Christmas Kiss (13 page)

Alex was furious with his mother and the two of them had the row to end all rows. He was exhausted by her demands and the length of time she had been staying with him ... imposing on him. Finally, he had snapped and was insisting on taking his mother to see the specialist, tomorrow if he could arrange it. If the consultant said she was fit to go home, then that was what he planned. He agreed to get an agency to provide a carer for her and said it was up to her to make it work. If she persisted in causing her carers to leave, the way she had made Maddy Harper leave, then it was up to her to manage for herself. She was not at all happy. She had enjoyed being waited on and even liked playing the Lady of the Manor, a role she believed she was made for. She had even been planning to create an apartment for her own use. One day when she was in the house alone for a long period, she had easily managed to get herself up the stairs and select a couple of rooms she would suggest could be converted for her use. She had said nothing to her son about her secret plans, intending to make her suggestion when she admitted to being better. After this row, she knew she had probably burned her boats. He was not showing any sympathy to her, even when she had feebly asked for help to return to her room.

***

When Sarah arrived at the office next morning, she asked Alex’s secretary, Julia if she could have an appointment to see him during the morning. She knew private business should not intrude into working hours but she needed to know what had happened the previous evening.

‘He’s not in this morning and I’m not sure if he’ll be available later in the day. I’ll let you know.’

‘Do you know why?’ Sarah asked anxiously.

‘I believe it’s a family problem,’ Julia replied cautiously.

‘Okay. Thanks. I’ll catch him later maybe.’ It was difficult to concentrate but her stream of appointments kept her busy and allowed her to stop worrying a little.

Alex did not come to work all day and she was hesitant about going to his home that evening to feed and exercise the animals. She finally plucked up courage to call his mobile. It went straight to voice mail. She called the home number, keeping her fingers crossed that Mrs Weston didn’t answer. It didn’t work.

‘Darnley Manor. Mrs Weston speaking.’

‘Ah, Mrs Weston. It’s Sarah. I was wondering if Alex is available?’

‘No he isn’t. And he doesn’t want to speak to you. I was told not to take your calls and I if had known it was you, I would certainly not have answered.’

‘Very well. I was merely inquiring if I was needed to walk his dogs this evening.’

‘He is walking them himself. Goodbye.’ She hung up and Sarah was left staring angrily at her own phone.

‘Great,’ she said angrily to nobody. She hoped Alex really was walking the dogs. They shouldn’t have to suffer because their humans had problems. She wondered whether to go and take Major out for a ride but didn’t want to run the risk of having an encounter with the dragon. Instead, she settled for cooking herself some supper and settling down to watch television. She was about to have an early night when her phone rang. At last, it was Alex’s number showing on her phone.

‘Hi Sarah. Is everything all right?’

‘I suppose so.’

‘We missed you walking the dogs this evening.’

‘Really? Your mother said you were doing it and I wasn’t needed. I called earlier to ask if I should come over. She said I wasn’t required and that you had told her not to speak to me. I just didn’t want to cause you anymore difficulties.’

‘Honestly, I shall be guilty of doing something drastic if I don’t take action very soon. Naturally, I said nothing of the sort to her. I did walk the dogs but as I wasn’t in the office today, I did have time. They are fine, but I’m sorry you were upset by my wretched mother. Well, it’s all in hand now. I took her to the consultant this morning and he says there is absolutely no reason why she can’t walk properly. He’s taken the crutches away and organised some intensive physiotherapy for her. I’ve organised a taxi to deliver her to the department each morning for the rest of the week and I’m taking her back to her home on Saturday.’

‘Goodness. What a busy day you’ve had. Will she manage?’

‘I’ve got a care agency going in twice a day to help her. If she sacks anyone who tried to help than it’s up to her to manage alone. I’ve had enough. She’s been hanging on for much too long and it wasn’t even necessary. She’s pretty lonely where she lives but that’s her own fault. She manages to alienate most people.’

‘I see,’ Sarah murmured.

‘And ignore what she said. I wouldn’t dream of not speaking to you, ever. In fact, I was hoping we might return to some sort of friendship once this mess is all sorted out. You’ve been fantastic all these weeks, taking my dogs out and seeing to the horses.’

‘No problem but it might be nice to return to normal life again. I’ve just felt so exhausted and as if there’s nothing more in life than work.’

