was very successful,’ he said eventually. ‘I thought everyone did a splendid job of organising it and the feedback from the youngsters is very positive.’
‘Aye, but how long till they’re climbing the Boundary Walls to get into Stonewylde now?’ said Martin hotly. ‘How long till—?’
‘I’ve already told Kestrel – who I must say, Edward, was a real credit to you that evening – that if everyone behaves themselves we’ll have another Outsiders’ Dance at the Midsummer Holiday.’
Martin shook his head, his thin face pinched with anger.
‘I’m sorry, Martin, but you’ll have to get used to this. Outsiders are going to be a part of Stonewylde in the future. Every young person here needs to look outside the community for their future partner and—’
‘NEVER!’ shouted Martin, and everyone stared at him in shock.
‘We’ve reached a critical point genetically,’ said Hazel quietly. ‘I’m sorry that it goes against our old principles, but Stonewylders are simply too closely linked now. Reproduction could be dangerous, I’m afraid. I’ve spoken about this with Yul at great length and done a lot of research, and bottom line is that we need to bring in new blood.’
‘I don’t want to discuss this right now,’ said Yul, ‘because it’s a tricky and sensitive issue and I appreciate feelings may run high. But be warned, everyone – Outsiders will be coming to Stonewylde. We’ve had to introduce the compulsory contraceptive implant to curb the population explosion. The next step may have to be some control over who partners whom within Stonewylde, after extensive DNA tests. The simplest solution to this problem is to encourage our young people to find partners from Outside – which is what I’m attempting to do.’
‘On that note,’ said Dawn, ‘I’d like to bring up the question of Rainbow again. I replied to her e-mail after Samhain and said we were discussing her coming here on sabbatical, but at Imbolc it’ll be three months since she sent her request and I wondered if anyone’s had any more thoughts on it? She’s still very keen to come and stay for a few months and, as I said, more than happy to pay. I thought perhaps if we’re going to start bringing in Outsiders it wouldn’t be such an issue allowing her to come?’
Once again Sylvie felt a sinking of her heart. Rainbow – and with her the memory of all those horrible Hallfolk. The terrible problem of Buzz had yet to be resolved and the thought struck Sylvie – was Rainbow’s request part of a strategy of Buzz’s to get back to Stonewylde? And worse – was Dawn in on it too?
‘I don’t want her coming here,’ said Sylvie abruptly. ‘I don’t like the idea and we should say no to her.’
Everyone stared at her and Yul frowned.
‘We need to discuss it first,’ he said. ‘You can’t just make that decision, Sylvie.’
‘Actually I think I can. I’m sure Clip will back me, if I really don’t want her here. Won’t you, Clip?’
He’d been almost completely silent during the meeting so far, listening to the arguments and complaints going back and forth and longing to be anywhere but here in this meeting. He was dreaming of freedom and had decided not to get involved in anything today. But looking up at his daughter, he saw a woman who was deeply distressed and wondered yet again if he were doing the right thing by leaving this year. He’d already set the ball rolling by making an appointment with a solicitor in the spring, about his will and signing over the estate. Now Sylvie’s haunted wolf-grey eyes met his and he wondered if he should still go ahead. Tomorrow was the Wolf Moon, his special one, and maybe he’d be given an answer when he journeyed.
‘Ultimately of course I’d back you, Sylvie. As everyone’s aware, I’m planning to leave Stonewylde this year and signing over the inheritance to Sylvie. So—’
‘I think you mean to me and Sylvie!’ said Yul furiously. ‘And this isn’t a topic up for discussion today so let’s leave it at that, shall we? And as for Rainbow—’
‘I don’t want her here!’ Sylvie cried.
‘As for Rainbow,’ he continued, giving his wife such a venomous look that she visibly recoiled, ‘we’ll discuss her rationally and calmly at our meeting next month and not make illogical decisions without thinking things through properly first. Won’t we, Sylvie?’
Sylvie and Yul were at the very heart of the general malcontent that pervaded Stonewylde. Their relationship was deteriorating steadily, the great reunion