wouldn’t want any of the things she was suggesting.’
‘All right Mum. I’ll drive up Saturday afternoon after I’ve had a morning ride.’
‘Excellent. We’ll take you out for dinner in Saturday. There’s a lovely new place just opened and Daddy’s keen to support them. Nice young couple. Bring something half decent to wear, not your usual scruffy jeans.’ Sarah laughed. It was good to have loving family around, even if they could be a pain at times. But they always meant well and wanted only the best for her. Somehow, she needed to avoid speaking about her problems at work and the reasons behind them. She settled down again and flicked across the various channels. There was really nothing that interested her. Perhaps she should go and get a DVD from the rental shop in the village. She was in the mood for some sloppy romance, she decided. Something to let her forget her own lack of romance. She grabbed her car keys and drove down the road. She thought she saw Alex’s car pass her in the opposite direction but it was too dark to see clearly. She browsed along the racks and found something that she might enjoy, picked up a box of comfort chocolates and a bottle of wine and drive back home for her solitary evening of indulgence.
Alex’s car was parked on the road outside her cottage, She was tempted to drive past but was afraid he would recognise her. Drat the man, she was thinking. She pulled into the small d rive and got out of her car, clutching the carrier bag with her goodies. He strode up to her, still wearing his work clothes. He must only now be going home. One had to admire him for the hours he put in, she admitted grudgingly.
‘Alex. What are you doing here?’
‘Waiting for you. I saw you drive past me and hoped it was only a short journey. I was going to wait five more minutes before giving up. I did think you might be at the pub but I didn’t want to intrude. I couldn’t bear to leave things the way we did.’
‘You’d better come in. I was just getting something to watch and a bottle to share with Hugh Grant.’
‘Sounds wonderful. I don’t suppose I could be a substitute in case he’s already engaged?’
‘I’m not sure it’s a good idea after today. Besides, won’t your mother be expecting you?’
‘No. Why should she?’
‘Isn’t she still staying with you?’
‘Course not. She left Monday morning.’
‘Oh. I thought as she phoned you at work, she must still be there.’
‘She’s been phoning me two or three times every day. Wants to know what I’m doing. Finding things wrong in her life and expecting me to sort them out. I don’t know what’s come over her. She’s always been demanding but this week, it’s been ridiculous.’
‘Isn’t it obvious? It’s me. She wants to make sure you’re not spending too much time with me. I’m not a suitable companion for you.’
‘I don’t know where this is coming from Sarah. You hinted at it at work today but I can assure you it’s nothing to do with that. She certainly does not control my life.’
‘All the same, I’m unhappy with our situation. Mixing business and pleasure just isn’t working for me. I really do have to collect Major so I can get back to my normal routine. He’s too far away for me to see him every day and it’s all too complicated. I’ll get someone to drive me over in the morning and ride him back.’
‘If you really mean it, I’ll come and fetch you. But surely, it isn’t necessary. Besides, I think ... no. I’ll wait till tomorrow. The vet is coming to check Moonlight in the morning. I’ll come over after that. Around ten-thirty if that’s convenient?’ Sarah nodded. Alarm bells rang.
‘All right. Thanks. The vet? Is something wrong?’
‘Not really. She’s been off her food for a couple of days. Well, if you’re not going to offer me a glass of that wine I see poking out of your carrier, I’d better go.’
‘It’s only village shop plonk. Nothing you’d approve of,
‘All right Mum. I’ll drive up Saturday afternoon after I’ve had a morning ride.’
‘Excellent. We’ll take you out for dinner in Saturday. There’s a lovely new place just opened and Daddy’s keen to support them. Nice young couple. Bring something half decent to wear, not your usual scruffy jeans.’ Sarah laughed. It was good to have loving family around, even if they could be a pain at times. But they always meant well and wanted only the best for her. Somehow, she needed to avoid speaking about her problems at work and the reasons behind them. She settled down again and flicked across the various channels. There was really nothing that interested her. Perhaps she should go and get a DVD from the rental shop in the village. She was in the mood for some sloppy romance, she decided. Something to let her forget her own lack of romance. She grabbed her car keys and drove down the road. She thought she saw Alex’s car pass her in the opposite direction but it was too dark to see clearly. She browsed along the racks and found something that she might enjoy, picked up a box of comfort chocolates and a bottle of wine and drive back home for her solitary evening of indulgence.
Alex’s car was parked on the road outside her cottage, She was tempted to drive past but was afraid he would recognise her. Drat the man, she was thinking. She pulled into the small d rive and got out of her car, clutching the carrier bag with her goodies. He strode up to her, still wearing his work clothes. He must only now be going home. One had to admire him for the hours he put in, she admitted grudgingly.
‘Alex. What are you doing here?’
‘Waiting for you. I saw you drive past me and hoped it was only a short journey. I was going to wait five more minutes before giving up. I did think you might be at the pub but I didn’t want to intrude. I couldn’t bear to leave things the way we did.’
‘You’d better come in. I was just getting something to watch and a bottle to share with Hugh Grant.’
‘Sounds wonderful. I don’t suppose I could be a substitute in case he’s already engaged?’
‘I’m not sure it’s a good idea after today. Besides, won’t your mother be expecting you?’
‘No. Why should she?’
‘Isn’t she still staying with you?’
‘Course not. She left Monday morning.’
‘Oh. I thought as she phoned you at work, she must still be there.’
‘She’s been phoning me two or three times every day. Wants to know what I’m doing. Finding things wrong in her life and expecting me to sort them out. I don’t know what’s come over her. She’s always been demanding but this week, it’s been ridiculous.’
‘Isn’t it obvious? It’s me. She wants to make sure you’re not spending too much time with me. I’m not a suitable companion for you.’
‘I don’t know where this is coming from Sarah. You hinted at it at work today but I can assure you it’s nothing to do with that. She certainly does not control my life.’
‘All the same, I’m unhappy with our situation. Mixing business and pleasure just isn’t working for me. I really do have to collect Major so I can get back to my normal routine. He’s too far away for me to see him every day and it’s all too complicated. I’ll get someone to drive me over in the morning and ride him back.’
‘If you really mean it, I’ll come and fetch you. But surely, it isn’t necessary. Besides, I think ... no. I’ll wait till tomorrow. The vet is coming to check Moonlight in the morning. I’ll come over after that. Around ten-thirty if that’s convenient?’ Sarah nodded. Alarm bells rang.
‘All right. Thanks. The vet? Is something wrong?’
‘Not really. She’s been off her food for a couple of days. Well, if you’re not going to offer me a glass of that wine I see poking out of your carrier, I’d better go.’
‘It’s only village shop plonk. Nothing you’d approve of,
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