Chapter 44
Puck's Dell, Stumblefrith Forest, Wealdshire. Friday 29 May 1998
Penelope Starling had been busy all morning. She'd been helping some of the pixies to prepare a huge pot of stew for the evening meal. It looked really appetizing. There was no meat in it, of course, but Penelope was getting used to a vegetarian diet. A police helicopter had hovered overhead at one point. Penelope had surprised herself by shaking her fist at it. She felt as if she was being spied upon — as if her privacy was being invaded. The others had told her that you get used to being the subject of police surveillance operations and that there was nothing to worry about as the police made regular checks to keep themselves up-to-date on the protesters' activities.
Andrew had promised to arrive at three o'clock so, her duties done, Penelope decided that she would walk through the forest to where he always parked his car, and wait for him. He liked to avoid the main parking area as he wanted to draw as little attention to his presence as possible. Penelope found a grassy spot where she could sit and wait in comfort. At this distance from the camp she could hear nothing of the pixies. The only sounds were the sounds of the forest. She lay back and closed her eyes. She heard a bee or a wasp buzz past her head — but felt no desire to swat it. She could hear the breeze in the trees. And the birds. That's a wren, she thought. What a pretty song. I'm glad Tweeter taught me how to recognise it. You feel as if you're a part of the forest when you recognise the birds. To think that I complained about the dawn chorus on my first morning. Oh, this is lovely. So warm. So peaceful. And my husband wants to smash this place and build a road through here.
Penelope began to doze off. She was enjoying that initial state where you're half asleep and half awake. You're dreaming but you're still aware of what's going on around you. She saw herself in a long, white dress skipping amongst the trees, her silken hair blowing in the breeze. Someone was coming to meet her. No, she mused, not Andrew. Who shall I have? Oh, damn, she thought. There's a car. I'd better go and meet him.
She opened her eyes and sat up. She listened. No, that's not Andrew's car. It sounds more like a van. And there's another one. Penelope stood up and moved cautiously to a tree from behind which she could peep out at the parking area. There were two vans all right — police vans. And following them into the parking area were two coaches. The vehicles stopped and their engines were switched off. The silence returned, not that the vehicles had made much noise. They had crept very slowly from the road into the forest. Penelope didn't know what to do. Should she scream a warning to the pixies? No, they'd never hear her — but the police would. She should run back to Puck's Dell as fast as she could and raise the alarm. I'll just wait a moment to see what they do, she decided. When it became obvious that the police weren't going to rush out and head for the camp, Penelope knew that they must be waiting for the command to move in. She sank down onto all fours where she would be hidden by the bracken, and crawled away to where she would be able to stand without being seen. Then she ran.
Roads & Transportation Department, County Hall, Kingsbourne
Andrew Starling put the phone down. He'd just spoken to Alan Jenkins, the Sheriff of Wealdshire. Evicting the protesters was the sheriff's department — Starling would have nothing to do with it. He rubbed his hands with glee. Everyone was going to be so busy this afternoon that he could go wherever he liked and no-one would be any the wiser. 1517 here I come, he thought. Jenkins had confirmed that the police were in position at three locations in the forest, the security guards were waiting in buses a short distance from the forest, and the experts who would be responsible for removing protesters from tree houses and lock-ons were ready to travel from Kingsbourne as soon as they were required. Much to everyone's relief, the Puck's Dell protesters hadn't bothered to dig tunnels. Compared with the fiasco at Fairmile, on the site of the A30, where a handful of people had managed to stay underground for a week, this eviction would be a straightforward affair and, with a bit of luck, would be completed before nightfall.
Yes, thought Starling, things are looking up at last. The contractors will be happy that they can get to work (and call off Zicchi and his apes) and I don't care what happens anyway because I'm going to be a rich man by the end of the day. Well, perhaps not the end of the day because I've got to sell all the stuff that I've managed to . . . pick up. (He decided that the word 'steal' wasn't appropriate.) Jenkins will be giving the order any minute now — and Shadow and his grubby army will be wondering what's hit them. They'll never be expecting us to move in at this time of day.
Starling just hoped that Inspector Ward would be able to carry out his special task — grabbing Penelope and the kids immediately and taking them away before anyone recognised them. He'd told Ward that his family had infiltrated the protesters' camp and, when they were seized by the police, might put up a fight in order to avoid blowing their cover. He wasn't sure about this. A few days ago he would have guaranteed that they would have pleaded to be arrested — but now he wasn't so sure. Maybe those damn pixies had brainwashed his family. Penelope and the kids certainly seemed to be enjoying their stay in the forest. Still, Starling had to admit, there was something about those eco-warriors which was appealing. He had, after all, nearly fallen under their spell himself.
Puck's Dell
Falcon held Penelope's arms to stop her falling down. 'What's happened?' he asked, a worried look on his face.
