Chapter Twenty-Nine

 

Brandon need not have worried. Filming went off without a hitch. The helicopter they had hired from a nearby airfield was able to fly, thanks to almost perfect weather conditions. The sun came out and then later a light flurry of snow fell, so the crew in the air were able to get that on film. People in the marina did their bit and so did the townsfolk of Michaelmas Bay. Everyone in Snowflake Cove – including Darren – was in the Merry Christmas shot because as it was Saturday he was not working. And the team from Snowflake Cove won the snowball fight against the team from ‘Thorn On Your Side’.

‘We let you win for the purposes of good TV,’ Zachary said, and demanded a re-match for another day.

‘Any time you want to be beaten again, just let me know,’ Evie teased.

The final live shot was Zachary’s sign-off in the armchair at eight p.m. that evening, and after Brandon said, ‘It’s in the bag’ – another way of saying, ‘that’s a wrap’, a loud cheer went up. Zachary got up from the chair and walked towards Evie who was standing in the doorway, watching. His team began clearing the place of cameras and putting the lounge back the way it was, just moments after the ‘flying’ scene, the montage and the credits had rolled.

‘I do love these,’ Zachary said, munching on the reindeer gingerbread.

‘I loved the show,’ Evie said.

‘I think it was pretty good. It was definitely full of Christmas cheer, and that’s what we were going for. Perhaps we should film it here next year.’

‘Perhaps you should.’ She smiled up at him. ‘Are you hungry?’

He yawned. ‘Sorry. I’m shattered. It’s been a busy couple of days. Must be getting old. Yes, I’m hungry. And I’d quite like a pint of beer.’

Due to the filming, a large buffet was being laid out in the dining room rather than having a sit-down meal. That was partly because Zachary had said that there was always a party atmosphere after a live show and partly because all the residents of Snowflake Cove had popped into the inn to watch the action. Evie and her family knew it would be impossible to serve dinner in the dining room with such a crowd in the inn. Snowflake Cove may be small, but fitting in thirty-eight people in addition to the guests, Roland and his parents, not forgetting Robin and his family, was still a bit of a tight squeeze.

‘The bar is open and the buffet will be ready in about twenty minutes. We weren’t sure how long it would take your team to pack everything away ready for their departure in the morning. We’ll be sad to see them go,’ Evie said.

‘I can’t believe it’s Christmas Eve tomorrow,’ Zachary said, walking alongside her towards the public bar where most people had gathered. ‘Your mum told me about your sister. Are you disappointed?’

‘Did she?’ That was a surprise. ‘I’m more disappointed for Raven and my parents than I am for me. I love Severine but she drives me nuts. Christmas won’t be quite the same without her though. But this year won’t be our usual Christmas anyway. Because you and your family are here.’

‘It’s snowing again,’ one of Zachary’s team shouted.

‘That reminds me,’ Zachary said. ‘I think you owe us a re-match.’

‘What now?’

‘No time like the present. I’ll even forfeit my beer! And the guys leave in the morning, so ... unless you know we’ll beat you and you’re chickening out.’

‘No way. You’re on, mister. I’ll get my team. You get yours. I’ll see you outside.’

It took less than two minutes to get the teams together and everyone else either piled out to watch, or sat in the warmth of the inn to watch the fight from the windows. The moment Evie stepped outside, she was hit on the arm by a snowball wielded by Zachary and battle commenced.

Snow was falling in a soft but steady shower. There was not one breath of wind and although it was cold, it didn’t feel it to Evie and obviously not to those standing around and watching. One of the crew had a shoulder-held camera and was filming it – for future shows, he said and some of the residents took videos on their phones. The sky was dark and clear, illuminated by the first quarter of a moon and a mass of twinkling stars. The Christmas lights on the inn, in the village and on the trees, together with the street lamps and the warm glow of lamps from within the inn, cast shadows and colourful reflections on the ground of white but didn’t help much with visibility.

‘Don’t get too near the cliff edge,’ Molly shouted from the doorway, hugging a mug of hot chocolate.

Evie had just made a direct hit to Zachary’s head and was laughing loudly but she glanced round at her mum and followed the direction of Molly’s gaze. Roland and Raven had their backs to her and were running in a straight line towards the edge. They were closer to it than they obviously realised and even Evie could only just see the steep drop-off into one of the inlets.

‘Stop!’ She yelled.

Roland turned his head but kept running as Raven was just inches from him and he clearly didn’t want to be caught. A second later, both of them disappeared. The only indication of what had happened was a scream, a shout and two loud splashes.

Evie screamed and ran to the edge but Zachary raced past her, hesitated for a split second and dived into the channel of water between the isle and the mainland.

