Two minutes later he was back.
Lottie braced herself. ‘He didn’t answer? He’s already …’
‘You know Rob.’
Lottie did. Rob was a man who knew his own mind. He made decisions on the run, there was no messing around. He trusted his instincts. The Roaring Rob nickname had, of course, come partly from his surname, Lyons, but it suited him. He could be lovable, he could be explosive, and when he wanted something he went in for the kill with unerring accuracy.
‘Oh well, never mind. There’ll be others, darling.’
Rory couldn’t keep a straight face any longer. He grinned then wrapped her in a bear hug. ‘I need to get over there now and prove that I get on with the horse. If I do, then the ride’s mine. He’ll move him here tomorrow.’
‘I’ll give you a lift home if you want.’ Billy had downed his drink and was on his feet. He knew how much this meant to Rory and Lottie.
* * *
‘Sorry, darling.’ Halfway into his breeches, Rory hopped around the bedroom and gave Lottie a hug. ‘I know I promised you a day to ourselves.’
‘Don’t be daft.’
‘You could have come with me, but I don’t know what time I’ll be back. It’s a good hour each way and the horses need sorting.’
‘I know.’ She pulled him back closer and straightened the collar of his polo shirt. ‘Ring me straight after, won’t you? Before you head back.’
‘Promise.’
Lottie waved him off, then headed back to the kitchen and sitting at the large oak table with a cup of coffee she grabbed the newspaper.
She couldn’t miss the article that Sam had texted her about. ‘Fifty Shades of Downton’ screamed the headline, under which sat a photograph of Pandora looking beseechingly up at Rory, who appeared to be leaning in for a kiss. It was great that your husband looked dashing, but less brilliant when he appeared to be gazing longingly into another woman’s eyes.
She couldn’t help it. She had to read on. Apparently things were hotting up on the latest Seb Drakelow production, with his wife winning the hearts and bodies of the villagers as well as her leading men.
Lottie stared, tracing a finger around the image of her husband’s face. Her finger started to tremble and that familiar lump of panic rose in her throat. This was what it was about. History repeating itself.
Billy had cast a large shadow over her teenage years as he rode for his country at the Olympics and came back triumphant with a medal. He’d been a joker, loved to party. Just like Rory did. And so he’d partied, and the reports had filled the newspapers.
He’d been a father who was never at home, but a laughing picture of him in the daily newspaper goaded her at breakfast every day. Sometimes he was on a horse, but more often he had a girl, or two, draped around him.
Gran had told her that he’d always been faithful to Alexa, her mum, and he’d always behaved after her death. He’d never played away. It was just how it was reported. Lottie believed her, Elizabeth never lied. But now it was Rory who was in the papers, and if that part of her life was on repeat, what if the other side was as well? If she had a baby, she could well do what her mother had done – abandon it. She wanted to be there for Rory, she wanted to give him the one thing he’d asked her for. But …
‘Very dramatic.’ Elizabeth had crept into the room and was peering over her shoulder at the picture. With a start Lottie curled her fingers into a ball. ‘Come along, child, let us walk. It clears the head as well as the lungs. Bertie.’ The black Labrador wagged his tail so that it whipped against Lottie’s leg, then reluctantly followed Elizabeth out into the hall, his nails clicking on the wooden floor.
They were down the steps and halfway across the lawn before she linked her hand through Lottie’s arm. ‘I think we need to talk, don’t you?’
‘About Pandora and Rory?’
‘Rory? Whatever has Rory got to do with this? I rather think you are following red herrings. I am talking about that young woman.’
‘You were watching them film yesterday, weren’t you?’
‘I was.’
Lottie was feeling more miserable by the second. Her earlier elation about Rory’s phone call was almost forgotten. Her balloon of hope had been pricked by the newspaper report, and then thoroughly deflated by the realisation that Gran had picked up the same message she had.
‘She wasn’t acting, was she? She really wants Tipping House.’
‘It would seem that way, wouldn’t it? There was a certain passion and determination in her words that I think exceeded her acting capability. Although how she intends to achieve that aim escapes me at present.’