‘Well, I have one more favour to ask you. Would you look after the creatures on Saturday? I need to take Mummy home and settle her in. I plan to stay overnight and do the shopping etcetera. The agency are sending someone round on Sunday for me to show them the routine and also explain about the exercise regime and all that entails. She should be able to drive again in a few weeks so that will mean she can get out again.’

‘Of course I’ll help out at the weekend. I might even manage a ride for once, without feeling terrorised if I catch a glimpse of your dragon, as you called her.’

***

Sarah thoroughly enjoyed herself at the weekend. She took a picnic lunch and spent the entire day at the Manor with the horses and the dogs. Moonlight was certainly showing her pregnancy now and seemed in perfect health. She took her for a short ride round the paddock and along the lane. The mare seemed to enjoy the change and behaved beautifully despite her different rider. She took her back to the paddock after further grooming and then went for a longer ride on Major. The beach was quiet so she was able to go for a good gallop. Her own beautiful horse responded and tossed his mane in delight at the freedom. After the horses had been fed, it was the turn of the dogs for a long walk. She took them into one of Alex’s fields and did some training exercises with them. They were responsive and seemed to enjoy the extra attention.

‘You’re as much my dogs as Alex’s aren’t you?’ she said to them as she petted them. ‘Never mind, your boss will soon be back into his old routine and you’ll get all the fuss you need.’ They both barked in delight, almost as if they knew exactly what was being said. She took them back and fed them, leaving them the run of the kitchen and the utility room. ‘I’ll be back before bed time to let you girls out again. Be good now.’ She petted them both and gave them an extra biscuit and locked the doors. The house was quiet and empty. She resisted the temptation to look around, knowing she would prefer Alex to show her himself. There could have been little progress since she had last seen everywhere and Mrs Weston had been using the lounge as her bedroom for some time.

She hoped that this was the end of a very difficult few weeks.

Chapter Twelve

Alex arrived back during the afternoon on Sunday. He looked completely exhausted as he walked up Sarah’s drive.

‘Hi. I saw your car there so thought I’d stop to say thank you and check all is well at the Manor.’

‘Come in. You look as if you could do with a cup of something.’

‘Tea would be great. Thanks.’

‘I was just going back to check on everyone. Walk the girls and so on. I went this morning and made sure they were okay. I’ll put the kettle on.’ He slumped down ion the arm chair and Sarah brought a mug of tea for him. ‘You look shattered.’

‘I am. I got Mummy settled and filled the freezer. Changed the bed and did a load of washing. The carer looks as if she’ll be all right. No nonsense type but I bet she won’ last long. Mummy is bound to find something wrong. But I’ve told her I’m washing my hands of it all now. I’ll pay the bill but I’m not going back even if she claims to be dying. I just feel so used. The consultant said she could have been walking properly weeks ago.’

‘She obviously enjoyed living at your place.’

‘Put the name Manor in front of anywhere and she’ll think it’s her due. I’d better be going. You don’t need another trip out with my dogs.’

‘We could go together. It might do you good to get some fresh air.’

‘All right. Then maybe we go and get something to eat?’

‘I’d offer to cook but I doubt a frozen fish pie would be very enticing.’

‘Is that what you live on?’

‘I do cook fresh vegetables with it.’

‘You certainly need taking in hand, my girl. I’d take you for a slap up meal if I wasn’t so exhausted. For now, it will have to be the village pub. What do you say?’

‘Sounds good to me. Then we can catch up on all the gossip.’

‘And maybe make a few plans for the coming weeks? Months? Years?’

Sarah stared at him. What was he suggesting?

‘Let’s plan to go for a walk and have something to eat at the pub. That will do for now.’

They walked for an hour, chatting amicably. The tiredness lines fell away from Alex’s face as he gradually relaxed. They stopped by the paddock to pet the horses. Major stood protectively close to his lovely companion and they nuzzled each other contentedly.

‘It’s almost as if they both know exactly what is happening. They’ll be preparing a nursery any minute and demanding a scan.’ Alex stared at her.

‘I suppose it’s possible. Might give us a better idea of when the foal’s due. I’ll see if he’ll come over next weekend. You’ll come to watch of course?’

‘That would be terrific. I’d love it. Hadn’t realised it was even a possibility. But I’ve never known a mare in foal before.’

‘I’ll look into it. Now, shall we get these two home and go and eat? I’m starving. I’d better get my stuff out of the car first and maybe I should change. Do you mind waiting?’

‘I should have brought my car. I’ll need to stop off and change as well. I’m a bit doggy.’

