Christmas Kiss (8 page)

‘Oh that’s really sweet of you. But I don’t want a fuss. It’s bad enough being nearly thirty. I don’t find it necessary to let the entire world know.’

‘Come home anyway Darling. I was going to suggest you drive up tomorrow but you have plans so let’s make it next weekend. Beth and the kids can come over on the Sunday and we can talk through ideas. She was getting quite carried away but I said no. You wouldn’t want any of the things she was suggesting.’

‘All right Mum. I’ll drive up Saturday afternoon after I’ve had a morning ride.’

‘Excellent. We’ll take you out for dinner in Saturday. There’s a lovely new place just opened and Daddy’s keen to support them. Nice young couple. Bring something half decent to wear, not your usual scruffy jeans.’ Sarah laughed. It was good to have loving family around, even if they could be a pain at times. But they always meant well and wanted only the best for her. Somehow, she needed to avoid speaking about her problems at work and the reasons behind them. She settled down again and flicked across the various channels. There was really nothing that interested her. Perhaps she should go and get a DVD from the rental shop in the village. She was in the mood for some sloppy romance, she decided. Something to let her forget her own lack of romance. She grabbed her car keys and drove down the road. She thought she saw Alex’s car pass her in the opposite direction but it was too dark to see clearly. She browsed along the racks and found something that she might enjoy, picked up a box of comfort chocolates and a bottle of wine and drive back home for her solitary evening of indulgence.

Alex’s car was parked on the road outside her cottage, She was tempted to drive past but was afraid he would recognise her. Drat the man, she was thinking. She pulled into the small d rive and got out of her car, clutching the carrier bag with her goodies. He strode up to her, still wearing his work clothes. He must only now be going home. One had to admire him for the hours he put in, she admitted grudgingly.

‘Alex. What are you doing here?’

‘Waiting for you. I saw you drive past me and hoped it was only a short journey. I was going to wait five more minutes before giving up. I did think you might be at the pub but I didn’t want to intrude. I couldn’t bear to leave things the way we did.’

‘You’d better come in. I was just getting something to watch and a bottle to share with Hugh Grant.’

‘Sounds wonderful. I don’t suppose I could be a substitute in case he’s already engaged?’

‘I’m not sure it’s a good idea after today. Besides, won’t your mother be expecting you?’

‘No. Why should she?’

‘Isn’t she still staying with you?’

‘Course not. She left Monday morning.’

‘Oh. I thought as she phoned you at work, she must still be there.’

‘She’s been phoning me two or three times every day. Wants to know what I’m doing. Finding things wrong in her life and expecting me to sort them out. I don’t know what’s come over her. She’s always been demanding but this week, it’s been ridiculous.’

‘Isn’t it obvious? It’s me. She wants to make sure you’re not spending too much time with me. I’m not a suitable companion for you.’

‘I don’t know where this is coming from Sarah. You hinted at it at work today but I can assure you it’s nothing to do with that. She certainly does not control my life.’

‘All the same, I’m unhappy with our situation. Mixing business and pleasure just isn’t working for me. I really do have to collect Major so I can get back to my normal routine. He’s too far away for me to see him every day and it’s all too complicated. I’ll get someone to drive me over in the morning and ride him back.’

‘If you really mean it, I’ll come and fetch you. But surely, it isn’t necessary. Besides, I think ... no. I’ll wait till tomorrow. The vet is coming to check Moonlight in the morning. I’ll come over after that. Around ten-thirty if that’s convenient?’ Sarah nodded. Alarm bells rang.

‘All right. Thanks. The vet? Is something wrong?’

‘Not really. She’s been off her food for a couple of days. Well, if you’re not going to offer me a glass of that wine I see poking out of your carrier, I’d better go.’

‘It’s only village shop plonk. Nothing you’d approve of, I’m sure.’ His face fell and she softened. ‘But you’re welcome to a glass if you like.’

‘Thanks. It’s been a pig of a week.’

‘You’re not kidding. But, I don’t want to talk about work or I’ll end up yelling at you. Now, are you going to open this or am I?’

