by Ian Todd
“And?”
“What?”
“What did he actually say, for God’s sake?”
“Nothing…a few things…I’ve got a lot to think about.”
“So, you’re not letting me into whatever he’s schemed up then?”
“I never said that. I just need to think things over first.”
“Saba, I can’t believe you. Where is the trust between us?”
“Look, I need to think about what he said. Let’s leave it at that. Have you heard anything about Monday?”
“Why should I tell you anything?”
“Oh, please Morven, stop fooling around. What have you heard?”
“I cornered Bridie, the scullery maid, whilst you were up in the woods with your new pal. She just about jumped out of her skin when I asked her if she knew anything about a surprise for your birthday.”
“Oh, what did you go and say that for? You’ve let the cat out of the bag now. I don’t want my father to know that I know what he’s up to.”
“How else was I going to get any information out of her?”
“So, what did she say?”
“Nothing. Your father arrived just before I could use that charm of mine and demanded to know why we were loitering about the gallery, getting paid for doing nothing. She curtsied to him, avoided eye contact with me and then scampered off like a frightened mouse.”
“So, you think there is definitely something being planned?”
“Oh, yes. Whenever I come across any of the house staff, they go all quiet when they see me. They won’t tell me anything and now you’ve joined in. I feel like a leper.”
“Right, here’s one for you. Where are the keys for the estate cars kept?”
“So, you’ve made up your mind then?”
“Morven, for heaven’s sake, stop answering a question with a question. Where are the keys kept?”
“Well, George and Cameron have a key each that they carry with them all the time. They have a vehicle each and use them every day. The spare Landy that sits in the stable yard is usually used by Cawley MacLeod, the chauffeur, to go into Tain to pick up perishables that can’t be grown or delivered. Your father and Riddrie also share this one when they go out and about on the estate. There’s a spare sets of keys for each vehicle kept in the stable block office, hanging up. The key for the office is kept hanging up in the Kitchen.”
“What about fuel?”
“Cawley takes care of the maintenance. He makes sure the oil, water and the fuel tanks are checked every night. If they require to be filled, he does that. He services them regularly too.”
“So, if I was to borrow one of them, there would be a full tank of fuel in it?”
“Yes. Saba, if you’re going to borrow one of them, please make sure you take the spare one. George and Cameron will literary kill Paul if he even puts a finger on those vehicles. No one gets to drive them. I’ve seen poor Cawley having to trudge down to Ardgay in the rain when the spare one has been in the garage being repaired, rather than getting to use one of theirs. It’s okay for you, but it will be adding fuel to the fire against Paul if one of their cars has been used as a taxi service.”
“I’ve no real problem with using the spare one, although you’ll need to point out which vehicle is used by whom. I have to admit though, that at the end of the day, the estate owns all the vehicles, so I shouldn’t actually have to ask anyone’s permission before using whichever vehicle I choose,” Saba retorted.
“So, when are you planning to leave?”
“Sunday night, when everyone’s asleep.”
“You’re not going to be here for your birthday then?”
“No. Where in the kitchen is the stable block office key kept?”
“There’s a key box hanging up on the wall, just to the right as you enter from the hallway stairs. All the keys are labelled.”
“Oh and one other thing, Morven?”
“Yes?”
“I don’t want you staying up here in the castle on Sunday night.”
Chapter Thirty Four
There wis a slight drizzle ae rain as Paul started oot, closing the front door silently behind himsel, before hitching up his rucksack and slinging it o’er his shoulder. He’d tried tae sleep earlier and hid set the alarm clock fur two in the morning, bit hid switched it aff as there wis nae way he wis gonnae manage any shut-eye. Innes hidnae said much earlier in the evening other than tae wish him good luck. Whitey hid shed a wee tear and hid made it clear that she didnae approve ae whit he wis daeing. Paul hid put this doon tae her no knowing how good the full plan really wis. It hidnae stoapped her fae stuffing his rucksack wae breid, cheese, biscuits and water though.
“Now, what would you being doing with these, Paul?” she’d asked, haudin up the number plates fae Innes’s auld clapped-oot Landy.
“Ah’m no sure. Ah’ve taken them because they might come in handy,” he’d replied.
