The Chrysalid Conspiracy (21 page)

“Yes,” Bridie replied. “And Rayn as well. She’s pretty good.” And Amelia noticed that Rayn wasn’t there.

“Look at that,” remarked Nigel, picking up a leather trilby-style hat. It had a carved and coloured headband in the American Indian style. “How much is that?” he asked Bridie.

“It’s a gift, Nigel,” she told the shocked boy/man. “You can have it.”

“No way! If G-Dad finds out I haven’t paid full price for it, he’ll kill me.”

“I hardly think so, Nigel,” said Lucy. “You’re a young athletic martial arts expert. He’s in his sixties and much shorter than you. Surely it would be no contest?”

“Oh no,” Nigel looked part proud of his mentor and part embarrassed at his answer. “We tried out in the gym. He can wipe the floor with me and not raise a sweat. He’s amazing.”

Bridie replied, with a smile at his awkwardness. “Okay, you take the hat and when I’ve worked out a price I’ll let you know. How much for the rack, by the way?”

“Same price,” said Nigel, trying on his new hat. “G-Dad says no, so no it is.” He looked in the window to try and catch his reflection then, pleased with the effect promised to tell everybody where he got it.

Lucy and Bridie closed in on the new display. Using their combined artistic talents, and with Bridie popping outside to check the aesthetic balance, they created an American desert effect using different grasses, cacti and rust-coloured shrubs, with some variegated trailing ivy hanging down. The whole display looked professional and fantastic, complementing the rest of the shop and adding a new dimension to attract customers.

“Where did Rayn get to?” Amelia enquired.

“Don’t know,” said Bridie. “She must be around somewhere.”

Amelia, having checked the house found Rayn in the gymnasium. Noticing the stable door was slightly open she’d sneaked out to see her on her hands and knees with a bucket of hot water, some chemical cleaner and a nail brush scrubbing hurriedly at the blood-stained floor mats. Amelia crept silently away, correct in her assumption that Rayn would prefer no witnesses to her submission.

Later, back in Amelia’s bedroom, she asked Rayn if she felt up to a training session that evening. She added that Nigel would understand and would go easy.

Rayn’s reaction caught Amelia completely by surprise. She was shouting, almost pleading in desperation. “I don’t want him to go easy! I must talk to him. This is something I really, really want to do, Amelia. I want to fly, like you. I don’t care if it’s been pre-planned or whatever!”

“Hey, take it easy Rayn. What’s up?” She had never seen her friend like this before and wasn’t sure how to handle the situation.

Rayn calmed down a little and continued. “When we were playing around in the paddock, I knew I was stronger and faster than you. I could feel it.”

Amelia agreed with her. “And?” she said.

“I couldn’t beat you,” she wailed. “Not that I wanted to or needed to. It was just a bit of fun. But I knew I couldn’t. Your concentration, your movement, your balance – everything. You had complete control of yourself. It was far better than my wack ’em hard, wack ’em first attitude. It made me realise that Nigel is right. I have no discipline. All I can do is hit and run. I want that control, Amelia, and it’s not just about winning any more. I want it so much it’s eating me alive.” She slumped on the bed and Amelia sat beside her.

“Here, calm down,” she said. Then, to Rayn’s surprise she opened a drawer and pulled out a packet of cigarettes and a lighter.

“Oh Amelia, not you as well.”

Amelia laughed. “No way. I keep these in case mum ever runs out. Help yourself.”

Rayn’s hand was shaking as she lit up. “Thanks Amelia. But I suppose if I want it that bad, I’d better give these up,” she said, turning to Amelia, “But I’m not giving up the cigars though.”

“I’m just as bad really,” said Amelia. “We’re supposed to give up fast foods, sugar, salt, fizzy drinks – the list goes on and on, including alcohol.”

“It’s supposed to reward you with a long and healthy life,” said Rayn, trying to look on the bright side.

“I can’t see that giving up everything worth living for just to go on living is a very logical philosophy,” replied Amelia. “Apart from the cigarettes, I think we’re doing okay. Don’t you?” Amelia was remembering her failed attempts to give up on her favourite bacon sandwiches.

“Good for you, Amelia,” said Rayn. “I reckon if we split it down the middle we should get a bit of both.” She slipped off her glasses.

“How do I look?” she asked.

“Not too bad,” replied Amelia. “Your eyes have cleared, unfortunately.”

“What? Why?” Rayn demanded to know.

“Because they matched your hair.” They laughed and things got back to normal.

