by Sasha Morgan
‘Ready to order?’ Finula asked, looking at Dylan for some form of sign.
‘Yes, I think so,’ he smiled.
‘Good. What can I get you?’
They both settled on the steak with peppercorn sauce. Flora was beginning to relax; the fizz had eased her butterflies and the food tasted delicious. Dylan chatted constantly, telling her about his aftershave commercial, making her giggle in delight. She had forgotten how much he had entertained her, regaling her with tales from the riding circuit and celebs he had encountered. She in return told him about her family, of her brother going off backpacking at the start of his gap year and her parents buying a campervan to go travelling round Europe.
‘So you’ll be living alone?’
‘Yes, temporarily.’ It struck Dylan how mature and able Flora was for her years. He considered what he was like at her age and winced at the comparison. She underestimated herself, he suspected, and was anxious this didn’t influence her decision in being his assistant trainer.
‘Flora?’
‘Hmm?’ She looked at him, slightly glazed.
‘Say yes.’
‘We’ll see.’ Make him sweat, let him wait, she told herself. She wasn’t about to jump to his tune, not like before. Now it was different. She had learnt the hard way.
Chapter 35
‘Got everything, Trace?’
‘Yeah, think so, let’s go.’ She put the overnight bags in the boot and slammed it shut, then got into the passenger’s side.
They were setting off to visit Tracy’s parents in Lancashire. She couldn’t wait to see them. It had been a few weeks since both their parents had come to visit them in their new home. Now it was Gary and Tracy’s turn to return to Preston. Her emotions were mixed: part of her wanted to go back, and another didn’t. Settling down for the journey, Tracy turned to Gary. He was staring straight ahead, focusing on the road.
‘How do you feel?’
Gary turned briefly. ‘What, going to Preston, you mean?’ Tracy nodded. ‘Fine. Looking forward to it.’
‘Doesn’t it bother you, you know, the way we left? I mean, those letters, we never found out who sent them.’
Gary sighed. ‘To be honest Tracy, I don’t think it was some random stranger. I think it was someone we knew.’
‘One of our friends?’ asked Tracy in alarm. Then the image of Sharon’s scornful face came into her mind. Could it have been her? No, surely she wouldn’t have stooped so low. ‘Who?’
Gary shrugged. ‘Could have been any one of them, judging by their behaviour towards the end. Once we announced we were leaving, I suddenly became aware of just who was actually a true friend.’ His eyes clouded over with the memory.
‘Do you ever wish we hadn’t won the money?’
She had, truth be told. Tracy had been happy with her life: working in the care home, living with Gary in what she thought was a happy community. Winning the lottery had changed everything, but not Gary, thank God.
‘No,’ he replied with conviction. ‘I hated my job. I liked the people, but not having to work those long hours stacking freezers.’
Tracy had no idea he had been that unhappy at work and she started to feel guilty. On reflection, Gary was so much happier now. She smiled to herself, picturing him in the garden the other day, directing where the hot tub was to go like an excited child. That night, after it had been installed, they christened it, sitting amongst the bubbles, drinking wine under a moonlit sky. Tracy had lit candles and they had chatted and giggled until the early hours. It was one of the fondest memories she had had since moving there.
Within a couple of hours, the familiar signs started to appear, uplifting her spirits. Squinting, she could just about make out Blackpool Tower way in the distance to the left of the motorway. Driving further north, they passed the green rolling hills, gradually merging into built-up towns, until they reached the junction taking them into the city of Preston.
‘St Walburge’s steeple.’ Gary pointed out the iconic church, towering above the city skyline. The sun was shining and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky.
‘Shall we go past our old house?’ Tracy looked for Gary’s reaction. He paused.
‘I don’t think so.’ He was anxious not to upset Tracy and feared a trip down memory lane may just do that. ‘What’s the point?’ He turned to look at her.
‘You’re probably right.’ She stared out of the side window. Feeling he had deflated her a little, he quickly changed the subject.
‘Let’s go for chips and eat them in Avenham Park, like we used to. We’ve plenty of time.’
Her face lit up. ‘Let’s!’
Chapter 36
‘Close your eyes.’ Megan held the picture of Treweham Hall behind her back. Tobias did as he was told. ‘Ready?’
‘Ready.’ He opened them and looked at the painting with wonder.
