56
‘Congratulations!’ cheered all the staff at Delany’s Racing Yard. Flora and Dylan had laughed when stepping out of their Range Rover onto the yard with bunting swooping across the stables. Flora was touched that they’d made such an effort to celebrate them getting married.
‘Oh thanks!’ she said, then laughed again when seeing Phoenix had even been dressed up with a pink sash across his body and a balloon saying“Just married”tied to his saddle. Josh was at the ready with the champagne and flutes were handed out. A loud cheer sounded when the cork shot out.
‘To Dylan and Flora!’ he shouted and all joined in.
Tobias and Megan pulled into the yard.
‘Well, you’re a dark horse, Delany,’ said Tobias as they approached them all. He and Dylan shook hands, whilst Megan hugged Flora.
‘Congratulations. Flora, you looked absolutely lovely.’ She beamed.
‘Thanks,’ she replied, pouring them both a glass of champagne.
‘And in Rome, how romantic!’ gushed Megan, turning to a grinning Dylan.
‘Well you know me, Megan, ever the Romeo,’ he teased, then quickly looked at Flora. ‘Only with Flora, of course.’ That made everyone laugh.
Next to arrive were Gary and Tracy Belcher. The yard staff had told them too of the celebratory welcome. Tracy ran over to Flora.
‘We couldn’t believe it when we saw your photo!’ She smiled, giving her a quick squeeze. Gary thumped Dylan heartily on the back, nearly knocking him over.
‘Well done, mate.’
‘Thanks, Gary,’ replied Dylan, regaining balance.
‘Oh look at Phoenix.’ Tracy pointed to the horse, which they jointly owned.
‘I know.’ Flora couldn’t wait any longer – she had to go over to him. Patting his side, she whispered gently to him. ‘Hello, old boy, how are you?’ Phoenix nudged his face into her shoulder and neighed. His nostrils flared a little. Something was different about her. Flora sensed his intuition. ‘I can’t ride you, Phoenix, not for a while.’ She spoke quietly, stroking his mane. She looked into his beautiful, brown eyes. They seemed to be questioning. ‘But you’re still my number-one boy.’ She kissed his nose.
Dylan had clocked her. He had been anxious about how Flora would be with Phoenix and hoped that she wouldn’t ride him whilst pregnant. Not wanting to lay the law down, he had quietly waited to see how she would react when seeing Phoenix on returning from Rome. Looking at her now, he was pleased she hadn’t climbed onto his saddle. A feeling of relief swept through him.
‘I swear she thinks more of that horse than me,’ he joked, nodding his head towards them.
‘Nonsense,’ said Megan giggling, ‘she adores you.’
‘I adore her,’ he replied, staring at his wife.
Tobias caught his expression of complete contentment and felt pleased for his friend. He could hardly believe it; Dylan Delany, the most notorious of his friends, had finally settled down. His previous comment was so true, Dylan had been a Romeo, making him and Seamus Fox, their close friend since childhood, look like saints in comparison; and now look, Dylan was married, just like the rest of them. He’d never seen him so happy.
