Ru slotted his bike into a corner and went back to him, taking off his helmet. Jasim unlocked the door of the chalet and Ru followed him in, leaving his backpack and helmet by the door.
Jasim could hear the TV and headed for the lounge. Most of his employees looked to be in there, some of them drinking cans of beer, and they sat up when Jasim walked in.
“This is Ru. He’s joining us as a stable hand. Mike, would you show him where he can sleep?”
Jasim walked out again and headed back to the house. No matter which way he looked at this, it was a terrible idea. His cock seemed to disagree.
Ru’s heart was beating out of his chest. There was no need to be nervous, but he was. Most of the people in the room didn’t look much older than him and they all loved horses so they had something in common. They should be friendly, but…
“Hi,” Ru said. “Nice to meet you all.”
“I’m Mike.” A stocky guy with a crew cut pushed to his feet. “From left to right—Poppy, Ben, Kirstie, Mason, Seb, Julio, Diego, Rodrigo. Kitchen is through there. Find an empty shelf in a cupboard to put your stuff. This way.”
Ru followed him. No one else had spoken, though a couple had waved. He didn’t want to read too much into that, but he didn’t feel very welcome.
“This is yours.” Mike pushed open the door of the next room along. “There’s a key in the lock. The utility room is at the end of the corridor. You can hang wet stuff up in there. Does Paolo know about you?”
“I don’t think so. Who’s Paolo?”
“Our boss. He’s in charge of everything to do with the horses.”
“Jasim said I needed to see Georgia tomorrow. He didn’t mention Paolo.”
“Jasim issirto you. Paolo isBoss.Georgia isMa’am.That’s what you need to call them.”
“Okay.”
Mike walked away and left him. Ru glanced around the room. Smaller than his bedroom at his parents’, but clean. Though there was no bed linen. He went over to the window, opened it and called“Bela!” She fluttered in a moment later. “Stay here. Be quiet.” Ru slipped out of the room to get his backpack and the cage.
On the way back, as he passed the lounge, he heard his name mentioned and he stopped walking.
“What sort of name is Roo? Is he a baby kangaroo?”
Mike had said that and the others laughed.
“Where the fuck has he come from?”
“Paolo is going to be pissed off.”
“Guess who he’ll take that out on?”
“He looks scrawny.”
“You’re just jealous.”
More laughter.
“I think he’s pretty,” one of the women said.
“Not as pretty as me,” said a guy.
“Él puede tirame la goma.”
Ru had no idea what that meant but a couple of guys chuckled.
“I’m glad he’s here,” someone said. “Make sure you give him the She-Devil to muck out.”
“A baptism of fire.” Mike chuckled.
