Chapter 40
For once Flora was relaxing. She had taken the day off work to see her mum and dad off on their big adventure. The campervan looked full to busting, with a cheery dad at the wheel and an excited mum clutching a map.
‘You sure you’ll be all right, Flora?’ Her mum was starting to fuss again.
‘Yes! Now stop worrying and have a blast,’ reassured Flora, who by now had had enough of her mum’s drama and just wanted them to get going. She was secretly looking forward to having the place to herself, with her brother packed off to South America, too. Her dad beeped his horn twice.
‘Righty ho! Off we go!’
Flora leant forward and gave him a kiss. ‘Bye, have a wonderful time!’
She waved them off until the campervan was out of sight, then went back into the quiet house, made a coffee and sat in front of the TV, something she hadn’t done for ages, she realised. Bliss, perfect bliss. Normally she would be up with the lark, grabbing a quick breakfast before making her way to Treweham Hall stables. There she would spend the day mucking out the stables, exercising, feeding and tending to all the horses’ needs. It was strenuous work, which left her exhausted and only fit for a long, hot bath and supper by the time she returned home.
It would be good to have a bit more free time, and she considered Dylan’s proposal once again. If she was an assistant trainer she would be able to have more control over her time, not be the constant lackey. Flora loved horses, and would always want to work closely with them, but she rather liked the idea of having a bit more say in the running of a yard. One thing that she would always admire in Dylan was his care of horses. She had watched him riding at Royal Ascot and admired the way he had handled his horse, refusing to whip it to death, like some would. Dylan always put the welfare of his horse first, above all else, and she respected him for that.
She flicked on the TV. Dylan’s body, wrapped in a small blue towel stared back at her, jolting her senses. Her eyes widened as she watched him walk into a bedroom with a confident swagger, splash aftershave on his cheeks and say, ‘Never be pipped at the post.’ Flora’s shoulders started to shake with laughter. Then Dylan’s blue eyes bored into her. ‘I always win, wearing Racer.’ He gave her that winning wink, before she collapsed on the sofa in hysterics.
*
Seamus had seen the advert, too. Straight away he had got on the phone to Tobias, spluttering with laughter. Dylan knew to expect the text messages left on his phone. He took them with good humour. The one message he craved, though, wasn’t forthcoming. He still hadn’t had an answer from Flora. It had been a few days now since he’d seen her, and his application for a licence to run a training yard had been successful. The panel deciding Dylan’s submission had been favourable. His reputation for his good care of horses had outshone any unsavoury gossip, plus the plans for the new training yard were thorough and detailed, leaving no room for doubt that the whole project would be run professionally and successfully. He suspected the Treweham Hall name had packed some punch and, if the whispers were true, his actions towards Sean Fox hadn’t done him any harm. Sean Fox had made one or two enemies in the racing world and seeing a jockey stand up to him had caused many a satisfied smirk. All Dylan needed now was Flora to agree to be his assistant trainer. He didn’t want to pressure her, but then again he needed an answer. His mobile bleeped and he rolled his eyes: another message about the advert. But it was Flora’s name that flashed before him. He took a deep breath.
Fancy meeting up?
Did he ever.
Yes, where?
he tapped back immediately.
At home, house empty.
Dylan’s heart leaped.
On my way.
Wear Racer.
Ha, bloody ha, he thought, smiling widely.
Within minutes Dylan had driven to Flora’s house. He saw her in the side garden putting deck chairs up. ‘Hi!’ he called.
‘I thought we’d sit in the sun.’ She waved him over. She looked so young and fresh in her shorts and T-shirt, without a trace of make-up. Her hair was in a ponytail that swished as she walked towards him. ‘Would you like a drink?’
‘Coffee would be lovely, thanks.’ He watched her pert bottom tightly tucked in denim shorts as she made her way into the kitchen. A few minutes later she joined him carrying two mugs of coffee. She handed him one and plonked herself down in a deck chair. She blew on her coffee and took a sip. Dylan examined her, mesmerised. Flora got prettier every time he saw her.
‘Loved the advert, by the way,’ she chuckled.
‘It’s tough work, but someone’s got to do it.’ He met her eyes. They both knew why he was there. It was pointless pretending.
‘I’ve been thinking about your offer.’
‘And?’
‘I’d like to be your assistant trainer.’
‘Flora, that’s great!’ He went to kiss her, then stopped. She held her hand out, backing him off.
‘It’s to be a business partnership, strictly professional.’
