The Whispers in the Walls

Penny glared at Ariadne and me and started to say something, but then Scarlet kicked her under the table. “Ow!” she muttered, reaching down to rub her leg.

“Scarlet,” I said in a quiet warning tone. “I want to actually finish my dinner tonight.”

My twin grimaced at me. I mimicked her own grimace back at her. At least some things never changed.

After dinner, I left a despondent Ariadne at the door of her new room. I wished her good luck, and she gave me a hug. There was no sign of Violet.

I had one of the school’s traditional lukewarm baths and then climbed into bed – almost climbing into the wrong one, as I instinctively walked towards Scarlet’s.

“Mine,” she reminded me from the dressing table, where she was brushing out her hair.

I folded myself into the sheets, exhausted. I half-wondered if any of Ariadne’s collection of sweets remained under the bed.

Scarlet turned a new page in her notebook and started writing, her hand moving quickly across the page. I smiled sleepily. I could’ve only imagined this sight a few months ago. When she put the book away, she saw me watching. “Nosy,” she laughed.

I laughed back. “Need I remind you that reading your diary was the most important thing I ever did?”

My twin grinned at me. “Doesn’t mean you can make a habit of it.” She came and stood at my bedside, yawning in her nightgown. “Budge up.”

“Eh? I thought you said you wanted your old bed back?”

“I know what I said. But just this once I—” She looked at the floor.

“Want to know you’re not alone,” I finished. We’d always slept in the same bed when we were little.

Scarlet nodded, looking unusually sheepish.

“Oh, all right. But please don’t snore.” I moved over, leaving just enough room for her.

We went to sleep, back to back, a perfect mirror image once again.

The morning bell rang out and I sat up in bed with a jolt.

Scarlet was already up and pulling on her school dress. She prodded me gently on the shoulder. “Lazy bones!”

I pushed her away playfully and wriggled out of the bed sheets. The air was chilly on my skin. I rubbed my eyes. “Wait. Do I have a uniform now?”

She nodded and flung open the wardrobe to reveal a uniform that matched hers. At least someone had thought of that – perhaps it was Miss Finch? Thank goodness someone was still looking out for us.

I got changed as Scarlet darted around the room putting things in her satchel, humming a tune. I dreaded having to pretend that I was a new pupil again. I’d spent so long pretending that I wasn’t new. How could my twin be so carefree, after all that had happened? Sometimes I felt as though I understood her, and other times she was like a complete stranger.

As I sat down at the dressing table to lace up my shoes I caught sight of myself in the chipped mirror. Scarlet, I thought immediately. But my twin moved behind me, breaking the spell. No, Ivy, I had to remind myself. I was me again. I wasn’t sure if there was a me to go back to, though. I’d spent so long pretending to be Scarlet that maybe the old Ivy had faded away.

Later, Scarlet enthusiastically ate her breakfast, gulping down the lumpy porridge that I felt quite sure she hated. I was puzzled at her cheerful manner, but gave up worrying about it when Ariadne sat down next to me.

“How was Violet?” I asked.

My friend shrugged, and she looked as puzzled as I did. “I honestly don’t know. It was like she wasn’t even there. I kept trying to talk to her, I really did, but she didn’t say anything. I just went to sleep in the end.”

“Strange. I missed having you in room thirteen.” I noticed Scarlet frowning at that. I realised I shouldn’t have been talking about Ariadne and I previously sharing a room as I wasn’t even supposed to have been at the school, but everyone else was too busy chatting amongst themselves to notice.

Ariadne sighed. “If only we could all stay together. If I had a genie, I’d wish for it.”

“Don’t waste your wishes,” I warned her. “You could wish for us not to have to go to this school.”

“Or for a million pounds,” said Scarlet, pointing a spoonful of porridge at me. “No one could tell us what to do if we had a million pounds.”

“I bet Mr Bartholomew could,” I said. We all thought about it for a moment, and then shuddered. There was just something about him, in his words and his voice and the jerky way he moved. I felt sure that he was someone we didn’t want to cross.

I was terrified.

