Chapter Five - Jeez, Is That The Time?

"That's what people said." Teresa shrugged. "The girls weren't mistreated or anything, they all came back with the same stories. That the men were searching for the right one but none of those women was right for them," she finished. "Personally, I think that the majority of them went looking to see for themselves. Most seemed disheartened when they came back... whores." She scrunched her face with revulsion.

Helen giggled and even Teresa began to relax and see the funny side. The scientist in me was rolling her eyes, calling this out for the bullshit that it was, but after the night I had, something that Teresa had just said resonated with me. Like an itch I just had to scratch or else it'd bug me.

"I thought I heard wolves howling outside the guest house last night. That's what it sounded like anyway. So, what you're saying is, there are men in the woods who go around impersonating the call of the wolf? Bloody hell." I shook my head slowly. "It takes all sorts, doesn't it? Flipping weirdos."

Helen frowned. "No, sweetie, honestly. Sam shooed them off. It wasn't men, it was just kids fooling around, trying to scare people. The local boys pull shit like this every year, for kicks," she reassured as if it was nothing more than a teenage prank.

Teresa's eyes widened in surprise at Helen's news, then turned to face me.

"You make sure you keep your window closed, honey. Wolves can pick up a scent from miles away. You don't want that poor, sweet girl going missing now, do you?" She eyed Helen, accusingly.

"What do the wolves have to do with the story anyway? What's the connection between the men and the wolves?" I asked with interest, wanting to learn more about the local folklore.

Both Helen and Teresa shared a furtive look, then Helen attempted to alleviate the tension.

"Nothing, like I said, it's just a story to put off tourists from going into the forest and stumbling across wolves. But don't worry about them. Sure, we're right on the border of the forest, but they won't dare come near the house because of Sam." Helen spoke with pride in her voice. "That's his territory."

Teresa chuckled. "Ahh, Sam Evans, now there's a fine piece of man meat if I ever saw one. Nothing will come to getcha with that grizzly standing guard over you, you mark my words."

Our conversation was interrupted suddenly by one of the waitresses dropping a plateful of food in shock. The sound of shattering crockery made us flinch, startled. Diners left their seats and rushed towards the windows, desperate to see what was going on outside. I made it just in time to see a young man streak past the windows, butt naked, and my mouth fell open with shock.

"See," Helen chuckled. "What did I tell you?"

"Oh, those darn teenagers," Teresa muttered, whilst shaking her head, "always playing pranks on the eve of the full moon, scaring the poor girls like that. Why they ought to be flogged raw," she seethed.

Helen's shoulders vibrated in silent laughter. "Oh Teresa, weren't you ever young once?"

I couldn't help but join in, seeing the funny side. A few of the locals found it funny too. Watching the girls clinging to their fathers and boyfriends, seeking protection just in case it was one of the men from the woods coming to take them away.

"Why run around naked?" I found myself asking out of sheer curiosity.

When Helen finished her giggle fit, she explained. "Well, apparently, the men in the woods were always completely nude when they go on the hunt. So the local boys dare one another to strip and run through the town, scaring the girls. It's become quite the tradition recently. Don't worry though, the local sheriff will chase them off and tell their parents all about it." She erupted once again into hysterics.

I rolled my eyes, knowing full well that it was typical of boys behaving like that. It was a funny prank, I had to admit, and it certainly lightened the mood anyway. We finished our lunches and began heading back to the guest house. There were things I needed to discuss with Peter before he left this evening.

We took a drive around the area so that Helen could give me a brief tour of the place. The luxurious boats on the harbour were rather impressive. I couldn't help but feel jealous that some families around here owned two or three each. She explained that if I decided to go on one of the guided boat tours, that I would be taken right across Shade Lake, which would then take me past Stonevale.

Apparently, there's an island at the centre of the lake that's home to the landowner, Mr Alec White. His castle is hidden from view by dense woodland, which I thought seemed a shame.

Something so magnificent shouldn't be concealed from view, it should be displayed with pride. She explained that both towns were gearing up for the celebration of his fiancée arriving in town. That was why the towns were having such a huge makeover: repairs were being done, everything was being painted nicely, lawns were being neatly trimmed and all the flower beds were being regularly tended.

The work was almost complete and I was glad that I was going to be here to see the end result. There seemed to be a lot of work going into getting the place ready in time for when they finally get married. The hopeless romantic in me was impressed by the amount of effort he was putting into making everything so perfect for her. He seemed like the perfect gentlemen but Helen assured me that people weren't always what they seemed, and not to be blinded by how much money he threw around.

Apparently, he had his reasons for living secluded on his island, cut off from the rest of civilization. I guess we all harboured our own demons, didn't we? Even someone who seemed as perfect as this Alec White.

Peter was waiting for us when we returned. He had his tweed jacket draped casually over his arm as if he was waiting to leave. Helen and the kids collected their purchases and hurried inside to hide their gift for Sam. I hung back, hoping to have a private word.

"Hi, Isobelle. I trust you've settled in well. I just wanted to say on behalf of the university, how happy we are that you decided to take us up on the offer here. Your input will be invaluable to our cause."

He seemed to mean what he was saying. I appreciated that. At least he wasn't trying to bullshit me by blowing smoke up my arse. "It's an honour, Peter, I'm grateful for the opportunity," I replied, humbly.

His friendly eyes creased behind the lenses of his glasses as he smiled. "I just wanted you to know that you were chosen specifically for your academic achievements. Once my colleagues read your profile, they knew that you would be the perfect woman for the job. I'm sure that they won't be disappointed with their choice."

"If you don't mind me asking, who are your colleagues? Who will I need to send my weekly reports to?" I hadn't thought to ask before. I had assumed that I would only be dealing with Peter and now I was left feeling confused.

"Oh, I apologise," he swatted the air as if he'd accidentally left out a vital piece of information. "I should've mentioned all this to you earlier. Although, I would've thought that your professor from London had already explained that much to you before you left. They're four investors who have an interest in the conservation of the forest, along with other financial backers that have a claim to the land around here. But these guys wanted you specifically, and have provided all the financial assistance for you to conduct your work, overseen by the University of course," he explained.

"I've moved all the equipment and everything you need in your room. I hope you don't mind."

I blinked and shook my head in a silent apology. "No, of course not. Sorry if I seemed abrupt, Peter. It's just that I was unaware that the grant came from anywhere other than the university. Silly me, not doing my homework first." I tried to make a light-hearted joke to conceal my embarrassment. "Well, now I know that I better make sure I have something substantial to show them by the end of each week."

The last thing I wanted, was to have the funds pulled suddenly from under me. And they could, easily, if I hadn't got anything to show for my time here. That wouldn't go down too well on my resume and my whole career could take a huge nosedive. I wouldn't be taken seriously again, that much I was certain of. I would certainly struggle to find employment in this field of work anywhere in the world. No, failure wasn't an option here. My job was to study wolves in their natural habitat, so that was exactly what I was going to do.

"I'm sure anything you have to report will suffice. You come with such high recommendations. Maybe even I could learn a thing or two from you." He tapped my shoulder in a friendly gesture.

"Well, thank you," I replied, flattered.

Peter glanced at his watch. "Jeez, is that the time already?" He blew out a forced breath. "I should get going. I'm giving a talk at a seminar tomorrow morning and I really ought to prepare. Goodbye, Isobelle, and take care."

I returned his warm smile with one of my own. "Yes, of course... you too, Peter." I stood aside as he plodded down the three stone steps that lead up to the guest house.