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Chapter 3
“You went to the same school, didn’t you?” “Yes, but only for a couple of years and we were in different grades. I was removed from Hornsby and put into Charlton when Nigel was in forth grade, because they had a better musical program.” “What was your impression of the headmistress at Hornsby?” “She left no impression, really. She was very strict and afforded no nonsense, but what would you have her be, running a school of boys?” “There must be something else to it.” “There is. Nigel’s imagination. He’s always had a fierce one, I’m afraid.” “What are…you doing here?” Nigel demanded weakly as he finally came fully awake and could hear his brother and Sydney talking. Sydney moved over and settled on the bed, smiling down at him. “Hey, how do you feel?” Nigel tried to sit up, thought better of it and lay back again. They were in their hotel room, but how had he gotten there? Last he remembered was buying the coat with Sydney . “What…what happened?” Preston’s face came into view. “Now, Podge, don’t you remember? You fainted in the middle of the street.” Sydney glared at Preston and turned Nigel’s attention back to her. “You did faint, Nigel. Do you remember anything before that?” “No. No, I don’t. We…we bought a coat and we stepped outside and then…nothing.” He closed his eyes again, his head was pounding and his vision was still rather blurry. It felt like the times he had gotten hit on the head. “Perhaps…did someone hit me?” “Not that I know of,” Sydney admitted, feeling guilty for allowing her attention to be drawn away from him by the woman in black. “I just turned around and you were on the ground.” “I…” Slowly he sat up. “Perhaps it was because I was ill earlier?” he suggested for lack of a better reason. “I…I didn’t get the chance to digest my food, perhaps it was just hunger?” Sydney didn’t believe that for a moment, she knew when he was being evasive and she understood why. “I’m sure that was it.” He smirked as he spied his new coat hung over the back of one of the chairs. “Or perhaps the price of that coat got to me.” She grinned and ruffled his hair. “That could be it too.” “So, now that you’ve worried Sydney and myself enough for one afternoon, why don’t we all go to dinner? I know a charming restaurant just…” “Why are you here?” Nigel demanded again. “ Sydney called me, of course. She was worried about you, though I told her you were just being your usual dramatic self and…” “Preston,” Sydney warned. “Why don’t you go get Nigel some soup?” “Aren’t we going out to dinner?” She glared at him and he flinched. “Right. I’ll just go get the soup then.” He opened the door. “Try not to faint again before I get back, Podge.” Sydney caught the pillow that Nigel started to throw at the closing door, and gently put it back on the bed. “There now, he’s gone.” “Don’t coddle me, Sydney. He’s being a complete arse and I’ve the mind to punch him right in his smug face.” “And what would that solve?” “It would make me feel better.” “I’m sure it would, but then you’d feel bad for having hit your brother.” “I wouldn’t.” Sydney shook her head. It was like trying to reason with a five year old when it came to Preston . “Anyway, I think you were right about Cawvers.” “Cawvers? What does she have to do with this?” “I saw her, Nigel, and so did you. She was standing across the street and staring at you.” She watched his face lose colour for the third time that day and she put her hands to his cheeks, as if trying to bring back the warmth. “She can’t hurt you, not while I’m here.” “Syd…” “No, now listen. I know what she does to you, the very thought of her causes you to look like one of the living dead, and she was there, like you said she always was before. She was watching you and you were staring back at her. I started to go after her, but she got in a car and drove away. When I turned back, you had fainted.” “She was there,” he whispered and an unreasonable fear gripped her heart. “I didn’t imagine it? You…you saw her? I saw her there, but I thought…I didn’t think…I thought because we were talking before that it was just my imagination.” “No, she was there, I saw her.” “Syd, why…why would she be there? How could she know where we were?” “I don’t know and in reality it might have been a coincidence, but I don’t think so.” “You think she’s after something?” “I think she’s after you.” Sydney had seen the determination in that other woman’s eyes and something else, something that seemed like hunger. It caused her to shiver. Nigel let his head drop to her shoulder. “Syd…I feel so foolish being afraid like this. We’ve faced far worse things and yet…” He slid his arms around her and felt hers do the same. “What could she