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once watch the film on TV. I think we both deserve that.
 Fine whatever you want. Ally smiled sleepily at him. This was the brother she
loved.  I'm feeling lazy.
She got up and went over to the settee, curling up with her eyes closed as she
relaxed.
Henry stared at Isolde. She was beautiful but so cold cold to him, her husband. He was angry
to see that she smiled at others.
 Hey! Wake up, Paul's teasing voice brought Ally back as she slipped into the
dream.  You can fall asleep after you've eaten.
Ally nodded and brushed her hair back out of her face.  Oh, that looks lovely, Paul. I
could get used to this.
 Make the most of it, love. You ll be on your own again soon enough.
Ally yawned and stood up. It wasn't really very late, but she was so tired. She
couldn't understand why she should feel this tired, perhaps it was the country air.
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 I'm going to bed, Paul. You don't have to though. Stay and watch the TV I'm
exhausted.
 Yes, you look tired, Paul said.  Get a good night's rest, love. I might do a little
more work before I go up.
 I'll probably read a few pages of the book you gave me.
Ally smiled at her brother and went out. Upstairs, she undressed and pulled on some
warm pyjamas. She often went to bed wearing nothing at all, but the cottage seemed
cold and she was aware of the need for some warmth.
She snuggled down in bed, then opened the book that had been one of Paul's gifts to
her. Her eyelids felt heavy and the book slipped from her grasp as she drifted into
sleep.
****
Paul closed the computer and glanced at his watch. Good grief! It was three in the
morning; he hadn't realized how long he'd been working! Time for bed, he decided,
thankful that his work seemed to have driven the voices out of his head.
He walked into the hall, then noticed the light in the sitting room. Surely, he'd
switched off when he took his laptop into the dining room? Opening the door, he
glanced in and frowned as he saw Ally at her desk. She was slumped over it, having
fallen asleep.
 What on earth do you want to work like this for? Paul asked as he went to her. He
saw the screen was still live and read the last words written there.
 You have to let me go, Isolde said.  I m married, Robin. There is naught you can do.
Paul felt the icy trickle down his spine. Isolde and Robin, theirs were the voices he'd
been hearing over and over again. It just didn't make sense; he must be going out of his
mind. Unless& Ally was right. Maybe it was this place.
He closed Ally's computer, making sure he d saved her work. Then he took hold of
her shoulders and gave her a little shake. She didn't stir so he shook her hard. She was
like a rag doll! Paul was suddenly scared. Had something happened to her a stroke or a
heart attack?
 Wake up, Ally! he cried.  For my sake, don't be ill. Don't die!
Ally's eyes came open, but she looked drugged in some kind of a trance.
 You should not be here, she said clearly.  You must go before Henry comes or he
will kill you.
 Ally! Paul was frightened, not only by his sister's odd state, but by what was
happening to him. He felt as if he were being taken over, as if he were becoming
someone else.  Isolde & I can't leave you. I want you& need you& 
Robin clasped Isolde to him, kissing her hungrily. He was beyond sanity, beyond caring that
Isolde belonged to another man. He wanted to possess her, to know her as a man knows his
woman.
 You are mine, Isolde. I shall never let you go.
Robin's mouth devoured her as she went limp in his arms but then, all at once, she began to
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struggle. She was staring at him in horror, thrusting him away and crying out that he must
stop&
 What are you doing?
Ally's eyes were open now, staring at him in shock and bewilderment. Paul was
horrified as he realized what he was doing.
 My God! I'm sorry, Ally. I was trying to wake you. I don't know what happened.
He let her go, backing away from her.  I thought you were someone else & that I was
someone else& Robin and Isolde.
 Robin and Isolde&  Ally stared at him.  But how did you know& have you been
hearing the voices too?
Paul nodded.  I thought I was imagining it at first& it was scary. What's happening,
Ally? What's going on here?
 I don't know. She looked at her computer.  Have I been working on Isolde's
story?
 Yes Robin was trying to make love to her but she resisted.
 It is a forbidden love, Ally said and gave a little sob.  I don't like this much, Paul.
 You should leave here we both should.
Ally stared at him, then shook her head.  I can't leave yet, Paul. I have to stay. I have
to write her story. She wants me to do it. If I left, she would go with me, but I know I
have to stay here. It's important.
 Then I must leave, Paul said.  I can't stay, not after what s happened. God only
knows what might have happened if you hadn't told me to stop.
 Do you really have to leave? Ally saw the answer in his eyes.  At least wait until
the morning.
 Lock your door then, Paul said.  I don't want this to happen, Ally. I love you.
You re my sister. If I did anything to harm you & I d never forgive myself.
 It wasn't you, Paul, Ally said.  It was him& Robin. He wanted her desperately but
they married her to someone else.
 What happened to them? Paul looked at her anxiously.  I know I'm mad, Ally, this
can't really be happening but supposing it is? Supposing you are in danger?
 I don't think I am, Ally said.  I think Isolde is in danger. I think she wants me to
help her& somehow stop whatever it was that happened to her. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]