Flying Backwards

by Jennifer W Smith

  Nora couldn’t help but laugh too. “I know, right? It’s so absurd. And intense is an understatement.” Nora wiped tears of laughter from the corner of her eye. Bree keeps life real, calling things for what they are.

  After their laughter died down, Bree made it simple. “He’s a great time. And he’s far enough away not to bother you if you want to end it. Really, the ball is in your court, Nora. Always be in control of what you want.”

  Nora studied her friend. It was good advice–if only Bree could take it herself. After the incident with Tyrone had escalated at the bar earlier in the month, Bree had seemed to move on. She had pledged to turn over a new leaf, and Nora hoped she’d stick to it. Bree’s toxic preference for the “bad boy” types brought her the wrong kind of attention. Bree had confided to Nora about other guys she had dated in the past; they never ended well. Because Bree was exceptionally beautiful she tended to intimidate the average nice guy.

  Nora sighed, wondering if she should mention that Sergei had almost kissed her the night of the Tyrone incident and that she’d kissed him after he’d made her dinner. She had come on to him when she was drunk, and he had not taken advantage of her. She felt embarrassed. They were friends, and she did not want to mess that up. Nora decided against mentioning it. After all, nothing really happened in the end–or so she told herself.

  * * *

  Late June was a lovely time of year to visit England. The country air was cool and fresh. Bree’s friend Ashley Andrews met the girls at the airline’s drop-off section on Thursday morning. Ashley gave Bree a long hug and turned to hug Nora. “Welcome, Nora. It is so nice to finally meet you!”

  Ashley had a mop of auburn curls that dropped to her shoulders. Her pale skin was dotted with hundreds of light freckles–in the cute way. Her hazel eyes sparkled with laughter, and her wide smile revealed her even teeth. Her voice had a rasp. Nora liked her instantly.

  “Where are all your bags?” Ashley put her hands up, questioning Bree.

  “I’ve learned to travel light now that I’m a flight attendant,” Bree bragged.

  “Never would have believed it of this one.” Ashley jerked a finger in Bree’s direction.

  They drove into the countryside for an hour. When they pulled up to the estate, Nora’s eye’s widened. “Mansion” was an understatement. “Wow, Ashley, this is beautiful. You really live here?” Nora felt a little uncomfortable to be so awestruck. Ashley must think I’m an ‘ignorant commoner’, Nora thought to herself in a British accent.

  “No. Not year round. It’s so far from the city. I would die of boredom if I was here all the time.” She pulled the car around to the side, where there was a garage with six extended bays. She pulled into the second bay. “We used to come for several weeks each summer when my brother and I were younger. Now we mostly hold charity functions here.”

  They collected their bags, and Ashley showed them to their rooms. They each had their own bedroom with a private bathroom. Ashley explained that the guests at Saturday evening’s charity event would travel back to the city after the function or stay locally in town. Bree and Nora were the only overnight guests.

  “My mother insisted on having lunch prepared for us. She’ll be back soon. She’s meeting with the florist about some last-minute flower changes. I’ll show you around.” She looked at Nora. “If you love the outside of this place, wait until you see the inside.” She glanced at Bree, who nodded in agreement. “There’s an indoor pool!”

  * * *

  Ashley’s mother arrived after the tour. She was warm and friendly, giving Nora a hug, saying any friend of Bree’s was more than welcome. She looked like an older, taller version of Ashley.

  “Thank you for having me, Mrs. Andrews. Ashley just gave me a tour. Your home is remarkable.”

  They enjoyed the lunch laid out by the house staff, but no sooner had they finished when Mrs. Andrews excused herself. She was double-checking every detail for the charity event. Ashley mentioned her father would join them on Saturday. This gala was strictly her mother’s baby.

