‘What did you do?’ He asked.
She pouted,
‘He is such a stupid boy.’
Luke persisted,
‘So, what did you do?’
Rose stared at him defiantly,
‘If you must know, I beat him.’
‘But why?’ Asked Luke.
‘Because he deserved to be beaten.’ She turned on her heel and walked back into the house. Luke was left standing alone and wondering what he had done to deserve all this?
Very soon the small town was buzzing with gossip. It centred around Rose, and the women talked behind their hands, making the sign of the devil as they parted company. The few visitors Luke had, dwindled to nought as everyone in the town avoided the house. The housekeeper was the next to leave after a few weeks. She told the other women, being in close company with Rose for any length of time was like living with the devil himself. They said there was an air of mystery surrounding her in that while she seemed to have a gift of sorts, as her mother certainly had, the other side of her nature was black, as black as the darkest night.
Luke and his daughter continued living in the house alone with only each other for company for another nine years. Rose, now sixteen, assumed the duties of mistress of the house and lorded it over all the tradespeople to the effect that no one wanted their business. Luke discovered he had been ostracised by the townsfolk and it was all due to Rose. Her black hair pulled severely into a bun at the back of her head emphasised the sickly pallor of her skin and the dark eyes had hardened even more.
Luke decided they should move away. There was nothing left for him in Plockton, hadn’t been since his lovely Mary had died. He secretly believed that Ralph had managed to get his vengeance. Luke was stuck with Ralph’s progeny it seemed for the rest of his life. He imagined she wouldn’t improve with age, rather, the opposite was more likely. No man in his right mind would take her for a wife.
Money was also running short; Luke had never again worked or had any business interests but spent money freely. After the death of Mary, he had virtually given up on life and the money he had soon dwindled to nothing. But now he had to think seriously about their future, both for himself and their daughter. There might be enough for a voyage back to Virginia, but after such a long time Luke doubted he would be welcomed back with open arms. Locally, he wouldn’t have a hope of securing any employment. The only trade he knew was baking, and there was no call for a man now past his prime.
It was a depressed and world weary Luke who led his horse and small cart away from the house. Perched on the seat, Rose, wearing black as usual with her pale face looking straight ahead, remained silent. Their clothes packed into trunks occupied the rear, and as they reached the town boundary Luke climbed aboard, and they set off at a slow trot on the road around the loch heading East. They had left just before dawn broke across the sky; the townsfolk had no idea they were moving, and Luke thought they wouldn’t have cared anyway. It was such a dichotomy and he allowed himself a smile, remembering when he and Mary had first entered the town almost seventeen years before to such an enthusiastic welcome, and now, they were slinking away with those same folk wishing them good riddance. Luke glanced at Rose, and the smile died on his lips. Her profile was becoming more like Ralph’s, and he could not look at her without remembering the rape and assault his Mary had been forced to endure and which in the end had killed her. Mary should have been sitting beside him now laughing in her carefree way, not Ralph’s heartless daughter.
The road they travelled was long and the surrounding countryside inhospitable, the money was finally running out, and they often camped out, the cost of an inn, once a mere trifle, now became an unnecessary expense. They had to have food both for themselves and the horse. That was as much as Luke could afford. Occasionally they would come across a Gypsy camp where they were cautiously welcomed. The Gypsies were still under constant threat of deportation into slavery and never welcomed strangers. Luke would sit with them by their open fire and recount the story of his time with Bethany and her father, of the night Jeb had been killed and Luke’s subsequent flight to Scotland to avoid the English. He was surprised when many of the elders nodded in agreement and said the story was well known, Luke, was regarded as something of a hero amongst the various tribes who had survived Cromwell’s purge. They believed when Cromwell died, and his son was given control as Lord Protector, their problems might be over, but nothing changed; the clearance program continued, and the Gypsies and Irish were still hounded. Then the King had been brought back in the form of Charles II. Still, nothing changed for them. The ordinary English folk were overjoyed to be rid of the overbearing religious zealots, Cromwell and son, but were soon made aware that the joy did not spread as far as either the Gypsy or the Irish. Both were still regarded as vermin, to be wiped out completely if possible.
Luke was made so welcome at some camps he was able to stay for weeks at a time and both he and Rose were given warm shelter, and good food; Luke began to feel more like his old self again. He revelled in the fireside talks in the evening with the elders; it was good to be in men’s company again. The women of the camp were not welcome at these meetings being the strict preserve of the menfolk.
This left Rose to her own devices, and she soon took the opportunity to exercise some control of her own. The Gypsy boys were curious both about her and her appearance, and she would hold court at a separate fireside. The mothers laughed as they observed them all sitting around the fire while Rose held the boys in awe. The older women looked on, knowing full well that here was a girl not to be messed with. She had the gift, and there was no doubt in their minds that here was a powerful woman who would one day rule everything about her or die in flames tied to a stake. In Scotland, witches were burned not hanged as they were in England.