Terrified of returning to lessons. Terrified of Violet. Terrified of Miss Fox being out there, somewhere.

Terrified of Rookwood School.

I barely slept a wink that first night. Whenever I dozed off, I had terrible nightmares. When I was awake, I kept thinking I could hear things in the walls.

But was I going to tell Ivy that? Not likely. I had to be brave for her, because I hated the idea of her being as frightened as I was. So I’d jumped out of bed and acted like it was the happiest day of my life. I even wolfed down the disgusting porridge, though I had no appetite and my stomach was in knots.

Morning assembly was at least not too scary, as all we had to do was sing hymns and listen to Matron’s lecture on keeping our dorm rooms tidy. But there was something surprising – a letter arrived addressed to me and Ivy.

“It’s from Aunt Phoebe!” Ivy exclaimed when she saw the postmark. As Ariadne hurried off to the first lesson, we stood in the hallway reading it.

Dear Scarlet and Ivy,

I was so overjoyed to hear the good news. It’s truly a miracle to have Scarlet back with us. I wish I could see the two of you together again. But I fear it is not to be. I hoped that you would be able to stay with me, but I see now that I have interfered with your lives too much already. Edith is right, you need to complete your education and not be held back by some old biddy like me. I’m very sorry. I hope I will see you again someday.

With all my love and best wishes for the future,

Your aunt

Phoebe Gregory

There were tear stains on the paper, and they’d smudged some of the ink.

I dug my nails into my hands. “Did our stepmother make her do this?”

Ivy’s excited expression had faded, and now she looked like she was about to cry. “I suppose so.”

I took the letter out of her hand and screwed it up. “It’s nonsense! She’s the one who’s interfering, not Aunt Phoebe. That witch!”

Girls were staring as they streamed past, but I didn’t care. They could stare all they liked.

I would get our stepmother back for this one day. I still suspected that she had persuaded our father that I was dead after being bribed by Miss Fox. But she wouldn’t be able to control our lives forever.

We walked into the history classroom side by side. I hated history. I didn’t see why we had to learn about things that dead people had done.

There had been some rearranging of the desks, and I saw to my horror that Violet had been given the one next to mine.

“Ah yes,” said Madame Lovelace, covered in dust as always. “We have a twin joining us. Which one of you is Ivy?”

“I am,” I said quickly.

Ivy looked at me like I’d just declared I was a radish.

“Oh good. Welcome to Rookwood School. I hope you have a better aptitude for history than your sister,” she declared, glaring at Ivy, who squeaked in frustration. But she went along with the swap and took the seat next to my arch-enemy. “There’s a spare desk over there. Here, take a textbook.”

“Thank you, Madame,” I said politely. I took it from her and headed to the back of the room, as far away from Violet Adams as was physically possible.

As we sat down and Madame Lovelace started writing names and dates on the blackboard, Ivy turned to face me. “What are you doing?” she mouthed.

I pointed repeatedly at the back of Violet’s head. Finally Ivy seemed to get the message and turned back round.

I watched as my twin studiously copied from the blackboard. I wondered if this was how she’d behaved when she’d been pretending to be me. I never did anything studiously.

At least this time it didn’t really matter if we acted like each other or not – Madame Lovelace was blind as a bat, and not particularly observant even with her spectacles on. So instead of doing my work, I started drawing in my jotter instead. I drew myself, dancing, and then I drew Ivy next to me. Ballet was the only lesson I was looking forward to. At least Miss Finch knew the full truth about what had happened – there was no chance she would pretend that Ivy was new and I’d never been away, like Mrs Knight was.

I was still doodling when the bell rang for the end of class, and almost jumped out of my skin. Penny noticed and laughed. I pulled a face at her and gathered up my things.

Ivy frowned at me as I headed to the front of class. “You can’t just do that, Scarlet,” she said, when we’d left the classroom.

“Do what?”

“Pretend to be me!” she snapped.

“I didn’t want to sit next to Violet.”

“Well, can you give me some warning next time?” And with that, my twin shot ahead of me through the crowds.

Fine, I thought. If she wants to be alone, she can be alone. I turned round, intent on storming off in the other direction.