  That afternoon the three girls drove to a neighboring estate to visit their mutual friend Corrine Westborough. During the drive, Bree explained that her father had known Mr. Andrews since when they were young men, and he was in turn introduced to Mr. Westborough, his neighbor. Mr. Royce brought his wife and Bree to England one summer for a vacation; that was when Bree was introduced to Corrine. The girls were nine years old that summer. Bree had learned to ride horses and eventually competed, along with Corrine and Ashley. The families had become close. Bree explained that she and her parents spent a lot of time in England, staying with the Andrews. But by the time Bree entered high school, her parents had separated. After they divorced, they stopped coming to England for visits. They sent Bree to stay with the Andrews for a few weeks during the summer. Bree said that she had stopped competing well before that, as had Ashley. Her friendship with Ashley and Corrine remained steadfast though.

  The neighbor’s estate was half the size of the Andrew’s, which meant that it was still huge. Beyond the main house were outbuildings that housed dozens of horses. Ashley explained to Nora that the Westboroughs bought, sold, and bred Thoroughbred horses. The large sign at the entrance to the stables read Westborough Meadows.

  “Are you sad that you stopped competing?” Nora asked as they turned down the long tree-lined lane. White fences went on for as far as the eye could see. Soon the house came into view.

  “No, but I really miss riding.” Bree spotted Corrine, who waved from the lawn. Corrine ran up as the car pulled to a stop in the curved driveway.

  After hugs and introductions, they told Corrine that they’d just been talking about the competitions. “Corrine, of course, won every competition,” Bree admitted.

  “True,” Corrine beamed. “But I’ve been riding since before I could walk. And we have the best horses,” she sang. She looked like a rider. She wore riding pants with fancy stitching and riding boots. Her thick blond hair hung in a fat braid down to the middle of her back.

  “I can’t wait to see my Gray Dove,” Bree exclaimed. “It’s been almost a year since I’ve seen her. She’s my favorite horse.”

  “Well, surprise! You are going to get to ride her! The horses are saddled and waiting for us!” she sang again.

  “What! That’s awesome! Thanks, Corrine. It’s been too long.” The girls dropped off their stuff in the front hall and headed for a back entrance. Corrine chatted the whole way to the stables. Nora just soaked it all in. The large estate offered a homey, lived-in feel. Unlike Ashley’s cavernous house, Nora learned that this home was occupied year round.

  “There’s my girl!” Bree cooed as they stepped out of the sunshine into the shadows of the stable. Nora counted four horses with saddles.

  “Umm, Bree…” Nora hesitated as she watched her pull on a slim pair of riding boots she borrowed from among several pair on a shelf. “I hope you won’t mind if I sit this one out. I’ve never ridden a horse before.”

  “Oh, Nora, I’m so sorry. We don’t…”

  Nora stopped her.

  “Oh, no no no. I insist you go. I’ll just enjoy everything here.” She fanned out her hand to encompass the stables and yards. There was no way she wanted Bree to miss out because of her. After all, Bree had invited her along, and she was clearly thrilled to go riding. With everything she’d dealt with lately, Nora just wanted to see her friend happy.

  “I feel awful,” Ashley confessed. “I’m sorry, Nora. I should have asked if you rode. I didn’t even think.”

  Corrine chimed in. “I can stay. We can hang here. It’s no problem. I can ride whenever I want.”

  “No. Please go with them. Bree came all this way. Really, I’m fine here by myself.” Nora saw Corrine was torn.

  “Well, I could have Ben show her around while we take a quick ride. He’s somewhere around here.” Corrine glanced from Ashley to Bree. “What do you think?”

  Ashl
ey piped up. “That’s a great idea.”

  “You’ll like Ben, Nora. He’s Corrine’s older brother. He knows everything about the horses.” Bree nuzzled Gray Dove’s neck.

  “Perfect.” Nora smiled.

  They led the horses outside and mounted, and Corrine called to a staff person and asked him to fetch Ben. He pointed toward a field and said Ben was in the pasture. Corrine nodded at the worker and turned to Nora. “I’ll send him over.” With that the girls trotted off toward the low-lying pasture. She could hear their excited voices and laughter as they rode away.

  Nora shielded her eyes as she watched them disappear. She could not help feeling slightly jealous of their longtime friendships. She had never kept in touch with any of her childhood friends. Most of them still lived in her hometown. She had no excuse. Nora shook off her melancholy and told herself to just enjoy this amazing place. She was fortunate to be here. She was fortunate to have Bree as her friend.

