‘No inconvenience at all,’ Tash smirked. ‘All part of the job.’
‘Job being the operative word,’ Pippa muttered. ‘Shall we go see Peace Offering?’ she suggested. She didn’t know what was worse: Tash flirting with Jack or Jack flirting back.
‘Good idea,’ Jack said. ‘I’ve got to go collect his saddle etcetera, but I’ll meet you in the saddling area.’
They walked to the door and Jack stepped aside, holding the door open for them. He directed them where to go then departed towards the weighing room.
‘My God,’ Tash squeaked once he was out of earshot. ‘How can you concentrate at work with that man – that sex god – next to you?’
Pippa wrapped her coat more firmly around her as a blast of cold wind blew across them.
‘Believe me, his temper is much more distracting. Suggesting we go see Peace Offering is the first good idea he’s ever said I’ve had.’
‘Pip, if you can keep your muffs off that hunk until Grand National then you deserve a medal. In fact I will give you my new Jimmy Choos and pay for a psychiatric consult.’
Pippa shook her head and laughed.
‘Not going to happen, Tash. Don’t forget Ollie.’
Her friend raised her eyes to the overcast sky and held up her hands in defeat.
‘How could I forget Ollie? Sweet devoted soul that he is.’
‘Careful,’ Pippa warned. She paused as they showed their badges to the paddock attendant and walked towards the boxes where horses were already being saddled for the next race. ‘I know you’re not keen on Ollie. You just don’t understand what he’s been through lately so let’s not go down there.’
‘Okay, okay. My bad. Where is he?’
Pippa puckered her lips before answering.
‘He had to work.’
‘Uh-huh,’ Tash replied, sounding far from convinced.
Pippa stopped and gave her friend a meaningful look. Ollie’s non-appearance was enough of a disappointment without her best friend rubbing it in.
‘Tash, please can we leave it there?’ She looked around the boxes and caught sight of Emmie standing outside one. Inside she could just see a bay head and white blaze. ‘Look, there’s Peace Offering. Come meet him.’
‘Are you scared?’ Tash asked as they shouldered their way through the throngs of spectators. Jack led them up the grandstand steps to a less crowded row.
‘A bit,’ Pippa grinned, her teeth clenched against the bitter wind which was sweeping through the stands. ‘More nervous than anything. I hope he doesn’t fall. How many fences do they have to jump?’ she said, turning to Jack on her right.
‘Thirteen and two circuits. Ascot’s quite a stiff course, but he’s a good jumper and Rhys Bradford’s the best jockey around,’ he replied. He held up his binos to watch the horses canter to the Start.
‘So we might have a chance then?’ Pippa said hopefully.
‘A thirty-three-to-one chance, yes,’ he replied, quashing her optimism. ‘The favourite is Freewheeler and he’s only carrying three pounds more than Peace Offering. He should be carrying more, but his jockey is claiming five.’
‘Okay,’ Pippa said slowly. ‘Explain what that means, please?’
‘Conditional jockeys are given a weight allowance because they’re supposed to be less skilled than professionals. Rhys is a professional so he can’t claim anything.’
‘Oh. That’s a pity,’ she said, pulling a face.
‘On the other hand,’ Jack carried on, seeing her woebegone expression, ‘he’s still got the third lightest weight in the field and the ground is heavy. There’ll be some tired horses by the end of this.’
‘They’re lining up,’ Tash said, grasping Pippa’s arm.
Pippa bit her lip and dug her fingernails into her palms as the thirteen horses grouped together and began to jog towards the starting tape.
‘And away they go in this three-mile handicap chase,’ the commentator announced, his voice echoing around the grandstand. ‘Night Owl is first to show and leads them through the first furlong, to Raven’s Way in second alongside Freewheeler, the four-to-one favourite.’
Pippa swayed back forth in time with the horses striding away from the stands to the far corner of the course. She could just make out Peace Offering and Rhys in his green and red-striped silks racing towards the rear of the bunched field.
‘…They take the first…’
Pippa closed her eyes and clutched Tash’s hand still holding her arm.
‘…and they’re all over safely…’
She opened her eyes again to see Rhys still riding high in his stirrups.
