Page 91 of Tendu: Dancing in the Castle

“You are lost in anticipation, excitement, performance, party. Now is calm, beauty, perfection. This is our Christmas.”

The Yuletide atmosphere of the castle, and the fact that we were alone together, quickly shifted us to a joyful and tranquil way of being.

Eating in front of the fire became a delightful festive pastime. Making love in front of it was even better. The flickering orange light picked out every detail of Aleks’s beautiful body and cast long erotic shadows across the room.

We laughed at the echoing nature of the high ceiling. “I love you!” he shouted, causing aftershocks to leap from the roof and walls, and cookware to rattle in the kitchen.

We parted ways for a short while during our trip to Glasgow, to do our festive shopping. I stopped in wonder on approaching the designated meeting place. Aleks stood waiting, darting suspicious looks at passersby, his demeanour entirely defensive and ill at ease. To see him like this was new, and I wanted to learn every facet of the complex man who waited for me. His face lit up as I ran over, and he transformed back into my lovely Aleks once again.

It was novel to walk hand in hand through the crowds and eat out together, a couple in front of others. We kissed on the big Ferris wheel in George Square, and laughed on the carousel.

Midnight Mass at the small local church on Christmas Eve was enchanting, the high-spired building sparkling with frost and magic; the interior was brightly decorated in red and gold, and the congregation were friendly and welcoming.

Aleks smiled as we walked away after the service, through the cold night air. “I take you home and lock you in the tower now, for me alone.”

“Sounds good.”

It was. We luxuriated in bed and swam naked in the pool. We played a film on a big screen in the theatre, but kissed more than we watched it. “We are like teenagers,” he said. I didn’t remind him that I actually was a teenager. I would be twenty soon, and maybe that would make things easier. Not that anything was difficult anymore.

Doing everything together, as in the beginning, our beginning, was heavenly. We washed each other’s hair in the bath, snuggled by the fire, and I kissed his flat fingertips. This was the way life should be all the time, one long, extended lovemaking. We decided to be open about our relationship once everyone returned in January, and happiness felt complete.

Then, in an instant, everything changed.

I was making my way across the foyer towards the great hall to build up the fire, having left Aleks getting dressed in the pool changing room, when the big front door of the castle opened and a cold breeze blew in. With the breeze, came a person. The woman was bundled up in a plush red jacket with a fur-lined hood. She wore jeans and big biker boots, and it wasn’t until she pulled back the white fur of the hood that I realised it was Michelle. She smiled in surprise, looking slightly amused as she took in my attire of T-shirt, underwear and socks.

“Amalphia,” she said warmly. “How lovely. You’ve come back early too.”

“No, she hasn’t,” said Aleks from behind me, pulling his shirt on as he walked into the foyer. “She stayed here.”

As he put his arm round my waist, Michelle’s face changed. She didn’t exactly look angry. Or even surprised. Her expression was strangely blank. Cold and stony. She smiled a tight smile and took hold of her suitcase by its handle.

“Best get on,” she said, heading for the elevator. “Lots of work to do.”

Part Three

Circle

Chapter 29

Itwaswithexceptionalhappiness that I observed Justin and Will coming into the great hall on the day before the new term began. I actually felt tears well behind my eyes at the sight of them.

“He’s got you doing menial tasks?” Justin asked, askance, as I placed a vat of sweetcorn in the warming area of the canteen.

I shook my head and explained. “Holly’s extra helpers didn’t turn up, so I volunteered. There’s new students arriving today, and there’s all sorts of preparations going on. It’s been good to have something to do, to be honest. It’s been so boring without you two here, and also—” I dived behind the counter, whispering, “Don’t tell him I’m here.”

“Young friends of Amalphia,” said Colin McKen, fortunately not having caught sight of me. “Have you seen her?”

“Gone for a walk, I think,” said Will. “To the village.”

“That doesn’t surprise me,” said Colin. “A definite tendency to wander, that one. Been leading me a merry dance this morning, I can tell you. Lunch is not until later today, boys, to accommodate the new arrivals, so no point hanging round here. I think I might venture outside for a bit of fresh air myself.”

“He’s gone,” said Justin. “Famous, isn’t he?”

“And totally letchy,” I said. “Listen, there’s food in the kitchen if you want something now, though your belated Christmas presents are on your beds.”

“I shall go and inspect, and then return for lunch,” declared Justin, leaving Will and I alone and a little awkward with each other.

“Come through,” I said, hurrying back to the kitchen. I took leftovers out of the fridge and laid them on the table, beside the triangular notch that was missing from one end of the battered piece of furniture. I touched its roughness, uncertain what to do next.

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