  Nora waited around for a few minutes and then walked inside, enjoying the coolness in the barn. It was a bright day, and she had forgotten her sunglasses. One horse poked its head out of the stall to see who was coming in.

  “Hi, there,” Nora said to the brown nose that stretched in her direction. She examined the horse’s large black eyes and long lashes. Then she heard two male voices outside.

  Nora noticed the profile of the taller man, who had an angular jaw and a sandy-colored overgrown crew cut. The other man, who wore a uniform, was closer to her in height. The taller man gave some instructions as he relinquished the lead line attached to a large black horse. He pulled off his work gloves and tucked them into the back pocket of his tan cargo pants. As the horse was guided away, the tall man turned his attention inside the building. Just then, a Golden Retriever that had been standing a safe distance away from the black horse trotted over to the tall man, who bent to give his companion a quick head pat.

  The man approached with the dog in tow. The retriever reminded Nora so much of Polly at home that her heart constricted momentarily with longing for her beloved dog. Then she got a better look at the man. Wow, is this Corrine’s brother? He approached and smiled. The dimples in his cheeks gave him an endearing quality. Wow, he’s handsome, she thought.

  “Hi. I’m Ben, Corrine’s brother. You must be Nora?” He reached out to shake her hand. His was warm, the skin rough. They were working hands.

  “Yes, nice to meet you, Ben. Sorry to disturb you. I didn’t want to hold them up from riding. It was nice of you to stop what you were doing to show me around. I hope it’s not inconvenient?” She smiled at him, batting her lashes more often than necessary. She mentally told herself to cool it. “And who is this?” She squatted to give the dog a proper hello.

  “This is Molly.”

  Nora’s eyes crinkled with laughter, and she looked up at Ben. “That’s so weird. My parents have a Golden Retriever named Polly.” Molly and Polly.

  Ben chucked. “That is weird.”

  When Nora stood, she noticed Ben had pulled his sunglasses off; she could see his eyes. His eyes. They were dreamy. They were green. Not a striking emerald green, but a stormy-day-at-the-ocean green. His curly lashes were lush, his thick eyebrows perfectly balanced on his broad forehead. A lock of sandy hair curved above his forehead. His nose was straight and aristocratic. At the slightest tug from his full lips, his dimples appeared.

  He smiled at the nosy horse stretching in his direction, the same horse Nora had been admiring. “This inquisitive girl is Bellefleur. She came from France a long time ago. She is very old and very friendly.” He gave her nose a scratch. Molly lay down on the cool cement floor, watching them, pumping her tail and looking up for some attention. After a moment she rested her head; clearly human attentions were elsewhere.

  “I don’t know anything about horses. Do you still ride her?” Nora tentatively held her hand up near the brown nose, and then Ben’s hand covered hers.

  “Rub her neck, here. She loves it.” He guided Nora’s hand to Bellefleur’s neck. She turned to look over her shoulder at him; their faces were too close for strangers so he released her hand and stepped back to lean against the stall. “No one rides her anymore. She’s retired. She was my mum’s favorite. My father bought Bellefleur for her as a wedding gift. That was…” He paused to think. “Thirty-one years ago.”

  “She was her favorite?” Nora looked puzzled.

  “Yeah, my mum passed when I was young. We keep Bellefleur as a reminder of how much she loved this place and these horses.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.” God, Nora chided herself, could you have brought up anything more awkward? He waved a hand, dismissing her concern. She narrowed her focus on the horse again. “Bellefleur–she is a beautiful gift.” After Nora’s hand connected with the horse she felt at ease with the gentle large animal. She stroked her soft coat, flashing a bright smile at Ben.

  “Would you like a tour of the grounds?” Ben asked.

  “I’d love it.” She was trying to stop smiling at him like an idiot. She turned to the horse. “Nice to meet you, Bellefleur.”