Wance he’d convinced Innes and The Gardener’s Daughter that everything wid work oot, it hid jist been a matter ae waiting. That hid been the hardest part though. He’d spent the last few days checking and rechecking, gaun o’er the route in his heid and oan the map. Wance he wis sure where he wis gaun, he’d written doon the names oan a piece ae paper, ae aw the main road junctions and settlements that they’d need tae keep an eye oot fur. Writing oot the list wid save them the bother ae hivving tae keep looking at the map.
He hidnae seen or spoken tae Morven since that last night up at the burn, when he’d asked her tae get The Gardener’s Daughter tae come up tae meet him. He knew she widnae be speaking tae him, because when he’d asked Richie Rich whit Morven wis saying aboot whit they wur up tae, she’d jist mumbled something aboot how she’d telt Morven she wis leaving, bit hidnae gied her any ae the details.
“Of course she’s annoyed. She’s my friend. She doesn’t understand all the secrecy. It was difficult for me,” Joan ae Arc hid bleated.
“Aye, bit ye’re also her boss, who’s hid her slaving efter yer arse ever since ye goat here, so Ah widnae feel too cracked up,” he’d hit her wae, cursing himsel fur gieing her a bit ae lip before they’d even goat near a set ae wheels.
“Look, I’m not asking you to be my friend. All I want to do is get home to New York to be with real friends who respect me for who I am. Whether you believe it or not, I’m actually a good person. All I want from you is a lift. I don’t want to be with you any more than you do with me. If it’s alright with you, I’ll keep myself to myself and you do the same,” she’d spat at him, green eyes oan fire.
“That suits me fine and dandy, hen. Jist you make sure that ye’re doon in the stable yard wae the keys and Ah’ll take it fae there. Ye’re no the only wan that’s got a lot tae lose aboot here.”
He knew he wis oot ae order starting a fight before they’d even set aff, bit every time he thought ae her da and they Sellar pricks, and whit they’d done tae Innes and poor auld Tim, he couldnae resist hivving a crack at her. Oan the bonus side, it meant she knew who wis the boss oan the trip, even though she wis providing the wheels tae get the boat doon tae Loch Fyne. It wis important that she knew tae dae whit she wis telt, withoot coming back wae any lip. His freedom depended oan it.
Although it wis the middle ae the night, it wis still light enough tae see the ootline ae the road and the trees. The rain hid stoapped by the time he turned in at the castle gates. He’d never been this close tae the castle and decided tae take the long way in. The Gardener’s Daughter hid said that he should jist keep walking up the drive and the stable block wid be oan the right haun side. He couldnae miss it, as it hid a big archway entrance below the turrets. Apart fae getting a scare fae a deer rushing across the drive in front ae him, Paul reached the block withoot any mishaps. He crept through the archway and peered intae the yard. A single light wis oan ootside a door that hid ‘office’ painted oan it. Tae the left ae the office door and opposite the arched entrance, three big, bottle green shiny Land Rovers sat. He looked aboot. Th
ere wisnae a sound and there certainly wisnae anywan hinging aboot. He moved across tae the first set ae wheels and looked inside. He put oan his gloves and tried the haundle, bit it wis locked. He tried the other two Landys bit they wur the same. The wan in the middle hid a canvas cover oan the back, so he climbed intae it and settled doon tae wait. It hid never entered his heid that The Gardener’s Daughter wid renege oan taking the trip…until then. He sat cursing himsel. He’d feel a right diddy if he’d tae heid back tae the croft wae his tail between his legs. Whitey wid probably be happy, he thought, bit it didnae solve how they wur gonnae pay aff Innes’s fine and keep him oot ae daeing some time at Her Majesty’s pleasure.
Chapter Thirty Five
Saba froze in terror as she felt the fingers go aroond her throat and squeeze. She tried tae force hersel up, bit couldnae lift her legs up aff the bed as they wur entangled in the sheets and blankets. She tried tae scream, bit nothing came oot. When she managed tae grab the wrist ae the haun that wis choking her, it felt dry, like the fake parchment paper that they’d learned tae make when she was at Brearley, when they were recreating the Magna Carta…the Great Charter ae the Liberties ae England and ae the Forest, as a school project. Suddenly, her left leg broke free and she managed tae bring her knee up tae her waist before using her heel tae kick him in the guts before rolling o’er tae her left. She landed oan the flair, wae a thump oan that heid ae hers. Her right fit wis still entangled in the blankets ae the bed, leaving her face doon at a forty five degree angle.