‘…They approach the next plain fence. A big leap there from Raven’s Way and he jumps into the lead. A mistake midfield from outsider, Blue Barney, who drops back to last…’
She darted a swift glance at the big screen opposite for a closer look and was relieved to see Peace Offering still travelling sweetly, his ears pricked and his reins flapping loosely in Rhys’ easy grasp.
‘…Now for the first open ditch. Another big jump for Raven’s Way! Night Owl was a bit clumsy and forfeits second…’
‘How are we doing?’ Pippa hissed in Jack’s ear.
‘Okay,’ he replied, not taking his eyes off the galloping horses. ‘Early days yet. The next fence is the water.’
‘Oh, God,’ she moaned. ‘I can’t watch.’
Despite herself though, she leaned forward as Rhys gathered his mount for an almighty leap across the water and nearly fell over the chairs in front of her.
Jack and Tash hauled her upright.
‘…So now, as they reach the top turn and start making their way back towards the stands, Raven’s Way leads narrowly over Freewheeler. Two lengths back is Henchman on the outside of Night Owl with Spanish Hawk and Peace Offering racing just behind…’
Pippa squeaked at the mention of her horse’s name and watched in breathless excitement as the strung-out field of horses thundered towards the next row of fences.
‘…And Night Owl is a faller!’ the commentator cried, making Pippa’s knees give way. ‘He’s hampered American Smooth who has been making progress up the inside, but his jockey seems to have him back in a rhythm now. They round the turn into the home straight for the first time. Still two miles to travel…’
‘Two miles?’ Pippa quailed. ‘Half of them already look knackered.’
‘As long as Peace Offering isn’t one of them, we don’t mind,’ Jack muttered. ‘Shit!’
Pippa gasped as her horse put in an awkward stride and brushed through the thick of the next fence, sending the birch flying. To compensate, Peace Offering took off a stride early at the jump closest to the stands, stretching out his head and forelegs to clear it.
Pippa grabbed Jack’s arm, unable to stand by herself. Unaware of the tight hold she had on him and Jack’s tense glance at her, she watched, terrified and thrilled in equal measure, as the horses galloped away for the final circuit of the track.
‘…Raven’s Way is coming under pressure now as Freewheeler ranges up alongside. Back in third, Henchman still travels on the bridle with American Smooth on his inside. Blue Barney is being pulled up. Here’s the next…’
Pippa squeezed her eyes shut.
‘He’s over safe,’ Jack said.
‘This is agony!’ Pippa said. ‘How many more?’
‘Five. This is when weight comes into play.’
‘Oh, God. Where is he? Come on, Peace Offering! Come on, Rhys!’ she cried, seeing Rhys lower his posture in his saddle. With mounting excitement, she watched the bay stick his neck out and begin to move ahead of Spanish Hawk.
‘…Now for the last open ditch. Freewheeler spring-heels it! Raven’s Pass less fluent in second. American Smooth takes it in third. Henchman veers left and blunders badly, upsetting Peace Offering!’
Pippa sucked in her breath and hid her face against Jack’s arm. She looked up in time to see Rhys pull his horse clear of their floundering rival. He pushed him f
orward in earnest.
‘…They’ve only two more to jump!’ the commentator said, his voice rising an octave.
Pippa began to jibber, hopping up and down in constrained excitement.
‘…Freewheeler has extended his lead to three lengths. American Smooth joins Raven’s Way in the air! That bump from Henchman has knocked the stuffing out of Peace Offering and Rhys Bradford is working hard to build up the momentum again. He might be too late though…’
‘No!’ screamed Pippa in reply. ‘Don’t say that! Come on, Peace Offering! You can do it!’
Jack was silent beside her, in contrast to Tash who was swiping the air with her fist and yelling like a football yob.
‘…They’re over the last and head up to the line!’ shouted the commentator. ‘Freewheeler still leads, but he looks all in! American Smooth can do no more two lengths back. Raven’s Way is plugging on. Peace Offering is gaining in fourth! Rhys Bradford has found an extra gear and the horse is staying on well!’
Pippa whimpered, hugging Jack’s arm to her like a life-buoy.
‘Come on, Rhys! Come on, Peace Offering!’
