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‘Monday,’ he said, as they lurked at the entrance to the kitchen but stood well out of the way as Daniel talked to Abigail about all the kinds of waffles they did here.
‘Then I will keep it quiet until then.’ Lucy put a finger across her lips.
Once Daniel and Abigail had talked shop, Daniel led them outside and around the back to the dedicated party area, Lucy alongside them to make the introductions. Gus knew a lot of people already. Abigail stuck close to his side and took a hold of his hand.
‘It’s impressive out here,’ Gus told Lucy, who filled him in on Daniel opening this place up, how the back area behind the shack had been badly overgrown and looking nothing like it did now, with people gathered on a raised paved area surrounded by bushes with a built-in outdoor fireplace at one end, which Gus bet would create a real atmosphere come winter.
Lucy smiled. ‘You need a drink… Daniel is licensed to sell alcohol so there’s beer, wine, champagne, lots of soft drinks, too – fizzy and juices.’
‘You’re the birthday girl,’ said Gus, ‘other people should be waiting on you.’
She chuckled at the same time as another arrival had her look over his shoulder. ‘Hazel, you made it!’ She went over and hugged her, although Hazel’s eyes were on Gus, he was sure of it. Or was that big-headed of him?
‘I’m sorting drinks for Gus and Abigail,’ said Lucy. ‘What can I get you, Hazel?’
‘You shouldn’t be a waitress, not tonight, it’s your birthday.’
‘Exactly what I just said.’ Gus did his best not to stare as he thought back to the way Hazel had felt in his arms that night as he carried her inside, the feel of silky soft skin as she put her cheek against his chest. She looked beautiful tonight, hair loose, relaxed despite their last encounter, which had to be on her mind, as it was on his. And his senses leapt into life when, with her this close, he inhaled the same lavender scent he remembered coming from her hair.
‘I’ll get the drinks,’ Hazel offered and posed the question first to Abigail and then Gus.
‘I’ll grab a beer, if I may?’ said Gus.
Abigail, comfortable with Hazel, went to help with the drinks and Gus changed his focus and began chatting with Melissa and Barney, thanking Barney for sending clients his way.
‘He’s like a personal assistant,’ Gus laughed with Melissa. ‘Not sure I really needed any flyers to advertise.’
Abigail came back holding a small mason jar with a straw and a green and white chequered lid, holding what looked like colourful juice. ‘It’s mango and peach,’ she informed him before her mouth searched for the straw so she could enjoy it.
Hazel handed him his beer. ‘She put the order in for waffles with strawberries and cream, times two.’
Gus laughed. ‘Thank you, Abigail, my tummy is rumbling.’
While Abigail and Barney talked mason jars – he had one too containing something equally colourful – Gus stood to the side with Hazel. ‘I haven’t seen you much lately.’
She opened her mouth and then closed it quickly again before looking at him. ‘I’m really embarrassed about the other night.’
‘Is it because of what you saw after the art class?’ When she seemed taken aback, he added, ‘You blurted it out the night I carried you into your house.’
She briefly closed her eyes in embarrassment but then looked at him. ‘I can’t believe I said anything.’
‘I can. You didn’t like what you saw.’ His words hovered between them.
‘I honestly have been busy at the stables too.’ She stumbled over her claim a little. ‘I’m also embarrassed at my behaviour at the pub. It was terrible and, with you a client, unprofessional. I really am very sorry.’
‘You don’t need to apologise. We all behave out of character from time to time.’
‘Yeah.’
‘And I like to think I’m more than a client.’ When her head jerked round, he added, ‘I like to think I can be a friend like everyone else here tonight.’ Despite what she might think of him now.
‘I’d like that.’ Her voice came out small and he didn’t let on that he’d enjoyed taking her home and would do it any day of the week.
Abigail, having had enough of talking drinks, came back over to ask Hazel whether anyone else had ridden Denby yet.
‘Both Arnold and I have ridden him a couple of times, getting to know him. And we have a young girl having a lesson with Arnold on Wednesday morning. We are happy to put her on Denby – she’s ridden with us before but broke her arm, so she hasn’t been able to come to Heritage View for a while.’
‘Did she break her arm falling off a horse?’ Gus asked.
