“Can you even ride?”
“Of course I can, though I admit I prefer being on the ground rather than in the saddle.”
We talk some more, mostly about business, and I learn that Chase and Nate are both venture capitalists, and Rupert manages a financial investment company. I can see why Gabriel wanted me to meet them.
“I think that went well,” Gabriel says to me on the drive home. “Good work on selling them some lessons as well.”
“Just doing my job,” I say, but it’s more than that, and the smile Gabriel gives me shows he understands that too.
I’m starting to feel a lot more comfortable, and I spend a lot of time with Gabriel. Linden often joins us, and I’m usually at the house a couple of evenings a week, relaxing with them, often with Oliver and Imogen if they’re in the country. Miriam is lovely and has allowed me to play the piano on the condition that I playfor her occasionally. After having a chance to practice, I’ve been happy to oblige her.
“I think we’re going to need those horses you’re going to see next week,” Gabriel says. One of our planning meetings recently was about what horses we need, for lessons and for the tournament. Some of the players will bring their own, but we want to be able to provide for those who can’t. I’m going to see four horses next week, and have a few more that look hopeful as well. Kirsty, as head groom, will be coming with me. She’s in charge of making sure they’re all looked after and that we have enough staff. I’ve also come to appreciate her knowledge in the weeks I’ve known her, and that she also plays polo when she gets a chance.
“Why so glum?” Kirsty asks, swinging herself into the cab of the horsebox and settling behind the wheel. Glum, such an English word, but it suits me well right now.
“My boyfriend arrives today.”
“Wait, you have a boyfriend? You’ve never mentioned him.” She shoots me a strange look and I don’t blame her. She and Alexa have invited me round for dinner a few times since I moved in next door, and she’s right. I’ve never mentioned Simon before.
“Well, not really my boyfriend. It’s complicated,” I say. How can I explain the connection I formed with someone in just five nights and the contact we’ve had in the last month.
“We’ve got a six-hour drive, an overnight stop, and then the same drive back tomorrow. How much more time do you need?” she says as we reach the main road. I sigh. It would be good totalk it through with someone, just to make sure I’m not going crazy. I tell her—not every detail, but I tell her how Simon makes me feel. I also explain my rules to her, which she laughs at and tells me I was doomed from the start.
“They’ve always worked before,” I grumble.
“C’mon. You’re glad they didn’t work this time, aren’t you?”
Of course I am. I don’t regret anything about what happened in Aspen, except having to leave him there of course.
“So he arrives in the UK today, and I’m sad I can’t go meet him, and nervous about how we’re going to be. A lot can change in a month.”
“Did he ask if you could meet him?” she asks.
“No.” He actually told me he didn’t want me too.
“Ah.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I turn to her.
“That’s what’s got you down, hasn’t it?”
I think about what she said. It’s true. When we spoke last week and he told me his flight details, I offered to come and get him. The horse-buying trip had already been arranged, but I’d have tried to change it if I could. But he said no, his aunt was collecting him from the airport. I also understand that he wants to go stay with her, even though I offered that he could be with me. I remember his words.
“I’m grateful that you offered, but that would be the easy option, Andrés. I want to find my feet first, on my own. I want to give us a proper chance. If I come and stay with you, there’s anobligation that might turn sour. A few hookups are very different from living together. I don’t want to rush it, to rush us.”
I tell this to Kirsty and she smiles.
“He sounds sensible to me.”
“He is. I just want to see him.”
“You will. But maybe give him a little space first. It sounds like he’s been away for several years. He needs time to adjust and be with his family.”
She’s right of course. I’m also glad he’s not going to be too far away. He told me his aunt lives in Reading, which is about thirty miles from Monkswood Hall.
“So what do I do now?”
She turns to look at me, a grin on her face. “Have you ever considered the old-fashioned way? Like asking him on a date?”