possibly want, after all this time, other than to torment me?” “Nigel, do you remember our encounter with the Lamae?” Nigel pulled back, alarmed. “My God, Sydney. Please tell me you’re joking because if she has me marked as her mate I shall toss myself out that window this instant!” Sydney had to work hard not to laugh at his outrage. “No, I don’t think she is, but the hold she seems to have over you is similar.” “No, I don’t think it is. It isn’t similar at all.” “No? She stared at you and you passed out.” “Yes, but…no. No that wasn’t…I…With…with Anna it was a feeling of fascination, need. I had to be with her.” He shuddered. “I only want to get away from Cawvers. I’m sure I just got a fright, that was all. It was rather silly of me to faint but I…I don’t think she has any…any specific power over me except that I’m afraid of her.” And that was the strongest power of all, Sydney thought, but didn’t vocalize it. Nigel was agitated enough. “Well, whatever she is, we have to learn everything we can about her, Nigel.” She braced for his protests. “And I think the best way to do that is to go back to the school and check out her rooms.” Instead of balking at the idea, Nigel nodded. “Yes, it’s the only way, isn’t it?” She nodded, proud of him for facing up to his fear. “Nigel, why didn’t you ever tell me about her before?” “I…I don’t know. She’s always been at the back of my mind, but I supposed I kept her there, kept her memory locked away. I didn’t think she could hurt me anymore because I wasn’t at the school, you see. But now, with the reunion, it’s all coming back to haunt me, isn’t it?” “Well, you’re not that lonely little boy anymore, and you have me to help.” “Syd, it means a lot that you’re taking me seriously on this. I only ever tried to tell one other person before and they treated me like I was an idiot.” “Well, I can certainly see why you didn’t like boarding school, anyway.” Feeling suddenly maternal, she kissed his forehead and rose. “Let’s go to the school, they have some activities going on and maybe we can sneak away to find out what Cawvers is up to.” Nigel was staring at her, perplexed. Had she just kissed him? Why ever would she do that? He rose. “Um…Syd…” She handed him his new coat. “Come on, we just have time to sign in, according to the itinerary.” Nigel obediently slipped on the coat as Preston entered with the soup. “Here we go…” He paused as Sydney moved past him out the door. “Are…are we going somewhere?” “No, Sydney and I are going somewhere, you can bugger off.” Preston set the soup on the bureau and followed his brother to the elevator, where Sydney was already waiting. “Where are we going? Are you on a hunt? Could I come?” “Only if you keep quiet,” Nigel retorted as they stepped into to elevator and pressed the lobby button. Their taxi pulled up to a massive gate boarded by an ancient stone wall with a giant plaque that announced you were entering the Estate of the Hornsby Academy for Boys. Beyond the gate were green lawns and cobblestone walkways. Several turn of the century buildings in blue and grey stone made up the large campus area. Overall, it looked like any other boarding school, perhaps a little darker in the overcast sky above, grey sky melting into grey stone didn’t exactly make for a bright view. Sydney felt Nigel tense beside her as the pushed through the gates and watched him turn his head back to watch the gate close, as if looking for an avenue to escape. She gave his arm an encouraging squeeze, and then they were climbing out of the taxi and entering the main hall where visitors were welcome. Inside was far more cheerful and decorative and they were offered nametags by a tall, silver haired man seated behind a long wooden desk with a sign in sheet and several sticky notes and pens to write your name on. “Welcome to Hornsby Academy !” he greeted and pointed to his own name tag, stuck to his polo shirt. “I’m Professor Reardon and we’re so glad you could make it.” He smiled at Sydney . “Although I don’t believe you ever went to school here my dear, there would have been a scandal to be remembered, I’m sure.” Sydney smiled. “No, I’m just a guest of Nigel’s.” The man wrote out the name Sydney on one of the tags and handed it to her, then glanced up at Nigel, who was looking around, uneasily. “Nigel, hmm? Would that be Nigel Bailey?” Nigel glanced at him startled. “Um…yes, sir.” Reardon stood and held out his hand. “I was hoping you’d come, Mr. Bailey. Do you remember me? I taught you science and geography from grades six to nine.” Nigel blinked and allowed himself a small smile. “Yes, yes of course I do, Professor. How are you?” “Still here, as you can see.” The older man rolled his eyes. “I remember you were the brightest