“Oh yes,” Ryan replied, sitting up.
“We better tidy up the picnic first,” Millie suggested.
“But don’t pack these sandwiches away. I might feel peckish in the second half.” Ryan pressed down the lid on a plastic container containing an assortment of filled rolls.
“I’m sure you will.” Millie smiled at him indulgently.
They all helped gather up the picnic items. Dotty and Millie had provided an excellent spread and Keya had particularly enjoyed their mini spinach, leek, and goat’s cheese tarts.
When they’d finished, they followed other members of the audience through a narrow wooden gate into the beech wood. It had seemed relatively light out in the field, but in the wood it felt far darker. Long strings of lights hung from the branches of beech trees and illuminated a wood chip path.
Suddenly, Keya saw a blast of fire up ahead. She quickened her pace, but as she drew closer, she realised it was only a fire-eating act.
When Dotty caught up, she said, “I don’t know how she does that.” They watched as a woman wearing a red leotard with black fishnet tights swallowed the flaming end of a metal torch. “I’m sorry Sujin couldn’t come tonight.”
“He’d have enjoyed this, but he also loves playing in his band. And tonight they’re performing at a mini festival. They and several other bands are playing through the night and welcoming in the summer solstice,” Keya explained.
“That sounds both exciting and exhausting,” considered Dotty. She stared as the fire-eater juggled three flaming torches before asking, “Do you think you two will ever be more than just good friends?”
“Will you and Zach?” Keya countered. They walked down a woodland path. A beam of soft blue light illuminated the carving of an owl perched on a tree branch.
“I’m not sure. I think I’d like to. Zach is considerate, intelligent …”
“And tall, dark, and handsome. I’ve seen the photos of you with him in Northumberland,” interjected Keya.
“Yes, that as well.”
Keya thought her friend was blushing.
“But he’s wrapped up in his family history research. And then there’s his old flame back in the US. I’m not sure where I stand. It’s up to him.”
“That doesn’t sound particularly reasonable or satisfactory. Are you just going to hang around while he makes up his mind?”
“No,” Dotty said decisively as the path between the beech trees climbed steadily. Beams of coloured light moved around, illuminating carvings and large ornaments hanging from tree branches. It was like the enchanted forest depicted in the play.
Dotty continued, “Which is why I’ve returned to the Cotswolds and I’m taking this business course before setting up my own antique shop. My mum is right. I can’t put my life on hold for him. I have to get on with it.”
“And you might find someone else,” Keya suggested in an upbeat voice.
“Exactly,” Dotty replied, although she didn’t sound convinced. For the second time she asked, “And what about you and Sujin?”
The path led them out of the wood to a lone tree from which an acrobat was suspended. They watched as she slowly turned a circle and extended her legs skyward.
Keya considered and then replied, “You know when you get on really well with someone, especially a work colleague, and you don’t want to ruin it?”
“Yes, I know what you mean,” Dotty responded.
“Well that’s how I feel at the moment. I don’t want to mess up a great friendship.”
“But are you satisfied with that?” Dotty asked as they reached a stone-flagged pool. The water was illuminated, and a young woman wearing a mermaid’s costume was lying on the steps, her tail flapping in the water.
“Generally. Although sometimes I’d like there to be more. But what difference would it make? He has his band, so even on the few occasions I have the time and energy to go out, he’s busy. Besides, I have you to expand my cultural awareness!”
Keya linked her arm through Dotty’s, and they continued up the path to the top of the formal garden. A crowd of people were watching three acrobats perform in front of a white curved screen with arches and ornamental battlements.
Keya thought gratefully that at least she had her friends, and that was all she needed on a balmy summer night on the eve of the summer solstice.
CHAPTER NINE
Groggily, Keya thought she could hear her phone ringing.
Who could be calling? What time was it?
It had been well after midnight when she’d climbed into bed, and although she’d been tired, her brain must have been processing the evening’s performance as she’d slept fitfully.
Yes, that was her phone.
Reaching out her hand, she fumbled to find it and as she did, she propped herself up on one elbow and answered sleepily, “Hello.”
“Keya, it’s Gilly. There’s a body.”
Was this a joke?
“What body?”
“At the standing stones. A young woman called Daisy Bentham.”
