At just before midnight Mary slid silently out of bed and pulled on a sweater and a pair of tennis shoes. Closing the door behind her she took the back staircase to the ground floor and let herself out into the courtyard. Again it was a bright, moonlit night, though the moon was lower in the sky than before. She crossed the lawn to the ruins and hid behind a low wall. For a while she thought she’d had a wasted journey, and then she saw the figure of Victoria Eggleton emerge from the front door. At the same moment, the figure of a man came from inside the Abbey ruins and stood within just a few feet of her, though she was safely hidden by the wall. Within a moment or two Miss Eggleton had crossed to where he stood. To Mary’s amazement, she stood on tiptoe and kissed him lightly on the cheek.
Barely daring to breathe, her heart pounding in her chest, Mary tried to flatten herself against the wall.
‘Listen, Tory, it’s too dangerous for us to keep meeting like this. I have to lie low, and no one must find me. I can slip into the village early tomorrow to get some supplies. I think it’s best if you leave me to it for a while. Understand?’
‘I’ve been careful. I don’t think anyone saw me.....’
‘If you’re not sure, it’s probable that someone did. One of the other teachers, the caretaker, one of the girls.....’
‘It’s all right. It’s all taken care of. It’ll die down in a few days’ time and you can leave the village. Just take care. What’s it like down there, anyway?’
‘Damp. Smelly. Cold. I’m going to light a fire tonight.’
‘They’ll see the smoke!’
‘Not likely. They’ll all be asleep, and I’ll make sure it’s out before morning. Trust me, I’ll be fine. I want you to go back to the school and forget all about me for the time being.’
‘I can’t do that J. I’ll worry about you all the time.’
‘Just get on with your work, Vic. I can take care of myself. It’s not like I’m wounded or anything.’
‘I wish I could do something to help.’
‘Well, you can’t. I’m not having you risk your life. It’s not fair.’
‘Of course it’s fair!’
The man shook his head emphatically and turned her round to face the school. ‘You’ll be safe there, at least. I can’t risk you as well. This is vitally important.’
‘I know that, but.....’
‘No buts. Off you go now, and don’t come any more. If I need you I’ll signal.’
‘How?’
‘Torch. Two flashes, at midnight, then three minutes after. If you miss the first, you’ll hopefully see the second. If I signal, you’ll know I’m in trouble and I need your help.’
‘Oh my G..!’
Mary saw the man’s teeth flash in a brief brilliant smile and immediately warmed to him. Surely he could not be a villain with such dazzling white teeth, she thought, but then another thought occurred to her. Suppose Miss Eggleton’s friend was the armed man referred to in Miss Tibbs’ assembly? Suppose Miss Eggleton herself was in grave danger? Catching her breath, Mary managed to stifle a sneeze as the man and the teacher finally parted company. She watched her run lightly across the grass, avoiding the path, back to the school. When she was absolutely sure the man had gone back inside the ruined Abbey, Mary went back into the school through the back door and made her way back to the dorm.
She had just pulled the bedclothes up around her when they were yanked back and she sat up to see Ros kneeling at the side of her bed, frowning angrily.
‘Where have you been, Mary?’ she whispered. ‘You do know I’m up for prefect this term, don’t you?’
‘Toilet,’ Mary said, and immediately felt extremely guilty about lying to her newfound friend. ‘I think that plum pie must have upset my tummy.’
‘I don’t believe you!’ Ros said fiercely. ‘If we’re going to be friends – and I really like you – you have to tell me the truth. Otherwise you’re on your own.’
‘All right, I’ll tell you, but it’ll have to wait till the morning. I’m frozen stiff and absolutely whacked out. And we have hockey first thing. I’ll tell you then, I promise.’
‘Make sure you do!’ With that Ros went back to her own bed and both girls were soon fast asleep.