‘It’s a screw top.’

‘Oh dear. Maybe you want to change your mind about drinking it?’

‘Not at all. I like the New World wines. Screw tops included. This isn’t bad at all. I don’t always drink vintage stuff, you know. So what role is Mr Hugh Grant playing tonight?’

‘It’s a slushy romance. I’m sure you’d hate it. Besides, I don’t suppose you’ve eaten and I haven’t got anything exciting in the cupboard.’

‘Have you got any cheese? I’d kill for a few slices of cheese on toast.’ Sarah grinned.

‘I think I might manage that. How many slices?’

Despite their awful row, it was a companionable evening. The film was amusing as well as sloppy and he seemed to enjoy it, even if he did fall asleep during the middle of it. He got up to leave soon after ten o’clock. He looked as if he was about to say something but changed his mind and gave her cheek a friendly peck.

‘See you in the morning.’

‘Fine. Thanks.’ She watched as he drove away. She went inside and poured out the last glass of wine. She sat staring at her television, contemplating the day and the evening. How could Alex be two such different people? She could hardly believe they had just spend a companionable evening together, when just a few hours earlier she was planning to change her job because he was so unreasonable. And she had decided to hate him forever. All the same, Major still needed to come home.

She was ready and waiting at ten thirty the next morning. She had dressed in her riding gear so she could ride straight back. There was no point in prolonging things by chatting and having lunch, as they had been used to doing over the past weeks. Was it really only last week that life looked promising with Alex around? She thought about their conversation last night. He had never properly denied that she was right about his mother and her influence. Apart from his rudeness about Prudence whatever her name was, he’d made no mention of anything. He hadn’t even apologised for failing to call her last weekend, as he’d promised, especially after that kiss. She glanced at her watch. Ten forty-five. It was most unlike Alex to be late. Perhaps the vet had been late arriving. She was on the verge of calling him at eleven o’clock when she saw his car turning into her drive.

‘Sorry. The vet was late.’ He looked excited about something.

‘I guessed as much. I hope there’s nothing wrong?’

‘No. It’s fine. I’ll tell you when we get there.’

She stared at him as they made the short journey. But he said nothing. What on earth was wrong with him? He pulled up outside the back door.

‘Come in.’

‘I was planning to ride straight back.’

‘Later. There’s some news.’ He opened the fridge and took out a bottle of Champagne. ‘Something to celebrate.’ Sarah could not think what was coming and accepted the glass he held out. Was he engaged or something? ‘You can’t take Major away. You see, Moonlight is in foal. Isn’t that terrific? Major is going to be a father. I knew they were keen on each other but I didn’t realise it’s a full on affair. That’s why the vet was here this morning. He confirmed it. I suspected it when she was off her food but he says there’s nothing to worry about. She a fit and healthy expectant mother.’

Sarah stared at him, scarcely believing what she was hearing. She out the glass down and without even thinking, flung herself into his arms in excitement.

‘That’s terrific. Wonderful news. I’m thrilled.’ The two dogs bounced round barking, joining in the excitement. She realised what she was doing and pulled away from Alex. But his arms held her tightly. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said pushing him away again. ‘I got carried away for a moment.’

‘Don’t push me away. Sarah. Dear Sarah. I’m sorry I had to be so awful to you at work yesterday. The trouble is, I think I might be falling in love with you and it’s extremely difficult to be strict with you at work but I have to do it. I must come over as a dreadful tyrant.’ This time, she did extricate herself from his arms. She scarcely heard anything else he was saying. He’d said he was falling in love with her. Was it really true? Was it what she wanted? His usually cool grey eyes looked slightly misty, a softer colour all together. ‘Say something to me.’

‘I’m at a loss. I am fond of you but there is too much baggage between us. We’ve proved that working together is far from easy. And there’s your mother. She doesn’t approve of me.’ She simply dared not admit she had at times, been having similar thoughts to his.

