Northanger Abbey

17

As arranged, Cat and Susie met Bella and Martha at the Book Festival for coffee and croissants first thing the next morning. Both girls were in flat plimsolls, complaining of sore feet after their high-heeled adventures on the dance floor the night before. Bella was also whingeing about her lack of sleep. ‘I’m so desperate to hear the full story from Jamie, I could hardly sleep a wink,’ she said.

‘Funny that,’ Martha said. ‘Because when I went to the loo in the middle of the night, someone was snoring their head off in your bedroom.’

‘Ha, ha,’ Bella sneered.

Cat was on her second croissant when Bella’s phone rang. She jumped to her feet and ran across the grass to a more isolated spot. Cat watched as her friend paced back and forth, spare hand clutching her hair, head down, a frown of concentration on her face. Then she turned her back on them and walked behind the equestrian statue in the middle of the festival grounds, so she was entirely obscured from sight.

When she finally reappeared, Bella was pale, save for two spots of high colour on her cheekbones. It was not, Cat thought, a look that did her any favours. Bella sat down heavily and a look that did her any favours. Bella sat down heavily and drained her cooling latte. ‘Well,’ she said. ‘Now we know where we stand.’

‘And where is that, exactly?’ Martha asked.

‘So, Jamie told his parents, and he says they were delighted. But they’d also just had a letter from a university friend of Mr Morland who’s a barrister in York and he’s offered Jamie a place in his chambers. So, I go, Jamie, you’ve got to be joking, right? York? I mean, it’s in Yorkshire, right? The North, for God’s sake. Then he admits he’s been getting nowhere with all the London sets he’s applied to and his dad says he’d be crazy to turn this down because it’s really tough out there. Plus his dad says if he takes the York offer, they’ll help him with the deposit on a house because they can afford that on account of house prices are lower up there because, duh, it’s the North and nobody wants to live there.’ Bella paused for breath. Her tone was dull and flat but even Cat registered that her words were not.

‘I think that’s very sensible of Jamie and very generous of your parents, Cat. I wish I could do as much, but of course I’m just a poor widow. I expect Mr Morland will do more for you once he sees you settled, for he sounds a lovely man, from everything Jamie has said,’ Martha commented.

‘I doubt it,’ Cat said. ‘He’s only a vicar.’

Both Martha and Bella looked at her with some puzzlement, but Bella moved on regardless. ‘But here’s the worst bit. Jamie says he thinks we should wait for a couple of years at least before we get married because he just doesn’t see how he can support both of us till he’s got his feet under the table. Even with the little bit I bring in.’

‘Now that does surprise me,’ Martha said. ‘It’s not like you’re ‘Now that does surprise me,’ Martha said. ‘It’s not like you’re a big spender. You’re not one of those “want, want, want” girls.’

Bella sighed. ‘I’m not thinking of myself, I’m thinking of poor Jamie having to work so hard just to earn enough for the basics. It’s him I care about. I can manage with next to nothing.’

Martha patted her daughter’s hand. ‘That’s just like you. So selfless. It’s such a shame that the only reward it brings you is everybody’s affection and respect. If all that love turned to money, you and Jamie would be millionaires. Frankly, I’m sure that when the Morlands meet you, Jamie’s father will find a way to help you be together as soon as possible.’

Bella gave Cat a look freighted with an impenetrable meaning. ‘Everybody has the right to do what they want with their own money.’

Cat didn’t know what she could say to make the truth of her family’s situation clearer. She looked to Susie for assistance, but she was staring deep into her coffee cup. ‘I’m amazed my dad’s offered this much,’ she said. ‘Honestly, he’s always made it clear we’d have to make our own way in the world.’

‘Dear, sweet Cat,’ Bella sighed again. ‘It’s not the lack of money that’s pissing me off – you know I despise people who are obsessed with money. It’s the waiting. Two years? I’d run off with Jamie tomorrow and to hell with the money. But your father has obviously convinced him that he needs to be cautious and save up before we can get married. Save up for what? I’d live with Jamie in a bedsit.’

‘Of course you would,’ Martha said stoutly. ‘You wear your heart on your sleeve, of course you’d be happy in a bedsit.’

‘It wouldn’t be easy for James, though, trying to prepare his cases in a bedsit,’ Cat said dubiously. ‘Couldn’t you get a better-paid job in the meantime?’ She wanted to believe Bella cared only about the delay, but there was a niggle at the back of her mind that the loss of the glamorous Chelsea life Bella had fantasised about was closer to her heart than she cared to admit.

