Country Rivals

by Zara Stoneley

  ‘Of course.’ There was a quirk to his mouth and Lottie was sure he was amused by it all.

  ‘We’re broke. It’s pretty dire right now, if I’m honest,’ she really did have to make that quite clear, ‘or you wouldn’t be here.’ He might actually be quite a hunk now, and doing his best to be pleasant, but, quite honestly, a picture of him stuck in the tack room for any passing girl to drool over would be a far better alternative to having him and a film crew here.

  ‘Sure.’ It was almost like he’d read her mind. Though she knew she had an expressive face, Rory always told her she’d never make a poker-player. ‘How about we get together some time and I’ll explain how I got involved in this and what it’s all about? It’s a long story.’

  ‘Ooh I love stories.’ Lottie had forgotten all about Sam, who was staring appreciatively at Xander. ‘This is just so exciting, it’s amazing you two knowing each other and we’re going to be famous, we’re all going to be film stars, what do you think about that Roxy? Would you like to be famous? My mum always used to tell me about that Elizabeth Taylor, you know. She was in that film with a horse in it, wasn’t she? Mum does love those glamorous film stars, I mean she does like my Dave, but I’m sure she’d have preferred me to marry George Clooney. He’s a bit old for me, though, isn’t he?’

  Roxy looked from Xander, to Lottie, to her mother. ‘He’s making Lottie cwoss so I don’t think I want to be a filming star, I’d wather be a pwincess, and he wants to see my horse so we’re going to the stable. Come on Xander. I will see you later, Mummy.’

  * * *

  ‘I hope he’s paying extra to use these stables.’ The pony nodded its head enthusiastically, as though agreeing with Rory, and Lottie linked her hand through his arm.

  ‘He is. Thank goodness he’s gone.’

  ‘Come on, I was just about to do a final check of them all and lock up for the night.’ Rory led her across the cobbles towards the first loose box in the circular yard. ‘He’ll be back tomorrow, though. They’ll all be here soon, so I suppose we need to get used to it. When are we expecting the full monty? March?’

  Lottie nodded her head glumly. It would all be low key for a few weeks, the horses settling in, a small crew shooting a few scenes that didn’t involve the actors. Then, as Rory put it, the full monty.

  ‘Chin up, darling, we’ll be fine. Anyway I thought you liked him when we were at school? He seemed okay to me.’

  ‘He’s fine,’ he just didn’t like me, then I made it ten times worse, ‘it’s just the whole things is weird, and so rushed.’

  ‘Fine?’ Rory raised an eyebrow. ‘I thought you fancied the pants off him. All the girls did.’

  ‘I fancied the pants off you.’ And she had done. Rory had always been her man, even before he’d realised it. ‘Don’t you think it’s weird, it being somebody we know?’

  ‘It’s a small world, and anyhow it isn’t his film is it? He’s just helping with the horses.’

  ‘But Seb is his brother-in-law, he told me, that’s why he agreed to help out, and he never even used to like horses.’

  ‘Brother-in-law? I thought he only had the one sister, you know that scrawny girl who was always scowling.’ Rory frowned.

  ‘Sarah, she was called Sarah wasn’t she? I can’t really see her being married to that Seb, and I’m sure somebody said that his wife is the star of the show.’

  ‘Really?’

  ‘Yes, it was that Jamie, you know the one that came and saw Gran, I’m sure it was. She had some film-star name.’

  ‘He must have another kid sister, then.’ Rory shrugged. ‘That Sarah was just a half-sister wasn’t she? He lived with his mum and dad in one house, then she lived with her mum a few doors up. That’s why she got teased so much.’

  ‘Did she? I never really knew her. That’s not very nice, though, is it? It wasn’t her fault.’

  ‘No, but she was spooky. She used to just sit and watch us all the time, then flounce off if anybody took the piss. Weird girl, so I wonder what this other sister of Xander’s is like? Might be another Sam?’ Rory laughed at the expression on Lottie’s face.

  ‘Oh God, can you imagine? Although she could be. I know, I remember now, he said her name was Pandora. What if she turns her nose up at everything like Seb did?’

  ‘Stop worrying, it’ll be easy money.’