‘No problem. I won’t be long.’

They stopped at her cottage and Alex lay back on her little sofa. When she came down again, he was fast asleep, his long legs hanging over the arms. She stared down at him, almost unwilling to wake him. She could imagine him looking a bit like that as a child, relaxed and without the strength that usually showed in his face. If she left him for long, he would be very stiff on her small sofa.

‘Alex,’ she whispered, gently shaking him. ‘Wake up Alex.’ His eyelids fluttered and slowly opened. He jerked up when he realised where he was and sat up, rubbing his neck.

‘You need a bigger sofa,’ he complained.

‘Sorry. I didn’t buy it for someone of your size to sleep on. This is a tiny room. So, are we going to eat or is it to be frozen fish pie.’

‘No offence to your fish pie but I think the pub beckons. I mustn’t be late though. My mother certainly takes it out of me.’

It was a pleasant evening. Both of them were tired so once they had eaten, Alex dropped her off at home and they parted. He took her hand as she was getting out of the car and leaned over to kiss her.

‘I’m so grateful to have you in my life. I just hope my mother hasn’t done too much to put you off me ... well my family.’

‘As long as you don’t really believe I’m after your money, I guess I can cope.’

‘Of course I don’t. My mother thinks anyone and everyone is only after the money. Not exactly flattering. I have no illusions about myself. I can be very difficult.’

‘Oh, I know,’ Sarah said vehemently. ‘But only at work. I can really dislike you at work sometimes but maybe you’ll soften in time.’

‘On that note, I’ll say goodnight. And I promise, I will try to be more understanding. It’s a difficult role I’m trying to fill. However popular Ken was ... is, I have seen the whole picture. He isn’t a good manager and the firm is not viable at present. I’ve got quite a task ahead to pull it round without shedding too many people.’

‘Wow. I didn’t realise there was that sort of problem. All the same ... No, I’m not getting started on that. Not tonight. You need a good night’s sleep.’

‘You’re not kidding. My mother’s sofa is marginally better than yours but not much. We’ll have a proper dinner soon and a real discussion. There is so much that I want to say to you, dear Sarah. Good night.’

She went inside and touched her cheek where he had kissed her. For so long, she had pushed away all thoughts of settling down and all thoughts that she and Alex might even share a future. He had certainly made an impression on her family. Whenever either her parents or sister had spoken to her since her birthday, they had asked after him but she fobbed them off. Or so she thought. The next week might be interesting.

It was the following Saturday before they really had the chance to talk. Sarah went to the manor to see the horses.

‘Did you have any luck with a scan?’

‘I talked it through. Evidently, it’s really too late now. They usually do it much earlier in the pregnancy, really to establish the diagnosis. He would do organise it but it’s very expensive and entails a visit to a veterinary clinic. His portable machine is for smaller animals, I understand. But he did examine her and his estimate is now late November.’

‘Exciting. Not a good time of year but at least you’ve got excellent stabling.’

‘Remember the dinner we never had all those months ago? I booked us a table there for this evening. I do hope you’re free?’

‘That would be lovely. Thank you. I never have tried that place. I think you took your mother in my place, didn’t you?’

‘So I did. She found fault with most of it but I loved it and think you will too. It’s less difficult to get a table now it’s been open for awhile, so I booked it.’

The food was indeed perfect and the setting quite magical. It was getting cooler in the evenings now, so they were able to watch the moody sea through the wide windows, rather than sit outside.

‘I could watch the sea forever, I think,’ Sarah said dreamily. ‘It has mesmeric qualities and always presents a different picture.’

‘It’s quite rough tonight. The white foam looks very bright against the dark.’ He paused, ‘Sarah, we need to talk. Seriously, I mean.’

‘Okay. I’m listening.’

‘You must know I am very serious about you. I really believe there could be a future for us. Though I confess to being uncertain about the word love itself, I do believe we have a lot of love to share.’

‘You sound like Prince Charles. The “whatever love is” remark he made on his engagement to Diana.’

‘It was a brave statement. Very brave of him under the circumstances. But you know, I’ve heard so many definitions of love. For me, I think it’s this. I want to be with you all of time it’s possible. I wake up thinking of you and my heart gives a jolt whenever we meet at work. I drive past your cottage and see the lights on and think of you inside, watching television or listening to music. I want to be inside with you. Share you.’

