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Lucy had enjoyed dinner out on the deck earlier that evening. It wasn’t just because it was much more casual than normal, or because she loved Calum’s scrumptious, barbecued patties. The best part about tonight was the way everyone had joined in the conversation about the ride she and Grandad had. He’d described to them all just how much fun it had been. Lucy had noticed how much Grandma’s face lit up when he spoke of their ride.
She’d excused herself from the table and returned to her bedroom, keen to email the girls and let them know about her fantastic day. Still in her riding clothes, and enjoying the familiar scent of horse on her teeshirt and jeans, Lucy sat at the desk and, waiting for her computer to start up, she swivelled round in her chair to see what Hope was doing.
Hope was grazing with her new paddock mates; she was well healed now and enjoying the company of other horses. Grandad was right, Lucy thought, she’d be keeping herself fit playing and galloping with them, now that she was in the large paddock.
She began typing to Suzy and Alexa:
Hi! Had the most awesome ride today. Grandad took me riding. We went through Meadow Flats and rode a short way up the hill track. It was quite a long ride (well, in comparison with what we’ve been doing) and I’m not even stiff. Grandad is a very good rider. OMG, his balance is awesome and he hardly moves in the saddle. Especially for someone so old.
Oh, and while I think of it – I know this is a sore point, Alexa, but, since you have a spare ticket, I asked him if he’d like to go to the Andalusian show. We had a chat after our ride and he even suggested Calum fly me in! Can you believe that? No way would I expect that. I hate to think how much aviation fuel he’s already used on flying me around after my accident and stuff. Suzy, you’ll have to find someone else to go with I guess.
I’m feeling really happy today and now I’m ready to come home. I hate the thought of leaving here though. But realistically I know I can’t stay on here (as much as I’d like to). I’ll be home in a few weeks! It’ll be just like before!
Hope to hear back from you soon, I’ll check Skype later and see if you’re on.
Hugs, Lucy and Hope xox
Suzy replied to Lucy’s email, got up from the desk in the lounge and went into the kitchen to make herself a cup of hot chocolate. Yum, pizza tonight, she thought as she filled the kettle with water. Andrew rushed from the shower to his bedroom.
He had a towel tied around his waist. ‘Make me a coffee please, darling,’ he called on the way past, a little flustered.
‘Okay, Dad,’ replied Suzy, reaching for the coffee plunger. ‘What’s the rush anyhow?’
‘I’ll be out in a minute. I’m going out this evening . . .’ Andrew’s voice echoed from his bedroom. Suzy filled the plunger and put it on the breakfast bar. She stirred her hot chocolate and popped two marshmallows on the froth. When they had nearly melted, she scooped them out with her spoon, wondering where her father was off to. It was unusual for him to go out on a Friday night, she thought.
Eventually Andrew came out wearing his black pants, a white striped shirt and a red tie under his sports jacket. ‘Mm, the coffee smells good.’ He poured some milk into his coffee.
Suzy thought he looked mildly uneasy. ‘Are you okay, Dad? Was it a rough day at the hospital?’
‘Nothing’s wrong, darling,’ said Andrew. ‘Although, there is something I’d like to discuss with you.’
‘Oh gosh, what have I done?’
‘You haven’t done anything wrong,’ Andrew said, straightening his tie in the mirror. ‘It’s just that . . .’
‘What?’
‘Well, sometimes things change in our lives, Suzy . . .’
Suzy frowned. ‘What are you on about, Dad?’ Andrew was obviously uncomfortable. Then his cellphone rang and he pulled it from his jacket pocket and answered it. Suzy walked into the lounge and plonked herself down on the sofa.
Andrew’s call was brief and he followed her and sat in a chair. ‘I won’t be in for dinner tonight, by the way. You haven’t prepared anything, have you?’
Suzy was a little surprised, ‘You know it’s not my turn to cook on Fridays, it’s takeaway night.’
‘Suzy, I’m not sure how you’re going to react to what I’m about to tell you. I’ve met someone special at work, and I’ve got a date tonight,’ he told her.
Suzy beamed. ‘Really? Wicked! I thought I’d be looking after you for the rest of my life, Dad!’ she teased. ‘Do I know her?’
‘Well, actually . . . yes, you do—’
Suzy interrupted, ‘Oh my gosh . . . it’s not Ms Sanderson, is it?’ she asked, cringing, remembering how she’d destroyed her floral arrangement, and smashed her crystal vase into a thousand pieces.
Andrew burst out laughing. ‘No, darling. I don’t think Ms Sanderson is exactly my type of woman.’
‘Phew, thank goodness for that. She’s a bit . . . um . . .’
Andrew butted in. ‘Frumpy?’
‘Dad!’ Suzy stifled a smile. ‘Well, I was going to be more polite and say a bit old-fashioned, you know like Cynthia at the station. Mind you, sounds like Lucy’s updated Cynthia’s style – the two of them went shopping and Cynthia’s now got a swish hairstyle.’ She laughed and thought for a moment. ‘But Dad, I don’t know your type. You’ve not really dated anyone since Mum was here. I only know you with Mum,’ she added, suddenly sombre.
