Castle on the Hill

By TS Arthur

How much can you trust your friends? 

 

High school is hard, but with a good friendship circle, it can be much easier. Five friends, Jer, Kaleb, Greg, Mads, and Jess, find a way to cement their bond in more than just experience.  
 

However, when one of them is found dead, the threads of friendship start to fray. Fractures that had always been there grow deeper and soon they're fearing for their lives.  
 

Can they find the killer before they all perish, or is their bond doomed to end in death? 

Castle on the Hill is a standalone suspense novel. It contains elements of mental health struggles, murder, and violent scenes. Set in the UK, it's a fast-paced lesson in what happens when friendships go wrong.   

• Language: English
• Publisher: TS Arthur
• Release date: Jul 25, 2025
• ISBN: 9798231333424

Book preview

Part One

Chapter One

An antique clock, framed in a glass case and hanging high above a stage with ornate stairs, ticked along silently. It gave vigil to the proceedings below, a routine it had watched for decades and which rarely changed. A young man with floppy mahogany hair stared up at it and frowned.

Final question completed with minutes to spare, Jeremy dropped his pen and stretched his arms behind his head. He snuck a glance at his friends and earned a reproving glance from the invigilators pacing the room. Kaleb and Jess had their heads down, frantically scribbling. Greg seemed to be napping on his desk whilst Mads chewed the end of her pen.

Even mid-exam, he could feel how different he was from them. A friendship group, from what he’d been told, was meant to be made of a mix of contrasting characters, but his was on a whole other spectrum. People had never really been his kind of thing. He preferred the quiet of the outdoors and a good book, but he’d realised quite early on in his school life that it was easier to survive as part of a pack.

Pens down. The test is over.

The clatter of pens and loud sighs filled the wood-panelled hall. Jer watched the reactions of his friends. Each of them gave away so much of themselves in their regular habits and expressions yet they were always amazed when he could suss out what they were thinking.

They were dismissed in rows from the outside of the hall into the middle, and the bustle of chatter carried through the swinging oak doors as soon as students exited them. After hours of silence, they erupted into conversation about the questions and what they were doing with the rest of the summer. Unlike Jer, most of the year had finished their GCSEs but he still had a couple left. He hadn’t realised when he picked certain subjects that they were notorious for late exam slots.

When his row was released, he looked around for his friends. As usual, Greg’s arm was around Mads’s neck, occasionally reaching down to grope her arse as they leaned against an empty doorway. They’d never been able to keep their hands to themselves. Kaleb and Jess were even farther ahead. None of them had waited for him, but he wasn’t surprised, only hurt.

Jer slowed his pace, hoping they would notice he was missing. When they didn’t, he forced his way through the crowds and called out to them.

Guys! Hey, guys, wait for me. He knew he sounded pathetic, but being a lone wolf was no fun, not in a social minefield of high school.

Jess glanced back, her glossy hair flicking back over her shoulders. She muttered something to Kaleb, who laughed, and then flashed Jer a fake smile. She’d never understood why the others let him hang around, she’d said it to his face when they’d got drunk at the castle on the hill last summer. The words had hurt, but he’d tried to ignore them.

Pulling away from Mads, Greg took in the situation before he kissed the bare neck at the top of her shirt. C’mon, we’d best get going. You coming, Jer?

The muscles in Jer’s face slackened and his chest eased. Today wasn’t the day they ditched him. Again, he hated himself for being so dependent on these ‘friends’ who didn’t care one iota about him. They were all he had, though; he needed their buffer from the dirty looks and snide comments from the rest of the year group.

Yeah, Jer shouted, pushing against the flow of students just released from class.

When he finally caught up, he saw Jess roll her eyes. She made no effort to hide her expression, like usual. They tucked into their usual corner of the cloakroom to gather their stuff from the lockers.

So, what’s the plan? he asked. It was Friday night, and they always did something.

We’re off to the castle. Thought we could take tents and make a weekend of it, celebrate the end of exams and all that. You in? Kaleb’s baritone voice was smooth and calming after the cacophony of the corridor.

Oh, I… he trailed off, not wanting to spoil their fun because of the fact he still had revision to do.

Come on, Jer! Exams are over. Don’t be a spoilsport. Mads’s voice was a sharp contrast.

Shrill and squeaky, it was a relief she spent so much of her time locking lips with Greg. It saved them from having their eardrums shattered every time she spoke.