Sarah found herself blushing at his words. It may not have been the most romantic speech she had ever heard but she knew it came from his heart. She stared down at the tablecloth and then looked into his steely grey eyes, now softened into a mistier colour altogether.

‘I do feel pretty much the same. I admit, I haven’t felt this way about anyone else before. Is it love? It may be but I’m not sure. I can imagine living my life with you. As you said once before, we have so much in common. I’m scared though. I’m scared that it’s possible that one day we could grow to hate each other. All the people I deal with in divorce cases, once loved each other. If there are children involved, think how much pain they have to suffer.’

‘Can we spend more quality time together and see where it goes? Who can tell, we might discover what real love is? I couldn’t bear the thought of being anywhere other than with you.’

‘Sounds good to me. Let’s not make any huge commitment at this stage. See where we go.’

He reached for her hand and gently kissed her finger tips, his eyes intent on hers.

***

The next few weeks were busy at work and Sarah and Alex spent as much leisure time together as they were able. There was a definite closeness growing between them and Sarah was even beginning to believe in love itself. She said nothing to Alex, waiting for him to be the first to discuss his feelings again.

The workmen had returned to Darnley and the renovations were well underway again. Sarah was giving her advice and suggestions but was slightly less involved than she had been. The wonderful Mrs Harper had also been persuaded to return to work and so the load was lightened all round. She took the dogs out for exercise well before it was dark so that Alex was able to finish his work without too much stress. Despite her doubts about his working methods, Sarah had to admit that Alex was getting results. The whole office building was looking better and included the promised interview room available to all the staff when needed.

The evenings drew in and the horses spent much of the time in the stable. Moonlight and Major were close to each other but still had their own areas in separate loose boxes. It was safer to leave them slightly apart, in case Moonlight began her labour prematurely and Major was somehow disturbed. When the time was closer, they planned to leave the pair in separate stables, not that they would like it but it seemed sensible.

Sarah was in the depths of sleep on night towards the end of November when her phone rang. Sleepily she lifted the receiver.

‘Sarah? It’s Alex. Moonlight’s giving birth right now. I think she’s nearly there, if you want to come over.’

‘Thanks. On my way.’ She tugged on thick trousers and a fleece over the top of her pyjamas and rushed out to her car. She was almost shaking with excitement and feeling very wobbly at being woken from such a deep sleep.

There were lights on outside the buildings and she stopped outside the yard gates. Major whinnied when he heard her and she scarcely stopped to do more than stroke his nose before going into the stable. Moonlight was lying down and beside her lay a tiny foal, chestnut like her father but with a white blaze between her eyes.

‘I’m too late,’ Sarah said disappointed. ‘But isn’t it gorgeous?’

‘She certainly is. It was very quick. I phoned the vet and described what was happening. He said he’ll come if we think we need him but he was confident all was going to plan. Told me to collect the afterbirth to show him. He needs to know it is all there and nothing is left.’

‘Look at the little star on her forehead. We should call her Star or Starlight.’

‘Ursa Major, perhaps. Take account of her father.’ They both smiled. ‘She really has to be Starlight doesn’t she?’ The little creature staggered to her feet and her mother raised herself up. She cleaned the foal some more and it reached beneath her seeking milk. Major whinnied from next door and Moonlight raised her head and whinnied back.

‘He wants to be a part of it but I think he’s best left where he is for now. Hey, well done girl,’ she said, patting the horse’s neck. They both went out of the stable and shut the door on the new little family. ‘Oh Alex, isn’t it wonderful?’ Her eyes were filling with tears.

He caught her hand and pulled her close. He kissed her cold lips and then led her inside the house.

‘Come on. A hot drink is needed. You’re freezing.’ She shivered and agreed.

The kitchen was cosy and warm, just as she remembered that first time she had been inside the house.

‘You can tell Mrs H is back. It has that sparkle again. Oh, thanks,’ she added as he handed her a hot chocolate. ‘Just what I needed.’

‘Sarah,’ Alex began softly, ‘I think I know what love means. Seeing you in the stable, watching Moonlight with such wonder, I suddenly knew that I want you here with me all the time. Will you marry me Sarah?’

‘I don’t think I have any choice in the matter. We are both a bit overwrought and emotional tonight but we have become very good friends lately, haven’t we? I think love and marriage need to be based on true friendship and now, I think I agree. What I feel for you is indeed true love. And you’re my best friend as well.’

‘What more could I ask? When can we tell everyone?’