Peace Offering, his head stretched low and his reins dangling, took giant strides, eating up the gap between him and the three in front. The finishing post seemed to stretch further and further away from Freewheeler as he cantered wearily towards it. Peace Offering closed in on Raven’s Way’s quarters just as the tired horse veered away from his jockey’s driving whip. Rhys snatched up his reins to avoid going into the back of him.
‘…And the line comes just in time for Freewheeler!’ the commentator cried in triumph.
Pippa sagged.
‘…Second is American Smooth. Half a length back to Raven’s Way and an unlucky Peace Offering in fourth…’
‘That was a good run, don’t worry,’ Jack said, giving Pippa’s hand an awkward pat.
For the first time, she realised she was holding on to him. She disentangled herself, brushing the creases out of his jacketed arm, embarrassed. She cleared her throat.
‘Sorry,’ she mumbled. She turned away to be enfolded by Tash giving her a consolatory hug.
‘Never mind, sweets. Maybe next time. He was unlucky, wasn’t he, Jack?’
‘He wouldn’t have won. But yes, he was unlucky not to get third,’ he conceded under Tash’s reproachful look.
Pippa stepped out of Tash’s embrace and straightened her coat. She threaded her hair behind her ears, squared her shoulders.
‘Oh, well. Onwards and upwards, I guess,’ she said with a brave smile. ‘Let’s go say well done to him. He tried so hard.’
Chapter Sixteen
The next morning, Pippa lay on her side in her and Ollie’s bed, her fingers caressing Ollie’s abdomen in silky circles. She smiled when his eyes flickered open and he raised his arm to rub the sleep from them.
‘Morning,’ she murmured.
‘Hmm,’ Ollie grunted in response.
‘Did you sleep well?’
He lifted his arm from over his eyes to look at her, heavy-lidded.
‘Like a baby.’ He gave her a wry smile. ‘I don’t know about absence making the heart grow fonder, but it sure as hell makes other things fonder. Last night, you were –’ He paused to find the perfect word to describe the previous night’s lovemaking, but shook his head in defeat. ‘Did you sleep okay?’
Pippa nodded, unwilling to admit the ceaseless traffic outside and the adrenalin-filled memories of her day at the races had kept her awake until the early hours.
Ollie arched against Pippa’s gentle stroking like a cat.
‘Do you have to go back today? Can’t you tell your boss that you’re sick or something and can’t come in tomorrow?’
‘I couldn’t do that to Jack, Ollie,’ Pippa smiled. ‘Besides, I’ve got loads to do at the cottage.’
Ollie rolled onto his side and raised himself on one elbow.
‘Do you like living out there in the middle of nowhere?’ he asked.
‘It’s very peaceful.’
‘No. I mean do you prefer it to living here in the city?’
Pippa frowned.
‘What do you mean?’
Ollie collapsed onto his back with a sigh.
‘It’s just that all you ever seem to talk about these days is your job, your horse and your cottage.’
‘It pretty much sums up my existence at the moment.’
‘When are you going to come back?’
Pippa chewed her lip.
‘Well, when the cottage is finished, I’ll be able to sell it. Then I’ll be able to afford Peace Offering’s training fees without having to work for Jack. The sooner that gets done, the sooner I’ll be back.’ She waited, hopeful that Ollie might volunteer his services.
‘How much work does it need?’
‘The lounge only needs to be painted now, and I think I’ve done an all right job retiling the downstairs loo. The kitchen is having new worktops installed next week, then there’s the two bedrooms and bathroom upstairs to sort out. Oh, and I haven’t even touched the garden yet.’
‘How long is all that going to take?’ Ollie groaned.
‘I’m going to try have it all ready by the end of the jump racing season. That way, I won’t be leaving Jack in the lurch.’
‘And when’s that?’
‘After the National. Sometime in April I think.’
Ollie groaned again and Pippa stifled a sigh. Ollie’s scarce DIY skills weren’t going to be forthcoming.
‘But just think,’ she carried on brightly. ‘Once the cottage is sold, I can move back to London and maybe together, we can get a bigger flat. Somewhere I can have an art studio.’
Ollie’s eyes brightened and he raised himself up again to look at Pippa.
‘If we got a bigger place, we could have drinks parties too. I went to Rich Holden’s place a couple of weeks ago for a party –’
‘Your acting friend?’