“Come on Rayn, Let’s cheer ourselves up and go down and raid the fridge, I’m ravenous again.”

***

In the afternoon, despite the weather, they walked down to the caravan site. It was mainly to retrieve the tracksuit that Nigel had given to Rayn, but also to check on the animals and make a fuss of Horace. The rain wouldn’t let up and, as they struggled back, Amelia suddenly made an announcement. “I’ve decided what we’re going to do on Saturday.”

“What do you mean, we? It’s your birthday,” said Rayn.

“Exactly, and I can do whatever I like, can’t I?” Amelia responded, with a grin.

“What exactly are you up to, Amelia?” Rayn had become wary.

“We,” said a jubilant Amelia, “are going to dress up nicely, no make-up though, ‘must keep the management happy’ and get a taxi into Grabsum Moore. It’s a better shopping centre. We shop till we ruin the economy, then we go over to Warem Down where I’ll take you to Hunters Lodge for dinner. How’s that?”

“Amelia,” answered Rayn. “That sounds wonderful. But I can’t accept. Sorry.”

“Why ever not?” she asked, bewildered.

“You know why. I can’t afford it,” Rayn was adamant.

“But I’m paying for everything,” insisted Amelia.

“That’s why I can’t. It won’t be right. It’s not me, Amelia.”

Amelia stopped. She stood there, her wet hair plastered to her face, rain dripping from her nose and chin. Suddenly she felt very foolish. Embarrassed at having embarrassed her friend. “I’m sorry, Rayn. That was a bit thoughtless of me. I should have realised.”

“That’s okay, I know you mean well. It’s just that I can’t let you,” Rayn explained.

“Let’s re-think this then.”

“Tell you what,” said Rayn. “Just buy me a set of windscreen wipers for these damn glasses. I never imagined it would be such a problem.”

They walked on for a while until Amelia decided to try again. “Well how about we go to Grabsum Moor for an afternoon of window shopping, try on some shoes and things, then I’ll buy us dinner? My treat. How’s that instead?”

“It sounds great, but I’m still not sure I trust you,” said a wary Rayn.

“You would be making a birthday girl very happy,” wheedled Amelia.

Rayn laughed. “Okay,” she replied. “But I can’t return the favour on my birthday, you know that.”

“Don’t worry,” said Amelia. “We’ll think of something.”

“When you say ‘don’t worry’, that’s when I start worrying.” said Rayn, with a sense of foreboding.

The training session went well that evening. Nigel was very pleased to see that Rayn had fully recovered. She in turn did everything he said and if she couldn’t get it right she kept going till she did.

She had been watching Amelia on the parallel bars – so smooth and controlled, with Nigel at her side like a guardian angel. When Amelia took a toilet break, Nigel quietly spoke to her. “Don’t worry, Rayn. We’ll get you there.”

“Really?” said Rayn.

“Oh yeah. You’re half way there already. As soon as your face heals we’ll start you off. Can’t risk another accident, or I’d be in trouble with G-Dad and your mum. Can’t have that.”

“Why George?” she asked, without thinking.

“He said I had to look after you,” replied Nigel. “Both of you. He said you were very special and I had to do my very best. I’m afraid that’s why I had to hit you. It was the only way. I’m really very sorry about that,” he apologised.

“Don’t worry. It’s not the first hit I’ve taken. Anyway, it worked.”

Nigel looked at her. “I was a lot like you at your age. Fast, tough, always ready for a fight to show off how good I was. Got me into a lot of trouble. I can see how bad you want it. It’s in your eyes. I know how you feel and that helps us. You’ll end up a lot better than Amelia because you want it more.” He paused for a moment, looking a little sheepish. “Don’t tell her I said that, will you?” he said. “I’ll be in trouble again.”

When Amelia returned he continued. “Now, round that circuit again. Keep those legs straight, toes pointed. Go! Go! Go! Rayn, it’s not a race. Amelia, stop egging her on, you don’t have time to think about winning or losing. Every movement is a thought, when you’re going up you’re thinking of coming down, and when you’re coming down you’re thinking of your next move. Life is more than the perfect pizza and a horror movie. This isn’t what you do, it’s what you are.”

With a tirade of support from the young athlete the girls had the satisfaction of reaching new heights in their efforts, and they could actually feel the difference.

During the warm down Amelia asked Nigel if they could get in an early extra-long run the next morning.