And came face to face with Violet.

I was rooted to the spot. I couldn’t breathe as it all came flashing back to me. The freezing rooftop. The fight. Miss Fox dangling her over the edge.

Was she going to hit me? Scream in my face? Promise revenge?

But no, her eyes were blank as if I were invisible to her. “Excuse me,” she whispered absently.

And she walked straight past me.

I tried my best to pull myself together for the rest of the lessons that day, but it was difficult when my twin was clearly still annoyed with me. I didn’t understand why she was so cross. She’d already had plenty of practice at playing my role, so why was it a problem now? I thought she didn’t want to have to pretend to be new.

We retreated to room thirteen to get changed into our leotards. “I don’t know what’s got into Violet,” I said. “She’s not her usual awful self at all. She’s not really anything. Just blank.”

Ivy sighed. “I don’t know what’s going on.”

I thought she’d say something about how Violet had probably been through an ordeal that had affected her, how we should be grateful that she wasn’t trying to murder me. But she just sighed a little more loudly and continued pulling on her tights.

We ran down to ballet (well, I ran, and Ivy just walked quickly, keen not to break any rules). Miss Finch greeted us as we descended into the chilly basement.

“Welcome back, Scarlet,” she said to me quietly and with a smile. “I trust you haven’t forgotten your warm-up?”

I shook my head. “No, Miss.”

“Good. And be on your best behaviour, please.” She looked pointedly at the piano. I hoped my embarrassment didn’t show.

Miss Finch smiled at Ivy, too, but didn’t welcome her to the class. Ivy looked grateful for that.

I took hold of the barre next to my sister and began my exercises, right leg first, then left leg.

It was something so very simple, but it felt like coming home. When I practised ballet, I wasn’t just Scarlet any more, I was Scarlet, the world-famous prima ballerina of the future. My destiny stretched out in front of me. And with Ivy by my side, no matter how cross she was, everything felt complete.

My bliss was interrupted by Penny whispering in my ear. “You may be back, but I haven’t forgotten that we’ve got unfinished business, Scarlet Grey. I’m going to find out why Violet won’t talk to me, and if it’s got anything to do with you then there’ll be trouble.”

I frowned at her. “Why would it be my fault?”

She elbowed me viciously. “Supposedly she went to some school in France, lording it about while you were locked away in an asylum. Yet she’s gone all weird and silent while you’re just fine and dandy! And the teachers are acting like Ivy is a brand new pupil and you’ve been here all along! Something doesn’t add up.”

I wasn’t fine, but Penny didn’t know that. “I’m brilliant, thank you. Now leave me alone.” I moved into rond de jambe à terre, moving my leg in a half circle, intent on ignoring her.

“Listen, scum,” she spat. “I want my friend back. And I will do whatever it takes, do you understand?”

I said nothing, but I felt my insides turn to ice. I knew just how far Penny would go.

That night I woke up, and Scarlet was gone.

I’d been fast asleep until a boom of thunder rattled the window and jolted my eyes open. A lightning flash lit up the room a moment later, and I saw that her bed was empty.

The storm didn’t frighten me, but Scarlet’s absence did. For a moment I thought that she was still dead and I was alone at Rookwood School again.

But no, I was in the opposite bed, there was no Ariadne and I could see my twin’s leotard and ballet shoes dangling off the chair. I breathed a sigh of relief.

So where was she?

It felt like some time that I was lying there, staring at the door. Finally the handle turned, and Scarlet crept back in.

She jumped when she saw that I was looking at her.

“Where did you go?” I whispered.

“Nowhere,” she said. And then, “I just went to the lavatory.”

“Ah,” I said, relieved.

She climbed back into her own bed, and I drifted back to sleep, listening to the storm raging outside.

When Scarlet and I got down to breakfast the next morning, Ariadne came rushing over to me with her tray. “I just overheard Mrs Knight talking to one of the other teachers. She said there’s been a theft! Apparently Mr Bartholomew is furious.”

My ears pricked up at this. “Oh? I wonder what was stolen?” At least it wasn’t us this time, I thought, our escapade in the kitchens springing to mind.