“Oh, no, please, God, no!” she howled.
She managed tae struggle tae her feet, rubbing the side ae her heid where it hid hit the flair as her bedroom door slammed shut. She looked at the clock oan the bedside table wae its green illuminated hauns. They said that it wis twenty five minutes past two. She’d slept through her alarm. She looked aboot wildly and then ran across tae the windae and looked oot. She could make oot the slated roof ae the stable block and see parts ae the driveway through the trees. She ran tae the toilet and did a quick pee before rushing back intae her bedroom and jumping intae her clothes. She thanked God that she’d packed before gaun tae bed. Wance she wis dressed, she switched aff the lamp, picked up her rucksack and crept oot ae the bedroom. She ran alang the corridor and heided fur the stairs. If that bloody ghostly Gardener reappears, thinking he’s found his long-lost daughter again, he’s in fur a nasty shock…ghost or no…Saba promised, reaching up and tentatively touching her neck. When she reached the hallway in the basement, below the ground flair, she opened three doors, a broom cupboard, a pantry and a shelved cupboard full ae tins before she at last found the wan she wis efter. The place wis in darkness when she slowly opened the creaking door. The smell ae stale alcohol made her crinkle her nose. She switched oan the light and let oot a yelp. George Sellar wis sitting wae his mooth wide open, sprawled back oan a chair beside the cooking range, facing the door. He opened his eyes and blinked jist as Saba flicked the light switch aff, sending the room back intae darkness. She stood haudin her breath. As her eyes grew accustomed tae the dark, she saw him rub baith hauns through his hair, while at the same time, clear his nose, making such a disgusting noise in gulping doon the blockage that he’d jist dislodged, that she thought she wis gaun tae throw up. He leaned forward and put baith hauns oan his knees and shook his heid as if he’d a buck-toothed cleg chomping away in wan ae his ears. He stood up and stretched, withoot looking across at her and made fur the side door, which led oot tae the yard and the tap ae the stairs that led doon tae the stable-block or across tae the wee cottage he shared wae his brother Cameron. As he turned the key in the lock he stoapped and suddenly spun roond. Saba hid jist managed tae duck doon behind the kitchen table. He paused, swaying, and then yanked the door open, taking the key wae him. Wance he locked the door fae the ootside, he pushed the key back under the door. Saba never moved until she heard his footsteps fading alang the path.
When she’d switched the light oan, she’d noticed the key box in front ae her. She made her way across tae it, no wanting tae switch the light back oan, in case George spotted it oan his way hame. The box wis full ae keys wae labels oan them, bit she couldnae read whit they said in the darkness. She moved across tae the sideboard, opened the tap drawer and fumbled inside. She found whit she wis looking fur, even though she hidnae been in the room since she wis a wean. Fur some obscure reason, she knew that Cook kept a box ae Swan Vestas in the drawer. She lifted oot the box and made her way back across tae the keys, striking a match as she went. The key wis hinging oan the bottom row wae a tag oan it that said ‘Stable Block Office.’ She lifted it oot and blew oot the match. She went back oot tae the hall, picked up her rucksack and retraced her steps tae go through tae the door that George hid jist exited. After locking it behind her, she slid the key back under the door.
Chapter Thirty Six
Paul wis well pissed aff wae her. He’d hid her doon as being a lot tougher than whit she obviously wis. Wan wee bit ae lip, and she’d reneged…the bloody basturt that she wis. He should’ve known better. He wis also annoyed at himsel. He shouldnae hiv gied her that last bit ae cheek. He might’ve known these rich wans wur nae used tae a bit ae backchat fae the likes ae himsel. He’d obviously goat her hackles up. He pondered whit tae dae next. He could jist go and tan the office, grab a set ae keys and heid up the strath oan his lonesome, hook up the boat and get gaun. Oan the positive side, he widnae hiv The Gardener’s Daughter wae him, who’d be a total liability anyway. He could nip doon tae Loch Fyne, get the dosh and be back in a couple ae days. Oan the doon side though, she widnae be wae him as protection, which wid mean causing a big stooshie tae erupt. It widnae take them long tae suss oot that it wis him that hid blagged the Landy. They’d throw away the key wance they eventually caught up wae him, before he’d even goat a chance tae enjoy a wee bit ae freedom. He’d even kidded himsel oan that he’d maybe try and go straight wance he’d goat the money back tae Whitey and Innes.