“Sorry girls, I’ve got an early run with G-Dad, he needs a lift to go and pick up a heavy duty 4 by 4 he has to convert. Why don’t you go on your own? Wait till it gets light and go and enjoy yourselves, you know the routine.”

“Are you sure you don’t mind Nigel, we’d love to.”

“Yeah, why not. It’s about time we took the bubble wrap off. Just don’t overdo it or you’ll get me the sack.” He laughed, confident with his decision.

Back in the house Rayn confessed, “I was wondering about that ‘bubble wrap’ remark Amelia. It somehow makes me think we’ve been protected.”

“Don’t start that again Rayn, I feel really great, don’t spoil it, please.”

Saturday finally arrived. Amelia was up early despite herself.

“There you are,” she said, giving her clock a gentle pat, “this is one day I don’t need you.” It sat there blank-faced where she had pulled the plug.

Back in her tracksuit she went down to the kitchen and put the kettle on. A sudden knock on the back door made her jump. “Nigel. What are you doing here so early?” she said as she unlocked and opened the door.

“Hi, Amelia. I didn’t expect anyone to be up yet,” said Nigel. He came in, rubbing his hands together against the cold. “Lucy said it was your day off. She left the coach gates and the side gates unlocked and said to dump everything in the yard. Made me jump when the lights went on. By the way, happy birthday.”

“Thanks Nigel,” she answered. “Well, I’m here now. Let’s get this stuff in here and I’ll do your breakfast. Okay?”

She couldn’t believe the size of the order. They filled the utility room and then the kitchen. Amelia was at a loss as to what to do. They had to use the shop space for the potted shrubs and ferns.

“What is she up to?” Amelia asked Nigel.

“Don’t ask me,” called Nigel as he headed out for more. He came back with a stack of plastic pots. “This must be a first,” he said.” I thought your mum wasn’t too keen on these.”

“But my mum hates plastic pots. She just refuses to use them. What on earth is she doing behind my back?” Amelia was mystified.

By the time they had finished unloading, and Nigel was on his third bacon and mushroom sandwich, Amelia excitedly told him of her and Rayn having dinner at the Hunters Lodge restaurant. “What are you up to today?” she asked him.

“Oh, nothing much. A few bits and pieces this morning. Afternoon’s free though.”

“What are you going to do with it?” she said by way of conversation.

Nigel suddenly looked a bit nervous and he actually blushed. He finished his sandwich and put down his cup. “Oh, nothing much. You know nothing special, gotta go, and see ya.” Then abruptly got up and left.

“I wonder what that was all about?” she asked herself as she locked the gates behind him.

Amelia woke her mother as usual that morning. She had insisted that she didn’t want Mrs Orugo coming in just because it was her day off and her mother had gratefully conceded defeat. They sat and had breakfast together, just as Amelia wanted on her birthday.

“Why have you ordered so much stock for today, Mum? What’s going on?” Amelia asked. Lucy explained about the Vicar’s anti-Halloween service and his request for ‘any old stock’.

“I’ve heard about it but I didn’t know you were footing the bill. He’s got a nerve.”

“Not really, we get a lot of business through him. Not only for the church, but people see the displays and they imagine they can grow flowers like us and arrange them like Mrs Atkinson. She really is talented; I must say that for her. So it’s just a bit of subliminal advertising really”

“But Mum,” argued Amelia. “You’ve never been in the church to see them, so how do you know?”

“Ah, I’ve got my spies, complete with cameras. I’ve even pinch some of her ideas, on occasions,” her mother confessed with a wide grin.

“What’s with the plastic pots then?”

“Hey, I’m giving my stuff to the vicar. He’s certainly not getting my pots. I’m not that generous. Anyway, it’s time we had a clear out. It’ll be a busy day on Sunday, I’m afraid.”

“Rayn and I will help out,” offered Amelia.

“No, it’s okay. Bridie’s coming in,” said Lucy.

“Oh, that’s nice of her,” remarked Amelia.

“I don’t know. It’s costing me double time,” Lucy grinned. “The happy face of capitalism. By the way, are you eating out today?”

“Yes, I’m taking Rayn to Hunters Lodge. It’s a first for both of us.”

“Have you got enough money? That place is expensive.”

“Yes Mum, I’ve got the day covered.”

“Well, be careful. The last time I ate in there the steak was so rare I think that with a little TLC it would have lived.”

Amelia laughed. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure I eat my vegetables,” she conceded.

“Well,” said Lucy. “If you don’t eat plenty of roughage, life becomes a strain.” And she laughed at her own joke.