decided in the end to join us the day you took the photographs,’ she said. ‘She looks so lovely in them.’

  ‘So do you,’ he reminded her.

  ‘We all do,’ she smiled, coming across one of the three of them together. After placing it next to her bed, she carried the others to the tallboy, saying, ‘It’s really helping me to feel at home having the
m here, but I still think I’m going to find it odd sleeping alone tonight.’

  ‘You and me both. I’m already missing you like crazy. Remind me when you’re back, just in case I can’t make it up in the week?’

  ‘On Friday evening, provided everything goes to plan with the schedule. I’m due to wrap at five, so I should make the six o’clock train.’

  ‘Which’ll get you into London around eight, I guess. Home by nine at the latest. I’m sure you won’t feel like going out, so I’ll cook something special. Neve might give me a hand, if I’m lucky.’

  ‘Or maybe we should gently ask her to stay at Lola’s?’ It wasn’t actually what she wanted, but feeling sure he would, she ought at least to suggest it.

  ‘Actually, I don’t think we should exclude her for your first weekend back,’ he said.

  Smiling with relief, she said, ‘How is she? Have you taken her over to Lola’s yet?’

  ‘Just about to. She’s upstairs in her room if you want to give her a call.’

  ‘I’ll have to do it later, because I should be going now or I’ll miss the start of the meeting. Send her my love. Lola too,’ and after assuring him again that she missed him and loved him she rang off and went to turn on the shower.

  Discovering that Polly had, indeed, used up all the hot water, she soaped herself hastily in the lukewarm flow and managed to get out again before it turned ice-cold. Then, selecting a pair of tailored white jeans to wear with a strappy white T-shirt, she pulled a brush through her hair, snapped it into a low-rise ponytail, and throwing a shimmery grey pashmina over one shoulder she dug her feet into a pair of silver ballet pumps, ready to walk back up to the house.

  However, she’d just reached the lodge gate when the security barrier rose and a sleek black Mercedes came through into the drive and pulled up alongside her. As one of the darkened windows went down she started to smile.