‘It’s done,’ Adam says.
‘Really?’
‘Look,’ Adam says. ‘You didn’t notice when you came in that you had an entire new wall and a new bookcase?’
‘Sorry,’ says Leaf, meekly.
‘Come.’ Adam leads him to the new bookcase, reaches behind the books and touches the lever. ‘They’re all real books,’ he says, ‘exceptPride and Prejudice. That’s fixed, to hide the switch.’
The bookcase slides neatly back to reveal the dark yawning mouth of the secret stair.
They go inside and Adam closes the door. It’s not cramped, they’re not touching, but it’s not a large space and he’s aware of their two bodies, he can feel the warmth of Leaf’s skin. Adam takes theflashlight from where it hangs from a hook on the wall and flicks it on. The spiral stair leads on upwards, snaking through the space he’s made between the false panelled walls of rooms on either side.
He points to the places in the walls on either side, which are studded with light. ‘These are the peepholes. On this level they look into the hall on the right and into the den on the left.
‘Most are hidden by bookshelves. One or two holes are set into the friezes carved on the pillars in the wood panelling, or the eyes of daisies. I designed some to look like screws in the corner of the antler mounts.’ Adam swallows. He wants Leaf to like it – to love it.
Leaf puts his eye to a pinpoint of light facing the den. Adam starts to talk again but Leaf grabs his wrist strongly and puts a finger to his lips. Adam peers through an adjacent hole. Samuel Ross, Leaf’s head of security, is in the den. He’s not doing much. He stands, staring, blank face handsome. He has a pen in one hand and a notebook in the other. Both arms hang loose by his sides.
‘Looks like he’s powered down for the night,’ Adam whispers.
Ross’s head turns sharply towards them. He stares at the blank wall. Eyes narrowed, he approaches. He peers; it feels like he’s looking directly at them. His blue eyes are piercing but apparently Adam concealed the holes well. Ross makes a sound that’s somewhere between a sigh and a cough. He makes his way slowly out of the room. Adam and Leaf shake with laughter.
‘Are they on all the floors?’ Leaf asks. He’s trying to sound neutral but Adam hears that edge in his voice, the sharp excitement.
Adam leads, flashlight picking out the spiral staircase. There are small landings on each floor. ‘Viewing platforms,’ Leaf says. Together they peer through the peepholes at the quiet library, the screening room, the study. Only the library is occupied. Leaf’s housekeeper, Ada, stands, dust cloth in hand, reading a leatherbound edition ofThe Man in the Iron Mask.Her burnished curls shine in the low light from the sconces. They’re designed to resemble Victorian gas lamps.She looks up sharply. Like Ross, she seems to feel their eyes on her, though the staircase is soundproof. She closes the book with a snap, replaces it carefully on the shelf and goes from the room.
‘She wanted to read more,’ Leaf says. ‘I’ll give the book to her tomorrow. I want her to have it.’
‘If you do that, she’ll know,’ Adam says. ‘That you were watching.’ He takes a deep breath. ‘Ok. Last one.’
Three storeys up the staircase ends. There’s a short passage with another viewing platform at the end. Adam ushers Leaf ahead of him. He holds his breath and watches Leaf’s back as he leans down to peer through the peephole.
‘Oh,’ Leaf says. He covers his mouth with his hand. ‘What did youdo?’
He knows what Leaf is seeing. Adam’s unmade bed, the door of the wardrobe containing the mirrormen clothes. The vast plate glass window, reflecting back lamplight and his clothes strewn across the floor. These holes give onto Adam’s bedroom, so Leaf can watch him any time he wants.
‘You should leave me,’ Leaf says.
‘I’m not afraid of being seen,’ Adam says. ‘Look anytime you want.’
‘But what if my fingers start to itch?’ Leaf’s voice is a child’s whisper.
Adam finds Leaf’s mouth with his. He strokes Leaf’s jaw. ‘Let me make you happy.’
Leaf is still. He neither returns Adam’s embrace, nor pushes him away. In the dim light Adam can’t see what he’s thinking. ‘Ok I give up,’ Leaf says. ‘You win.’
‘You go back and sleep in your own bed,’ Leaf says. So Adam gets dressed as Leaf watches. He fingers the collar of Adam’s button-down. ‘You’re pretty scruffy, aren’t you?’ His voice is fond.
Adam is stung. He loves this shirt, it’s Fred Perry.
‘You need new clothes, anyway,’ Leaf says. ‘We’ll get you everything you need.’ He gets out of bed and heads towards the shower. After that first passionate scuffle in the staircase, the bedroom part wasn’t a success. It was awkward, nothing fitting or flowing easily.But it doesn’t matter, Adam thinks.We have the rest of time to get it right.
He realises that Leaf is looking at him with understanding. Adam is bad at hiding his thoughts.
‘That wasn’t great,’ Leaf says. ‘That’s my fault.’ Adam starts to protest but Leaf stills him. ‘No, it’s ok. I’ve got issues. From when I was a kid.’
‘Anyone would,’ Adam says. He touches Leaf’s cheekbone.