‘Megan, it’s fantastic!’ He genuinely sounded astonished, much to her relief.
‘Really?’
‘Absolutely.’ He took it to examine more closely. ‘You really ought to do more of these.’
‘I’ve been thinking of advertising, you know, to take commissions,’ she tentatively replied.
‘You definitely should. Are you sure I don’t owe you anything?’
‘Of course I’m sure. You sorted my plastering out, so we’re quits.’
‘Well,’ he put the picture down and put his arms round her, ‘in that case, let me treat you.’ A cheeky smile played round his lips.
‘Hmm, that sounds interesting,’ she played along.
‘I’ve booked a box at Royal Ascot. Would you join me? Seamus and his wife, Tatum, will be there, too. I’d like you to meet her. I’ve also booked a room for the night in a nearby country inn.’ Megan hesitated. They both knew what he was implying. Tobias looked intensely at her. This was a turning point, and they knew it.
‘Of course, I’d love to.’ Was that relief in his eyes? Megan knew exactly what she was agreeing to. Not only was she being introduced to his close friends as a couple, but they would be spending the night together. A seed of anticipation had been planted inside her, together with a feeling of foreboding. There would be no turning back and if it all went wrong this time, she couldn’t run away. Treweham was her home now.
‘Do you want to see the cottage now it’s finished?’ They were standing in Ted’s lounge. Megan hadn’t seen the upstairs yet.
‘Sure.’
Together they went up the creaky stairs. Tobias had put in a new spindle banister, along with a new oatmeal carpet. The bathroom had been retiled white, and the old white suite matched perfectly. The bedrooms had been redecorated and the cast-iron fireplaces restored.
‘I don’t know how you do it,’ said Megan in awe. ‘It’s fabulous.’ Tobias had kept it simple, charming and totally in keeping. ‘What’s your next project?’
‘The tearoom and gift shop in Treweham Hall.’ Tobias had told Megan about Aunt Celia’s suggestions and she had agreed it was a good idea. He had contacted the Historic Houses Association and sought advice from them.
‘How did your mother take the news of Treweham Hall being opened to the public?’
‘She’ll live with it. At the moment all she can think about is her cruise.’
‘Ah, I see,’ laughed Megan, picturing Beatrice and Aunt Celia sipping cocktails on a sun-kissed deck.
‘Yes, can’t come soon enough. They’re driving Sebastian mad.’
‘So you’ve very conveniently managed to stay clear, tucked away in this cottage?’
‘Yes, I have,’ he openly admitted, making Megan laugh.
Then it suddenly dawned on her. ‘As the job’s finished now, will I be losing my next-door neighbour?’
He kissed her on the lips. ‘You don’t get rid of me that easily,’ he replied, tapping her nose.
Chapter 37
Later that day, Megan put Zac on his lead and set off for the nursing home. It was just outside Treweham village, so wouldn’t take too
long to walk, and besides, she needed space and time to think.
So much had happened since arriving in Treweham, and her life had changed in so many ways. Not for the first time she compared it to six months ago when she had been living with her parents in the suburbs and working in a busy office, filled with gossip. She wondered what Adam was doing. Probably what he always did: charming clients, playing football, drinking with his friends and chasing women. How could she have been taken in by him? A vivid memory of his hands up his secretary’s skirt made her judder. How many times had he cheated on her, she pondered, then realised it really didn’t matter; she just didn’t care.
Tobias was all the things Adam wasn’t, and she thanked her lucky stars that Gran had given her Bluebell Cottage. Was it fate? Where would she be now without it? Still stuck in a town she had grown tired of with a job she had tired of even more. Treweham village was literally a breath of fresh air. She loved its quaintness and charm. She loved the characters in it; well, most of them. Nick had proved to be a dark horse. Megan still couldn’t quite believe all she had heard about him, yet it was true. She had discussed with Tobias her seeing him and Sebastian kissing in the summerhouse. Tobias had verified what she had witnessed, confirming Finula’s version of events. However, he also shed more light on the matter. Unbeknown to Finula, Nick apparently had always been seeing Sebastian. His relationship with Finula certainly wasn’t exclusive. Megan was appalled when Tobias had revealed this, in confidence.
‘So you mean he was seeing them both at the same time, all along?’