When it came time to leave, the men would gather around Luke wishing him well and forcing food upon him. The boys would take their leave of Rose separately. She would have singled out one for special attention during their stay. He would be the biggest and toughest of them all. That was her protection, and she would reward him with a sly kiss and something a little more in the darkness surrounding the campsite at night. She was fully developed and used her new attributes to reward favours. Rose was learning the power a woman could command over a man.
Once back on the road, she resumed her cold demeanour, and the pair travelled in silence.
Heading back into England they began the long journey South. Luke had no plans; he decided to let fate be his guide. At each town, they walked the streets looking for employment, but nobody wanted to employ an older man in the arduous job of baker. Besides, Luke had been idle for so long he had developed the paunch of a wealthy man, even though his wealth had now dwindled to nothing.
Their journey continued along the rutted dirt roads, sometimes dry and dusty but often wet and very muddy. They still occasionally came upon small groups of Gypsies and were always made welcome. Luke couldn’t understand why these people were so reviled, to him they had always been most generous. He guessed it might be because they were different from the ordinary folk and where there was a difference in culture there was nearly always fear.
Rose also welcomed the breaks in their apparently endless journey and sought out the younger boys. Within a day she would have her champion following her around like a pet dog. The other girls in the camp would gather together and point at her but never dared to challenge. Something about this stranger scared them. As Gypsies, they were well aware of those who could bring down sickness and bad luck on any that crossed their path. This girl, Rose, was to be avoided at all costs. The girls were always pleased when it was announced they would be leaving. The boys had a different reaction; it was as if they had been released from a spell as Rose disappeared into the distance.
It was after almost a year of aimless travel when they pulled into Upper Marston. Luke couldn’t believe they were there. He had not consciously planned on ever returning and looked shocked as h
e recognised the town.
‘What’s the matter?’ Asked Rose sternly.
Luke looked around at the familiar buildings,
‘Nothing, it’s just that I used to live near here.’
‘Whereabouts?’ Insisted Rose, becoming more interested now at the possibility they might be able to stop this endless wandering and settle somewhere.
‘The next village, it’s called Lower Marston, at least it was when there was a village there.’ Luke replied.
She raised an eyebrow and Luke went on,
‘The whole place burned to the ground one night, all that is except the bakery.’
She looked at Luke with those dark eyes, they were normally slate grey but sometimes appeared black as pitch.
‘Perhaps you can get a job there?’ She said, almost intuitively.
Luke didn’t reply but flicked the reins along the horse’s rump as they moved off along the road through the village. A few people stopped to stare at the couple, but no one recognised him.
Darkness was descending as their small cart turned into the bakery yard. Luke stopped the horse and sat looking around; the last place on earth he would have chosen, so why had he been led here?
Rose also looking around perked up,
‘This looks nice.’ She said enthusiastically.
The kitchen door opened and a man limped towards them. Luke barely recognised him as Hugh. He had aged dramatically since Luke left with Mary all those years ago and he wondered if he would remember him. Hugh approached the cart and stared up at him,
‘Why, my goodness, is that you Luke?’
Luke smiled down at him,
‘Yes, my old friend, it is; somehow I don’t seem to be able to escape this place. How are Lilly and Robin?’
Hugh looked away slightly as he replied,
‘Lilly is okay, and Robin is almost a man now.’ His voice trailed off as he spoke and Luke suspected that all was not well.
Remembering his manners Hugh insisted they get down and join them indoors, he led the way calling out to Lilly to come and see who had arrived.
Lilly met Luke in the centre of the room, and her eyes gave her away. They softened as she slowly looked him up and down.
‘Welcome home, Luke.’
Rose started in surprise, did this woman just say welcome home?
Luke introduced her as his daughter briefly explaining that Mary had died giving birth. Lilly expressed her deep sorrow at this news and ushered them both to sit at the table, and she would prepare a meal. They were sitting at the table when the door opened, and a boy walked in. He was more like a man really, big and stockily built.
Lilly spoke first,
‘Robin, this is Luke, you probably don’t remember him you were tiny the last time you met.’
Robin grunted noncommittally and threw himself down on a chair at the table.
‘And this is his daughter, Rose.’ She added.
Robin looked at Rose through screwed up eyes and nodded. He was not an attractive man by any means, and his demeanour left a great deal to be desired, but Rose smiled at him. Another champion she had already decided.
Luke spoke to Robin,
‘So, have you learned the trade?’
Robin glanced scornfully at Hugh,
‘Well, I had to, this old man can’t do it anymore, as useless as tits on a bull he is!’ He exclaimed.
