Page 55 of Star Witch
From the corner of my eye I spotted Winter look up from a conversation with Mazza. There was a frown on his face as if he knew exactly what I was up to. I glanced away hurriedly.
‘Well,’ Bellows said, ‘if you’re not up to it, it’s essential that you don’t take part. We can get you on a train and back to civilisation in no time.’
Arse. ‘I’ll probably be okay by tomorrow…’
He shook his head. ‘Oh no. We want to make sure you don’t do yourself serious injury, so we’ll have to withdraw you from the show. Of course,’ he added with a smile, ‘we don’t permit anyone to hang around the set if they have no reason to be there.’
Without realising it, I’d played right into his hands. The smarmy bugger was smarter than I’d given him credit for. ‘I’ll soldier on,’ I said.
Barry looked anxious. ‘I think that would be best.’
‘Anything for my lovely producer.’
‘We can’t have you getting sick,’ Bellows interjected.
‘I’m fine, Trevor,’ I told him. ‘I’ll be brave for the sake ofEnchantment.’
Something like annoyance flashed in his eyes. ‘You’re such a trooper.’ He turned on his heel and stalked off.
‘He really doesn’t like me very much,’ I murmured.
Barry chuckled. ‘Is it any surprise? You can do the sort of magic he can only dream of. And you’re not in the Order so he can’t dismiss you. You’re competition for our Trev and he knows it. He’s on the outs as it is, and if everyone else thought about it they’d realise you could replace him.’
‘I’m a contestant,’ I protested.
‘If you win the show, or even if you do well, there’ll be a contract in your hands the next morning. Trevor Bellows is old school. Viewers enjoy seeing some fresh blood.’
I considered this, finally feeling some sympathy for Bellows. It couldn’t be easy thinking that there were incomers on all sides trying to steal your job from under you. Although surely he must have made enough money by now to sit back on his laurels and enjoy all that a quiet life had to offer.
I watched as he walked from group to group, his wide sleeves flapping every time he waved at someone and tried to get their attention. Poor guy. Then Brutus pitched up out of nowhere and rubbed himself against Bellows’ legs. Nah. Bellows deserved everything he got.
‘I’m not here because I want to work forEnchantment,’ I said to Barry.
He glanced at me appraisingly. ‘I can’t work out why you’re here at all.’ He jerked his head at Winter, who was examining a sheet of paper with a furrowed brow. ‘Unless it’s because of him.’
‘He’s here because of me, not the other way around.’ I had to stick with the narrative.
Barry snorted. ‘Yeah, right. No matter what we’ve been told, the Order is obviously still concerned that there will be more murders. There are witches all over Tomintoul.’
I let out a slow breath. ‘Do you think therearegoing to be more murders?’ It was unlikely, but Barry might have insights that the rest of us didn’t. ‘I have enough on my plate to worry about without getting killed too.’
‘You’re perfectly safe,’ he dismissed. ‘You heard Belinda. All that had nothing to do withEnchantment.’
‘But…’
‘You know, the other three in your team are planning to get you voted out if you don’t win. Lou is leading the charge. I heard her talking about it.’
I frowned. Something about the way he said that didn’t ring true. ‘Are you hoping that I’ll confront her on camera and that fireworks will ensue?’ I enquired.
His eyes widened. ‘Of course not! I would never do such a thing. You can absolutely trust me, Ivy. I’m on your side. All the way.’ He punched his chest for effect.
His protests were far too vociferous to be anything other than lies. Good grief, there was a lot to have to try and keep track of. Witches like Tarquin, with their wheeling and dealing to inveigle their way into better positions, had nothing on reality television.
‘Mmm.’ I watched Bellows and Brutus approach Armstrong, who was directing a group of cameramen to get ready for the challenge. ‘What’s the deal with Trevor? What else has he been up to?’
‘What do you mean?’
I shrugged. ‘Harriet suggested he was busy with … other things.’
