3. Sanctuary and Suspicions

It was getting dark when Sarah pulled up outside her parents' house and crossed the gravel drive to the front door.

She could see three cars parked - including Jack's.

As usual, she opened the front door and walked into the house as if she still lived there.

The sprawling place, with its wide lawns that sloped down to the river, would always be home for her, no matter how old she got.

And when she got to the sitting room, everyone was already armed with a cup of tea.

"Sarah - thanks for dashing over," her father said.

Jack did a small salute to his partner-in-crime. "Sarah ."

Will Goodchild stood by the fireplace, cup and saucer in hand.

And in the wing-backed chair nearest him, a young woman, blonde hair - her blue eyes dazzling even from across the room.

Someone from the movie company, her father had said.

Sarah knew exactly who it was.

One of the stars.

Her mother bustled in ready to hand over the mandatory cup of tea.

"Sarah, sweetie . nice and hot. Mint - just the way you like it in the evening."

The steamy vapour laced with mint was almost too strong.

More like time for a glass of Pinot Grigio, Sarah thought.

"Thanks, Mum."

"Sarah, Jack just got here as well," her father said. "So . perhaps Will - you might explain about this little meeting?"

Will nodded. The man - a veritable treasure trove of historical knowledge, especially about the Cotswolds - put his teacup on the fireplace mantel.

"Sarah, Jack, this is Zoë Harding. She - well Sarah you may remember - must have been a few years after you moved to London . won a Best Newcomer award? A remarkable Glass Menagerie, so I'm told ."

"Of course," Sarah said, going over and shaking the young woman's hand. "Didn't you star in Romeo and Juliet at the Globe last year?"

Zoë smiled, nodded. "Yes."

"Didn't see it - kids you know. But God," she turned to Jack, "the reviews, well . as they say a star is born."

Zoë laughed at that. "Well, it did get me the part in this movie."

Then silence for a minute; Sarah still didn't have a clue what the meeting was about.

Then: "Wait, was it you . that had that accident today?"

Zoë nodded. "News travels fast, hmm."

"Accident?" Jack said, shifting in his seat.

Sarah knew Jack had to be wondering what this was all about.

"Yes. My horse ." Zoë said. "Just reared up, threw me. I was side-saddle ."

"Historically accurate," Will added.

"And then he came down, quite close apparently. Nearly got the stuffing knocked out of me," she said with a grin.

But Sarah noticed that neither her father nor Will Goodchild were smiling.

"You see, Sarah," Will said. "Seems like a few things have plagued this production, all to do with Zoë here."

"Just accidents, I'm sure," Zoë said. "Still - we've lost a few days on the schedule here and there."

The actress took a breath. "No one's happy about that."

Then - after a pause - Jack: "Sure they're accidents?"

The question made the smile evaporate from Zoë's face.

"I mean, yes. God, what else could they be?"

At that, no one said anything.

Sarah looked at Jack.

She could guess what he was thinking.

In his world accidents are never just accidents.

Will lightly clapped his hands together as if commencing the monthly meeting of his Historical Society.

"So then, let me get to the point. Why we asked you over to meet Zoë, yes?"

On cue, Sarah's mother stood up. "And I'll go and put the kettle back on."

"It was your father's suggestion, really ." Will said.

*

Sarah sat down on the couch near her dad.

"Will here has been serving as historical advisor to the production."

"Local advisor, that's all, really," said Will looking embarrassed. "They've got all sorts of high-powered researchers back in London ."

"But nobody who really knows this area like Will," said Zoë, her smile dazzling. "He's been fantastic, helped me so much ."

"Though it seems like history is the last thing anyone on the production is concerned about," Will said.

"What's the story?" Jacks said.

The actress answered. "It's the tale of the great romantic rivalry between Oliver Cromwell and King Charles I over the legendary beauty, Lady Ann Seymour. That would be me - at least when I've spent hours with makeup and hair," she said grinning.

"Unfortunately, the whole story is - well, quite frankly . impossible," Will said.

Jack looked up at the historian. "And why is that, Will?"

"Because . well, the historical record shows that Oliver Cromwell was deeply committed to his wife and had no interest in romance whatsoever. My God - he was a puritan! As for Charles I, well his marriage was exemplary."

"Interesting," Jack said.

"And there is absolutely nothing in the historical record to show that Ann Seymour ever met either of them!"

"Never let the truth get in the way of a good story, hmm?" said Jack, grinning.

Sarah shook her head at that, wondering just how do these movies get made?

"But Will, if that's the case, why do they need a historical advisor?"

Will laughed at that. "Good question. My job is to make sure that all the other events and details of the script and story are as accurate as possible."

He paused, and Sarah saw the actress who had been sitting so quietly, look up to him. "But it's Zoë here, that I am concerned about."

"You mean after today?"

"And the other things that have happened. I mean, she got a nasty cut a few days back."

Zoë raised her palm and showed a bandage. "In my role I was supposed to put up a hand and beg Cromwell to put down his weapon."

"It should have been a prop sword ." Will said. "Totally harmless. But ."

"Another accident?" Jack said. "I'm guessing Will, you don't believe it's an accident? And you Zoë?"

"I don't know. I mean, I'm sure it was," Zoë said. "And today . well something spooked the horse. Things happen."

"And, er, I have heard some of the crew use the word 'jinx'," said Will.

"I didn't know that," said Zoë.

Jack put down his teacup. "Movie crews can be pretty superstitious ."

"Anyway, the long and short of it is," Will said. "I've discussed this with Michael and Helen. And I had a favour to ask of you Sarah, you too Jack ."

Sarah didn't have a clue what that favour might be.

But looking at the actress - beautiful and polished as she was - and Sarah could feel something else there.

She's afraid.

"What's that, Will?" she said.

"I've discussed this with Zoë . and I don't think she should stay with the rest of the main cast at Repton Hall. I think it might be . safer for her to be somewhere else." He took a breath. "Rule out any other . accidents."

Zoë laughed at that. "Even if I am showing myself to be highly accident prone."

Will - Sarah noted - didn't laugh.

Maybe because he'd been on the set?

And maybe . there were other things he'd seen that - for now - he hadn't told the actress?

"So, as I say, we've been chatting to Michael and Helen here ." Will said slowly . "and they've very kindly invited Zoë to stay here for a few weeks."

"Guest room's not quite up to Repton Hall," said Michael, "but it's - you know - any port in a storm, eh?"

"It's a lovely room," said Zoë. "I feel looked-after already."

And Sarah had this thought .

Zoë Harding doesn't really think these things were accidents.

"And Sarah," continued Will, "we were hoping you might find time to drop by some evenings - if Zoë needs a bit of company?"

"Love to," said Sarah. "I'll bring my son, Daniel. He's become obsessed with movies!"

"Fantastic," Will said. "And Jack-"

Will turned to him. "Jack - a big favour to ask you as well. Think you might serve, well, as Zoë's driver? Get her to the set, bring her back . and-"

Jack filled in the gap. "Maybe also keep an eye on things?"

"Yes," Will said, exhaling. "I'd feel so much better,...