  They walked comfortably side by side as he pointed out other horses with funny names. Molly followed along behind them. They passed into four other buildings that held more horses and some equipment. He explained the estate was renowned for its horses and that they not only bred horses but acquired show-quality horses throughout Europe for local competitors. “My sister Corrine has done well competing over the years.”

  “How about you? Did you or do you compete?” Nora asked.

  His smile was devastating. He shook his head. “No, I’m more of a behind-the-scenes kind of guy.” He was soft-spoken but friendly as he called out to others who passed by. They stopped a couple times when employees asked him questions.

  “So do you run this place?” People seemed to regard him as an authority, and he had obviously been working hands-on with a horse earlier.

  “No, my father and his board keep Westborough Meadows in working order. I am on staff, however. I’m the resident veterinarian. I specialize in equine welfare.” He sounded humble despite his impressive position.

  “You’re a veterinarian! Wow, that’s so cool.” Usually people said to her, “You’re a flight attendant… Wow, that’s so cool,” so it was interesting to be on the other side of those words. Why that just made him more attractive to her she did not know.

  “I’ve grown up around horses all my life. Hanging out in the stables with the vets all those years made it a natural transition for me.” Ben seemed very comfortable, like he fit this place perfectly. “How about you? What is it you do?” They had passed the buildings and were walking up a grassy hill, away from the estate. Molly paused with a wistful look back but decided to follow her master up the steep hill.

  “I’m a flight attendant, like Bree. That’s how we met.”

  “Oh yeah, I remember Corrine mentioning something about that.” He didn’t display the glassy-eyed look most men usually exhibited. In fact, he did not even comment. “I’ve known Bree since we were kids. She rides well. She was pretty good at the competitions, as I remember.” He paused. “She stopped competing around the time her parents split up.”

  “Bree and I are roommates. We’ve only known each other for five months, but we’ve become good friends.” They continued the climb, both breathing deeply.

  They reached the top of the hill. Nora saw a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside spread before her. She shielded her eyes and looked slowly from right to left, soaking up the scenery. “Beautiful.” The stone house was nestled in the rolling hills of the countryside. The outbuildings fanned out below her, connected by a network of white fences. There was activity as men and horses moved about, but not much could be heard on the remote hilltop. It was peaceful.

  They stood in silence for several moments and allowed their breathing to slow.

  “Too bad the girls didn’t ride up here,” she s
aid over her shoulder. She noticed an expression that resembled guilt when she turned, and he swallowed abruptly and turned his eyes away. Hmm. I wonder what that’s about? she thought.

  After a moment, he chuckled. “Then this place wouldn’t be peaceful. Corrine and her friends continuously talk over one another.”

  Nora understood what he meant. In just the short time she’d been around the three friends, she’d realized their overlapping conversations were hard to follow. They grinned at each other and looked at the scenery, waiting for the other to say something.

  Nora spoke. “Lately I’ve been fortunate enough to travel and see so many wonderful sights. And I have to tell you, this English countryside is one of my favorites. The air is so cool and fresh. On the drive here I couldn’t get enough of those brilliant green rolling hills dotted with sheep. Sheep are so cute. The architecture of these elegant country estates embedded with history hits me with a sense of nostalgia. You must love it here, Ben.”

  Ben appeared captivated by her speech, touched by her heartfelt words. He let out the breath he had been holding, nodding in answer to her question. “Westborough Meadows is especially dear to my heart.” He pointed to a shady spot under an oak tree, where Molly was already sprawled out. “Shall we sit and enjoy it for a while?”

  After they settled, Ben asked, “What’s it like where you grew up?

  “I grew up in rural Pennsylvania. Kind of a small town. Have you been to America?”

  “Not to the States. I’ve traveled some around Europe. Pennsylvania is East Coast, if I remember correctly.”

  “You are correct.” Cute and smart.

  “Do you have brothers or sisters?” Ben inquired.

  “I have sisters. Two.” She offered him the brief version of her family life: she was the middle daughter, her dad worked in a factory, her mom and sister ran a catering business. She added that she had worked in an office and needed a change of scenery.

  He picked up on the catering and asked bluntly if she could cook. She smirked at his question. “Yeah, you could say that.”