Rory, thought Lottie. ‘She wants to take Rory from me and then grab the estate when I can’t manage without him.’
‘You’re being melodramatic, dear.’ Elizabeth peered at her. ‘Most out of character.’ She sniffed. ‘Even if young Rory was susceptible to her wiles, which I can assure you he isn’t,’ she looked down her nose at Lottie disapprovingly, ‘you would be more than capable of carrying on.’
Lottie wasn’t so sure, but knew that arguing the point was a waste of time. ‘Gran, why did you say be careful of her the other day? Did you know she was after the house?’
‘I don’t know anything, Charlotte. Pure supposition.’
‘And you said she’d been talking to that man who started the fire.’
‘Allegedly started the fire,’ Elizabeth smiled, throwing her words back at her from the last time they’d discussed it.
‘You don’t think? Oh my God she wouldn’t try and burn the place down?’
‘Don’t be melodramatic, dear. I think no such thing, I was simply exploring avenues of thought that she may have been taking advantage of the situation.’ She ground to a halt and patted Lottie’s hand. ‘Those children never really belonged anywhere, so sad. Maybe she saw you and thought if she had the same things you did, she’d be happy.’
‘But you don’t take somebody else’s belongings like that, that’s like children stealing toys.’
‘And from what I remember, young Pandora wasn’t above such behaviour.’
Lottie threw the stick that Bertie had dropped at her feet while she thought about it. If Pandora wanted this place as badly as she appeared to, and she was behind the decision to use it as a location, then maybe they couldn’t put it past her. Maybe she’d had something to do with the fire.
‘Am I being stupid, just getting carried away because I don’t like her and …?’
‘And?’
‘She can’t keep her hands off Rory.’
‘That is purely play-acting, Charlotte. If you heed my advice, you will rise above it and ignore her. Nobody likes a show-off.’ She sniffed. ‘Most unbecoming in a young lady, behaviour like that.’
‘But you don’t think I’m mad? She has been talking to that groom from the wedding?’ Lottie started walking again. It was always easier to think when she was on the move. ‘Oh gosh, you don’t think that’s why we’ve had trouble with the insurance claim, do you? All that talk about arson, you don’t think she gave them the idea that we’d do such a thing?’
‘Well I wouldn’t put it past her to use anything she could, but you are straying from the facts, Charlotte. Young Tabatha and James are trying to talk to this chap and,’ she paused, ‘his associates, to establish the connection. But I rather think he has been brainwashed into thinking she is something of a celebrity.’ She tutted. ‘Celebrity, my foot. But you, young lady,’ she flicked at the grass with her stick, ‘must be very careful about what you say. I think we have hit the headlines quite enough for now, don’t you?’
Lottie frowned. She knew better than to accuse Pandora of anything in public, but Elizabeth thought there was something going on, she was suddenly sure of it.
‘Maybe she’s come back to finish the job and ruin us for good. Do you think she hates us that much?’
‘Envies, not hates, Charlotte. Although the two emotions run perilously closely together in some peopl
e. I think we should turn around and head back now, dear.’
Lottie looked at Elizabeth guiltily; she’d been walking faster and faster, too busy talking and not even thinking about her grandmother. Sometimes she forgot just how old her gran was. Her mind was as sharp as ever, but these days she moved more slowly. ‘Sorry, shall we go slower?’
‘I’m not an invalid, dear.’ She looked at her granddaughter sharply. ‘I rather think it is time for a G&T, though. Come along, you can pour me one while we are waiting for young Rory to come back. And no, I do not think she has come back to start another fire. Why would she do that if she desires Tipping House for herself?’
‘So why talk to that man?’
‘That is what you need to find out, Charlotte. But it would appear to me that Pandora is something of a collector. She collects affection and adulation in the same way that others collect stamps or medals – it affirms her belief that she is important, has achieved something worthwhile. She flattered young James, our Facebook friend, and of course your husband, dear. And maybe,’ she gazed over at her home, Tipping House, ‘she also wishes to collect property.’
‘Well collecting other people’s husbands really isn’t on.’