‘Yes. The man has no scruples. Sebastian’s tolerated far too much from Fletcher. It’s not that Sebastian’s gay that bothers me – I really couldn’t care less – but it’s his choice of partner.’
‘But are they partners? Finula described it as on and off.’
Tobias shrugged. ‘The simple answer is, I don’t know. All I do know is that every time Sebastian’s home, Fletcher’s about somewhere.’ He wrinkled his face in disgust.
It baffled Megan how someone like Nick could be so blasé with people’s feelings. Was he so lacking in empathy? Yet he had shown genuine concern for Ted, so she couldn’t decide. The whole scenario puzzled her.
Taking a deep breath, she walked up the driveway to the care home. Zac was allowed in the gardens, so she had arranged with the staff to meet Ted there. She rang the doorbell and was soon greeted by the receptionist.
‘I’ve come to meet with Ted in the garden,’ Megan explained.
‘Yes, that’s right, he’s waiting for you in the back.’
Megan looked down at Zac, who appeared alert, his tail wagging. He must know, she thought. Sure enough, as soon as Zac saw Ted sitting in the deck chair with his tartan rug covering his legs, he pelted at full speed to him. Ted’s face lit up, making a lump form in Megan’s throat.
‘Hello, old boy!’ Ted’s shaky hand patted an exuberant Zac, who was bouncing up and down. Ted turned to her. ‘Hello, Megan.’
‘Hello, Ted.’ Megan sat in the deck chair next to him. For a moment they both sat still. Then Megan took his hand. ‘Thank you for telling Tobias everything. It means so much.’ Her eyes began to fill.
‘Megan, it’s so good to be able to tell the truth after all these years.’
‘Yes, it must be,’ she swallowed hard. ‘Ted, I want you to meet Mum.’
‘I have met her, lass, albeit she didn’t know who I was.’
‘I know, but I do want her to know. I want you both to talk.’ She looked at him and waited for his reaction. A single tear ran down his weathered face.
‘I’d like that, too,’ he said, his voice cracking.
‘Ted, how must it have felt, me living next door? What if I hadn’t found the letters and photographs?’
Ted shook his head, ‘Just having you close by would have been enough.’
Megan let out a sob. ‘Ted, my brother, Chris, you have to meet him, too.’
‘Yes, I’d like that very much. We’ve so much ground to cover, haven’t we?’ He gave a little laugh and rubbed her hand in comfort. The last thing he wanted was to upset anyone. He so wished Grace was here.
‘Yes, we have. Thank you, Ted, for being… well, you know,’ she wiped away another tear.
‘No, Megan, thank you.’
Zac jumped up onto Ted’s legs and licked his hands, making them both laugh.
‘He’s obviously missed you,’ Megan remarked, patting the black Labrador.
‘I’ve missed him, haven’t I, old boy?’
They were given tea and scones and sat in the sunshine for over an hour. Megan told Ted about Tobias’ work on the cottage, of which he approved.
‘It was good of the Cavendish-Blakes to rent me that cottage, for a peppercorn rent, too. I think they took pity on me. I was the soldier who came back when everybody thought I’d been killed in action.’ There was a poignant pause.
‘It was lucky that Gran managed to buy the one next door, too, wasn’t it?’
‘Fate, lass, fate.’
‘Yes, Granddad, it was,’ agreed Megan.
Chapter 38
A few days later saw Megan sipping champagne in the Royal Enclosure gardens at Ascot. The place was a hive of activity with gentlemen resplendent in morning dress and top hats, and brightly dressed ladies air-kissing each other, narrowly avoiding bumping their wide-brimmed hats. The tinkle of laughter and excitement filled the air. Open-topped motors chugged into the racecourse, strapped with wicker picnic hampers, their drivers sporting dark sunglasses and silk scarves that flowed behind them in the gentle breeze. Megan observed Tobias in his grey morning suit looking devastatingly handsome; her stomach had flipped when she had set eyes upon him earlier. He, too, seemed impressed with what he saw, judging by the wolf whistle he had given her. Megan had agonised over what to wear, especially when researching the dress code on the Royal Ascot website.