young fellow I ever had the pleasure of teaching. Always asking questions, always looking for so many answers, you never accepted the simple ones, no sir. Each one had to be explained and essayed before you approved.” Nigel flushed and ignored the grin Sydney shot him. “Yes, well…you were a good teacher, sir.” Preston finally stepped forward. “ Preston Bailey, Professor. I had you in my sixth year, before I was moved to Charlton.” Reardon shook his hand, pleased. “Both Baileys here together. That is a treat.” He handed them each a small pamphlet. “This is a schedule of the tours and speakers that will be here today. Head on inside and treat yourselves to the refreshments.” “Seems a pleasant sort of chap,” Preston commented as they entered the great hall. “He’s a complete pervert,” Nigel retorted under his breath. “Nigel!” Sydney gaped at him. “Now really, Podge. He had nothing but good things to say about you and there you are making accusations.” Nigel turned to his brother. “He liked little boys, Preston . He liked to take them on special camping trips and secret midnight swims in the pool. What would you call him if not a pervert?” “Nigel,” Sydney began concerned at Nigel’s sudden vehemence. Nigel turned, knowing what she was asking. “No. I was smart enough to stay away from him outside of class, but many of my classmates weren’t as lucky.” “Did anyone every report him?” “Obviously not, he’s still here.” “Why haven’t you said anything, if you know so much, Podge?” “Because I also know it’s my word against his and as he’s never actually touched me, it’s all hearsay.” Sydney frowned. “He’s right.” She patted Nigel’s arm. “Come on, let’s see if we can find Cawver’s office. Do you remember where it might be, Nigel?” Nigel was stuck in the past, staring at the young boys in their white shirts and navy blue blazers serving people at the refreshments or mingling with their parents who had also attended the school. He had burned his uniform the day he had left school but seeing it now on the other children threw him into a past he would much rather forget. He felt a gentle hand on his arm and suddenly remembered where he was, in the present, and Sydney was beside him. “Sorry, what was the question?” “Cawver’s office?” “Um…it’s not in this building. We’d have to go across campus to the primary dorms and her quarters and office are just behind them.” “We can’t just go marching across the campus in broad daylight, Syd,” Preston reminded. “Why don’t we get some refreshments, mingle a bit, and then head out once it turns dark.” Nigel stared at his brother. “What?” Preston asked, puzzled. “You actually had a good idea. I’m in shock.” “Oh, really, Nigel. You can be so immature.” “Me? You’re the one who made threats that if I didn’t come here…” “I never did any such thing…” “You did!” “I did not!” “Brilliant suggestion, Sydney ,” Preston offered. “Would you like some refreshment?” “If Sydney wants refreshments I will get them for her!” Nigel snapped. “Why don’t you go mingle with your members of the board or something?” “I was trying to be polite, Podge. You should have asked her if she wanted anything long ago, but as usual your manners are nonexistent.” “I’ll tell you what’s not non-existent the fact that I am about to thrash you within an inch of your life!” “You and what regiment, old man?” “I’ll get my own refreshment!” Sydney snapped at them and pushed them apart to get past them.” “See what you did!” Preston hissed. Nigel watched Sydney storm over to the treats table and ask for a glass of wine. “Shut it, Preston .” He brooded for a full thirty seconds more than turned to his brother, remembering his promise to Sydney . “Look, I know it must be nearly impossible for you, but could you please try to be less of an arse than usual?” “Excuse me?” “I promised Syd she wouldn’t have to listen to the two of us bickering and I mean to keep that promise even if I have to gag and bind you and shove you in a closet somewhere.” Nigel held out his hand. “Now truce, for this evening at least? No more competition, no backhanded insults, can we just be civil or not?” Preston seemed startled by the offer. Finally, he shook Nigel’s hand. “I…er…have I mentioned that is a fantastic coat, Pod…Nigel?” Nigel smirked, at least Preston was trying. “Thank you, Sydney bought it for me.” “She’s buying your clothes now?” “No, she isn’t…” Nigel barely resisted kicking Preston in the head and counted to ten. “Just the coat, she liked it on me, so she bought it. I intend to pay her back for it.” “In trade?” “What?” “Well, it’s obvious that your relationship with her has changed, or wasn’t that you in her bed this morning?” “Gee, Preston . You sound jealous.” “Envious, certainly. Who wouldn’t be?” Guilt