He had been carrying a bundle of firewood back to the camp when he'd spotted Penelope racing through the forest as if all the fiends in hell were chasing her. She kept looking over her shoulder and Falcon was convinced she was being pursued. He'd dropped his firewood and grabbed hold of her. Now he was trying to find out why she was so distressed. She was having trouble getting her breath and Falcon was concerned that she would faint before she could speak. Seeing that she was still trying to turn her head to look behind her, Falcon scanned the area from which she had emerged. He saw nothing. 'Is someone chasing you?' he asked.
She shook her head. 'N . . . no. It's the . . . police. Back there,' she panted.
'They weren't chasing you?'
Another shake of the head.
'What were they doing, then?'
'Just . . . just waiting. Vans. Buses.'
'Shit! Eviction!' Falcon thought quickly about what to do. 'Will you be all right here? Come back to camp when you've got your breath. I'll race on and warn everyone.'
He let go of Penelope and sprinted off through the trees, his bundle of firewood forgotten.
By the time Penelope had made her way back to the camp, the place was a hive of activity. It looked as if Shadow had gathered everyone together for a short briefing. Now they were rushing out of the camp. She wondered where they were going. Shadow spotted her.
'Thanks Penelope,' he called. 'You did a good job. Now go and take a leak while you've got the chance.
Penelope realised why everyone had been dispersing. They wanted to empty their bladders before taking up their stations. I'd better do the same, she thought. Still feeling breathless, she walked as fast as she could towards the loo but, when she noticed that no-one else was bothered about privacy, she said, 'Oh what the hell,' and squatted behind the nearest tree.
When she got back to the camp, she saw that the tree people had scrambled up the rope ladders to the tree houses and were now hauling up the ladders and any ropes that were dangling so that the goons would have difficulty reaching them. Seeing Gerard high up in the branches of a tall tree, she almost called out to him to come down at once. Maternal instinct, she told herself. He's wearing a safety harness. He'll be okay. Where's Jaine-Marie? She was about to call her name when she realised how silent the camp was. Everyone was preparing themselves with the minimum of conversation so that the police and bailiffs wouldn't know that the alarm had been raised. What a good job I went to meet Andrew, she thought. But what am I supposed to do now? She looked in Shadow's direction. He was talking on his mobile but he was waving her over.
While Penelope waited for Shadow to finish talking on the phone, she couldn't help overhearing what he was saying. 'Yes Jerry. It's started. Penelope spotted a load of police vehicles.' . . . (She smiled to herself at that.) . . . 'No, I don't know how many, but we can assume there are hundreds. . . Yes. Full alert. Can you get the ball rolling by calling your five numbers? . . . Well, leave the silly woman under the hairdrier. Tell her your granny's died . . .Yes. Phantom Digger is go . . . Don't worry. We finished it yesterday, luckily. It'll work . . . Gotta go.'
Shadow put the phone in his pocket and then amazed Penelope by grabbing hold of her and giving her a huge kiss. 'I suppose you want to know what you can do to help? I sort of got the impression that you're a true pixie now.'
Penelope felt like a schoolgirl. She could feel herself blushing. 'I don't mind what I do,' she said. 'What can I do to be useful?'
Shadow pointed towards the kitchen. Over there is a big sack full of plastic bottles. Can you fill them up with water — fresh water — and distribute them to all those who are locked-on? No — wait. Do the trees first. Take a few bottles to each tree. The people up there will lower a rope and you can tie the bottles to the ropes so they can haul them up.'
'Okay,' said Penelope. 'What about food?'
'Yeah. When you've done the water you can help Fritzy and the others in the kitchen. They're putting some scraps into bags for everyone. That should keep you busy for a while. Look — I've got to go now. There's a special job I need to do.'
Penelope's first attempt to tie a plastic bottle to a thick rope was a disaster. Luckily, she was able to jump out of the way just in time before the bottle tumbled down and hit her. When Pepper pointed out some lengths of pre-cut string, Penelope soon worked out a way of tying a string to each bottle so that it could easily be fastened to a rope, and then hauled up to the treetops with no danger of braining innocent passers- by.
By the time all the tree-dwellers had been given their ration of water, Fritzy and her gang were distributing the hastily-prepared food bags. Penelope started carrying bottles to those who were locked-on. She wasn't surprised to discover her daughter was amongst them. Jaine-Marie was one of six pixies who were lying on the ground at the foot of an uninhabited tree. Each of them had an arm missing, or so it seemed.
'Hi-ya, Mum!' Jaine-Marie called out excitedly. 'I hear you're a big hero, spotting the police and all that.'
Keeping a straight face, Penelope replied, 'Well, as I keep saying, we all have to do our little bit to save the environment. You have to admit that this is a bit more exciting than using a biodegradable washing powder.'
'What are you going to do when the goons arrive?' asked Jaine-Marie.
'I'll play it by ear. Now, are you comfortable there?'
'Yeah, it's not bad. Tixie made these lock-ons. She excavated beneath the tree roots, put all these drainpipes in, and then filled the holes with concrete. At the bottom of each pipe is a metal bar. We've got a rope tied to our wrists and we can clip the end of the rope onto the bars. So, the only way we can be removed is if someone chisels away all the concrete. That won't be easy, though, because we're lying so close together and our hands are right under the tree roots.'