‘I agree.’ She patted Lottie’s hand. ‘But I don’t think that is her intention at all.’
‘But you saw that report in the paper and the picture of her and Rory.’
She sighed. ‘I rather think you are letting other worries about your relationship,’ she stared pointedly, ‘cloud your vision. You really should buy a better quality newspaper, Charlotte. Now do come along and stop moping.’
Chapter 22
Rory turned down the driveway that led to Folly Lake Equestrian Centre, home to his father-in-law, and found he couldn’t wipe the grin off his face. Five minutes after shaking hands with Rob Lyons, he’d parked up in the nearest lay-by and rung Lottie.
‘Get the bubbly in the fridge, darling.’
‘Really? Really? Really?’
He laughed as Lottie repeated herself, each repetition of the word reaching a higher pitch until she squealed. ‘You’ve done it? Really?’ He could hear the dogs barking, which meant she was probably running around or jumping up and down.
‘Really.’ He laughed. ‘That horse is amazing, so bloody clever. You should have seen him over the jumps. Used to a strong rider on the flat, or he takes the piss, but over the sticks he’s a dream.’
‘Oh Rory, that’s fab, you’re so clever. What about Toby?’
He did love how his wife could go from sheer delight to worrying about somebody else. It was Lottie all over. ‘He’s cool about it. He knows the score. The horse is too good to be stood in a stable all season.’
‘So we’ve got him all season?’
‘Well, between you and me, Rob said he seemed to go better for me, so if all goes well …’
‘Oh wow, oh I can’t believe it. Oh gosh, poor Toby, he’ll be devastated, oh I hope he isn’t too upset.’
‘Probably as upset as I was when David boxed Simple Simon up,’ Rory said drily. ‘But that’s what this game is like, isn’t it? And,’ he paused.
‘Yes? What?’ Lottie sounded even more impatient than normal.
‘There might be another ride in the offing.’
‘And a horsebox?’
Rory chuckled. ‘Now who’s being greedy? Of course there is. He can’t have his horse turn up and not trumpet the fact to the world, can he? I reckon he’ll interfere more than David, but he already likes you, so you can have the job of talking him round, darling.’
‘He’s a bit scary when he’s cross.’
‘And very nice when he’s not. It’ll be worth it, Lots.’
‘I know.’
‘Only one problem, the stables are full because of the polo ponies and he’s sending the horse over tomorrow. I was trying to work out if a couple of ours can be turned out for the summer.’
‘Well Rio doesn’t like the flies and he gets bored, and Flash will just keep breaking fences, and Gold will eat non-stop and look like she’s in foal even though she isn’t.’
‘I know.’ He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel.
‘I know! Go and talk to Dad. I’m sure he’s got some room. And Uncle Dom turned a couple of his away this year so he had more time to look after Amanda.’
‘Brilliant, oh you’re so clever, Lottie, I do love you. I’ll call in there on my way back, won’t be long.’
Tiggy opened the door dressed in an outfit that made her look like a deranged gypsy. Her hair, a mass of auburn curls speckled with grey, was wilder than ever – despite having a red scarf (which clashed horribly) tied around it – and she had a splash of black paint on her nose. Her white smocked top was cut low enough to show her ample bosom, which already had a good dusting of sun-enhanced freckles dancing across it, and was spattered with blue paint, and it was hard to tell whether the flowing multi-coloured skirt had started off that way or not.
Her hazel eyes widened at the sight of Rory.
‘Oh my, we weren’t expecting you, love. I was just in the middle of touching up his biceps. Wasn’t I, love?’ She shouted behind her to, Rory hoped, Billy. ‘I’ve really got into my painting again. Come in, come in, I’ll get the kettle on. Oh heavens, there isn’t anything wrong is there? It’s not one of the animals? Or Lottie?’
‘No, no, no problem, well not really. Is Billy in?’ Rory half expected him to emerge semi-naked, having been posing for one of his wife’s artistic endeavours. But he was sitting at the kitchen table, well covered up by his riding gear.
‘I take it Lyons was in a good mood, lad?’
‘I’ve got the ride.’
