Chapter 23
NOW
Jake and Violet stood outside the Old Gaol, Violet completely confused as to what she should do.
She knew that a hot drink would probably be very welcome right now, but equally, she wanted to escape from Hexham just as soon as she could.
Images of so-called witches, chained to the wall, were in her mind, and she could still feel the fear and energy emanating from the building.
The sky had turned a pinky-orange and the temperature was dropping, even as the coloured sky tipped the edges of the white and grey clouds, so she made that the excuse to leave the town.
‘Looks like it’s getting a bit cold and icy. We might get more snow,’ she said to Jake, turning and beginning to walk back towards the car park. ‘I don’t want to get caught in it. I’ll drop you back at the van.’
‘Oh! Yes. Of course.’ Jake fell into step next to her. ‘I don’t suppose that many people have climbed out of that dungeon on a set of ladders before. A trip to remember.’
Violet pulled a face. ‘Or forget.’
‘It wasn’t that bad. We were only in there a couple of minutes. I know it felt longer, though.’
‘It wasn’t the fact that we were in there,’ said Violet. ‘It was the fact that I didn’t feel we were alone. That was what was freaking me out.’
‘Alone? Well, I guess there were other visitors there. And the chap who helped us out.’
‘That’s not what I meant.’ They were walking down the steep, cobbled hill now.
Instead of holding her hand to haul her up it, Jake now took hold of her hand to steady her as they slipped a little on the cobbles.
Violet was grateful for the touch. ‘I meant that it felt spooky there. Like old prisoners were still lingering.’ Like witches shackled to the walls. ‘Like Jane Martin was hanging around.’
‘Poor choice of words.’
Jake was correct; Violet flinched at the images of over a dozen people swinging from a scaffold on the Town Moor. ‘That’s not what I meant.’
‘I know. But there was nothing down there, although I get how spooky it was with all the lights out. I’m glad I wasn’t a prisoner in those days.’
‘I just couldn’t help thinking about the Witch Trials as well. That exhibition made it real. Those poor people. How awful it would have been to be in that situation – accused of doing witchcraft, for God’s sake, just because you were different or disliked. It’s dreadful.’
‘I know.’ He squeezed her hand. ‘Inhuman. And the fact those bastards were paid per witch – what the hell did they expect? Of course it would be carnage.’
‘Mass murder, if you ask me.’
‘You’re right.’
Violet was silent, thinking about it all. She needed to stop thinking about it, or she’d spiral. She unlocked the car and they got in.
‘Whatever it was, I’m bloody glad to be out of there.’
‘Me too,’ said Jake. ‘I’m glad you’re out of there as well.’
* * *
Jake glanced at Violet’s profile. Her lips were set and her chin looked stubborn. It was, oddly, a look he’d always found attractive on her.
He dipped his head and hid a smile. It didn’t look like he was getting much conversation from her on the short journey back. But soon, they arrived at Chesters and she turned in, pulling up beside his van.
‘Thanks for today anyway, Jake,’ she said wryly. ‘Well, for this afternoon, and shoving my bum up those ladders.’
‘Any time.’ Jake paused, then leant across, dropping a kiss on her cheek. ‘If you fancy dinner tonight, there’s a really nice pub up the road. I’m spending the night near there, so I can pick you up, take you there, and then drop you back. If you like?’
Violet froze for a moment, her knuckles whitening on the steering wheel. ‘Oh. Thanks, but no. I’ve arranged to meet Ollie for dinner at the guest house.’
‘Ollie? That guy from Hexham?’
‘Yes. He’s staying there as well, doing his own research. We’ve found a few things where stuff… crosses over. So, we’re having dinner tonight there to chat about it.’ Violet didn’t even look guilty about it, even though she must know this would hurt Jake’s feelings.
‘Oh. Okay.’ Jake nodded, although he felt a bit of an inexplicable annoyance over that.
It was unfair though, of course it was. He and Violet weren’t on a joint holiday.
They were simply in the same geographical area for a few days.
And yes, she had rung him and asked him to go to Hexham today, but he had no plans to shuffle.
She clearly had plans for tonight. He thought about the way they had looked at one another, Violet and Ollie, and knew he was correct in his assumptions; they had something that they both had a burning desire to say to one another.
Perhaps it was best said before he invited Violet to move in permanently.
Perhaps he was making more of the relationship than Violet was? That was a kick to the stomach.
Fucking Ollie.
He didn’t know what it was about that guy, but he just didn’t like him. Maybe it was because he reminded him of someone? Although Jake didn’t quite know who had ever put his back up like Ollie did.
Whatever. Violet had made her intentions clear for that night.
‘Fine.’ Jake nodded briskly and made to open the car door. ‘I’ll get going then. Thanks again, though. I’m glad we met up today, even if the trip to the gaol wasn’t exactly as we’d planned it.’
‘Yes. But please, don’t tell everyone we had a trip to a gaol. They may misunderstand the connotations. Like we were arrested or something… Sorry. Bad joke.’
‘No worries.’ Jake paused, wondering if he should say something else, plan another trip with her… get in before this Ollie character did again. But in the end, he left it quite loose and vague, his words stilted. ‘If your itinerary allows it, I’m sure mine does too. Whatever it is.’
‘I’m sure it’ll allow something else,’ she said. ‘I just – can’t – tonight.’
Jake nodded and finally got out of the car. ‘Okay – see you soon, then.’
‘See you soon,’ she echoed, and he unlocked the van.
As he climbed inside, he watched her drive off, the tail lights of her car shining in the winter evening.
‘Bye Violet,’ he murmured into the dusk.