The Chrysalid Conspiracy (17 page)

“You
are
athletes remember, and your bodies are proportionate to your physiques” said her mother, trying to ease the both girls concern. “Don’t grow up too quickly.”

“Well they’re taking their time. Most of the girls in my class at school look as though they’re wearing half a football on each side’

Lucy smiled. “Has it not occurred to you that maybe just what they are wearing?”

“I’m never going to wear one of those things!” Rayn announced defiantly.

“What?!” said Amelia and her mother together.

“Here we go,” muttered Bridie under her breath.

“No!” Rayn exclaimed. “I’m not wearing a harness like some domesticated animal. If people don’t like it they can look at my face.”

“Not a pleasant option at the moment, is it?” Bridie remarked.

“You know, Rayn,” Amelia pondered, “I never thought of it like that. You may have something there.”

“Amelia Jaxson,” cried Lucy, joining in. “Don’t you dare. Don’t even think about it.” She picked up the packet of frozen oven chips and hurled them at the girls. As they dived out the door screaming with laughter the bag hit the top of the doorframe and split, showering them and the floor with frozen chips.

Bridie scooped up a handful and threw them at the retreating pair. “You people will be the death of me!” she shouted.

Amelia ducked into the shop and collided with Carrieanne and Claire, who were standing open-mouthed. Their father was behind them giving a disapproving look. He gave his polite but pointless cough, which was smothered by the ensuing chaos.

“Hi girls,” Amelia managed to say. “Make a run for the living room. To your right, past the stairs and on the left. Follow Rayn!”

Bridie was just about to launch another handful of chips when Carrieanne appeared in the hall. “Lucy! They’ve got reinforcements!” she screamed.

“Bridie, that’s our dinner!” Lucy was trying to shout through her laughter.

Things calmed down quickly when the vicar came into the hall. He was shocked to see adults behaving in this childish, unruly manner. He spoke very calmly.

“Your shop door was open so we came in. I hope we are not intruding upon some family ritual, are we?” Bridie and Lucy were quick to notice the patronising sarcasm.

“Oh no, Vicar. Just a bit if fun. We are pretty much all sane,” replied Bridie.

He turned to his daughters. “Right girls, I have some visits to make. Behave yourselves please. I’ll be back in about an hour.” He retreated, looking unsure as to whether he should leave his offspring with such a bunch of maniacs. Amelia was sure she heard him mutter the word ‘Catholics’ with some disdain on his way out.

The sister’s looked doubtful and confused as Bridie grabbed a broom and started sweeping up the softening chips.

“Oh Bridie, that was our dinner,” said Lucy.

“Still is,” she answered. “I’ll just stick them in the oven. They’ll be fine. I don’t think they felt a thing.”

Amelia showed the girls into the living room, where they became even more perplexed when they saw Rayn’s face.

“Should we come back another time?” said Carrieanne.

“No way!” demanded her sister. “I’m enjoying this. I think this is what normal people call fun.”

“I’m sorry. Have we upset you?” asked Amelia.

“No,” said Carrieanne. “It’s just that if we were to drop a chip on the floor it’s, er, well…”

“One foot in the gates of hell!” said Claire, finishing the sentence.

“Oh yeah,” continued Carrieanne. “Drop that lot and…” she drew a finger across her throat.

“Wow, I couldn’t stand that. I’d leave,” said Rayn, mortified.

“Don’t worry,” replied Claire. “As soon as Caz is eighteen we’re off. Right Caz?”

“I don’t think we can wait that long,” Carrieanne responded in a quiet voice. There was an embarrassing silence for a few moments. “What happened to you?” said Carrieanne to Rayn, changing the subject. “That looks painful.”

“Oh nothing. My mum got mad at me when I dropped the bag of chips.”

Carrieanne and Claire’s eyes widened in horror. Then they joined in the laughter when they realised they’d been ‘had’.

“Sorry,” said Rayn. “I couldn’t resist that.”

Amelia told them about the training program and Rayn’s ‘accident’, while Rayn treated them to a much embellished version of the ‘Nigel and the boobs’ incident. The two newcomers were almost in awe of Amelia and Rayn’s freedom, as they called it.

“Shall we do the interview, then?” said Amelia at length.

“Yes please. I’ve brought my tape recorder along, is that okay?” asked Carrieanne.

“Ask Rayn,” said Amelia. “She’s the one you’re interviewing.”