Bella and Martha both looked blankly at her. ‘But what would Ma do without me?’

‘That’s right,’ Martha said. ‘Bella’s invaluable to me. And we love working together. It’s so rare to find a job you truly love, and that’s worth more than money.’

‘I suppose,’ Cat said dubiously, scolding herself for nurturing such thoughts about her friend. She took herself off to the bookshop so that Bella and Martha could thrash things out to their hearts’ content while she distracted herself with the fresh display of that day’s performing authors. It was there that Ellie Tilney found her with her nose in a book of poetry.

‘Hi, Cat, what’re you reading?’

‘William Letford.’ Cat showed her. ‘His day job is a roofer, and he’s really good looking. But the best bit is that his poems are really zingy, full of life.’

‘That’s wild. Listen, Cat, I’ve got some really boring news.’

Cat felt she’d had quite enough trial by news for one day, but she forced a smile. ‘What’s that?’

‘We’re leaving town tomorrow.’ Ellie looked on the verge of tears. ‘My father was supposed to meet up with a couple of his Falklands cronies, but they haven’t been able to make it. And the weather forecast is for a few days of scorching weather and he hates being in the city when it’s hot and stuffy, so he’s decided we’re all going back to Northanger in the morning.’

Cat had neither the skill nor the will to hide her dismay. She couldn’t bear the prospect of not seeing Henry again. ‘Oh no, Ellie,’ she wailed. ‘I was so looking forward to spending more time with you and Henry.’

‘And we feel exactly the same. So, I was wondering ... I know it’s totally out of order and totally short notice—’

‘There you are, Eleanor.’ General Tilney’s unmistakable clipped accent interrupted his daughter’s awkward attempt at making a request. ‘I’ve been looking all over for you girls. So, what does she have to say, Eleanor? Shall I congratulate you on managing to bring us all some delight?’

‘I hadn’t actually got as far as asking her, Father, because you arrived.’

The General shook his head impatiently. ‘If you want a job doing, do it yourself. Never rely on your children, Catherine. Bear that in mind for future reference. Now, here’s the thing. Did Eleanor manage to convey the information that we are about to leave Edinburgh?’ Cat nodded. ‘She did? Good, that’s something, at least. You know, Catherine, every year, I persuade myself it will be different – that I’ll enjoy all the performances I’ve chosen to attend, that I’ll engage in nothing but brilliant conversation and that my life will be a buffoon-free zone. And every year I am proved wrong.’ He gave a rueful smile. ‘I realise it’s not like this for you young people, but Edinburgh grows tedious to me. And besides, I prefer to be at Northanger when the weather is hot. The only thing that would improve matters further would be if we could persuade you to drag yourself away from the endless pleasures of the festival –’ here, he raised his eyebrows and turned his eyes heavenwards ‘– and give us all the pleasure of your company at Northanger?’

Ellie gripped her friend’s hand. ‘Please say you will.’

The General clapped a hand on his daughter’s shoulder. ‘I know our humble home will seem modest to you, but we will do our best to make you comfortable. There will be no galleries or theatres to amuse you, but equally there will be no opinionated idiots to annoy you or terrible performances to regret as soon as the house lights are dimmed.’ He gave her his most charming smile. ‘And we will do our best to make sure you enjoy your visit.’

Cat could hardly credit this fulsome invitation. Not in her most detailed fantasies had she imagined being swept off to Henry’s home as an honoured guest. It was all she could do not to gibber and jabber her gratitude and delight. She wanted to caper and prance round the bookshop, prattling to passing strangers about this unexpected and flattering turn of events. Not just some casual suggestion that she might drop by, but a pressing request for her company. It held out such entrancing possibilities – thrilling, romantic, yet with a frisson of the dark and unknown. Somehow, Cat contained herself and managed simply to say, ‘That’s very kind and I’d love to come. But I have to check with my parents. And with Mr and Mrs Allen, of course.’

The General waved a dismissive hand. ‘I spoke to Mrs Allen just now, when I was searching for you. And although obviously she’s sorry to lose your excellent company, she is perfectly willing for you to join us down in the Borders. So I think it’s pretty much a fait accompli.’

Such a divine French accent, Cat thought as she pulled her phone from her pocket. ‘All the same,’ she said, ‘I still need to check with Mum and Dad.’

