“No, Aurora, we haven’t started yet,” Dora called back.
The round, red-faced woman stopped and placed her hands on her ample hips and breathed in deeply. At least she was dressed for the weather, if not for walking, with a flowing gypsy-style skirt of blues and purples and a tasselled loose pink top.
As she walked slowly towards them, she grumbled, “It always takes me longer to walk up the hill from the village than I think. And I’ve been busy serving customers this morning.”
Dora turned to Keya and explained, “Aurora runs the popular Standing Stones shop in the village.”
“And I also give tarot card readings, should you like one, Officer,” Aurora added.
“Can we get down to business?” Dr Reid cut in.
“Yes, of course,” Dora apologised, drawing her lips together and bowing her head.
Aurora proclaimed, “I believe this year’s solstice should be all about balance, and nature, and finding joy and happiness in the world around us.”
“Oh, yes,” Dora agreed, looking up.
A figure of a young woman floated out of the coppice of trees. Keya blinked and refocused, wondering if the spirituality of her surroundings was playing tricks on her.
“What’s she doing here?” hissed Aurora.
“Ah, Daisy. You’re just in time,” called Dr Reid.
“Silas thought we ought to involve the mill. Sir Anthony wasn’t interested, and Theo was busy, so he suggested Daisy join us. Like you, she’s also into nature and paganism.”
Aurora’s nostrils flared and her eyes flashed, but by the time the younger, thinner, and prettier Daisy joined them, Aurora had composed herself.
“If I’d known you were coming, Daisy, we could have walked here together,” Aurora said with false sincerity.
Daisy smiled and replied, “Actually, I had a delivery for the Knights Farm Shop, which is why I’m late. But I did speak to Mr Graham, and he’s agreed that visitors to the summer solstice can park at the farm shop. In fact, he’s rather enthusiastic about the event and started talking about providing picnics, and a special midsummer breakfast. And we can use his facilities. There’s even a shower if people don’t mind paying a couple of pounds to use it.”
“Well done, my dear.” Dr Reid placed a hand on the top of her arm.
Daisy tensed and stepped towards the circle of stones.
“Shall we have the skull in the centre, like last year?” she asked with her back to the group. Her fair hair was long, reaching nearly to her narrow waist, and it was streaked with blonde. She was wearing a simple summer dress with capped sleeves.
“I thought we should revert to tradition and have a bonfire,” Aurora replied.
Dr Reid looked stricken. “A bonfire. In the middle of the standing stones?”
“Not a huge one, but the ancients believed that the heat of the fire boosted the strength of the sun for the remainder of the growing season and ensured a healthy harvest. And after all the rain last month, the crops need some encouragement.”
“That’s what Theo said. I know he’s worried about low yields this year,” Daisy said, turning to face them.
“There are plenty of fallen branches after that storm last month,” Dora agreed. “I’ve been meaning to come and clear them up.”
In the gap in the conversation, Keya asked, “And what assistance do you want from the police?”
“I’m not sure we do now,” Dr Reid replied. “I was concerned about parking and potential accidents as people loitered on the road, but Daisy has solved that problem for us.”
Daisy inclined her head.
“Talk me through how it works,” said Keya.
“It’s such a spiritual event. You should join us,” enthused Aurora.
“Thanks, but I already have tickets to watch A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Rococo Gardens, in Painswick,” Keya replied.
Her friend, Dotty, had suggested the outdoor theatre event. Constable Ryan Jenkins, her younger colleague at Cirencester Police Station, had enthusiastically agreed that he and his now confirmed girlfriend, Millie, who worked in Keya’s cafe, would love to go. And they’d persuaded Keya to join them.
It wasn’t that Keya didn’t like plays. She just didn’t have time to find out what was on and organise going to see anything. But now Dotty was living back in the area, they’d probably attend more local events.
“Theo’s taking me there on Saturday. It’s supposed to be very good,” Daisy said.
Dr Reid cleared his throat. “People start arriving in the early evening, to see the standing stones and to visit the Whispering Knights tomb on the far side of the field,” he said, bringing the subject back to the summer solstice event.
“And they have picnics, and play music, and create flower wreaths,” added Aurora.
“Any drugs?” Keya asked.
“There is drinking,” Dora replied. “I have to tidy up the bottles and other rubbish after they leave.”
Dr Reid coughed. “The sun is due to set at ten to ten and rise again on the longest day, the 21st June, at ten to five. There are those who spend all night at the stones, and others who turn up just for the sunrise. We get rid of most of them by seven.”
“Don’t be so fractious, Silas,” Aurora remonstrated. “It’s a joyful event steeped in folklore and mythology which spans back centuries. We should be grateful to the people who chose to build the stone circle here.”
“Because it provides you with a healthy income,” retorted the doctor.