‘Forget about her. She’ll never approve of anyone I choose, unless she thinks she made the choice first. She’s a control freak as well as a snob. I will never allow her to dictate to me what I do with my life. But, we’ll have to keep quiet about things at work. It wouldn’t do either of us any favours.’

‘It wouldn’t happen. Look at the gossip that ensued when you were giving me lifts into work. They were all madly speculating about us. Then when Major came to be stabled here, it all started over again. I’m sorry Alex. Much as I’d like us to be more than friends, it can’t happen. Not while you’re my boss and I’m just a junior partner.’ A stricken look came into his eyes and his jaw tightened. The happy smile that had been lighting up his face had left it. She felt terrible. It was as if she had snatched a favourite toy from a small child. ‘But, let’s celebrate Moonlight’s news,’ she suggested, lifting the Champagne glass again. Half heartedly, he raised his own glass, all his joy of the occasion now departed.

‘It means I won’t be able to ride her for much longer,’ he said flatly. ‘I’d thought of getting another horse, Maybe on loan for a few months. She’ll be okay for a while but I’m worried about giving her too much strain. I’m not the smallest of men after all. So, shall we have a bit of a ride this morning?’He tried to force a smile on to his face.

‘I don’t know what to say now. I really want Major back at home. I shall soon be able to ride in the evenings now it’s getting dark so much later. And I’m going for a cross country ride tomorrow with some old friends. We’re meeting in my village so I don’t want to give Major too far to go in one ride.’

‘If you insist. But we’ll ride back with you. I doubt that will be too much for Moonlight at this stage. But she’s going to be very distressed to be on her own again. Especially in her present state.’

‘Let’s see how it goes.’

Major was pleased to see his old, familiar paddock and when he was unsaddled, he galloped round, familiarising himself with his old haunts. Alex and Moonlight left them and she could hear the mare whinnying as she left her companion behind. Major went over to the fence and whinnied in response. Sarah petted him and whispered her apologies to him.

‘Sorry boy,’ she said softly. ‘But you’ll soon be used to be being back here again. I’ll see you each morning again and we’ll go for some rides in the evenings.’ But she could have sworn the horse had an anxious look in his eyes. He was watching the road to see if his friend was coming back.

Most of the rest of the day spent doing her chores. She did her washing and cleaned the cottage. Whatever she was doing, she couldn’t get the thought of what Alex had said out of her mind. He was falling in love with her. Hadn’t she recognised that she was growing very fond of him? But love? Dare she ever admit to love? She thought of Mr Knowles and her dozens of other clients who had once felt love and the optimism that they were entering a lifetime together. She simply dare not allow herself even to hint that she could love Alex. He and his family were out of her reach. And Darnley Manor. She could never aspire to living in a place like that. Her little cottage was her home. No, she could not even contemplate loving Alex Weston and she would never believe he could truly love her. They were much too far apart.

***

It was a pleasant outing the next day with her old friends. Seven of them set out and they took bridle paths leading inland. It was good to catch up with people she hadn’t seen for some months. They were mostly sons and daughters of local farmers, plus a couple of chaps who had always loved horses. One of them was an apprentice farrier so would be a useful contact once he was qualified. They had lunch at a pub that had a piece of rough common land next to it, an ideal place to leave the horses while they ate. The sun was shining and daffodils grew wild along the edges of the road.

‘Such a beautiful time of year,’ Sarah said dreamily.

‘So what’s happening with the new owner of Darnley?’ one of the girls asked. ‘We heard he was stabling you horse.’

‘Nothing really. We work together. He offered to stable Major while my arm was broken. He’s back home in his own paddock now.’

‘But you’ve been seeing much more of him than at your office. One of the workers up there said you were always around choosing paint and stuff. Come on Sarah. What’s going on?’

‘Nothing. I was helping him modernise the place. He wanted a woman’s touch to make a house into a home.’

‘Pardon me if I don’t believe you. You’ve been building a nest for yourself. And a very nice one too. Hey, how about letting me rent your cottage when you move into the Manor? It’s about time I left home and I’ll never afford to buy anything around here.’