Page 17 of Never Gonna Happen

‘You don’t appreciate anyone’s tone unless they’re doing exactly what you want,’ said Jamie, appearing from the front of the house. He was wearing black jodhpurs, a sleeveless puffer jacket and brown riding boots, like some kind of Disney prince.

‘Ah, my little brother to the rescue,’ sneered Adam. ‘I just want some fucking food and clean sheets, is that really too much to ask?’

Jamie put himself between Adam and Emily, uncomfortably in Adam’s face. He was a solid three inches taller and considerably more beefy. ‘You lived in this house for over twenty years, Adam,’ he said. ‘Go in and take what you need, the staff aren’t at your beck and call.’

Adam huffed furiously, then thumped his cigarette across the yard and disappeared through the back door, slamming it behind him. Jamie turned to Emily and smiled awkwardly. ‘Sorry about my brother, he still hasn’t fully evolved from when he lived in a cave.’

Emily laughed, relieved that Adam was gone and a bit proud of herself that she had stood her ground. ‘Don’t worry about it, I’m fine.’

‘Yes, I can see that,’ said Jamie appreciatively. Emily wondered how women usually responded to Adam’s bullying; clearly they hadn’t grown up with two older brothers in a house that was a bit like The Hunger Games.

‘I seem to have lost my car,’ she said. ‘Have you seen it anywhere?’

Jamie nodded. ‘I saw Leon driving off in it earlier, I think he went to fill it up for you.’

Emily’s eyes widened in surprise. ‘You pay for my petrol too?’

Jamie shrugged. ‘Not as a rule, but Leon hates Adam’s guts and likes to find excuses not to be here when he’s around.’

‘Hmm,’ said Emily, hoping her face was doing the job of expressing all the sentiments she didn’t think she should say out loud.

Jamie paused for a few seconds, like he was wrestling with a decision. ‘I’m going for a ride tomorrow,’ he said. ‘Avoiding a family pub lunch after Dad and Adam get back from a shoot. Do you want to come?’

Emily was momentarily rendered mute. ‘I . . . oh . . . I don’t know. I’ve never . . .’

‘Ridden a horse, I know,’ said Jamie. ‘I’ll teach you. It’s just a walk, you don’t have to do anything other than sit there. You can ride Rupert, he’s very steady.’

Her mind rattled frantically through the reasons to say both yes and no. ‘I don’t have the right clothes,’ she offered feebly.

‘Do you have a pair of leggings and a waterproof jacket?’ he asked, tilting his head knowingly. Obviously he’d seen her in both when she was running in circles around the countryside.

‘Yes,’ she replied, trying not to blush.

‘Fine, I can lend you boots and gloves and a hard hat,’ he said.

Emily was all out of excuses. ‘OK, then,’ she said with a nod and a nervous smile.

‘Good,’ said Jamie cheerfully, turning to walk towards the road. ‘Ten thirty in the stable yard.’ He walked a few metres, then raised his voice so Emily could hear him even though he didn’t turn around. ‘I can show you all the best running routes.’

She could hear the smile in his voice and felt a frisson of anticipation, even though the idea of riding a horse wasn’t remotely appealing. Then it occurred to her that Adam could reappear from the house at any moment, so she hurried off to wait for Leon by the garage. He arrived just before she did, giving her an enthusiastic wave as he parked up.

‘I filled up your car,’ he said, leaping out of the driver’s seat.

‘You really didn’t have to do that, Leon. But thank you.’

He beamed at her, and Emily decided he was actually very good-looking in a hairy, uber-masculine kind of way. Kelly would have him for breakfast then go back for seconds at lunch. ‘I can clean it too,’ he said.

‘There’s no need,’ said Emily with a smile. ‘I’m off out now anyway.’

‘I wanted to ask you about tomorrow,’ he said suddenly, as if he was forcing the words out like air from a balloon.

‘What about tomorrow?’ she asked, feeling confused. Jamie had only just spoken to her – what did Leon know about it?

‘I am going for a drive up the coast,’ said Leon, blushing crimson. ‘I was thinking you might like to come with me.’ He looked hopeful and also a little broken, as though he’d already played this conversation out in his head and decided she would say no. ‘We can take a picnic,’ he added forlornly, separating out the two syllables like he’d never said the word out loud before.

‘Oh. I’m sorry, Leon. But I already have plans for tomorrow.’

Leon looked at his feet. ‘Is OK. Maybe another time.’