Nyctophobia by Christopher Fowler Read Free Book Online Page B

But there is another anomaly. We failed architects like anomalies.’
    ‘Where?’
    ‘Back here.’ I took his hand and led him out into the hallway, to the locked door set in its end. ‘I can tell you that if these are servants’ quarters, they aren’t where they should be.’
    ‘What do you mean?’
    ‘It’s a house built for a leisured class, so naturally they would have servants. But there would normally be passageways running down the sides of the dining and drawing rooms to the kitchen. Instead, the only access has been placed at the rear of the house. There’s no way of unobtrusively delivering hot food or admitting callers. A house built to accommodate servants is like a theatre. The stages are the rooms used by the owners and their guests, and the backstage area is for the staff, who would have slept on in the smallest bedrooms on the uppermost floor. Between the two you have narrow side-corridors, so that servants can pop up unobtrusively, without having to use the main staircase. But here, the rear of the house was apparently given over to them. As far as I can tell, that’s a unique arrangement. It must have been done for a specific purpose.’
    ‘Maybe you’ve just found your project. I know how keen you are to start working again. Think you’d be able to write about it?’
    ‘I’d only be able to do it if I could research the history of Hyperion, which is bound to be in Spanish, of course.’
    ‘You said you wanted to learn. Here’s your chance. Besides, something like this might keep you busy through the winter months. That’s if Bobbie doesn’t wear you out first. She’s excellent at keeping herself amused – she’s never been much for making friends of her own age – but she has a good line in asking awkward questions. Meanwhile, you still have a while to acclimatize yourself before she arrives.’
    My face must have betrayed my feelings, because he asked me if something was wrong. ‘I’m not sure I’ll be much of a mother,’ I admitted.
    ‘You don’t have to be. She already has a mother in New York. What she really needs is a friend. You know how much I have to travel. It’s seven kilometres to the nearest village and you don’t drive so you’re going to be here –’
    ‘I’m going to learn –’
    ‘Let me finish. Bobbie has a dispensation that allows her to be taught at home, but it’s not renewable beyond the end of October. The school is insisting that she boards so that she can catch up on the official curriculum. I’ve found a tutor, but she can only do ten hours a week. You’ll have to fill in the gaps for a while, just until she can start at her new school. It shouldn’t be too taxing for you.’
    ‘I guess I could help her with her homework.’
    ‘You’re closer to her age than I am. I have no idea what she’s talking about half the time. Do you think you’re up to it?’
    ‘I just hope she’ll like living here.’
    He took my hand and we headed back out into the brilliant front room. ‘She already thinks you’re wonderful. But you must say if it gets too much for you. It’s a big house, you’re a long way from home, and I won’t always be around. We can call and Skype each other when I’m away, but it won’t be the same as me being here.’
    ‘I can manage. This isn’t the 1950s. I did have a good job. I’d have it now if the company hadn’t folded.’
    ‘Yes, but your mother –’
    ‘Don’t take any notice of what my mother told you,’ I said. ‘I’ll be better here than I ever could be in London, you’ll see. Anyway, I’ll have Rosita to help me.’
    ‘Of course. I just want you to understand what you’re taking on.’
    ‘I understood that in the registry office,’ I said. ‘I’m not about to change my mind.’
    ‘Good,’ said Mateo. ‘Neither am I.’ He took my face in his hands. ‘I know you didn’t have it easy, Callie. Whatever it was that happened to you, it’s in the past. I’ll make sure this is a good life for