His rudeness shocked Luke, and Lilly lowered her head in shame. Hugh said nothing, the look of defeat in his eyes saying everything. Rose, however, smiled across the table at Robin and winked, a little chuckle escaping her lips.
Robin took this as an approval and continued,
‘He ain’t been no use since the accident, more of a liability. I don’t know how she, nodding towards his mother, puts up with him.’
Luke ignored the comments and addressed himself to Hugh,
‘What accident was that then, Hugh?’
Hugh looked up at Luke, and the sadness was clearly evident in his eyes.
‘It happened last year. I was working in the bakery with Robin here and tripped on that bloody iron ring set into the floor. I was carrying a pile of freshly baked loaves still in their tins, and the whole lot went over like skittles. I landed on my knee and heard a crack like a pistol shot. Never been the same since; something must have broken because ever since then my knee has been getting stiffer. Now I can barely walk some days.’
‘Barely do any sodding work either!’ Shouted Robin.
Luke wanted to remonstrate with the boy but knew he was in no position to do so.
‘If you like I could stay and help for a while.’ He suggested.
Lilly answered before Hugh could utter a word.
‘Yes, that would be really helpful. We’ve lost a few orders because Robin can’t keep up with the demand, not that it’s any fault of his.’ She added quickly seeing her son begin to bridle.
Luke had been studying Robin since he had walked in and now decided he was a clone of their mutual father, Seth. He had all the undesirable traits and felt sorry for Hugh, the man who had brought him up as his own. Much the same as Luke had raised Rose who was fast becoming a clone of Ralph, her natural father. What a sorry mess, he decided and now back again in the familiar territory of his childhood, no money and no future. He had no choice but to throw himself on the goodwill of Hugh and Lilly having already made over the property to them years before.
Chapter 33
Sebastian and Briony continued holding hands as the bloodstained bandage was consumed in flames. The strange hiss became a small moan and then stilled. The flames finally died altogether, until only ash was left. The couple stood and watched as an unseen breeze picked up the ashes and in a swirling motion swept them to the rear of the oven. Sebastian slammed the iron door closed sealing the ashes inside before turning away, still firmly holding Briony’s hand.
They walked back to the house hand in hand and entered the kitchen.
‘Where did you get to? And what brought you back?’ He eventually asked.
Briony smiled her sweetest smile,
‘I went to the woods, I feel at home there. Then this morning I came back, I warned you I was a little strange.’
They both looked towards the wingbacked chair and saw the spiralling blue smoke rising to flatten against the low ceiling.
‘Out!’ Shouted Sebastian, and the smoke immediately disappeared. Briony laughed and turning to Sebastian reached up and kissed him gently on the lips.
‘I’ll leave you now; I have things to do. Maybe I'll come back later if you are still going to be here?’
Sebastian smiled,
‘I’ll be here, where else would I go?’
She walked out the door, but this time he didn’t bother to follow her, knowing she would simply disappear as usual.
Sebastian was working in what would, he hoped, eventually be his living room, wondering if he would ever be able to fit in a baby grand piano. He still had no desire to play and certainly no desire to take up his old musical career but who knew, one day the urge might return and if nothing else a piano would make a beautiful piece of furniture.
He hadn’t heard any knock at the door, and it was a strange chill tingling up his spine which made him turn around quickly. Standing directly behind him was James. The pair stared at each other unsmilingly until James adopted his sickly smile and spoke.
‘What ho! I thought it was about time to catch up and see what you’re doing to the old place.’
Sebastian barely smiled as he replied.
‘Well, as you can see bits and pieces; how’s Briony?’
James maintained his smile with some effort,
‘Thought you would know that better than me, old boy.’
Sebastian didn’t bother to reply; he could feel the atmosphere in the room beginning to change but didn’t break his look at James. The sun must have disappeared behind a cloud because the room had darkened considerably. A coldness had descended, and Sebastian shivered involuntar
ily. The pair stood almost toe to toe, James wearing his fixed smile and Sebastian meeting his look with a scowl beginning to mask his features. Even the clap of thunder couldn’t disturb the pair, the flashing lightning merely adding to the strange scene. Shadows were bouncing around the room as the light changed outside and the air surrounding them almost crackled with energy. Rain began pelting down beating against the windows with a surreal ferocity. Still, James and Sebastian didn’t move, the enmity between them would have been obvious to any onlooker. As the storm outside reached its height, James suddenly turned on his heel and walked away, out through the kitchen door. Whether he slammed it shut behind him, or it closed itself, was not apparent. Sebastian hadn’t moved, he could feel the anger boiling within him, totally out of character from his usual placid nature.
The Haunting Page 27