“He’s both. He has a degree in media and marketing and has been working forRenownmagazine for a few years, but he wants to set up on his own.”
“So he knows the equestrian world as well?” Charley leans forward, interested.
“He’s competed here and in Europe. He’s been on the Nation’s cup team a couple of times as well,” Oliver explains and I can almost hear Charley’s brain processing the information. I’ve met Oscar a couple of times, one of them when he was Oliver’s best man at his wedding to Immy. He seems like a decent guy, but I didn’t know he was also working forRenown. It’s an exclusive lifestyle magazine.
“It’s not polo, but showjumping is pretty elite.” Charley looks at me as if he needs my permission. He doesn’t, he’s the manager, who he hires is his decision. I give him a little shrug to show it’s up to him and he gives me a little grin before turning back to Oliver.
“If you think he’d be interested, I’d like to meet him. Would he be able to come over on Monday?” he asks.
“I’ll ask him straight after dinner. I think he’d be thrilled to have the opportunity,” Oliver replies.
As we turn back to finishing our food, Charley’s knee nudges mine under the table. The gesture takes me back years. It’s something we used to do when we wanted to get each other’s attention at dinner without anyone else noticing. A secret code. Usually it was around something my parents or Immy said. A word, phrase, or story to be remembered and brought up later for amusement when we were alone. Or to dare each other silently not to giggle.
My head snaps round to look at him. His mouth is quirked into a smile and his eyes are shining. He’s excited about the possibility of solving the marketing problem and he wanted to share that with me. Something snaps in my chest, like an elastic band pinging back into place, and suddenly he feels like the old Charley. Our old friendship is clicking back into place. I smile back and nudge him with my knee like we’re sixteen again, and he grins quickly, focusing on his plate before anyone else notices.
I barely notice what we talk about for the rest of the meal. I can’t think past how relieved I am to have my friend back. The feeling of completeness only increases when we return to the drawing room and Charley takes his old seat on the low stool by the side of the fireplace, inviting the hounds over to be fussed over and encouraging them to lie at his feet. I make him a cup of tea, recalling that he likes it with lemon after dinner.
“You remembered,” he whispers as he takes it from me, and his smile makes my stomach fizz a little. I settle into my place, the armchair closest to Charley, so close I can almost touch him, but I don’t. I’m happy just to be in his company.
“What are you going to do about Charley?” Immy asks casually, her legs draped across Oliver’s lap as she sips her drink. Charleyjust left and mother has gone up to bed, so it’s just the three of us left.
“I don’t know what you mean,” I reply curtly, pretending not to know what she’s on about.
“Oh c’mon, the fact that you looked doe-eyed at him all evening. It was frankly quite sickening.”
“That was being friendly, we’re just friends. I was making sure he didn’t feel awkward being back here again.”
“The only awkwardness was you looking at him like you wanted him for dessert.”
“Did not.” I fall into sibling bickering too easily, and she gives me a sly smile that says she knows she’s found me out.
“Have you told him you fancy the arse off him?”
“No,” I sigh. “He’s had a bad experience and now has a rule where he won’t entertain any sort of relationship with someone he works for.”
“Whoops, looks like your plan isn’t quite working out.”
“The plan was to get Charley back as he’s the best person for the job. I’d say that was a success.”
“And the rest?” She raises an eyebrow at me.
“We’re just friends.” I set my teeth and hear her soft derisive snort. I stand and put my glass on the tray. I don’t want to talk about it any more. That familiar feeling of connection I had when I first met Charley and made him my friend is back. The hole in my soul that has been a void for nearly ten years has been filled, and that’s more important than anything. It’s too bad if I want more. I’m not going to jeopardise our friendship again.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHARLEY
I look into the dark brown, bright and intelligent eyes and suddenly feel nervous.
“Um, can I ride something else?” I look between Kirsty and Andrés. I haven’t ridden any horse in the last ten years, let alone a young one who’s game fit and full of energy. Silver Arrow sidles sideways, impatient to be going, which proves my point.
“I’ll swap,” Andrés offers and dismounts from his horse with practiced ease. “This is Marvel, he’ll look after you.” He hands me the reins of his horse and takes Silver Arrow from me. He talks to him softly for a minute before mounting up and walking him in circles around us to settle him.
“Sorry,” I say to Kirsty.
“No problem, you’ll be on him in no time. It’s tough if you’ve had a break, but I’m sure it’ll come back to you.”
“I’m more worried about what my muscles are going to think of me in the morning,” I say and swing myself up onto Marvel while Kirsty grins at me. I only met Kirsty this morning and liked her instantly. Which is good, as we’ll be working together as well as being neighbours. It was Andrés who suggested we go out for a ride this morning. As well as being the centre’s polo coach, he’s the team coach, so is in charge of making sure we’re ready to play. He’s come up with a schedule of lessons for me so we can practice as a team next weekend. Today, though, for my first time on a horse in years, he’s suggested a ride through the woods and across the heath. Just him, me, and Kirsty.