Penelope gave her daughter a smile that made Jaine-Marie's eyes start to fill with tears. 'I'm very proud of you,' she said. She looked at all six pixies in turn. 'I'm very proud of all of you.' She felt her own eyes beginning to water. 'Right. I'll see you all later.'
'Penelope,' someone called. It was Pepper, hurrying towards her with a tray of pots. 'Penelope — I bet you're a whizz with make-up.'
'Uh . . . well.'
'Actually,' said Pepper, 'you don't have to be a whizz — just imaginative. You've seen a few people wearing face paint. Could you go round and plaster some war paint on those who want it?'
Penelope gave Pepper a huge grin. 'Yes. Love to.'
'It doesn't matter what you do. Green all over, or blue blobs, or red and yellow stripes. Whatever takes your fancy. But you'll need to be quick.'
'Can you leave some here, Mum?' Jaine-Marie pleaded. 'We can do our own — single-handed.'
Penelope walked around the camp daubing as many faces as she could. She tried to pretend that she hadn't heard Hooter calling her softly (and sniffing, as usual) but then relented and walked towards him. Before she could reach him, however, he looked over her shoulder, cupped his hands around his mouth, and called out one word — 'Aruga !'
Penelope dropped the tray as she realised what was happening. Slowly, she turned, and carried on turning until she was facing Hooter again. The camp was surrounded — encircled by a ring of policemen wearing bright yellow jackets over their uniforms.
Penelope clamped her hand over mouth to stifle her cry of, 'Oh my God oh my God oh my God.' She was terrified. She wanted to sink to her knees. She wanted to scream at the top of her voice. She wanted her husband to break through the menacing circle and rescue her. She didn't want to be here any more. She wanted to be at home with her dog and her smart clothes and her security.
Blackfriars Wood
Andrew Starling pushed his son's bike through the wood towards the time gate. He wore jeans and a large jacket with capacious pockets. On his back he carried a huge rucksack and the bike was equipped with pannier bags.
The twins were waiting for him. When she saw him approaching, Josie turned her back on him and faced Chris. 'When he asks to see your ghetto blaster, don't tell him that you went back to Tatscombe Hall earlier to collect it.'
'Okay. Shhh. He's almost here.'
'Good afternoon, team,' Starling called. 'Are we all ready? I've brought the torches and the masks. Do you have the sound system?'
Chris nodded, reached behind him, and pressed 'play'. Starling covered his ears. 'Okay! Switch it off!' he shouted. 'That should scare everyone witless. We'd better try the masks on.' He reached into one of the panniers and pulled out three devil masks which he had purchased that morning. He handed one to each of the twins and put on his own. 'Excellent,' he said. 'That should scare the living daylights out of the idiots. One look at us and they'll be begging us to take their belongings, I reckon.'
The twins removed their masks and looked at each other. The masks were certainly frightening — but not quite as frightening as the ones they had bought at the same shop yesterday.
Starling put his own mask away and said, 'Oh, by the way. I paid a visit to Tatscombe Hall this morning. Although it's empty, I couldn't get inside, but I had a good look around the outside. I have a feel for the place now, although I don't know how much it's changed since 1517. What we're going to do, then, is arrive around midnight, put on our masks, get someone to come to the door, and then make them jump out of their skins. We let them run off to hide somewhere and then hit the house with the music and lights to make sure everyone else hides under the bedclothes and stays there. Are you sure the lights and music worked for you before?'
'You'd better believe it!' Chris told him. 'We scared Simon Houghton so much that he had to run off and become a monk.'
'Excellent,' said Starling. 'Shall we go?'
'Yep. We're ready,' announced Chris.
'You'll have to pull your bike in close, Mr Starling,' said Josie, 'so that we can all hold onto each other. We wouldn't want to lose you again.'
'Ah no. Indeed not. I had enough—'
'Mr Starling? Are you okay?' Josie asked. 'Chris, what's up with him?'
Starling was sitting rigid on his bike, staring westwards with a faraway look in his eye.
Chris shook his arm. 'What is it, Mr Starling? Are you all right.'
Starling blinked and shook his head. 'Wh . . . sorry. What did you . . . What did you say?'
'I just asked if you were all right.'
'Yes. I think so. It's just that . . . Did you hear someone singing just then?'
Chris looked at Josie. She shrugged. 'No, we didn't hear anything.'
'How strange. For a moment I felt sort of . . . I don't know. As if . . . Never mind. I thought someone spoke to me. That's all.'
Not only was Mr Starling not making a lot of sense, but he still had that vacant look in his eye. He wheeled himself forward until he had left the time gate — and suddenly became himself again. 'What am I doing?' he said, as if surprised to find that he'd left the time gate. He pushed himself back to where the twins were. 'Come on. There's work to be done. 1517, here we come!'