I hope you are all right. Stay safe until the coast is clear. Give Hal a huge kiss from me. Bumpa says you must not stay away too long as Skylark needs you. A few days should do it. We’ll find out where Santiago is staying and when he leaves I’ll call you. I’ve put in your telephone charger. Get some credit. Keep in touch!
Enclosed are some more clothes for you both and some cash. Bumpa says he owes you these wages.
Thank R for us.
All my love,
Gammy xxx
Sage had never taken her grandparents for granted; she had always known how lucky she was to have them, and her gratitude swelled in her heart. Steady and constant, they had always been there. They had helped her and Casper grieve when bothparents had been ripped from their lives and played a fundamental role in their upbringing. They were kind to everyone: it did not matter if they were a prince or a dustbin man, all were treated with fairness by the Seymours and anyone in need of help would receive it.
The thought that she must be putting such stress on Dennis and Betsy by inflicting Santiago on them gnawed at her. She could not bear the thought of being a millstone around her grandparents’ necks; they would never ask her and Hal to move out, even if they wanted their home back for themselves. She had to come up with a long-term plan to become self-sufficient. It was certainly true that some financial independence would help her fight Santiago, and to eventually find a home for her and Hal, but it was more than that, she realized. She wanted to feel strong again.
She plugged her phone in to charge and it flashed on. There was a text message waiting.
You lying bitch. I will find you.
She turned the phone off again, leaving it to charge.
‘Is everything all right, Sage? You look a million miles away.’ Rafe had noticed the colour drain from her normally rosy cheeks. ‘Shall I put the bag in the car? I moved Hal’s seat over from Dennis’s.’ He was now watching her closely, concerned.
‘Oh, sorry – everything is fine!’ She was reluctant to burden him with her worries. ‘I was just thinking how lucky we are to have such kind people around us.’ Sage stretched up to kiss Rafe on the cheek, self-conscious in front of Hal.
‘Eww,yuck.’ Hal looked unimpressed but had more salient concerns. ‘Rafe, what’s your dog called?’ He indicated a guilty-looking Grouse, who had crept into the kitchen and was stealthily hoovering up Coco Pops from the floor and apologetically licking them off Hal’s sticky fingers. His long tail waved fromside to side like a russet frond of bracken; it moved in an uneven tempo, for he knew he was misbehaving and that he should be in the yard. Hal gently stroked the dog’s red head and Grouse put his wet black nose on the child’s lap, one eye looking up at him in adoration and the other surveying Rafe warily.
‘He’s called Grouse, Hal. Grouse is supposed to be eatinghisbreakfast with his brother, Partridge, in the yard. He isnotsupposed to be eating Coco Pops in the kitchen with you.’
Rafe looked sternly at the dog, who sheepishly lowered his copper eyebrows over his brown eyes so that he could no longer see his master.
‘Grouse, just because you cannot see me does not mean that I cannot see you,’ chided Rafe, trying not to laugh at his dog. Grouse was smiling with both eyes now closed, his tail beating a ragged staccato against the wooden chair leg as Hal stroked him reassuringly.
‘Can he come with us?’ Hal asked hopefully.
Grouse half-opened an eye, knowing that the fate of an adventure hung in the balance. Rafe looked at Sage for help.
‘I’m not sure if there’s room in the car,’ he managed feebly.
‘Please?’ Hal said, sensing weakness.
Sage laughed.
‘Oh, don’t worry, we can make room.’
‘You’re no help at all! He’s really smelly and he insists on hanging his head out of the window. Partridge loathes the car but silly old Grouse adores it.’ Looking at the two sets of wide, pleading eyes, he sighed good-naturedly. ‘Oh, go on then – you win. Let’s go, you three. I’ll just let them know I’m taking the big red plonker.’ Rafe whistled softly and went out to the yard.
Sage strapped Hal into his seat and then jogged to catch up with Rafe. She knew it was silly, but she imagined that she could feel eyes on her and she shivered. Shaking off the idea, she concentrated on their travel arrangements.
‘Rafe, can I grab a rug or something for Grouse to lie on?’
‘Yes, sure. There’s a pile of rugs in the tack room – take anything.’ Rafe was heading into the feed room to talk to someone but stopped, amused.
‘That isnotthe tack room,’ he said drily, as Sage sprinted off towards Ajax’s stable. She let herself in and Rafe followed to watch over the door. He was surprised at the strength of emotion he felt to see her affectionately pulling the horse’s grey ears and stroking his dark mane, murmuring endearments as Ajax good-naturedly allowed her to interrupt his breakfast. ‘You know, he actually goes better for you than me. He liked you. If you play your cards right, I might give you the ride permanently.’ Rafe meant it; he had been impressed with Sage’s gentle but effective horsemanship and he also hoped he would see her more if she accepted the horse.
‘Don’t be ridiculous, you can’t give me a horse!’ Sage was dismissive. She placed a kiss on Ajax’s white forehead and let herself out of the stable. In the tack room she found Rosy, bristling with spite and writing on a board in chalk.
‘Oh – sorry to disturb you,’ said Sage, disconcerted to be on the receiving end of another particularly hostile stare. ‘Can I take one of these, please?’ she asked, indicating a pile of blue woollen exercise rugs.
‘Take what you like,’ the girl replied rudely, turning her back.