Only a few people had seen what had happened but Evie’s screams for help soon made everyone realise something was very wrong. Pandemonium ensued and although everything happened quickly, it seemed as if it was happening in slow motion. Evie balanced precariously at the edge, peering into the darkness below. Just a few spots of colour were visible, from the reflections of the street lights and fairy lights strung between the lamp posts on the mainland but she couldn’t see any sign of Raven, or Roland, or Zachary.

‘Someone bring a torch,’ she yelled. She had not even got the torch on her phone as she had left it indoors so as not to lose it in the snowball fight.

Brandon was by her side in seconds.

‘What happened?’

She pointed madly at the water. ‘They’re in there somewhere. Raven and Roland and Zachary. I can’t see them. Where are they? We need light. Someone bring some light.’

She was yelling and screaming and more people were running towards her. She spotted one of the team with his camera still rolling and wanted to shout at him to stop filming and to help instead. A few lights appeared from phones and other torches and Evie cursed the fact that the lighting used for filming had all been packed away.

‘There!’ Someone yelled.

Evie was about to dive in but Brandon squeezed her arm, told her to keep everyone back because the current was dangerous and then dived in himself. Just as Molly and John reached Evie’s side, a yell went out and Evie saw Zachary in the water, lifting Raven onto the rocks. Raven looked limp and lifeless but as Brandon helped push her out of the water, she coughed. Raven was safe and so was Zachary. But where the hell was Roland?

People started running towards the path leading down to the inlet. Evie saw her dad racing down the makeshift steps, carved into the rocks, but suddenly she couldn’t move. She stood and watched as if frozen to the spot. It was a circuitous route and it would take several minutes for John to get to Raven. Evie stared below. There was no sign of Zachary. Panic seized her. He must have gone to find Roland. The water would be freezing or not much above. Would he make it? Would he find Roland? The tide had been coming in so the channel was fast-flowing, as it always was when the tide turned. At least it wasn’t like the rapid-filled river it often was, with waves thumping and crashing against the rocks, sending huge spumes of white into the air.

‘The water isn’t rough tonight,’ Molly said, as if reading her mind. She hugged Evie tightly and pulled her back just a fraction from the edge. They’ll be fine. I know they will. And we don’t want anyone else going in there, do we?’

‘How can you be so calm?’ Evie croaked. ‘They could die, Mum. They could be swept into the bay and drown. Or freeze to death.’

‘They won’t. Let’s wait and see before we start panicking. Panic doesn’t help anyone.’

Zachary’s parents arrived, breathless and his mum was shaking, visibly. Joshua wasn’t far behind.

‘Is he safe? Is anyone hurt?’ Joshua asked, his voice cracking with emotion and fear.

‘We can’t see Zachary,’ Evie mumbled.

‘There! I see them. They’re safe.’

Another shout went out and Evie felt a thud in her chest as if her heart had stopped moments before and had just started beating again.

‘Oh thank God!’ Juliette said, and squeezed Evie’s hand.

‘We’ll need blankets, hot drinks and hot water bottles.’

Evie glanced around to see Felicia who seemed to be in complete control.

‘Yes,’ Molly said. ‘Are you all right, sweetheart?’ she asked Evie. Evie nodded. ‘Then I’ll go and get the blankets.’

‘I’ll help,’ Felicia said, and then to Evie’s surprise, Felicia patted her on the arm. ‘It’ll take a lot more than a bit of cold water to do Zachary any harm. He’ll be fine. I can assure you of that.’

Juliette nodded. ‘He will. Felicia’s right. My son has dealt with far worse and lived to tell the tale.’

‘Where’s Raven?’ Jessie called out, making her way slowly and carefully through the crowd. ‘Is she safe?’

‘She’s safe.’ It was Joshua who spoke. ‘John and Logan are bringing her up now. Look.’ He walked towards Jessie, a hesitant smile on his face and pointed towards the path. ‘Everyone’s safe, thank heavens. So how are you, Jessie? It’s lovely to see you again after all these years, but I would have preferred to see you under different circumstances.’

She looked him up and down. ‘How am I? I feel as if I almost had a heart attack. That’s how I am. And I was hoping never to see you again, Joshua Thorn. Under any circumstances.’

‘Ah, Jessie, my love. You haven’t changed a bit.’

‘Don’t you use the word ‘love’ to me. Where’s Raven? What’s taking so long? We need to get her inside in the warm before she dies of pneumonia. Come along, John,’ she shouted, as he and Logan appeared with Raven. ‘Can’t you and that boy Logan move any faster?’

‘We’re doing our best,’ John said, gasping for breath.

Evie scanned the inlet and finally saw Zachary. He appeared to be giving Roland the kiss of life.

‘Oh dear God!’ Juniper shrieked, wrapped in Darren’s arms a few feet away from Evie. ‘Roly’s going to be all right, isn’t he? He has to be, Darren. He has to be.’

Evie suddenly remembered what the tarot card woman had said to Juniper. She’d been right. Roland had fallen into dangerous waters and it was partly because Evie had shouted at him to take care.