  ‘Things are going to work out, aren’t they?’ Lottie bit her bottom lip. ‘Xander really hated me at school, you know.’ It had all been so long ago, they’d been kids, and they were all grown up now. Water under the bridge, she hoped.

  ‘Of course they’re going to work out, and nobody hates you, darling, you’re imagining it.’ Rory kissed the top of her head. ‘Look, we carry on with life as normal, no extra work, no hassle, just a great big dollop of cash in the bank and then at the end of the year when they’ve all buggered off you pick up the wedding business again, and I find another nice rich backer to buy me some new horses, a flashy box, and to keep this lot in shoes and hay.’

  ‘So you really don’t mind having them here?’

  ‘Me?’ He gave a rueful smile. ‘You know me, I’m always up for a party, the more the merrier.’

  ‘But it’s not exactly a party, and what if they make a mess? What if they get in our way?’

  ‘Oh, I’m sure they’ll make a mess. God only knows why Lizzie likes the idea of horses galloping across the lawns and a bunch of strangers being here day in day out. She’s going to have a fit if some lovey-dovey director starts chopping her topiary.’

  ‘Are they really like that, you know, lovey-dovey?’ She frowned. ‘That Seb bloke didn’t seem to be. He seemed a bit of a cold fish, to be honest, and very rude, but Xander reckons he’s okay.’

  ‘Then he’ll be okay. They’re probably not loveys at all these days. Maybe they’re all like Guy Ritchie with a shotgun, flat cap, and a best friend that’s more Vinnie Jones than Eddie Izzard.’

  ‘Crumbs, I’d never thought of that.’ She stroked Black Gold’s long nose and the horse tugged at her shirt with none-too-gentle teeth. ‘Maybe Xander’s sister is more of a Madonna?’

  ‘Now that would give Lizzie a heart attack.’ Rory chuckled.

  ‘Don’t keep calling her Lizzie,’ Lottie thumped his arm playfully and giggled, feeling slightly happier. The thought of a Madonna look-alike at Tipping House Estate was far more outrageous than anything she’d imagined would result from allowing a film crew in. ‘Gran would just look down her nose at her and tell her she’ll catch her death if she doesn’t put some more clothes on. I heard her not long ago telling Sam that she really should take advantage of her husband earning a good salary and buy something warm and a decent length before she died of pneumonia and left him on his own, which would be most unsporting.’

  She rested her forearm on the door of the next box and watched the bay filly, Black Gold’s daughter, tugging at her hay-net unconcerned. ‘Do you think we should put Gold in foal again? Minty is just so adorable.’

  ‘All babies are adorable according to you.’ Rory grinned. ‘Do you think it might make you broody?’

  ‘Sod off.’ Lottie swatted him away playfully, trying to ignore the hard lump in her throat. She didn’t want the ‘baby talk’ again, not now. But she knew she couldn’t avoid it for ever. Her eggs would be hard-boiled, as Sam had helpfully pointed out. ‘I’m not sure I’m the broody type, apart from with foals.’

  He caught her hand in both of his, his face suddenly serious. ‘You won’t know until you try it, Lots.’

  ‘Do we have to talk about this now?’ She pulled away, trying to ignore his hurt look. Feeling suddenly exposed, alone, when he just stared back at her and didn’t try to pull her closer to him.

  ‘We’re getting older.’ His voice was soft, but it trickled along her spine, a warning that made her suddenly feel defensive.

  ‘So Sam said.’ She knew she sounded sullen, but she couldn’t help it.

  ‘Sam?’

  ‘I wish you wouldn’t talk
to other people about this. It’s not fair.’

  Rory sighed. ‘I’ve not talked to anybody else, why would I? I can’t even talk to you about it. Lottie, is there something going on here that I don’t get?’

  ‘No.’ She clutched the stable door, the flaking paint rough beneath her fingertips, and stared in at the horse, so that she didn’t have to look at his face.

  ‘I don’t get why this is an issue, I only thought …’

  ‘It’s not an issue.’ Except everyone but her was making it into one.

  ‘Fine.’

  ‘I’m not some brood mare.’

  ‘That’s not fair, Lottie, I never said …’

  ‘But everybody else just expects it. What about what I want? What if I just don’t fancy the idea?’

