CHAPTER 50
Jess hoped that Afric’s mutinous silence was a sign that she’d resigned herself to the plan and tried not to dwell on the fact that the last time she’d been in a tunnel she’d lasted five seconds before panicking and almost concussing herself.
It was also why she’d been careful not to mention her plan to Doug or Mel. After Doug’s insistence that Afric shouldn’t go near the tunnels, there had been no point in saying anything. But with so many paparazzi around Linford, she was out of options.
When she eventually pulled into the outskirts of Linford Wood, she turned to Afric.
“This’ll be fine, Afric, honestly.” She tried to think of something reassuring. “When you get back you can soak in a nice bath, or something. Pamper yourself a bit.”
“I’m not doing this.” Afric hunched down in her seat. “You can’t make me.”
“I know I can’t.” Jess tried to sound firm. “But I’ve talked to Doug and Mel. If the producers find out that you just took off without a word to anyone, you could be sued.”
Afric rolled her eyes. “They’re not gonna sue me.”
“How do you know? Look, even if they don’t, they won’t hire you again. Other studios might feel the same way. It’s not exactly professional, is it?” Jess hesitated. “There were no photos or reports of you in London.”
“I was careful,” Afric said quickly.
“And I’m being careful now.” Jess sent Emily a quick text. In Linford Wood, meet us at the end of the tunnel in a few. She hopped out of the car and went around to open the passenger door.
Glaring at Jess, Afric unsnapped her seatbelt and got out. “This is such a shitty idea,” she muttered.
“If I get a better one, I’ll let you know,” Jess said. “Come on, the entrance is this way.”
“Wait.” Afric took her arm. “What if I crouch down behind the back seats with a blanket over me?”
“I don’t have any blankets.” Jess sighed.
“Look, every time I drive through those gates, I’m surrounded by paparazzi.
If they even suspect that there’s somebody else in the car, they’ll guess it’s you!
Come on, we’ve wasted enough –” She froze as she heard a car approaching.
It seemed to be slowing down. “Shit! Afric, hide!”
Afric huffed, but she slipped in behind one of the huge beech trees. Jess checked she couldn’t be seen just as the approaching car pulled in at the side of the road and the middle-aged man behind the wheel whizzed down his window.
“Have you broken down?”
“No, no.” She gestured vaguely around. “Just a call of nature.”
He shot her a slightly strange look. “Oh, sorry.” Zipping his window back up, he drove away.
A call of nature? Brilliant, Jess! Okay, where was Afric? “Afric?” Crap, had she lost her? What was wrong with her? “Afric?” she hissed loudly.
Afric stepped out from behind a tree. “I don’t think I can do this.”
Jess felt a flash of pity. “It’ll be fine,” she said, firmly. “Just trust me.” She took a moment to get her bearings and then started to walk, making sure Afric was with her. After a few minutes she stopped, trying to remember the last day she’d been there. “It’s around here somewhere.”
Afric shivered. “What are we looking for?”
“Two big rocks – I’ll know them when I see them.”
After a few minutes, Jess stopped. “Over there.”
She hurried over to the two large rocks, and crouched down, brushing away the branches and moss until her hand connected with the tunnel entrance. “This is it,” she said, turning to look at Afric. “You ready?”
Afric looked a bit sick. “I won’t fit. Especially with my rucksack.”
“You can take it off and push it ahead of you. Remember, you won’t be on your own – Emily will be with you.
” Jess tried to sound reassuring. “The tunnel gets bigger as you go through. By the time you reach the castle, you’ll nearly be able to stand up straight, remember?
” Chelsea had escaped through exactly the same tunnel just over a year ago – it couldn’t be that awful!
There was just one tiny problem – it wasn’t open. Maybe Emily was waiting on the other side. There was no point in messaging her again – there was no reception inside the thick tunnel walls.
“Emily?” She knocked on the steel door. “Emily, are you there?”
“If she’s not there we’ll just have to find another way in.” Afric sounded relieved.
“We can’t. Let’s wait a few minutes – she might have been delayed.”
Afric hunched over, folding her arms tightly around her. “Look, maybe we could pretend we’re just out for a walk,” she whispered.
“Wait!” Jess was staring at the metal door, silently willing it to open.
There was the sudden sound of twigs snapping.
Jess put her finger to her lips in a shushing gesture.
As they listened, the distinct sound of footsteps got louder, and Jess grabbed Afric by the hand and pulled her low to the ground.
Peeking up, she could just see the man who’d stopped by the side of the road walking towards them.
Her mouth dried as she saw a professional camera slung around his neck.
Oh God, they were about to be found! She should have listened to Afric and driven through the gates.
Desperately, she clamped her fingers tightly around the edge of the tunnel door and pulled as hard as she could.
There was a muffled click as it opened. It must have been stuck, she thought, relief rushing through her as she peered in.
“Emily?” she whispered loudly. There was no answer. She glanced over her shoulder. Any minute now, it would be too late. “Come on, I’m coming with you!”
Ignoring Afric’s gasp of protest, Jess grasped her arm firmly and pushed her into the tunnel, before climbing in after her. The low ceiling forced them both to crouch on the cold stone floor.
Afric let out a muffled scream as Jess pulled the door shut, plunging them into darkness.