And then I remembered.

Scarlet had left our room last night, and I couldn’t truly say how long for.

I watched my twin as she sat down with her porridge. She must have heard Ariadne, but she didn’t say anything. Had she been involved?

“Honestly, Mrs Knight sounded really scared about how angry he was.” Ariadne frowned. “Her hands were all shaky. I think she’s afraid of the headmaster. Do you think that’s why she’s going along with him, telling everyone that you’re a new pupil? He can’t be as bad as Miss Fox, can he?”

I shrugged. I didn’t want to think about it. But if Mrs Knight was scared of him, well … perhaps that did explain why she wasn’t telling everyone the truth about me.

“There’s going to be an assembly about it,” Ariadne continued. Her lip started quivering. “I hope I don’t get a caning.”

“Why would you?”

“Well … I was eavesdropping …” She cringed, as if she’d admitted to some sort of hideous crime.

I laughed and patted her on the back. “I know this school has a lot of rules, Ariadne, but I don’t think there’s one about that.”

“Oh, phew.”

I turned back to Scarlet. “Scarlet, do you know anything about what’s been stolen?”

“No,” she said, chewing a mouthful of her breakfast. “Why would I?”

I frowned. I had a feeling my sister was keeping something from me.

It was Mrs Knight who took the stage at assembly. That was a relief, at least. I was in no hurry to see Mr Bartholomew again.

“Girls, I’m afraid I have a serious matter to discuss. There was a theft last night.” Cue the collective gasps of everyone except me, Scarlet and Ariadne. “Now, since there was no break-in, we have to presume that one of you is responsible. I have to say, I am deeply disappointed.”

Someone near the front raised their hand.

“Yes, Liza?”

“What was stolen, Miss?”

“Clothes belonging to Penelope Winchester. They were taken from the laundry.”

Now it was my turn to be shocked. I looked around and located Penny, a few rows behind me. She looked livid.

Suddenly I was even more worried. Scarlet and Penny’s dislike for each other was legendary. Penny had been horrible to her just yesterday. What if my twin was out for revenge?

There was a flurry of whispers, and Mrs Knight waved her arms to quieten everyone down. “We take thefts very seriously at this school, and if the culprit is caught then they will be –” she paused, swallowed – “duly punished.”

Scarlet’s face was blank, not betraying anything.

Mrs Knight looked down at the piece of paper she was holding. “The headmaster wants you to know that he will be keeping an eye on you all, and increasing the levels of discipline if necessary.” For a moment, a horrified look passed over her face, and then she regained her composure. “And to that end, I have a list here of the new prefects. Prefects will be responsible for reporting to the headmaster if they witness anyone breaking a rule.” She unfurled a piece of paper and cleared her throat. “Miss Winchester is the first to be appointed.”

Several people groaned, and before I could catch myself I was groaning as well. Penny was sure to be a nightmare as a prefect.

Scarlet was no longer expressionless – now her eyebrows were narrowed and her cheeks were puffed out.

The list went on. “Maureen Alcott. Lettie Clark. Dot Campbell. All of these girls have been recommended for their exemplary behaviour. If you have been selected, please report to Mr Bartholomew this afternoon.”

When we left the hall, Scarlet sped out past me, not saying a word.

Ariadne grabbed on to my dress. “Isn’t this awful? Penny as a prefect? I mean, I thought we’d reached some kind of agreement with her, but she’s being as nasty as ever.”

“And now someone’s stolen her clothes.” I frowned. “She’ll probably be even worse than usual, trying to find out who did it.”

“I don’t understand why Mr Bartholomew would pick her. He is … he’s so …”

“Strange?”

She nodded, mousy hair bobbing.

I sighed. “I think everyone here is.”

At lunchtime I found I couldn’t keep quiet any longer. It had been playing on my mind all day – was Scarlet the culprit?

It was a pleasant day after the night’s storm had exhausted the rain clouds, so I led my twin outside and under an enormous oak tree at the back of the school.

“What do you want, Ivy? I assume you didn’t drag me all the way out here to make daisy chains.”

“No, I want to know what you’re playing at.”

