Sadie | Highlands, present day
When we reach Pitlochry, Damian relays Tim’s address, and Floss reads out directions from Google Maps on her phone. We turn left, right, left, left until we’re driving down a narrow road that’s practically a dirt track.
Through the rain-smeared window are low stone walls and damp green fields scattered with sheep. I screw up my nose. This really is the middle of nowhere. Why is Tim living out here? It doesn’t escape my notice that if I’d turned him and married him, this could have been our off-grid vampire hidey-hole. There’s something appealing about that. But there was Elliott to think of, and it would have meant abandoning Floss and—
Hester lets out a loud squeal, and we all jump in our seats. Damian jerks the wheel, and the car skids on the muddy track. I quickly scan the rear window, thinking that she’s seen Alexander leaping over sheep or something. Butshe’s staring fixedly at her phone.
‘Jesus,’ says Damian, shaking his head. ‘Give me a warning if you’re going to do that!’
‘Sorry, I got excited,’ Hester mumbles.
‘What the fuck is it?’ I growl.
‘Yes, we’re all ears,’ says Floss.
‘It’s Will—he’s a guy in my acting class,’ Hester adds for Damian’s benefit. ‘He just sent us a group message. He’s got the part of Orsino inTwelfth Nightat the Globe in London! For a three-month stint!’
Oh, is that all?I think.Hardly worth screaming about.Out loud, I say, ‘Good for him.’
Hester nods emphatically. ‘Yes, it’s like his dream role. But that’s not all. He said the role of Viola is up for grabs too. The actress they had in mind has signed up for a Broadway production. They’re holding auditions next week. And get this—they want atallwoman withan English accent.’
‘Ooooh,’ says Floss, turning around in her seat. ‘You’d be perfect!’
‘I know! And Viola ends up with Orsino. Well ... eventually, she does. Oh my god, I have to get that part! It means spending three months in London with Will!’
‘Hester kind of likes Will,’ Floss murmurs to Damian. ‘If you hadn’t picked up onthat.’
‘Ah,’ he says with a nod, keeping his eyes on the road.
‘But you get stage fright, and you can’t even read aloud in class,’ I state in a bemused voice. ‘How are you going to perform in front of a packed theatre?’
Hester shrugs. ‘I’ll have to deal with it.’
‘Have you ever actually acted in a play?’ I ask. I think she told me once, but I’ve forgotten.
‘Yes, of course, a few times. Most recently during the eighteenth century in Drury Lane.’
‘How did that go?’ asks Damian curiously.
Hester’s green eyes flash, and her expression is stony. ‘I had fruit pelted at me and was booed off the stage. It’s taken a while to get over that experience. But this is the perfect chance to help me get back on track. And Will issucha good actor. He can bolster any supporting role ... And he’s going to look great in a doublet and hose ...’ She breaks off, looking dreamy.
‘I’ll help you with your lines when we get to Tim’s while Damian is hypnotising Sadie,’ says Floss encouragingly.
‘Great, thanks. I’ll get Will to send me a script!’ She starts typing busily on her phone.
I rub my temple, which is starting to buzz and throb as if Elliott senses we’re getting distracted.
‘Hello?’ I say sharply. ‘You do know that rescuing Elliott is our top priority here!’
‘Of course,’ replies Hester. ‘But there’s going to be downtime tonight when Tim and Damian are asleep. We’ll rescue Elliott and deal with Alexander. Then I can head to London for the audition. Easy-peasy!’
I close my eyes briefly and grit my teeth. She makes it sound like a done deal. I know I need to think positively, but I’m not that confident Elliott will still be alive by the time we get to him. And I’m not sure how I’m going to cope if he’s not. I might have to face facts—that I’m not going to see him again.
Swallowing hard, I stare out the window and force myself to remember the good times. There are so many to choose from. Like when he finally cottoned on to the fact I was a vampire. I smirk to myself. That was hilarious. It was forty years ago, but I can still remember it as if it were yesterday ...
Chapter 19
Elliott | Edinburgh, 1983