“Shit, shit, shit!” he cursed tae himsel.
He wondered how he’d manage tae get himsel intae such a shitty predicament so close tae being liberated. Innes wis kidding himsel oan. At his age, he’d be lucky tae come oot ae the jail wae a straight heid. They’d fuck him up and treat him like an auld jakey. The cons wid be okay, bit they screws wid dae his heid in.
“Fuck it!” Paul mumbled tae himsel, throwing his rucksack oot oan tae the ground and climbing oot ae the back ae the Landy.
He heided fur the office door and gied it a wee push wae they fingertips ae his. Nothing. He sat doon oan the damp ground and managed tae work the fingers ae baith hauns between the door frame and the door itsel at the bottom, while pressing against the door wae his left fit. He nudged his arse o’er tae the right, at the same time as swinging his right fit under his hauns so that baith ae his feet wur resting oan the door. He leaned back and wis jist aboot tae apply pressure wae his feet while pulling himsel forward wae his fingers when a haun landed oan his shoulder.
“Whit the fuck?” he yelped.
“Sshhh!” The Gardener’s Daughter wheeshed at him.
“Fur Christ’s sake! Where the hell hiv you been? Ah wis jist aboot tae tan the place masel and heid aff withoot ye,” Paul screeched at her in a high pitched voice, heart beating like a drum-roll.
“I’m sorry. George was in the kitchen where the office door key was kept. I had to wait until he’d gone to bed,” she hauf lied.
“Ye nearly gied me a bloody heart attack there. Don’t creep up oan people like that. It’s fucking right oot ae order, so it is.”
“I said I was sorry. Could you please refrain from using that offensive language? What are you expecting me to do? Beg for forgiveness?” she hissed, looking aboot nervously.
“Hiv ye goat the key?”
“Yes.”
“Well, fur Christ’s sake, is there any chance ae borrowing it fur a minute then?”
“Oh, stop being cranky. I’m here, like I said I would be. Don’t I get any points for th
at?” she bleated, haunin o’er the key.
“Right, let me see. Yep, that’s whit Ah’m efter. Remember tae lock the door behind us,” Paul said, lifting doon a set ae keys fae the key box and switching aff the torch that he’d picked up efter entering the office, before sauntering back oot intae the yard.
“Which car?” Saba asked.
“Whit wan is George’s?”
“I’m sorry, you can’t take his.”
“Why no?”
“Because I promised Morven that we wouldn’t take the one that George drives.”
“Is that right? So, I take it she’s back winching wae that big lump ae shite then?”
“Of course she isn’t. She doesn’t even like him. She thinks there will be less trouble when they find out one of the vehicles is missing, if it isn’t the one that George drives.”
“Ach, well, too late,” Paul said smiling, pressing the button on the torch and lighting up the set ae keys that hid a tag wae George’s name written oan it.
“Right, put it back!” she demanded in a low voice,
“Am Ah fuck. We’ve wasted enough time hinging aboot here. We need tae get oan the road. You take the office key back up tae the kitchen and Ah’ll sort us oot doon here. Leave yer bag wae me.”
“What? But I can’t. I slipped the kitchen key back under the door. The door is locked.”
“We need tae get that key back. Withoot it being there, somewan will notice it’s gone, long before we’re well oan oor way. It’s gonnae be light soon,” Paul sniffed, looking up at the sky.
“Arghhhh!” Saba harrumphed, stomping aff in the direction ae the steps, office key in her haun.
Paul walked across tae the first Landy and tried George’s key in the lock oan the driver’s door. It widnae budge. He passed the canvas-covered wan, as he knew awready that that wis Cameron’s and slid the key intae the third wan. The key turned and Paul pulled doon the haundle and opened the door. He didnae mess aboot. He walked back and picked up his ain and Saba’s rucksacks and slung them intae the back. He then went back tae the first car, nearest tae the office. He bent doon at the grille oan the front and released the catch. He couldnae believe his luck. There wisnae a spare wheel sitting in the brackets oan the bonnet ae this Landy or Cameron’s. When Innes hid showed him how they Sellar basturts hid stolen his rotor erm oot ae his auld Landy, it hid taken the two ae them tae lift up the bonnet because ae the weight ae the spare wheel sitting oan tap ae it.