Page 60 of The Midnight Carousel

Waiting for Hugo to make his decision turns each torturous second into days. Thirty hours after the meeting, and Maisie has heard nothing. She prays for him to find the funds to buy her out, because if he can’t… no, she won’t think like that. The plan needs to work.

Finishing her paperwork, she locks the office door and heads into the magenta twilight as the sun sets over Lake Michigan.

The moments after work are delicious, filled with the promise of an entire evening cosied up with Milo at the cottage.

Dropped off minutes ago by James, who is heading to the jazz club, he’s already found Arnold, and Maisie can see the pair running around the new rollercoaster in the distance.

As Maisie rounds the corner between the hall of mirrors and the carousel, the hairs on the back of her neck stand up.

There’s the familiar sensation of being watched, but this time she’s absolutely certain that a presence is lurking in the shadows.

With her breath held, Maisie’s eyes dart from the Smugglers’ Saloon to the dodgems, from the popcorn stand to the chocolate emporium, and back to the carousel.

A small movement to the right makes her jump out of her skin. Turning around slowly, she notices a figure crouched behind the doughnut stand– it’s Nancy, who hasn’t been seen anywhere except at her bedroom window for years.

‘What are you doing here?’ Maisie asks, approaching her.

There’s no answer. Maisie bends down and lays one hand on Nancy’s arm.

Her skin is cold to the touch, and she is so still and so pale that she could be mistaken for an ice sculpture.

No wonder, because she’s dressed only in a thin nightdress.

Automatically, Maisie removes her coat and places it over Nancy’s shoulders.

Nancy doesn’t seem to notice that anyone has joined her.

She is mumbling words Maisie can’t catch while her fingers move near her neck, as though she’s touching an invisible rosary.

Silver streaks her once chestnut hair, and she’s as thin as Sir Malcolm was at his worst.

‘Nancy, are you all right?’

Nancy lifts her eyes. They are bloodshot and rimmed with grey circles. ‘Just peachy,’ she answers with a trace of sarcasm, getting slowly to her feet.

For once, Maisie is glad to see the spark return. She watches as Nancy looks around nervously.

‘Is Hugo here?’

‘No, but I can get him if you wish,’ Maisie offers.

Nancy grips Maisie’s arm.

‘No, don’t. He doesn’t know I’m out of the house, and I don’t want to go back just yet.’

Nancy makes it sound like she’s frightened.

Noticing that Nancy’s legs are beginning to give way, Maisie leads the woman to the bench situated directly opposite the carousel.

When Silver Kingdom is open, this is the most crowded spot, with everyone vying for the best position to watch the ride spin around.

‘Sometimes I think I’m just like that horse. Trapped in a prison with invisible walls.’

Maisie follows Nancy’s gaze. The caramel-coloured horse looks more mysterious than ever in this light, other-worldly. Reflecting off the glass are the colours of the setting sun, casting an ethereal glow.

‘Then why don’t you venture out more often?’

Nancy raises her eyebrows.

‘You’ve always been a funny little thing. Hugo wouldn’t hear of it. He worries I might harm myself. Being barren has made me lose my mind, apparently.’

Being sad isn’t a madness, Maisie thinks. She takes Nancy’s hand in hers and strokes the skin softly. Nancy closes her eyes as if it’s been a long time since anyone has touched her in this way.

‘I’m sure he doesn’t see it like that. Hugo loves you. You’re his wife.’

Nancy’s eyes snap open and she snorts. ‘For someone who walked out on her husband, you have a quaintly romantic view of marriage.’

Blushing, Maisie looks away. Even in her weakened state, Nancy knows how to make Maisie feel small.

‘Sorry, that was harsh, and you’ve always been very good at tolerating my horrid moments.

’ She gives Maisie’s hand a squeeze. ‘I’m just not used to company any more, being in my room most of the time.

I don’t know how to behave. I think that’s why Hugo has asked for a divorce.

’ Nancy leans in and drops her voice to a whisper.

‘Poor man hasn’t had the best run with wives, has he?

First, Charlotte dying of appendicitis at twenty-five, and now me. ’

She sits up straight and smooths her hair, as though she’s about to be presented to fine company. ‘We haven’t told anyone. It’s all very hush-hush. I’m leaving for Assumption next week and will stay there while everything is arranged.’

Maisie is floored. No wonder Hugo has seemed so distracted. How has he been coping with it all?

‘But why Assumption?’

Nancy looks closely at Maisie, noting the surprise on her face. Then she shakes her head in disbelief.

‘You really don’t know, do you? I’m going back home, Maisie.

To the farm in Illinois where I grew up.

It won’t be very exciting, just cows and lots of grass, but the change of scene might do me good.

And my mother is looking forward to our praying together.

’ She looks amused at Maisie’s wide-eyed expression.

‘I met Hugo by chance when I slipped away from my church group’s tour of New York and stumbled into the Met,’ she explains.

‘I’d never seen anywhere more wonderful.

I decided on the spot that I always wanted to be surrounded by such beauty. ’

Maisie struggles to reconcile the picture she has of Nancy as a New York socialite with this new information.

‘But you’re so’– Maisie tries to identify the right word– ‘sophisticated.’

‘Which just goes to show that things aren’t always as they seem.’

There’s shouting in the distance. Maisie looks over her shoulder and sees Hugo pelting across Silver Kingdom followed by the servants.

‘Well, goodbye,’ Nancy says wearily. She pushes herself upright and strokes the top of Maisie’s head. ‘Think kindly of me sometimes. And take care of your little boy. He is a darling. I watch him playing around Silver Kingdom. He’s got your spirit.’

Maisie feels suddenly bereft. She has known this woman since she was twelve years old. They have been through so much together, and it feels right to leave things between them on a kind note.

‘Sir Malcolm always said you were a breath of good luck for his brother.’

Nancy looks down at Maisie with a sparkle in her eyes.

‘Ah, yes, I think he thought it was good for Hugo to come out of his shell a bit; he was shy when we first met,’ she explains.

‘Sir Malcolm was always wonderful to me. We became particularly close at the end. He used to talk about all sorts when we got drunk together.’ As if she’s remembering a treasured memory, Nancy’s mouth curls up at the corners.

‘You know, he once told me he rode that peculiar horse and found out something interesting. It’s how I’ve always known the carousel had something to do with his death.

’ She gives Maisie a meaningful look. ‘There never was a witness, of course, and I found your corsage tucked behind the potted palm in the drawing room. But playing amateur sleuth gave me a distraction from…’ Her voice fades.

As Maisie realizes she was duped, Nancy leans down to plant a kiss on her forehead. ‘And don’t feel too sorry for me. I intend to leave in a fanfare of glory.’

Hugo pounds across the ground. His face is red and he’s breathless. Behind him, Eric and Robert appear with Clara, and Nancy’s maid, Lucy, bringing up the rear. Both women are red-eyed as if they’ve been crying.

‘There you are, my dear. I thought something terrible might have happened to you,’ Hugo pants, addressing his wife as though he’s speaking to a child. ‘It appears you forgot to take your tonic today.’

He passes Nancy, still wearing Maisie’s coat, into the servants’ care. She doesn’t look back as she’s led slowly through the park.

Hugo gives Maisie a tired smile. ‘Thank you for taking care of her,’ he says, and turns to follow the others along the path.

Maisie watches the group leave through the gate to Fairweather House, then she faces the carousel. ‘What did you discover about the horse, Sir Malcolm?’ she asks out loud.