The Safekeepers

Chapter Four

“Daria Orov” Stefan had shouted as he paced up and down the court. His blonde hair glinted gold under the hot afternoon sun and he reminded Kaylee of a lion, deadly and always able to outrun its prey.

“Eldest daughter, born on the 20th October 1994.” Kaylee smashed the ball back across the net.

“Schooling?”

“An all-girl’s school in London until she was fourteen, followed by the college.”

Stefan sent the ball veering to the right and Kaylee groaned in frustration as it flew off the tip of her racket. He smirked. “Go on.”

“Very fond of her mother, she died when she was seven. Rules over her siblings like a monarch.”

“Correct. What are her hobbies?”

“Lacrosse, polo and tennis.”

“Do you ride?”

“Better than you can play tennis.”  Kaylee replied, practically panting with exhaustion, “Are you done with the interrogation?”

Stefan nodded, wiping the sweat off his brow, “We’ll work more on your backhand next time.”

“Perfect” she shot him a winning smile, “let’s go to the pool and order drinks.”

*****

“Rosa, which lesson do you have first?”

Startled, Kaylee realised that Daria Orlov had long since left the chapel and that students were spilling out, back into the fresh air. Emily waited patiently as Kaylee fumbled with her school diary.

“English in LG5 with… Mr.Scufton.”

“Oh that’s good, I have History there now in the same building, I’ll walk you. LG stands for the Lower Ground floor.”

Once outside, Kaylee followed Emily as she weaved her way round the back of the chapel and through the formal garden in the direction they were headed. The scent of fragrant roses, trampled underfoot by impatient pupils, reminded Rosa of home and the academics who sought so little pleasure in their surroundings.

“So, what’s the Head Girl like?” she asked casually.

“Daria takes some getting used too. She has a younger sister in our boarding house, Irena; she’s the easiest member of the Orlov family to get on with. I think her brother’s in your English class – he’s gorgeous. I suppose he must have every girl here drooling over him but Claudie is very possessive. He’s quite uptight though.” With her pale eyes and soft brown hair Emily reminded Kaylee of a wren. Other students were jostling past them on their way to lessons; they clung to brightly coloured folders and talked in animated voices about their summer holidays, laughing gaily. Little clusters of them ran over to hug Emily: a few would introduce themselves to Kaylee but they would mostly cold-shoulder her.

‘Don’t worry,” Emily lowered her voice confidentially, “once they’ve accepted you they are as nice as anything. Unfortunately, some of them can be quite meticulous in sticking to their little groups.”

The Humanities Building was a low-rise Tudor construction with a faded white-and-black painted exterior and an unattractive 1960’s extension, partially covered in wisteria. Shaking off the damp chill of the air, Emily and Kaylee entered through the wooden door into the building. Already, waiting students had spread themselves out around the log fire in the reception, their books and coats thrown over the worn settees. A black Labrador lay directly on the hearth, snoring blissfully, and, in one corner of the room, a small group stood around a doorway, talking intently in subdued tones. No one had taken any notice of Kaylee’s arrival and she wandered over to the bookcase that ran the length of the room, picking out an old, leather-bound copy of War and Peace.