‘I know, Suzy, but that was four years ago and you were only a little girl then. Come here and give your old dad a hug.’
‘You’re not old, Dad. I think it’s cool, honestly.’ Suzy hugged her father tight and, looking up at him, teased him playfully. ‘Dad, I’m honestly really happy you’ve got a hot date tonight.’
Andrew laughed along with Suzy. ‘Well, I don’t know about the “hot” part, speaking for myself of course—’
‘Come on then, who is she?’ Suzy couldn’t stand the anticipation any longer.
‘Well, do you remember that lovely blonde woman at the auction at White Cloud – the one who bought Berri?’
‘Lori?’ Suzy gaped. ‘Oh, of course I do! Her?’ Suzy was surprised. ‘Well, it is going to be a hot date then. She’s very pretty and with-it! In fact, I reckon Lori is beautiful. I bet she used to be a model. Also, I really like her, Dad. Will you bring her back here later so I can ask her about Berri? Please? Hey, where are you going anyhow?’ Suzy was speaking a mile a minute.
‘Whoa now, steady girl!’ laughed Andrew. ‘We’re going for Thai and then to see a movie, if you must know.’
Suzy giggled. ‘Sorry, Dad. I’m just so excited you’re actually dating someone after all this time. Now, Dr Worrywart . . .’ She stood back and examined her father, ‘I have to be honest. You look a bit . . .’
‘A bit what?’ Andrew inspected himself in the large mirror that hung on the lounge wall. He rubbed his fingers through his hair making sure it was tidy.
‘Well . . . the tie?’ Suzy screwed up her face.
‘What’s wrong with my tie?’
‘It’s gotta go! Loosen up a bit. Oh, Dad, come with me, you’ve got to look cool,’ she added, grabbing her father by the arm and dragging him to his wardrobe. She pulled a casual jacket out and threw it on his bed. She then rummaged through his drawers and found a good teeshirt. ‘Now, shove this on under this nice jacket. And these jeans are much better,’ she said, pulling a pair off the hanger in his wardrobe. ‘Go on . . . change!’ Suzy demanded, with her hands on her hips. ‘I’ll wait in the lounge.’ She left the room, pointing to the clothes she’d placed on his bed.
Andrew grinned. Suzy often looked after him, and he reflected on the fact that their family dynamics were quite different to those of two-parent families. He hoped she hadn’t grown up too soon, and sometimes wondered if she took on too much responsibility. One thing he was pleased about, however, was the freedom Ripple now gave her. He liked her spending time at Jasmine Farm with the other girls and their families. She’s been so much happier since that bay horse had entered her life.
Suzy was sprawled on the sofa reading the latest copy of Horse magazine.
‘How do I look?’ Andrew reached over and kissed her head as he grabbed his keys and headed towards the door.
‘See you, Dad,’ Suzy replied, giving him the once-over. ‘You look really swish. Hey, have a great time tonight and say hi to Lori from me!’
‘Thanks, darling. I will. See you later.’
‘Hey, Dad . . .’
‘Yes?’
‘It’s okay, you know . . . like, about Mum and all,’ Suzy said in an offhand sort of way, putting her nose back in her magazine.
Andrew smiled as he closed the door. He wondered what he’d done to deserve such a beautiful daughter.
‘Hey, Dad . . .’ Suzy again.
‘Yes, Suzy?’
‘Love you!’
‘I love you too.’
***
Suzy placed her book on her bedside cabinet when she heard her father’s car pull up. She looked at her alarm clock. It was 11.30 p.m.
She walked to the top of the stairs. ‘Hi, Dad, how was your date?’
Talk about role reversal, Andrew chuckled to himself. He looked up at Suzy. ‘It was lovely, thanks. But I thought you’d be asleep. I’m just putting the kettle on. Would you like a hot drink? Coffee? Hot chocolate?’ Andrew asked, sensing his daughter was keen to know how the evening went.
‘Hot chocolate, thanks, Dad,’ Suzy called, ‘but only if you’re making it . . .’
Andrew smiled to himself as he walked into the kitchen. Suzy waiting up like this suggested she wasn’t as tot- ally relaxed about him dating as she was making out.
‘So you had a good time then?’ she asked, as she curled up on the sofa.
‘Yes thanks, darling. We had a very pleasant evening,’ he called from the kitchen. ‘In fact, we’re going out again next week.’ Andrew poured the hot drinks and placed them on a tray with a small bowl of assorted chocolates.
Suzy flopped back on the cushions and kicked off her fluffy slip-ons. Andrew passed her her hot chocolate and she smiled. ‘Thanks, Dad. Yum, chocolates! I didn’t know we had chocolates.’
‘Lori gave them to us actually,’ said Andrew, making himself comfortable.
‘So does she, like, remember me?’
‘Yes, of course she does, Suzy. She remembers how well you handled Berri at the auction. In fact she’s very impressed with your horsemanship skills.’
‘Is she?’ Suzy screwed up her nose. ‘Really?’