Yeah, Jeremy. You know we’ve all been looking forward to this weekend for ages.

Of course, Jess would have something to say. The wicked way her pupils danced as she stared him out made him want to grab her throat. But he couldn’t. Not here, not ever. That wasn’t him. He could think all the violent thoughts he wanted; hurting people was not okay.

I’ve…well, I’ve still got some exams next week. My parents— he started.

Your parents are total dicks. They’ve got more kids than they know what to do with and you’re only staying in so they have a babysitter.

Mads sucked air through her teeth and bit her lip. Kaleb and Greg both winced.

Babe, that’s not fair, Kaleb said.

He rarely defended Jer, but it kept him holding onto the friendship. Although, he’d be happier if Jess were transferring to a local college for A-Levels. No such luck, though.

I’ll come tonight, but I’ll have to leave at lunch tomorrow. I have to revise. Jeremy fought to keep his voice polite but inside his rage curled and battled to snap Jess’s ugly little nose.

That’s the spirit! Talking of spirits, are we drinking?

Jesus, Mads, do you ever not think about booze? Jess was at it again.

Jer laughed with the others, despite the way the comment had made the round face of the person closest to a real friend flash red.

I’ll bring something. I’m the only one who can get away without being ID’d, Kaleb said, his voice final. Make sure you don’t start drinking before you come. There’s something important I want to talk to you about.

They said their goodbyes and peeled off, Greg and Mads, Kaleb and Jess, and then Jeremy all alone. The periphery was a lonely place.

Chapter Two

Summer was finally here and Kaleb Jones was there for it. He had plans to do sweet fuck all the entire time, aside from a few swimming competitions. This was his reward for years of working his arse off to get those straight As his father had been crushing his balls over.

Problem was, apart from the odd exam, Kaleb was ninety percent certain he’d cocked them up big style. It didn’t bother him, not really. The backlash from his parents was the only thing that would be an issue.

He’d been brought up to respect his elders, and he did, but they were so uptight about education. Part of it was because they never had as many opportunities as he had. Life had been harder for them and while Kaleb recognised their desire for him to be better, his happiness came first.

That sweet spot of teenage youth and the impending doom of A-Levels balanced on the edge of the penknife he played with each night before bed. The repetition relaxed him, let him think.

It had been as he sat doing it last night the idea had come to him.

The fading sun shrouded the castle on the hill in pinks and purples. It wasn’t really a castle, more like a run-down mansion which had been set alight long before Kaleb was born. It was hidden in the trees on the top of a natural mound of rock and clay soil. The remote location was what made it the perfect place for underage drinking, amongst other things.

Kaleb was always first to these gatherings. He would light a fire and set everything up to make sure the others knew who was in control here. It was his space, his court. Jess would usually arrive early, so he was expecting her any moment. Greg and Mads would arrive as a pair, and Jer… well, Jer was a law unto himself.

Of their friendship group, Jer was the one who Kaleb enjoyed ordering around the most. The weirdo never said no, never fought back. Sometimes it was too easy to control the kid. Though, in the quiet moments, those times when they were all lost in thought, he felt sorry for him. There was a softness in his eyes the others lacked.

Kaleb ran a hand over his inky, clipper-cut hair. It had grown curly on top and was a sure sign he needed a trim, but that meant a trip to the guy in town. He was the only person in a ten-mile radius who could handle his threads. With a grunt, he stretched the thick strands to their full length before releasing them back to their usual position.

Checking his watch, he noticed Jess was late. Unusual. He’d told them all to meet at seven sharp; though, with just ten minutes to go, no one had turned up. Even more unusual.

The rustle of undergrowth behind him made Kaleb spin on his heel. Drawing himself to his almost six-foot height and pulling his shoulders back, he called out, That better be you playing stupid games, Jess.

Sorry to disappoint, sniffed Jer as he pushed through the tree line. Mads and Greg followed close behind him.

Where’s Jess? they asked in unison.

I—

I’m right here. My stupid bloody mother demanded I stay for a family meal. Ugh, who wants to spend time with those losers?

There was a hesitant chuckle from everyone except Jer. He had a frown on his face which he wiped away quickly. Jess noticed his different response, as always.

The others missed Jess’s smirk, but Kaleb didn’t. The way she treated Jer upset him, even if the guy was… he couldn’t really describe it. He flashed Jess a warning stare but she challenged him, her teak-coloured eyes contracting dangerously.