A momentary look of displeasure flickered across the General’s face, but he gave a stiff smile. ‘Eleanor and I will take a look at the history section while you ...’ he waggled his fingers to indicate the business of composing a text to her mother.

Ellie Tilney wants me 2 go & stay w her at Northanger Abbey for a few days. OK with Susie. OK with you? Please say yes! Cx

Easier to explain if she said Ellie had invited her, she thought. She didn’t want Annie thinking there was anything weird going on. Especially if Northanger turned out to be the vampire heaven she believed it might be.

She perched on the arm of a sofa, hardly able to contain her impatience. Luckily for the state of her nails, her mother texted back almost immediately.

James says she’s a lovely girl. If Susie thinks it’s OK, I’m fine with it. Don’t take advantage of their hospitality, don’t outstay your welcome and email me pix! Just googled it and it looks amazing! Have fun. We miss you. XXX BTW, we can’t wait to meet Bella, James says you two are best of friends, which is lovely for him.

Cat almost tripped over her own feet, so eager was she to pass on the good news to the General and Ellie. ‘Splendid,’ General Tilney said. ‘I didn’t see how they could object after Mrs Allen gave the plan her thumbs up. Good. Well, you girls can sort out the details. I have business to attend to before I leave town.’ He patted both girls on the shoulder and marched out of the tent.

‘I’m so excited,’ Ellie said. ‘I hardly ever have anyone to stay. Usually my father is irritated by my friends and he doesn’t want them cluttering the place up, as he puts it. But he’s really taken to you in a big way.’

‘You can’t be more excited than I am! I’m thrilled to bits that I’m actually going to be staying in a genuine old abbey. And with my new friends.’ She pulled Ellie into a hug and spun round with her. ‘This is the best thing that’s happened to me since Susie invited me to come to Edinburgh with them. Ellie, you’ve no idea how electrifying this is compared to my usual life!’

They quickly sorted out the arrangements for the following morning, then Ellie had to rush off to meet Henry at a live poetry slam. Cat pulled a face. ‘Rather you than me.’

Ellie grinned. ‘We’re only going because one of the poets is an old school friend of Henry’s. See you tomorrow. But I’ll tweet you when I get the chance.’

Cat collapsed into one of the armchairs strategically placed around the bookshop for ardent readers whose feet had had enough of Edinburgh pavements. She was the luckiest person in the world, she thought. All the constellations had lined up in her favour. First, she’d had the amazing fortune to be here in the first place, thanks to the Allens. She’d seen theatre that had literally stopped her breath, comedy that had made her laugh till she couldn’t breathe at all, and listened to authors whose words had brought life into the dullest of her days. She’d learned to dance and put her new skills into helter-skelter practice. She’d made new friends and been present at her brother’s ascension into the world of true adulthood. And she had – yes, she was going to admit it – she had fallen in love. And now she was the General’s chosen visitor, she would be cheek by jowl with the man of her dreams for as long as she was at Northanger Abbey.

And that was the icing on the cake. Cat’s passion for atmospheric architecture was only just second to her passion for Henry. Her imagination had always been filled with images of pinnacles and buttresses, battlements and cloisters, priests’ holes and secret passages. Long before she’d ever clapped eyes on Henry, they’d been the stuff of her fantasies. Her parents had family memberships of the National Trust and English Heritage, and those tours of castles, abbeys and noble houses had wakened her appetite for more thorough exploration behind the twisted scarlet rope. And now it was within reach. She could already see herself, trepidatious in long damp passages, thrilled in narrow cells with high window slits, terrified in the ruined chapel itself.

Cat was strangely touched by the General’s description of this bounty as ‘modest’. She was charmed by his lack of boastfulness about the quality of his home. It was a surprising humility she’d never have suspected, judging by his apparent self-confidence about everything else in his life. She wished Ellie was around so she could press her for more details about her home. When was it built? How did it come into the hands of the Tilneys? Were there legends and creepy tales from the crypt? The images she’d googled promised delicious excitement and more. But would it really be so unnerving in reality? Surely with Ellie and Henry in attendance, no matter how spooky it was, she would be safe.

For now, she could only speculate. But before long, she would have the chance to savour every aspect of Northanger Abbey for herself. And she was determined to do just that. No matter how bloodcurdling it might be, it would be no match for Cat Morland.