‘Yeah.’ Ollie looked a little smug. ‘My friend. His place is massive. He had twin three-seater sofas in his sitting room plus extra chairs and tables. And a huge garden by London standards.’ A frown passed over his forehead. ‘We would have to look at places in decent areas.’
‘Well, of course,’ Pippa agreed.
‘No. I mean decent areas. Rich had his neighbours round for the party – which was just as well because it went on until about four in the morning. But they were the sort of neighbours whom you could invite to that sort of party, if you know what I mean.’
‘Um…’
‘We can’t get a place in some backstreet if we’re going to have parties like Rich does.’
Pippa stayed silent, thinking of what it would be like if she had a party at Hazyvale House. It would be fun. She could just imagine the driveway crowded with cars, guests in the lounge and kitchen, spilling out into the back garden. In her mind’s eye, she could see Finn and Jack – minus Melissa – Emmie, Billy, Tash, maybe Randy from the café serving drinks… Disturbingly, when she tried to picture Ollie there, it wouldn’t stick.
She became aware of the lazy circles her fingers were unknowingly still drawing on Ollie’s body when he shivered. He shifted his body and his eyes sparked hungrily. She stroked her fingers down his waist and over his hips, brushing against the hard heat of his erection and feeling a confidence boost that she could still arouse Ollie, even when they seemed to be drifting apart.
Ollie removed the duvet which had been modestly covering her naked body and began his own explorations. He leaned over to kiss her, brushing a lock of her hair away from her face.
Pippa closed her eyes, arousal heightened by its lengthy absence.
‘Do you want me?’ Ollie murmured.
‘Oh, yes,’ Pippa said, writhing beneath his touch. She felt his weight upon her, his breath short and rasping in her ear as he nibbled her earlobe. Pippa’s pelvic muscles spasmed as she felt his cock rub against the tender skin on the inside of her thigh. She rose up to meet him, a gasp escaping
as he entered her, a familiar body made unfamiliar by absence. One thing that she would always compliment Ollie on was that he was great in bed. His rhythmic thrusts grew faster and more urgent and he muttered in her ear.
‘Hmm?’ she said, lost in a swirling pool of bliss.
‘I said call me doctor.’
Pippa’s eyes opened and briefly she lost her rhythm. Ollie, supported on his arms, was staring, his eyes glazed over, his mouth open to reveal clenched teeth. Was he having a heart attack? Why did she need to call his doctor?
‘What?’
‘Call me Doctor Fletcher,’ he snarled.
‘Doctor Fletcher?’ Pippa echoed.
Immediately Ollie’s lovemaking became more frantic.
‘Yes! That’s my name.’
Pippa couldn’t help herself. She roared with laughter. Her eyes, which had been watering with arousal seconds earlier, now streamed with amusement.
Ollie rolled off with a huff, his proud penis now shrinking into a sulk.
Pippa reached out to him, trying to contain the giggles still bubbling out of her like champagne.
‘I’m sorry, Ollie,’ she chuckled. ‘I am, really. We’ve just never played that game before. I mean, I’ve heard of Nurse-Patient, but not Doctor –’
Ollie shook her placating hand off his shoulder and sat on the side of the bed, his back to her. His neck was red, either with rage or embarrassment.
Pippa kneeled behind him and wrapped her arms over his shoulders.
He tried to shrug her off.
‘Come on, Ollie. I’m sorry. I should be grateful you didn’t want to play this game when you did that cameo of the vet on EastEnders. What role would you like me to play: nurse or patient?’
‘Just forget it,’ he muttered and got up to stride over to the bathroom.
Pippa’s feelings of remorse and pity were once again replaced with amusement and she fell back onto the bed, smothering her giggles into the pillow.
Chapter Seventeen
With the first week of December came the first snowfall of the season. The flakes began their silent descent as Pippa drove home from work on Thursday evening and she found Hazyvale House’s swayback sprinkled with a light dusting when she pulled up in the rutted driveway. By the next morning a crusty carpet of untainted white blanketed the front garden, covering the messy tangle of flowerbeds and softening the general dishevelled image it hadn’t yet managed to shake.
Keeping the Peace Page 13
