28
Antonia booked the next train for London and was due to arrive that evening.
Julia ran upstairs after their call, refusing to speak to Aurelia.
That left Aurelia in the shop, trying to figure out how she’d gone from looking forward to a pleasant night with Julia and the characters to having her world blown apart by a single phone call.
They’d agreed that Antonia should make her own way to the shop from the station, so that Aurelia could stay with Julia and make sure she was alright.
As Julia had barely left her room all day, however, it didn’t take much doing to keep an eye on her.
Aurelia kept the shop open until Antonia’s arrival just before six. As Antonia walked in the door, Aurelia rose from her desk, walked to the door, and locked it.
“Julia’s upstairs. She’s okay,” Aurelia said as she lowered the blinds and then silently led Antonia to the flat.
At the top of the stairs, Aurelia pointed the way to the guest room.
“I’ll see her in a minute,” Antonia said, nodding. She paced the living room, seeming to gather her forces before turning to face Aurelia, arms crossed. “What the hell is going on?”
“I don’t know what to tell you.”
Aurelia literally had no idea. She’d thought about it all day: insisting that Julia was inventing things was unfair, especially now that Julia had told Antonia and was so determined to have the truth out. The alternative—being honest—was just as complicated but seemed the only way forward now.
“She was sobbing on the phone earlier. Why is she so convinced she’s seeing characters? Did she hit her head or something? Or were you two kidding around and she got carried away?”
“No, she didn’t hit her head, and we weren’t kidding around.”
Aurelia looked at Antonia and, for the first time in her life, was afraid of her sister—of what she might say or do.
“I’ve seen them too.”
Her words sat there for a moment until Antonia raised her eyebrows, inviting Aurelia to continue.
“It started when I first moved in here. I kept hearing voices in the shop at night—”
“Oh my god.” Antonia’s hand flew to her mouth.
“You remember? I thought someone kept breaking in. I called the police, but there was never anyone there. And then one night, I fell asleep in the shop and woke up… and the characters were there.”
“So you told Julia this story and now she believes it?”
“It’s not a story. She’s seen them too—for a few nights now. I know it sounds absolutely mad, but I promise you, it’s true.”
“This is some sort of fantasy taken too far, Aurelia. Why you dragged Julia into it, I don’t know—”
“No! I didn’t tell her. I didn’t even know she’d be able to see them. She just heard us talking and came down one night.”
“She heard you talking? To the characters?” Antonia said with a humorless laugh.
“Aunt Marigold and the other aunts saw them too,” Julia’s voice called from the guest room doorway.
Aurelia and Antonia turned to her, surprised by her sudden appearance in their tense standoff. Julia walked toward them but kept her distance.
“I’ve met Sergeant Cuff, and he said he’s met all the aunts, and he told me stories about them.”
“Who’s Sergeant Cuff?”
“He’s the detective from The Moonstone,” Aurelia said automatically.
“The what?”
“The Moonstone. It’s a Wilkie Collins novel. One of the first detective novels, actually—sorry.” Aurelia saw Antonia’s look of exasperation and cut herself off.
“Alright,” Antonia said, feigning calmness. “I don’t know what’s happening here, but I’m very concerned. Where’s Oliver?”
“He’s still away. He had that book fair, then a work retreat. He’ll be back tomorrow.”
“Julia, go and pack your things. We’ll find a hotel for the night.”
“A hotel? Antonia!” Aurelia said, exasperated herself now.
“I don’t want her here with you tonight.”
“What? I—I’d never do anything to hurt Julia! Please—”
“This is hurting her, Aurelia. Look at how upset she is! She’s completely convinced herself of whatever you’ve been telling her. This is beyond weird. It’s… it’s deranged.”
“I’m convinced because I’ve seen them, Mum. And I’m not going to a hotel! I’m staying here, and I’m going to talk to them again tonight.”
“Do you see?” Antonia exclaimed angrily, turning to Aurelia. “Listen to her!”
“I know how it sounds, but it’s very real.” Aurelia’s voice was pleading, begging Antonia to believe her. “There’s something about this shop, about whoever owns it—or whoever is going to own it. I don’t know how, or why, but it’s real.”
“So I can’t see them? You realize that’s very convenient.”
“That’s just how it works. Though I’m not sure if some random person could buy the shop and see them, or if it has to be someone in the family. I haven’t asked Cuff about that, but I should—”
“Why did I try to engage?” Antonia muttered to herself.
“There’s still a lot I’m trying to figure out about this whole thing myself,” Aurelia retorted.
“Why are you doing this? Why won’t you stop?”
This time, it was Antonia who looked at Aurelia with fear in her eyes.
“I’m sorry, Antonia, I didn’t want you to find out like this. I didn’t want you to find out at all, in fact. I knew it would be too much to ask of you—of anyone—to believe it.”
“You really think you’ve spoken to characters? Fictional characters talk to you?” Antonia asked quietly.
Aurelia nodded.
“And Oliver? Have you told him about this fantasy?”
“It’s not a fantasy!” Julia cut in. “I can tell you all about them—about Kitty and how she’s a little jealous of Lizzy marrying Darcy, but excited for her, too. And Blanche and how she’s mean at first but is getting nicer even if she still gets angry if we mention Jane Eyre.”
“This is your doing, Aurelia!” Antonia shot at her as she jabbed a finger in Julia’s direction. “Do you expect me to let her go on believing this nonsense and getting carried away with it all?”
“I know it’s unbelievable. I know you’re upset, and I’m sorry Julia’s upset, but it’s real.”
Antonia stared down Aurelia, then turned to her daughter.
“I mean it—go and get packed, Julia. Now.”
“No. I mean it. I’m staying here!”
Antonia took a step toward her, and Julia ran into the guest room and slammed the door. Turning back to Aurelia, Antonia said in her steeliest voice, “Tell me that door doesn’t have a lock.”
Aurelia bit her lip as they heard a distinct click.