Deciding to leave it for now, he nodded his head in her direction and passed out the beers. They hovered around in pairs, Jer watching from the sidelines as usual.

When Kaleb was confident they’d had enough to drink to soften their reactions to his idea, he piped up, Tonight is important. I need to speak to you all.

Kaleb waited until they’d all sat down and then delayed a little longer just to be dramatic. It was usually Jess’s prerogative to be the one making a scene, but he needed their attention fixed on him. He pulled out the penknife and flicked the blade open and closed.

Tonight we’re making a pact. Piercing eyes drilled holes into his friends. In blood, he added, repeating his stares.

No way, said Jess, her face contorting.

It was an expression replicated by the others. Only Jer seemed unbothered by Kaleb’s suggestion.

Yeah, for once I’m with Jess. No way, dude. Greg shivered and stuck his tongue out. A deal or a promise, sure, but blood? Not my thing.

"Shut up. Don’t you get it? We’re bonded already by our experiences as friends. We just need to make it permanent. That way, when the next two years are finished and we all spread out, we know what we have is still here. We know this is still here.

This is our place. From tonight, whenever one of us issues a summons, we all have to come. We’re there for each other, all of us, every time. No excuses, except if you’re dead. Mads gasped but he continued, I mean it. And you’ve all got to mean it too. We seal it in blood.

Kaleb lifted the blade to his finger and pushed it into the delicate skin until a bead of crimson appeared. Squeezing, he turned the digit over and dropped the blood into the fire. He felt his smile broaden as the red fluid continued to pool on his fingertip. In silence, he handed the penknife to Jer who was sitting to his left.

One by one, they each went along with Kaleb’s plan. Jer made no comment, his face blank. Mads winced and sucked her finger for ages after adding her blood to the fire. With a shrug, Greg followed suit which left Jess. She stared at the blade for a long time.

No. I’m not doing this. She stood and turned to leave. Screw the lot of you.

Babe, don’t be like that. Do it for me, please.

Jess stumbled and half-turned back towards the circle. Flames danced in her eyes and for a second, Kaleb thought she would leave. She huffed a sigh and snatched the penknife from his hand, nicking his palm.

You owe me, she said as she pierced her finger.

Chapter Three

The room span as Madison Wilson flapped her hands against her face. The motion did nothing but waste energy and make her panic even more because it wasn’t working.

I can’t do this. I can’t… this… I can’t breathe.

Don’t be silly. You’ve already done everything you can. A calloused hand reached out and grasped hers, squeezing it. All you have to do now is open the envelope.

God, I don’t know, Jer. I need Greg and the others, where are they?

Mads glanced around the crowded wood-panelled hall they’d sat their exams in. Under the gallery-style balcony no one was allowed to use, tables were laid out with hundreds of white envelopes. Each was stamped with a name and placed in alphabetical order. Inside were their exam results.

They’ll be here soon. We said we’d wait and open them together, so until they get here, why don’t we forget about these? He sat on his envelope and gave her his full attention.

The others had always given Jer a hard time, but she hadn’t understood it. Yes, he was a bit peculiar, and yes, he wasn’t really ‘one of them,’ but he was kind. It was all that mattered to Mads. He listened, he helped, and he was never one to throw a tantrum because you looked at him the wrong way.

Okay, she said, copying his gesture. Tucking the offensive piece of paper under her chunky thighs, Mads smoothed down her skirt and tried not to fiddle with the hem.

What are your plans for the summer? Did you say you were going on holiday?

The small talk distracted Mads until she saw the familiar faces of her boyfriend, her best friend, and her best friend’s boyfriend. A sigh pushed through her chest, and she ran to meet them, leaving Jer alone on the chairs laid out for parents.

Finally! She jumped into Greg’s arms and coaxed his mouth open with her tongue. I’ve been tormented by this bloody envelope for the last… I don’t know. How long have we been waiting, Jer?

The lanky boy had moved silently to join the group. When he spoke, it was right behind her. About fifteen minutes.

No? Surely it was longer than that.

He shook his head, and she caught Jess rolling her eyes. The momentary joy at being together with her friends again was broken. Mads didn’t know why her so-called friend had to be such an arse all the time. It was like Jess had swallowed a wasp’s nest and had to