Strapless, off the shoulder, halter neck and spaghetti straps are not permitted… midriffs must be covered, fascinators are not permitted… must wear a hat… trouser suits welcome… all straps must be at least one inch or greater… dress length just above the knee or longer…
In the end she had bought a new outfit, a duck-egg-blue short-sleeved dress with intricate embroidery, which rested above the knee. It was accompanied by a matching bolero jacket and bow hat. Well, it wasn’t every day you attended a racing meeting with the Queen, was it?
At 2 p.m. the Royal Procession would commence, signalling the start of the Royal Meeting.
‘Here, have a top-up.’ Tatum poured more fizz into her champagne flute. She had been very easy to talk to and had made Megan feel comfortable since Tobias had introduced them. Clearly she wore the trousers, constantly ordering Seamus around, which he took in good spirit, the two playing off each other and making Megan smile. It was hard to believe the two men stood before her were once dubbed ‘the Heir and Fox’ hell-raisers.
Tobias caught her grinning to herself. He sidled up to her and whispered in her ear, ‘And what’s on your mind, Miss Taylor?’
‘You and Seamus make me laugh,’ she replied. Their easy-going banter was refreshing and adding Tatum to the mix injected an extra boost of fun. The three of them together made a good act, thoroughly entertaining Megan. Tobias grinned and put his arm round her waist, pulling her closer.
‘So you’re enjoying yourself?’ He sounded pleased.
‘Yes, of course,’ she kissed his cheek, ‘and thank you for inviting me.’
‘My pleasure.’ It certainly would be tonight, he thought with pure lust. Megan looked stunning, not too showy, but understated, classically beautiful, just like the girl herself. She was the one, of that he had no doubt. It was just a matter of convincing her that he was for keeps too. His instincts told him she did feel the same, but none the less, he needed cast-iron certainty that her emotions matched his. Tonight would give him that, one way or another, he quietly counselled himself. He was glad she had fit in seamlessly with Seamus and Tatum. So much so
Tatum had soon taken him to one side and instructed him to propose to Megan as soon as possible. Tobias had spluttered on his champagne with mirth. ‘If you insist, Tatum,’ he replied.
‘I most certainly do,’ she hissed back.
The four of them made their way to the private box up in the stands to watch the Royal Procession. A buffet awaited them, along with staff ready to serve. It was an intimate setting with uninterrupted views across the racecourse. The whole venue exuded wealth and opulence, placing Megan out of her comfort zone. Tobias, watching her, sensed this and was constantly at pains to make her feel at ease.
‘Everything OK?’ He refilled her glass with more bubbles.
‘Yes, thanks.’
‘Look! They’re here!’ called Tatum out on the balcony. Megan and Tobias joined her and Seamus. Megan watched the four Windsor Greys approach along the famous straight mile, followed by the royal carriages. She stood in awe as the royal party passed by, smiling and waving. This truly was another world. Tobias watched her again, those almond-shaped brown eyes taking everything in, her freckled button nose and those full rose lips he couldn’t resist. His heart melted. For the hundredth time he thanked the powers that be for bringing her to him.
*
After the procession the races commenced. Dylan was riding in the first race. His horse was called Gaelic Star. It wasn’t the favourite, being quite young and not having run at Royal Ascot before, but Dylan had every confidence in it. So did Sean Fox, who was busy hurling his orders about in the parade ring. Dylan studied Gaelic Star closely. Whilst looking in fine shape with a smooth stride, he noticed an involuntary twitch of his ears and the flick of his tail, which signalled to him that the tumult all around had got to him. His coat was covered with a film of sweat. Suddenly Gaelic Star kicked his back legs, and another handler quickly came to assist in calming him down.
‘The horse looks anxious,’ Dylan warned Sean Fox.
‘That horse is in peak condition. I’ve done my job, Delany, you do yours,’ Fox spat back, nerves getting the better of him. Dylan clenched his jaw and gripped his whip, longing to swipe it across Fox’s face. Concentrating, he calmly made his way to the starting line, filled with an inner peace. This was normally where the riders started to feel their nerves kicking in, but Dylan felt nothing, he was just focused. As the horses were finally loaded for the start of the race, Dylan, unlike everyone else, relaxed. It was a gift, the ability to switch off when all around were edged with nervous energy. Whatever happened next was out of his control, to a degree. The gates would open and the runners would thunder down the course. It would all be over in under a minute and a half. His last race at Royal Ascot.