“I am?” replied Carrieanne in surprise. “But my dad told me you were the first one there.”

Rayn sat up quickly, her curiosity aroused. “Really? How would he know that? I mean, what would make him say that?”

“He said he overheard some policemen talking. Why?” Carrieanne’s journalist’s nose sensed the undercurrent of something not quite right. Amelia knew she had to change the subject, and quickly.

“Which one of you plays the cello, then?”

“Cello? Neither of us. I play piano and Caz plays guitar. Why do you ask?” said Claire.

“We were outside the music rooms when Melkins jumped. I thought I heard someone playing. It was beautiful. I thought it may have been one of you two,” Amelia said in her most innocent voice.

“You couldn’t have,” said Carrieanne. “They have one cello in the store, but no one plays it.”

“So who was in the practice room when the professor did his dive?” asked Rayn.

“No one,” said Claire. “We were in the piano room together.”

“That’s right,” confirmed Carrieanne. “Dad had popped in about half an hour before to make sure we were practising our party piece for his anti-Halloween concert on Saturday. There was no one in there.”

“But surely someone could have wandered in with an instrument that sounded like a cello?” piped up Rayn.

“Not likely,” laughed Carrieanne. “Nothing else sounds like a cello. Anyway, the main practice room was locked and I had the key in my pocket.”

Rayn stood up, her face quite pale. She looked at Amelia. “I think I’m going to be sick.”

Carrieanne’s eyes followed Rayn as she left the room. The young inexperienced journalist in her was silently screaming ‘Scoop!’ She was thinking that Amelia was a pushover. She couldn’t lie to save her life. But Rayn…Oh, she was good. Very good. She would have to find a way to bring her down and let her know that she, Carrieanne West, was no fool.

“Sorry, false alarm,” said Rayn as she returned. “Right, let’s do this.”

“You two go ahead,” said Amelia. “I’ll take Claire up to my room and keep out the way.”

Rayn laughed. “You’ll find a whole new meaning to the word ‘freedom’ up there,” she said to Claire. “You have to wipe your shoes when you leave.”

Amelia picked up a cushion to hit her with, but thought better of it.

“Can I have a word with you afterwards please, Amelia?” said Carrieanne.

“It might be a bit late,” Amelia parried, trying to wriggle out of it. She didn’t want to spoil Rayn’s interview with contradictions.

When Claire saw Amelia’s bedroom she stared in disbelief.

“Oh, we had a bit of an emergency…” began Amelia, searching for an excuse more than an explanation. “Our clothes were covered in blood and I needed something to change into. She kicked the clothes and books and bits and pieces to one side, dragged another pile of clothes off the bed and threw them on top saying, “There, have a seat,” Claire sat down cautiously, looking around at what, to her, was a completely alien environment.

“Oh, don’t worry,” said Amelia, noticing her reaction. “It’ll get cleared up later, eventually, sometime. So, what’s your speciality then?”

“Piano, but mainly maths.”

“Wow, you need to talk to Rayn. She’s really good.”

“Actually, I’m a child prodigy.” Claire was speaking quickly, as if she needed to get something off her chest. “I’ve been selected to go to a school for gifted children. But it would mean leaving Caz with them. She’s not that strong, and I’m afraid they’ll bend her mind eventually.”

There was no pretentiousness, no bragging or ego in her statement. To her they were just facts – a series of circumstances which had conspired to suspend her in confusion. Her only concern was for her sister. “I really don’t know what to do,” she said.

“I’m not sure I’m with you,” replied Amelia. “What do you mean by bending her mind? Could you be a little more specific?”

“Religion! Mum and dad are nutters, to put it bluntly. Everything they do or say is dictated by their fanatical ideology. And they believe it’s their duty to make us the same. To them there is no choice and no doubts. It’s their truth.”

“Aren’t they pleased about your selection?” asked Amelia. She was becoming alarmed by Claire’s increasing agitation.

“No. They’re dead against it. The school said they are used to handling difficult parents. Huh! They don’t know what they’re up against. That religion stuff is a worldwide syndicate. Breaking up a family is against God’s will. Oh, and maths is the devil’s work. Get the picture?”

“It’s not my place to criticise, but it must be a nightmare. I thought I had problems. Can’t you complain to somebody about child abuse? Because that’s what it is.”

