The Necronomicon

Chapter Forty

Olivia drew herself to her full height, helping Meredith up. "We're going to talk to Alfred."

"You said that Frederick —"

"I know what I said. You need to talk to him, though, don't you?" When Meredith nodded, Olivia smiled. "Come with me. And for goodness sake, put this on!" She handed her a thick scarf, and wrapped it tightly around Meredith's head like a turban.

"I look ridiculous."

"You shouldn't care." Olivia threw open the door and they walked out, Meredith clutching her arm tightly. "Don't you think talking to Alfred is more important than your looks? You're extremely pretty, Meredith — gorgeous, in fact — but you're incredibly vain."

The grass licked at their knees as they strolled across it, Meredith's eyes blazing with pure fear. "Don't look so scared," Olivia hissed, and they kept walking. They walked in step together, Olivia slightly ahead, dragging Meredith along.

"Where are we going?"

Olivia didn't answer for a moment — she just pulled Meredith closer to her back. "Hurry up. And shush. We're going to Pippa's old hut."

"She didn't share with Alfred?"

"No." Olivia replied, and Meredith bowed her head, lost in thought. Thank goodness she hadn't shared with Frederick when they first came.

Reading Chapter 25 of A World for Women had made her realise exactly how manipulative Frederick had been, even before he tried to kill her. His words had taken her in, made her feel like she was the only girl in the world; she knew better now. If only she'd finished A World for Women faster...

"It's just up here," Olivia told her, as rebels waved to her in delight. A few looked curiously at Meredith, who hid her face. "We have to go in unseen, Meredith... And before you ask, no — I don't know how."

They were close — right by the door. Still rebels were gazing at them — Meredith's hands went to her turban. "He — Frederick — knows anyway, Olivia. I can just show my face —"

"We don't want him to know I'm with you."

"Olivia —"

"And it won't distract them from us!" Olivia cried, sighing.

Meredith looked at her. "We're already standing here — loitering. We look suspicious."

Olivia gazed at her, then nodded. Slowly, she turned, and pushed open the door. "C'mon," She said to Meredith, before stepping inside.

Meredith swivelled around to go in — but then she heard it. Two rebels having a conversation. The words — "Can you believe what she's wearing on her head? She looks so silly,". She knew she shouldn't care. No-one knew it was her anyway. But she brought her hands up to her face, and tore the cloak from her head. Her fiery red hair fell to her shoulders, and she spun around to look at the group.

"M — Meredith —" One of them said.

"You're — she's — she's alive!"

Meredith turned around, not caring anymore, and entered the hut. Olivia stood in front of her, feet tapping the floor. "That was stupid, wasn't it?" She said.

"I don't care." Meredith replied.

"Well, maybe you should. If someone tells Frederick I was seen with you, I'm dead. So thank you for that, Meredith. Thanks for being so goddamn selfish."

"Olivia —"

Olivia showed her back to her, her voice cracking. "Through here."

Pippa's hut was spacious, with little furniture. The usual futon and makura on the floor, and a table. There was nothing but a lamp on the table. Already dust had begun to litter the floor and the desk to the right. Olivia strode over to that desk as Meredith took in the colour of the walls. "It's — it's pink!" Meredith declared, bringing up a finger to touch them.