‘Yes, of course! Lori said to tell you Berri’s doing very well and she’s a dream to handle, thanks to you. And that she’s going to get her broken in when she’s four.’
Suzy smiled. It made her happy knowing Berri was going well and being well looked after.
There was silence and Suzy picked off the nail polish she’d applied earlier. Andrew browsed through a Time magazine. Suzy checked on him every now and then and sensed he was happy.
‘So, what does Lori do exactly? If she works with you, is she a doctor too?’ asked Suzy, ripping the foil off a chocolate and popping it in her mouth.
Andrew put down his magazine and kicked off his shoes. He reclined back in his leather chair. ‘Yes, she’s a doctor. She comes in and does two days a week in A&E. We sometimes share the same shift and she remembered me from the auction!’
‘Oh, yeah, you two had a drink together at the marquee while I put Berri back in her pen.’
‘That’s right. Well, we often have a coffee together at the hospital cafe and . . .’
Suzy grinned. ‘And?’
‘. . . and it seems we have a lot in common. I’m very comfortable with her, Suzy, and I kind of hope she’s feeling the same way.’
‘Well,’ said Suzy, sipping her hot chocolate, ‘I’m sure she will. Who could resist you, Dad? You’re . . .’ Suzy put on an admiring face and fluttered her eyelashes adoringly, ‘. . . irresistible.’
‘You crack me up sometimes, Suzy!’
‘Anyhow, I’m really, really, pleased, Dad. So where does she keep Berri?’ Suzy was especially pleased her dad was with someone who loved horses too.
‘Berri is kept at the Brooklyn Equestrian Centre, with her other horses. Do you know the place?’
Suzy gaped, ‘Of course! It’s an awesome venue. They have shows and concerts and stuff there. That’s where they’re holding the Andalusians on Stage, Dad!’
Andrew smiled, and was pleasantly surprised by Suzy’s response.
‘Cripes! This gets better by the minute, Dad!’ she teased. ‘So, do I hear wedding bells?’
‘Suzy, it’s only our first date.’ Andrew exclaimed, looking a little surprised.
‘Well, just asking. It’s just that, you’ve obviously spent a bit of time with her.’ After a short silence she decided a slight change of subject might be a good idea. ‘Anyway, tell me more about the equestrian centre.’ She lay back with her arms folded behind her head, her feet resting on the arm of the sofa, waiting to hear more. She was feeling much more comfortable about things now and especially so about Lori. Wow, she’s into horses!
‘I have an idea, why don’t I ask Lori if we can visit the centre? I’m sure she’d show you around. It’s an amazing setup. It’ll give you a chance to meet Tessa too.’
‘Tessa?’
‘Lori’s daughter.’ Andrew sipped his coffee.
‘Daughter?’ Suzy sat upright, the daughter part alarming her.
‘Yes, Lori has a teenage daughter too.’ Oh heck, a daughter – this changes things . . . She comes with a daughter! Suzy tried to cover her shock. ‘So, how old is this daughter?’
‘She’s older than you are. I’m sure you’d get on with her, Suzy. She’s into horses like you. Actually, she trains horses at the centre,’ smiled Andrew. He flicked through his magazine, not noticing Suzy’s jolt.
‘Mm, well, yes. I’d like to meet her sometime.’ Suzy didn’t like telling fibs to her father, but she suddenly felt a little prickly. She needed to digest this in the comfort and safety of her own bedroom, she thought. She took her empty mug out to the kitchen and mulled for a moment before returning to the lounge. She gave her father a kiss on the cheek. ‘I am really pleased you had a good evening. I’m off to bed, it’s late.’
‘Good night, Suzy, sleep tight.’
Suzy finished her chapter. She rolled over and reached for the lamp, accidentally knocking her most precious photo off the bedside table, the one of her with her mother in front of Rose Cottage. She reached and picked it up. She looked closely at the beautiful lady holding the lead rein of the woolly pony and Suzy, the little girl sitting proudly on his back. Sitting cross-legged on her bed she studied the photo for some time. She smiled, and even though it felt like a very long time ago to her, she did, for some reason, remember that day clearly. She remembered how she thought Bear was the flashest show horse in the world and how her mother played along, pretending she was competing at the Olympic Games, and how they laughed when Bear relieved himself when they were presenting the gold medal. She ran her fingers over her mother’s face and then over Bear’s hairy face. She bit her lip and, still holding the photo, she pulled up the duvet. She sobbed only a little while and then she lay in the dark, the photo resting on her chest, wondering . . .
Suzy was restless. She rolled onto her side, and thought, I think Dad really likes Lori. What if he marries her? It could happen . . . Dad hasn’t really been this keen on anyone since Mum . . . I can just tell he really likes her. Oh heck, a stepsister. I’ll have to share Dad with a stepmother and a stepsister. Now that would be so weird. This is becoming very scary . . . and where would we live? Imagine us all squashed in the apartment . . . She tossed and turned, feeling troubled. Although she tried to convince herself she was being really silly about her father’s relationship with Lori, she couldn’t relax. I’ll talk with Alexa and Lucy; they’ll understand . . .