‘But?’
‘We’re short on looseboxes, because of the filming. I let Xander have the spare boxes. I could ask him to move his ponies, but …’
‘Don’t worry about that, easily sorted. Right, I reckon that calls for a celebration. Sit yourself down.’
‘Oh isn’t that lovely?’ Tiggy gave Rory a hug. ‘I’ll get back to my naked man if that’s alright with you, boys?’
Billy roared at the look on Rory’s face. ‘She’s not got a man in the back room, have you, love?’ He winked and she giggled.
‘In my dreams, Billy boy, in my dreams.’
‘Useful type of animal that.’ Billy, without asking, poured Rory a generous measure of whisky. ‘That big bay isn’t it? Cheers.’
‘Yep, Joker. He can certainly jump, and he’s clever with it. To be honest, I would have been relieved to get any old nag, but he’s amazing.’
‘No good getting a bad ‘un if it’s got a keen owner, believe me. They’re on your back all the time, and it’s all down to you when they don’t win. Expect bloody miracles some of them do. Only bonus is if they’ve got a soft wife who’ll take your side. If they’ve not then the horse is either off to the hunt,’ he gave a cut-throat gesture, ‘or shifted to somebody else and the poor sod never gets to settle.’ He topped up their glasses. ‘Toby had a reasonable season with him last year, so they’ll be expecting big things.’
‘So am I.’ Rory grinned. ‘Toby has certainly got him fit – he doesn’t half motor when you put your foot down.’ He’d been impressed the moment they’d walked Joker out. He was a big rangy bay who’d looked a lightweight last year, but he’d filled out, matured, and he was dancing, as light as ballerina, the second his hooves hit the grass.
Built like a racing thoroughbred, it was his head that showed his mixed breeding. Kind, brown eyes, floppy lips and big ears, along with a broad, off-centre splash of white down the middle of his face that gave him an almost comical appearance. Joker was a horse to love and, Rory was convinced, he was just about to have a very good eventing season.
‘Given Lottie the good news?’
‘I rang her as soon as I left the yard. It seemed to cheer her up a bit,’ he grinned, ‘she’s been a bit fed up – all this stress about the filming.’
‘It’s a lot to take on.’
‘I just want to be able to take care of her.’
‘I know, lad.’ Billy sloshed some more whisky into the glasses and put his feet up on a spare chair. ‘For better or worse, and all that.’
Rory, who hadn’t planned to have a heart-to-heart with Billy suddenly found he needed to. Whisky on an empty stomach had the dangerous side effect of loosening his tongue. ‘If I can get some money coming in, then she can stop worrying so much, and once the repair works are done to the house she can start up her business again.’
‘It’s bloody difficult when you’ve got horses, but all we can do is our best for them.’
‘We can settle down then and start a family.’
‘Best thing me and Alexa ever did.’ Billy stared across the room into the empty fireplace. ‘She was a lovely little thing, our Lottie. Alexa would do anything for her.’ He sighed.
‘Was she keen to have a family?’
‘Alexa?’ Billy shook his head. ‘No, we were having far too much fun, wild she was. Beautiful, but wild. We were only kids ourselves, really, when we had Lottie and it didn’t half turn our life on its head. We were having a ball here, at Folly Lake. I had some useful horses and was starting to do okay and we worked together. She made it all a game, right giggler she was, always playing pranks. I never thought anything would change, never expected something like her getting pregnant. We both had a shock.’
‘It was a mistake?’
‘Hang on, don’t put words in my mouth. I’ve never said Lottie was a mistake, let’s just say she was a bit ahead of schedule shall we?’
‘And you stopped doing stuff together, you and her mum?’ Rory hadn’t thought about it like that before, and now imagining a life without Lottie by his side made him think twice. Maybe it would change her, maybe she was right and they’d got plenty of time before they made the leap into parenthood.
‘No, no, it wasn’t like that. It was Elizabeth. As soon as the old dragon found out Alexa was expecting, it changed everything. She was in there like a bloody terrier. Couldn’t shake her off, we couldn’t.’
Country Rivals Page 27