  ‘Then,’ his voice was so scarily gentle that she felt a sudden lurch of fear in the base of her stomach. What if he left her? What if he decided he wanted more than they already had, if just having each other wasn’t good enough for him? ‘Then I think we need to talk about it properly, don’t you?’

  Black Gold suddenly stuck her head out of the door and gave an ear-splitting whinny, and Rory grimaced. ‘Whenever you want to, that is. God, your dad knew what he was doing when he offloaded this mad horse on to us, didn’t he?’

  Lottie tried to smile back at him, but her face was struggling against muscles that had tightened into a mask. She could cave in, get pregnant, do the easy thing, like they all wanted – and then what?

  ‘Stop worrying. We’ll be fine.’ He kissed the end of her nose, was back by her side where she’d always wanted him to be. Life without Rory was unthinkable. Her fingers trembled just at the thought of him not being there to hold them. So she shoved her hand under his elbow, knitted her fingers into his coat. ‘Let’s forget it for now, shall we?’ His breath warmed her as he rested his chin on her head. ‘You’re right, darling, we’ve got plenty of time and it’s nothing to do with anybody else.’

  ‘We’ll talk, I promise, when everything is sorted. I’m sorry, Rory, really. I know I’m being a pain, being daft.’

  ‘Shh. You’re not being daft. This film business is the important thing right now.’

  She’d think about it when all this was over. Definitely. She owed it to him, to tell him exactly how she felt. Right now though, changing the subject was easier. ‘I really don’t get why Gran suggested the filming. She didn’t even like us having the weddings here at first. Do you think she’s up to something, or,’ and this was what worried her more, ‘does she think we really are in such a mess that this is the only way out?’

  ‘Well, I hate to say it, but we aren’t far off. This could be the best offer we’re going to get, and even if I manage to get another sponsor next week we’re not going to make it through to next year are we?’

  ‘If only the bloody insurance people would pay up, but all they keep doing is sending letters and men in suits to ask more questions. I never knew a fire could be so complicated.’ She sighed. It had all been going so well.

  ‘Never trust a man who spends all his day in an office staring at a spreadsheet, that’s what I say.’

  ‘But I should trust a man who spends all day mucking around with horses?’

  ‘I don’t muck around, woman, this is serious man stuff. Apologise or I might have to spank you.’

  ‘Sod off.’ Lottie squealed and made a run for it, hoping that he still really wanted to catch her.

  Chapter 10

  Pandora did her best to suppress a contented sigh. It was perfect, and well worth the wait, as she’d known it would be.

  Since Seb had returned with the signed contract, she’d been itching to get to Tippermere and see the Tipping House Estate with her own eyes. But she’d realised the importance of patience. She couldn’t appear over-eager, her husband had to feel in control if this was to work. He had to think it was his idea, his discovery.

  Learning lines and shooting scenes in the studio had kept her occupied, and Pandora had satisfied herself with leafing through the newspaper reports that she had secretly cut out and saved after the fire at Tipping House. In the evenings, with Seb often absent, she had searched the internet for images of the wonderful setting. She could have stared at it all day.

  Pandora didn’t believe in fate, but she did believe that some kind of justice had been served the morning Seb had lifted his daily newspaper and Lottie had stared out from the front page straight at her.

  She hadn’t even had to do a double-take. Pandora had instantly recognised Lottie, who was pictured the morning after her beloved ancestral home had been torched; the girl who had effortlessly commanded attention when they were still teenagers, despite being completely disorganised and ungroomed. Who could forget the time she’d arrived at school in her filthy breeches and stinky boots crowing about her father winning a gold medal?

  She gave a small shudder. How her half-brother Xander could have been so besotted with the creature had been beyond her comprehension. But then, who understood men? Or why such a tasteless class system still survived, where the women hee-hawed like donkeys and dressed in the most unflattering garments. Everything about them was hairy, from their houses to their clothes and bodies. None of them seemed to have heard of waxing and, as for the smell, it was either horse or nothing more sophisticated than lavender perfume.