Claire laughed. “You have no idea. Nobody wants to know because it’s political suicide to go against the church. That, or they think we are so lucky to get such a wonderful upbringing. There’s no way you can go against them. They’re too strong, too powerful.” Claire was near to tears and her voice was breaking. “Oh Amelia, I’m so scared for Caz. They won’t let her go to college. She’s terrific at art and the teachers say she has a natural talent for journalism. She doesn’t know it, but I think they want us to become nuns.” The words came out in a rush and she finally burst into tears.

Amelia sat beside her on the bed and put her arm around the sobbing girl. “You’ve never had a chance to talk to anybody about this, have you?” she said, softly. She felt so helpless. It also crossed her mind that this was the second time that day that she’d had to support someone.
I wonder who’ll be there when it’s my turn to fall apart.
She thought.

“Come on, Claire,” she continued brightly. “You’re a bit like Rayn. A quick mind and a quick mouth, but underneath you’re all marshmallow. I wish I could help, but I don’t see what I can do.”

Claire stopped crying and was trying to smile. “I’m sorry, Amelia. I didn’t mean to do this.” As she wiped her eyes, Amelia picked a sock off the floor and handed it to her to dry her face. Claire looked at her with a frown. “Well, I think it’s a clean one,” said Amelia and they both laughed.

“I tell you what,” Amelia continued after Claire had cheered up, “any time you want to talk, about anything, I’m here, okay? Just to listen. I can’t help much, but sometimes talking to someone acts as a safety valve – you know, let off some steam? I promise I won’t judge or criticise and I won’t interfere, unless you ask. Then I’m sure Rayn and I can dream up some madcap scheme that might or might not work. And I’ll never, ever tell. How’s that?”

Claire threw her arms round Amelia. “Are we friends now, then?” she blurted out.

Amelia smiled and gave her a hug. “I’ve been your friend since I watched you wind your father up over that back seat thing this morning. Come on,” she said, jumping up. “Let’s go see if they’ve finished down there. By the way, you can trust Rayn too, you know.”

“How long have you known her?” Claire asked.

“Almost four days.” came the reply as they piled down the stairs.

***

Carrieanne was just slipping her tape recorder into her bag when Claire and Amelia walked in. “Thanks a lot,” she was saying to Rayn, who looked very pleased with herself, despite the disfigurement. “I won’t need to talk to you now, Amelia. Thanks anyway. Claire!” she said suddenly, seeing her sister’s red-eyed and tear-stained face. “What happened to you?”

“Nothing. It’s okay,” Claire cut in quickly. “I’m afraid I told Amelia some of our problems.”

“It seems we’re not the only ones with problems,” Carrieanne answered. “What’s going on here?” She was staring directly at Amelia.

“What do you mean?” asked Amelia.

Carrieanne continued. “That interview was the biggest load of crap I have ever heard. What are you two hiding?”

Rayn leapt up and went in to her well-practised ‘Oscar award’ routine, protesting her innocence.

“Rayn, shut up!” demanded Amelia. She looked at Carrieanne. “Pick the bones from what she told you and print it. It’s better than the truth.”

“And what is the truth?” insisted Carrieanne.

“Look Caz,” said Amelia, using her nickname for the first time. “You’d be doing us a big favour if you could print Rayn’s version, or a version of it. Would you please?”

“And do I get the story when you’re ready?” she persisted, not wanting to let this one go.

“Caz,” Rayn said. “I want to apologise. I was having a bit of fun at your expense. I’m sorry.” She looked at Amelia and they silently agreed. “We promise you, you will get the story, but not right now.” she finished.

“But when you do, I don’t think you’ll be able to print it,” Amelia added without thinking.

“Really?” said Carrieanne, intrigued.

“Well, er…” Amelia was unusually lost for words.

“We lied to the police,” Rayn interrupted, and Amelia sighed with relief.

“That’s perjury,” Carrieanne informed her. “That’s a criminal offence!”

“No, we weren’t under oath and our parents weren’t present” Rayn was quick to respond. “It’s just that they might follow it up.”

“And why did you lie?” asked Carrieanne, using her instincts to look for more.

Claire turned to her sister. “Leave it, Caz. They don’t want to tell us yet. Leave it alone. Please.”

Amelia continued. “And we would be grateful if you didn’t repeat this to anyone, anyone at all.”

“Especially your father,” added Rayn before she could stop herself.

The two sisters gasped. “What?” they said in unison.

“That’s all for now,” said Amelia, trying to end the conversation.