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“Daddy!” Grace sighs dramatically. “That’s Beau’s horse.” She removes it from his hand and passes it back to Beau. “She has riding lessons. Can I go?” Grabbing his face, she squashes his mouth into a pout. “Pleeease!”
“Oh.” I feel bad. “I mentioned it to Beau this morning. She's really excited.” I grimace.
“Erm, well, I need to check times and see about work.”
Grace seems instantly deflated.
“You always work,” she moans. “Please, I love horses.” She gives him puppy eyes, and Beau joins in for measure.
“Grace, I'm sorry, I can’t just swap work.” He hugs her close, but she is tearing up.
“Daddy, please!” Her lip is out, and Dan looks close to sweating. “Uncle Cam can take me!”
“No, Grace, Cam already does lots to help me out. He has his own job.”
“I could take her.” The words slip right out, and I have no way to take them back. “I mean, if you're happy for her to attend?”
“Really?” Dan asks, shocked. I nod, not wanting to get into too much of a conversation with him. For a moment, our eyes lock, and I see the swirl of guilt swimming back at me. Does he wish he had never laughed at me back then, mocked my relationship with Cam?
I swallow roughly and look at Grace. “Grace, I need to check that I can take Beau. My work might be a bit busy too, so let me find out first before we all say yes, okay?” My gaze flits between both girls, ensuring they understand, and they nod excitedly. “I'm happy to take her. Beau will enjoy the company too.”
Dan stands and looks from me to the two girls, already concocting plans. “Are you sure this is okay? I’d hate to put you out if you have work?”
“I need to check their sessions, but I should be okay to do it in the afternoon. I may have to collect the girls straight from school and take them to the shop before riding. Would that be okay?” I'm in a muddle. I came to collect Beau, and now I'm making plans with my old nemesis.
“Yes, sure. Here, let me give you my number so you can update me about it all. If it’s not feasible, then don’t worry yourself,” Dan says, pulling out a business card. I take it and turn it over to see his name and CEO in bold silver lettering. I'm not surprised to see he has his own software company.
“Okay, sure, I’ll head there now so the girls aren’t waiting to find out.” I shift uncomfortably.
“Thanks.” He sounds gruff and likely feels as awkward as I do.
Regret flashes in his eyes. He holds my stare and I shake my head in warning. I can sense where this is going. “Holly.” He swallows loudly and looks to where the girls are sitting to play once more. “I’m sorry. I was young, stupid and arrogant.”Cameron should take a leaf out of his friend's book, but I don’t want to talk about the past, at least not so soon after Cam blindsided me.
“I know.” I give him a brittle smile, and he nods, his face taut and cheeks pinker than they were moments ago. “I’ll let you know about riding,” I add before he can respond, and he wants to, I can tell. His mouth opens, but I cut him off and ask Beau to collect her bag and toy. By the time she comes back, Dan and Grace have left.
“Will I get to ride a pony?” Beau asks, giving her teddy a kiss on the head. I help her into the car and buckle her up.
“Hopefully, let's go to the stables now.”
Chapter Six
Holly
The stables are a short journey on the outskirts of Richmond, and Beau is super excited, pushing up from her seat to look out of the window. “How many horses will be there? Do they have ponies? What if I'm too small?”
I jump in with a response whilst she is sucking in air. “When we get there, we will know. We can have a look around.” I laugh at her nose pushed up against the glass. Could she be any cuter?
“I'm going to call my pony Bella.”
“Oh, I think these ponies are already named,” I say.
“I can’t have one, then?” She frowns, trying to clock the stables from her viewpoint.
“Not really. These belong to someone and they let you ride them, hopefully,” I add, trying not to get her hopes up.
“Like borrowing?”
“Yes, that's exactly right, borrowing.” I smile, happy she understands me.