  But by the time she’d finished her black coffee she didn’t care. She had a plan. Her time had come and Xander was actually going to prove of some use for once in his life. After all, if it hadn’t been for Lottie, Xander would have given her the attention she deserved all those years ago, and so it was right that he now make amends. And, if it hadn’t been for Lottie and her family things would have been so very different. Their father, Michael Rossi, would have been happy, and when he was happy he was nice. He would never have sent her and her mother away, never exploded in that fit of rage, saying things that he couldn’t possibly mean. He would have loved her, been proud.

  He was going to be proud now. He would want to tell the whole world she was his daughter, instead of trying to hide her away.

  It was quite incredible how all of a sudden things had fallen so perfectly into place. Xander had come back into her life at exactly the right time, and now she was back in the place where things had all started to go so horribly wrong. But this time she was the one in control.

  Pandora shifted her focus back to the present and the building in front of her. She was actually here, gazing at the stately home that would change their fortunes.

  * * *

  ‘What do you think, Pandora?’ Seb wasn’t sure whether his wife’s silence was a good or bad thing. She was staring out of the car window, an expression of boredom etched across her perfect, unblemished features.

  ‘It looks fine, I’m sure it will do, darling.’ She shrugged her slim shoulders, then patted his arm before swinging the door open and making her normal graceful exit. ‘You always know best, but do you think those flowers look cheap and nasty?’ She gestured back down the driveway at the swathe of bright daffodils. ‘Yellow is just so, well, obvious.’ She gave a small shudder of distaste.

  Seb sighed. ‘They’re daffodils, they’re always yellow. Wordsworth didn’t have a problem with them. Okay, fine, don’t give me that look. We’ll shoot so you can’t see them, but they’ll all be dead soon anyway.’

  ‘Whatever you say, darling. But I really think you should have a word with your scriptwriter.’

  ‘Really, darling?’ Seb steeled himself, there was always a ‘but’. He followed her example and walked around the car bonnet to join her.

  ‘I’ve started to feel that my character is far too wet. She needs to be more forward about her needs. I mean if her rock-star husband is playing away then she’d be more demanding with these men that come into her life, don’t you think? Polo is a contact sport, after all, and I know just what kind of contact she’d be after. She isn’t the doormat type. She’d be taking what she wants and standing up to him as well. Cha
llenging him, not just,’ she waved a dismissing hand, ‘shagging the locals. I like to think she’d be laying down some ground rules.’

  ‘Let’s try it this way first, shall we? Just see how the characters develop?’

  ‘I need to know her, feel her emotions, and how can I do that if we don’t share the same vision?’ Pandora pouted. ‘I’ll talk to him.’

  ‘No,’ it came out more sharply than Seb had intended, and earned him a steely look. ‘I will be the one to talk to him, darling. The decisions have to come from me or things get confused.’

  ‘He’ll listen to me, Seb.’

  ‘Pillow talk, Pandora?’ He hated the fact that he’d let a sour note creep into his voice, but there were times when Pandora needed reminding who was supposed to be in charge.

  ‘There’s no need to get nasty.’

  Seb knew that it was an argument best avoided. ‘I’m the producer, he’ll listen to me.’

  ‘Sure.’

  He clamped his mouth shut, suspicious of the sudden backdown, which was unprecedented, then noticed that Pandora’s attention had been diverted.

  A tall girl was standing at the top of the stone steps, a spaniel pressed close to her side, watching them. ‘Oh. I’d better introduce you, that’s—’

  ‘Shush.’

  ‘Sorry?’

  ‘Be quiet a moment, darling. I know damned well who that is.’ And she was off, stalking across the lawn; she ground to a halt at the bottom of the steps, arms folded. ‘Well, well, if it isn’t little Lottie Brinkley. You haven’t changed a bit, well apart from getting bigger. All round.’ The short bark of a laugh was humourless. ‘You always were well built, weren’t you, honey?’

  ‘You know each other?’ Seb, who had hastened after his wife, wary of her intentions, looked from one woman to the other in genuine surprise. The contrast could hardly be more striking. Pandora groomed to within an inch of her life, not a shiny hair out of place, and Lottie, the woman with everything, except it seemed a decent wardrobe or hair-straighteners. How on earth could they know each other? Pandora had never been to Tippermere, and the woman he knew as Lottie Steel had almost certainly never graced a film set.