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‘She will be. No plans for a holiday, you know, the business, a new home.’
‘You don’t need to tell me. Having your own business doesn’t allow for much downtime.’ Arnold readjusted his arms on top of the pitchfork, his dark hair and fairer skin opposite to his sister’s characteristics, with a tanned complexion and blonde hair. ‘I was kind of hoping Hazel might offer to teach.’ With Gus a bit taken aback by the remark, Arnold appeared to realise he’d been a bit too honest. ‘I apologise, that was unprofessional of me. Never mix business with a sibling.’
‘Not likely,’ Gus laughed, ‘my sister is a massage therapist.’
Arnold appreciated the joke but apologised again. ‘I shouldn’t have made that comment. So please do ignore it.’ He sighed. ‘I feel bad because who doesn’t have an extra hour once a week? I must sound like a total arse to you. Especially when Denby will be used by the riding school for lessons.’
‘Hey, no judgement.’ Gus was beginning to wish he hadn’t pushed it. ‘There are limits on your time. And Denby is here as working livery, we know that.’
‘I’ll get Abigail in as soon as I can. But in the meantime, make as much use of the school as you need to when it’s free. If I’m teaching outside, use the indoor school. If I’m inside, go outside.’
‘Will do.’
Their conversation was interrupted with a roar from an engine pulling up outside the house next to the horsebox.
‘Why can’t he use the damn car park?’ Arnold grumbled.
‘Who is it?’
‘James. Hazel’s… ex-boyfriend, although he’d like to drop the ex part.’
‘And she wouldn’t?’
Arnold shrugged. ‘I’ve said enough already. I’d better get on, sort the school and clean up for the next lesson.’
Gus went over to Abigail and Joan and reminded them that a lunch at the pub was on the cards, but he couldn’t help turning back to watch Hazel. Arnold was right – this man, James, seemed very much interested and although he didn’t know Hazel very well, from where he was standing, Gus could tell that she wasn’t.
