In Too Deep Read Free Page A

and moisturised her skin with body lotion. She chose a new
pair of ivory panties, hip-high and fastened with ribbons, and a
matching bra. She didn't have much money to spend on clothes.
Living in London cost a bomb and there wasn't a lot over for
fripperies, but she had decided to pack her best underwear. One
never knew what might happen and she intended to be prepared. The
nights were still cool, so she added pale hold-up stockings,
slipped her feet into her shoes, and dropped her dress over her
head. A light application of make-up, a dash of perfume, and she
was ready.
    In a fit of
bravado and extravagance she left all the lights on, let herself
out and locked the door, slipping the key into her handbag.
     
    'Shush! Keep
the noise down,' Will hissed.
    Julia had been
doing her best to be quiet, though it was difficult in the dark.
She kept tripping over things. Her thigh muscles ached from
crouching. Bushes scratched her. Whenever they paused for breath,
as now, she was terribly afraid they'd be spotted.
    Once dinner
was over Will had been ready to go, sensibly dressed in a black
polo sweater and black trousers. He carried a shoulder bag
containing his camera with the telephoto lens and a torch, and
Julia trotted along behind him to where the car was parked. A short
drive and he had made her get out, leaving the vehicle in a
pitch-black, leafy lane and heading off on foot.
    She'd almost
had to run to keep up with his long stride, and had nearly cannoned
into him when he stopped suddenly. That was when he cautioned her.
As far as she could see in the gloom, they were standing by a high
stone wall that seemed to stretch into infinity, and when Will
shone the torch upwards the light was reflected off broken glass
set in the copings.
    'Bugger,' he
muttered. 'The place is like a bloody fortress.'
    'Is this it?
Where Theona Blue is staying?'
    He switched
off the torch but she managed to catch his nod. 'It sure is,' he
said.
    'But we'll
never get inside, will we?' It looked impregnable to her.
    'Leave it to
me, my dear Watson,' he replied mysteriously. 'We'll go for Plan
B.'
    He melted into
the darkness and Julia hurried behind him. They seemed to be miles
from civilisation. The way became rougher and undergrowth had to be
pushed through. She heard Will cursing just ahead of her, then he
whispered triumphantly, 'I've found it.'
    'What?' she
faltered.
    'A way in,'
and he flashed the torch over a low arched doorway set in the wall.
It was half concealed by ivy and looked as if it hadn't budged for
centuries. 'Denise was right. She told me she used to come here on
holiday when she was a kid, and knew the former owners. She spent a
lot of time here, friendly with their children, and she gave me a
layout, including this secret door. Come on, let's get it open -
but quietly does it.'
    'Supposing
it's locked?' Julia ventured.
    'Supposing it
isn't?' he chided, tearing at the ivy and clearing the door. 'Lend
a hand, oh ye of little faith.'
    In for a
penny, in for a pound, Julia thought, and added her weight to his
as he heaved against it with his shoulder. It resisted, creaking.
He was wrong, she concluded. It was locked and probably bolted on
the other side. No one would leave such an entrance free for
intruders.
    'It's giving,
I can feel it,' Will grunted, redoubling his efforts.
    The rusted
hinges groaned, the thick oak juddered, the bottom of the door
scraped on stone as it yielded inch by tortuous inch.
    'I shouldn't
think it's been opened for years,' Julia gasped, curiosity taking
over. She never could resist a challenge.
    Will squeezed
through the narrow gap, taking the light with him. Julia didn't
hesitate, scrambling in after him. She almost shrieked when cobwebs
trailed stickily over her face, but remembered in time that silence
was essential. Blackness, the smell of dank earth, the sharp odour
of trampled vegetation surrounded her.
    'Will, where
are you?' she squeaked, and then jumped at the feel of his hand on
her arm.
    'It's