“I’m not playing at anything,” she snapped.

“You were out of our room last night. If you didn’t steal Penny’s clothes, then—”

“What are you talking about? I didn’t steal Penny’s clothes! Why would I? Who do you think I am?”

“Well, you’ve got to admit it looks suspicious.”

“No,” she said, “it doesn’t. Because I’m your twin, and you shouldn’t suspect me.”

“You haven’t really given me a reason not to!” I retaliated. “You have a history of keeping things from me. Important things. Or have you forgotten what you got up to last year?”

Scarlet turned away, arms crossed and fuming. She wasn’t going to forgive me for this. I should have given up, but I told myself that I wasn’t going to let her walk all over me for a moment longer. “Don’t ignore me!”

She didn’t look round. “I don’t have to explain myself to you. I’ll do whatever I want.”

“You can’t just do whatever you want!” I tugged on her shoulder until she had no choice but to face me again. “You wanted to get into this school so badly that you switched our entrance papers. That’s the reason all of this happened in the first place! But now you’ve got what you wanted and you’re just wasting it by getting in trouble all over again!”

“You don’t understand!” she shouted back. “And you never will!”

And with that, she stormed off, and I was alone.

After half-dozing through lessons and a tepid dinner, it was night-time once more. I wouldn’t talk to my twin, and she didn’t seem keen to talk to me, either. I waited for her to drift off to sleep, even giving her a poke in the shoulder to double check, and then I pulled out my new diary from its hiding place.

Rookwood School was an eerie place at night, drenched in shadows and silence. I didn’t even know if I wanted to keep a diary any more. But it was better than lying sleepless in bed, especially when I knew what nightmares may come. Girls with blank faces locked away in the walls, banging with their fists, screaming to be let out …

That was why, the night before, I’d got up and wandered to the lavatories. But even that had scared me. It was safer to stay in bed.

Dear Diary,

I wish I was somewhere else. Anywhere else.

I wrote those words and stared at them. What else was there to say?

Ivy thinks I stole Penny’s clothes, but I didn’t. I wish I had, because the look on her freckled face was priceless. But I wouldn’t do it, not really. I’m not a thief.

Why doesn’t Ivy trust me?

I only left the room because I couldn’t sleep. This place scares me. But I needed to prove to myself that I could walk its corridors and nothing bad would happen to me.

I sniffed and tried to pretend that there weren’t any tears in my eyes. I looked up at the tall dark windows, raindrops pouring down them in sheets. The words just didn’t want to come. This wasn’t me. Scarlet Grey didn’t get scared.

Thump.

What was that?

I sat bolt upright.

Thump.

The room was almost pitch black, but I could just make out the lump that was Ivy under her covers and hear her snoring softly. I was safe. Nothing was going to get me in here.

I just had to keep telling myself that.

Wednesday morning dawned, and the morning bell was like a hammer to my head. If Ivy had noticed I’d been awake, she didn’t say anything about it. But then she didn’t say two words to me anyway.

And it didn’t look like things were going to get any better when Mrs Knight once again called an assembly.

“It greatly saddens me to tell you that there were yet more thefts last night. A good deal of food was stolen from the kitchens, and –” she paused and looked down at her sheet of paper as if she couldn’t quite believe it – “Miss Jones tells me that books have gone missing from the library as well. Really, girls, this is appalling!”

A ripple of murmurs spread through the hall, and I knew everyone was speculating about who the thief was. I heard something in the night, I thought. Maybe it was the thief.

I turned to my twin, about to whisper to her, when I saw her furrowed brow. Ugh. It was no use. She’d probably think I was just trying to cover my tracks.

“Thieves will not be tolerated in this school. If you know anything about who might be responsible, please report it to myself or Mr Bartholomew immediately.” Mrs Knight carried on giving notices, and then read a story from the Bible and told us all how it was bad to steal. As if we didn’t know.

Well, I supposed one person didn’t.

Who could it be?

At the end of assembly, I saw Penny march up to Mrs Knight and start whispering something to her. I kept an eye on her as I stood, ready to leave, and saw her point very clearly in my direction.