Evelyn ran and did not look back. She dared not, as the mere hesitation would slow her progress. She knew it was animpossible task she had been set, as the time she was given to complete the trail was far less than she needed. For each minute she was late, she would have one lash from ‘The Master’.She could feel her calves stinging in anticipation of the beating already.
From the moment Evelyn heard that her parents were going out for the day, she knew what Mr Burrows held in store for her. His new amusement entailed Evelyn running the two mile trail through the valley gardens, whilst he idled away his time waiting for her return. Her stomach had churned throughout the morning, as she waited for her new torture to begin. The final countdown began when she heard the wheels of her parents’ coach rattle over the courtyard cobbles. Mr Burrows had silently watched their departure from the schoolroom window. When they had gone, he had turned and settled his cold gaze on her. As usual, it had brought the inevitable, and now familiar, chill to her bones as she waited for him to speak.
‘Two o’clock,’ he had said, holding up his fob watch by its gold chain. That was all; two words, and she had started to run, with no time to look back.
The valley gardens were entered by a steep downward trail, and exited on the far side by an equally steep upward path. Between the two, and sheltered by the wind, were acres of microclimate habitat, where exotic plants from around the world flourished; palms, conifers and bamboos grew tall and splendid rhododendrons added colour to the greens of the jungle. But Evelyn appreciated none of it. She just ran and ran and ran.
It started to rain. Water began to trickle down the banks of the valley, gaining momentum to become gushing streams. The deeper ruts in the path filled with rain, disguising them as shallow, harmless puddles. Evelyn tried to jump or dart around them, fearful she may twist an ankle, but her petticoats and dress grew wet and heavy, dragging at her and sapping herstrength. She felt herself tiring, but continued on, gasping for air as if she was drowning. She thought of what waited for her at the end as tears of frustration and panic mingled with the raindrops on her face.
Evelyn looked ahead. The dark clouds had absorbed all the light in the valley, turning it into a colourless world. Yet in the distance, standing in the rain as if waiting for her, she saw a figure of a man. He stood quite still, his feet and shoulders braced against the heavy rain and a dark frown upon his face. As she approached, she realised it was Drake. A new panic seized her. She could not stop now.
‘Evelyn. What are you doing?’
Evelyn attempted to pass him, but he grabbed her wrist.
‘Evie, it’s raining. What are you doing?’
Evelyn tried to pull away. ‘Don’t, Drake. Let me go.’ Her wet wrist slipped from his grasp and she stumbled on, but he soon blocked her path again. This time he had no intention of letting her slip past. He grabbed both her shoulders and turned her to face him.
‘Look at me. Look at me!’
Reluctantly she did so, eager to be gone. She had not seen him in several months. He looked older, but perhaps so did she. Raindrops hung from the peak of his sodden cap and the tip of his nose and although his cheeks were wet, his eyelids and lashes remained dry. He was looking at her intently and in their depths she saw only his concern for her. She wanted to weep.
‘Why are you out in the rain?’ he asked. ‘Why are you running?’ She wanted to lean against him and tell him everything but she didn’t have time. A hurried explanation would have to do.
‘If I am not back when the clock strikes two Mr Burrows will beat me.’ She tried to pull away, but Drake’s hold on her tightened.
‘Why?’ he asked.
‘Please, Drake. I don’t have time. Please let me pass.’ She tried to shake him off, but he would not let go. Panic overtook her. Drake would never understand and she was already late. She began to struggle, kicking and hitting her dear friend in an attempt to break free. Drake held her tight, pinning her arms to her sides. He nestled his face against hers as she struggled, his warm breath brushing her ear. Finally she stilled in his arms.
‘I know a shortcut,’ he whispered. ‘It will give you time to spare, shelter and a place for us to talk.’ She felt her legs begin to sag with relief, as he let her go to grab her hand. ‘Follow me,’ he said, and led her back along the path she had come.
They did not retrace her steps for long before Drake led her off the main path and up a narrow trail made by woodland animals. It rose steeply, taking them out of the valley. If it had not been for Drake’s firm grip pulling her along, she would have soon tired. Gradually the ground became firmer beneath their feet and began to level. Near the top was the wooden shelter he had spoken of and when they arrived, Drake wasted no time in yanking the door open and leading her inside. They took off their wet coats and wrapped themselves in the blankets kept at the shelter to be used in times of frost.
‘It’s used by the gardeners,’ Drake explained as he brushed the surface of the wooden bench with his sleeve for her to sit down, which she did. ‘The shortcut is too.’ He looked around at the untidy room. ‘Not exactly what you are used to.’ He opened a tin and offered her the contents. Inside were two slices of bread, an apple and a slice of cake. She refused with a shake of her head, so he closed it again and set it aside. He sat down beside her. Evelyn wished the kittens were with them too. It would give them both something to do and look at. Here, it was just the two of them in a bare wooden shed and her odd behaviour to explain.
‘Timmins saw us together,’ Drake said, breaking the silence. ‘He sent me here to get me away from the house . . . and you. I’ve been here for four months now. I have watched you on the path several times. Thought it best to stay away and not interfere, although what you were doing made no sense.’ Evelyn looked away, embarrassed. ‘I don’t pretend to understand what you told me just now, but it sounds like torture. This man called Burrows, is he your tutor?’
Evelyn nodded.
‘Tell me what this is all about?’ She could not look at him, but he would not be put off. ‘Evie, look at me,’ he coaxed.
She had asked for help before and what did that achieve but bruised legs? And besides, what could Drake do to help? She would reassure him so he would delve no deeper, she decided.
She met his gaze, but saw only concern and a readiness to listen. She knew, without doubt, he would believe her and, even more importantly, his concern told her that she did not deserve such treatment. A wave of enlightenment flowed through her. How had she become so low to believe that she did? She felt angry, and with it came a new strength. She wanted someone else to know of the injustice she had suffered and, as they sat side by side, with the rain beating down on the little slate roof, Evelyn told Drake everything.
Chapter Ten
Evelyn received four lashes from ‘The Master’, but for once she did not mind. The reprimand was worth the extra minutes she had with Drake. After the beating she returned to her room and hugged her knees to soothe the stinging of her calves. She thought of Drake and remembered how he had wrapped her in his arms after she had finished confiding in him. She smiled as she recalled the warmth of his body, the smell of burnt charcoal on his clothes and the feel of his heart pounding in his chest. They had stayed like this for some moments, hidden from the outside world. At one point, Evelyn was sure she felt a soft pressure upon the top of her head. She hoped, no prayed, Drake had kissed her. Suddenly, the importance of Mr Burrows’ timekeeping no longer held any significance for her. Being with Drake was all that mattered as, for the first time in a long time, she felt at peace, happy — and something else that both excited and unnerved her.
‘You have to tell your parents,’ he had finally advised her.
‘I have. They did not believe me.’
‘Then tell them again or I will tell them for you.’
She had shaken her head. ‘They will question how an apprentice gardener would know. They will dismiss you if they find out we meet. I couldn’t bear that.’
