Page 11 of Healing Hearts on Thistledown Lane, Part Two
Fraser had visited Edinburgh Castle a number of times while growing up but its grandeur never failed to impress him.
Built on an outcrop of volcanic rock, it had kept watch over the city in one form or another for thousands of years and had seen more than its fair share of bloodshed, which he supposed was only to be expected when it had been home to so many of Scotland’s kings and queens.
The hair on the back of his neck rose as he made his way up Castlehill, passing through the arched gatehouse and beneath the iron portcullis to follow the curving path into the castle beyond.
If he closed his eyes, he could almost hear the tramp of soldiers’ boots on the cobbles, the cries of alarm as the walls were besieged or the triumphant procession of a royal coronation.
This had always been the thing Fraser loved most about visiting places steeped in history – the way countless stories reached across the ages and came alive in his head.
He sometimes thought if he hadn’t been an actor, he might have been a writer.
Ewan McRae’s office was tucked away in the uppermost reaches of the castle, far from the bustling tourist areas.
It was small and wood-panelled, with a stone fireplace that boasted carved lions on either side, and latticed windows hung with heavy velvet drapes; in fact, if it hadn’t been for the laptop and telephone on the desk, Fraser might have been fooled into thinking he had somehow stepped back in time.
‘Did you enjoy the tour?’ Ewan asked from his seat across the desk. ‘I’m sorry I wasn’t able to escort you personally, but the truth is Catriona knows much more about the castle and its secrets than I do. You were in safe hands.’
‘I was,’ Fraser agreed. His guide had been both friendly and knowledgeable.
She’d pointed out the ramparts where the legendary headless drummer was said to beat out his mournful warning of attack, led him through the dungeons thought to be haunted by Napoleonic prisoners of war and shown him the tower room the Earl of Argyll was said to haunt after his gruesome beheading. ‘I especially liked the ghostly dog.’
Ewan smiled. ‘Ah, yes. I’ve never seen him myself, or any of our other apparitions, but they certainly capture the imagination of our visitors. Which is where you come in. Did you have time to read the event brief I sent?’
‘Yes, I did. It sounds like a great idea.’
‘I certainly hope so,’ Ewan said. ‘Guests will be welcomed into the gatehouse by a piper and led on a tour of the various supernatural hotspots around the castle, where their guide will thrill them with the stories behind the ghosts. At various points, there will be projections onto the walls, and some pre-recorded audio, but we won’t have actors in character.
It will be up to you as a storyteller to create the appropriate atmosphere and bring the ghosts to life, as it were. ’
It was exactly as Fraser had envisaged when he’d read the brief. ‘It would be helpful to see and hear the effects beforehand.’
‘Of course,’ Ewan said. ‘We’ll arrange an after-hours visit a week or so before the event for all the storytellers.’
Fraser thought back to the brief. ‘And you’re expecting two tours per guide, is that right?’
‘Yes. At the end of your first tour, you’ll leave your group in the Great Hall and take a break before your second group arrives. We’ll make sure you have refreshments – whatever you need.’
Fraser nodded. It was going to be different to his nightly tour, where he could switch the route or timings if needed. With several other storytellers making their way around the castle, and special effects to factor in, he would need to keep to the schedule fairly closely. ‘Okay.’
Ewan steepled his hands. ‘We’re planning to offer a press preview the night before the public opening and we’d like you to run that tour. Would that be possible?’
Fraser considered the question. It would mean finding someone to cover his usual tour, but the benefits of showcasing his talents to the press would far outweigh that small inconvenience. ‘Very much so,’ he said. ‘I’d be honoured.’
‘Then that’s settled,’ the other man said. ‘I’ll get the contracts drawn up and you can start working on your unique interpretation of the stories. Catriona will be your point of contact if you need to check anything factual – obviously we need to keep things historically accurate where we can.’
Fraser hid a smile. Several of the city’s ghost tours had abandoned any attempt at accuracy in favour of spicing up their stories. Dead Famous was not one of those. ‘Understood.’
Ewan got to his feet. ‘You’ve got my email if you have any questions.’
‘I have,’ Fraser replied and stood up. As he did so, his hand brushed against his jacket pocket, and the box he’d tucked away before leaving his apartment. ‘Oh, I nearly forgot. Here’s an Edinburgh Ghost for you.’
‘Ah, yes,’ Ewan said, and took the box. Opening it, he teased the tissue paper apart and examined the contents. ‘Very clever. Did you say it represents one of the stories you tell on your tour?’
‘That’s right,’ Fraser said. ‘This is Agnes the Sea Witch, inspired by Agnes Sampson, who was executed for sending a storm to drown King James, among other accusations.’
Ewan ran a finger over the feathery green strands that trailed across the ghost. ‘I can see why they’re popular. The design is excellent and it’s exquisitely made.’
Fraser couldn’t help feeling a swell of pride on Maura’s behalf. ‘I’ll be sure to pass that along.’
‘We might consider commissioning something like this for one of the castle ghosts in the future,’ Ewan said thoughtfully. ‘In partnership with your company, obviously.’
‘I’m sure that could be arranged,’ Fraser said cautiously, even as he contemplated how busy Maura was already. ‘I’d have to consult my business partner.’
The other man nodded. ‘Something to keep in mind,’ he said, as he handed the ghost back to Fraser. He checked his watch and winced. ‘I’d better show you out. I’m due at Holyrood Palace in thirty minutes and it doesn’t do to keep the royal court waiting.’
On the tram back to Leith, Fraser found himself wondering how Maura would feel about a potential tie-in with the castle.
She had delivered the second batch of the forty ghosts at the end of the previous week, just in time for his meeting with Ewan, and he’d asked her to repeat the order.
The ghosts sold out almost as soon as he released each new batch and he knew a castle ghost would be popular too.
He’d have to handle the supply carefully to keep things running smoothly.
And in the meantime, it wouldn’t hurt for him to make sure Maura knew how much he appreciated her hard work.
It was time to fall back on his show business experience and apply a tiny bit of schmooze.