nagged at Nigel and he realized he would have to tell Preston the truth, as much as it would hurt to do so. “Look, Preston , Syd and I aren’t…” His words were smothered as he suddenly felt warm lips pressed against his. He had barely recovered from his surprise when Sydney was pulling away and grinning. “Darling, did you miss me?” She wrapped her free arm around his waist and offered him a sip of her wine as she rested her head on his shoulder. “I wasn’t gone too long, was I?” “Um…no…not too long,” Nigel managed as two men walked up and he recognised them instantly, even without their name tags. “Ford, Roberts. H…How are you?” The two men offered their hands and Nigel shook them. “Bailey,” Ford returned his eyes barely able to pull away from Sydney . “We didn’t think you’d show up.” “Really, why was that?” Sydney giggled and it startled Nigel almost as much as it did the others, Sydney never giggled. “They thought you came with your brother, Darling. Aren’t they silly?’ She moved even closer to Nigel and kissed his cheek. “They obviously don’t know you at all.” Now Nigel understood. Sydney must have overheard the pair putting him down or making some sort of comments about his lack of a date. If he remembered Ford and Roberts correctly, they had probably made some comment about his lack of performance as well. “Er...yes…sweetheart. How silly of them. Um…fellows, this is my brother Preston and Professor Sydney Fox, my…” “Fiancé,” Sydney offered and would have removed her hand from Nigel’s waist to shake the other men’s hands, if she didn’t feel him stumble at her words and needed to squeeze him closer to hold him upright. Preston had just grabbed a pâté and cracker off a passing tray and had started to choke at her announcement. Ford’s eyebrows disappeared into his hairline. “You’re marrying…him?” “Oh yes, it was inevitable really, since we work together.” “Wait…Are you the Professor Sydney Fox?” Roberts asked suddenly. “That’s me and Nigel here has been my partner for the last four years.” “Why, you’re famous!” Roberts grinned at Nigel. “So you do all that relic hunting too, mate? I never would have thought you were the type.” Nigel shrugged, modestly, yet pleased to have someone who used to torment him suddenly admire him with interest. “You get use to it.” “It must be tremendously exciting.” His eyes roamed over Sydney in appreciation. “Tremendously exciting indeed.” “Oh, er…well we wanted to take that tour everyone, remember?” Preston interceded. Nigel glanced at his watch and nodded. “Right, we have to push off then.” “Keep in touch, Bailey!” Roberts called after them. “I live in Kent now. I’m in the book. Give me a ring won’t you?” Nigel waived at him. “Will do, mate!” They stopped by the table that was designated as the start of the campus tour and Nigel immediately released Sydney . “Not in this lifetime.” “What the devil was that all about?” Preston demanded in a hushed voice. He was suddenly very confused. “Why didn’t you tell me you were getting married, Nigel? I find it horribly rude not to tell your own brother…” “Shut it, Preston ! We’re not getting married, we’re not even engaged!” “But Sydney said…” Nigel glanced at Sydney who kept quiet and sipped her glass of wine. “She only did it to show up those other two. They probably said something to tick her off so she decided to get even by building me up to them.” He offered Sydney a small smile. “She’s done it before.” Sydney returned his smile and waived Preston forward so he could sign his name to the tour sheet. She leaned closer to Nigel and whispered. “You’re not mad at me, are you?” “No, and I’ve recovered from the shock, I think, although you shouldn’t have bothered, Syd. I could care less what those two think.” He grinned. “And I was in the process of telling Preston the truth about us.” “What truth?” He blinked. “That…that what he thought he saw this morning he didn’t see, remember?” “Oh, that.” “Well, I don’t see how he’ll believe me now after that performance. I’ll have to wait and tell him later, when he is less confused.” When they were both less confused. Sydney ’s kiss had rocked him to the very core and her announcement of their engagement almost brought on another fainting spell. Sydney shrugged, set her wine glass on the table and leaned in to sign both hers and Nigel’s names to the sheet. She straightened and hooked her arm through his. “In the words of a very good friend of mine…Sod it. What he doesn’t know can’t hurt you.” Nigel slowly smiled at her, surprised and pleased. “How many glasses of wine did you before you decided to head back to us?” She returned his smile and followed the group of people out one of the emergency exits.
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