Chance of a Lifetime

by Dilys Xavier

  ‘Don't go,’ Phillip pleaded, reaching out and grasping her arm. He drew her close, gently pressing her into his body as he murmured her name.

  She felt weak and helpless against the strength of his hold. What was more, she knew she wanted to be in his arms, be it ever so brief.

  ‘Of course,’ he said, ‘I admit to being fond of Davina, but we’ve known each other since we were toddlers. It was never a romantic relationship, believe me. Our relationship is similar to the one you have with Gary.’

  He drew back for a moment and looked into her eyes. ‘Now I can guess why you've been so defensive with me all along. And I know your reason for wanting to keep Chance,’ he nodded. ‘Your grandfather saw fit to tell me all about it on the phone, yesterday, so I understand everything now. Please forgive me for causing you so much anxiety. I would never have done it intentionally, you must know that; I'm not some cruel ogre.’ He sighed deeply. ‘If I’d known all of this sooner, I wouldn’t have pressed for the colt. I had no idea how much the thought of losing him was hurting you.’

  Maria gazed up at him as he went on. ‘Davina is going to marry her manager soon, and I’m to be best man. We're just good friends in the nicest possible way.’

  Chapter Twenty Two

  The moment Phillip Carter had mentioned Gary’s name, a lump had formed in her throat. Gary was worth ten Phillip Carters. This man wasn't important any more. At last it had dawned on her that what she was after was a conquest; what she felt for this suave male was lust, not love. It was Gary she wanted to be with; laughing with Gary at trouble-free everyday things; enjoying the simple things of life with Gary – the things that really mattered, but she was denying herself these simple pleasures.

  ‘Phillip,’ she whispered, ‘I have to tell you. I feel dreadful; I wanted to hurt you, because you hurt me. It was stupid and childish of me. I am so sorry. Can you ever forgive me?’

  ‘I already have,’ he said softly. I love everything about you,’ he murmured. ‘I love you for all that you are.’ He took her hand in his. ‘You need someone to look after you, and your colt. I'll take you both on, if you'll let me.’

  All Maria's past thoughts, her wishes and fears flashed before her, bringing fresh tears to her eyes.

  ‘Now what's the matter? Phillip said, concerned at the fresh tears that trickled down her face. ‘What’s this all about now, Maria?’ He leaned closer ‘I love you in the right sort of way,’ he whispered in her ear, ‘and everything is going to be all right, you'll see.’

  There was silence, and Maria could hear Phillip's steady breathing. He cleared his throat, but it was no whisper this time. ‘Will you marry me, Maria?’

  Maria took a deep breath. Marry him? Where had this come from? What should she say? Should she consider it? Say nothing? Her mind was in a whirl as she pulled away from him. ‘This is not the time to ask me that,’ she said. ‘You’ve sprung this on me, and I’ve been too emotionally upset for too long to be rational about such a serious matter. I’m confused, and it’s something I must think carefully about for both our sakes.’

  He smiled down on Maria. ‘It rests with you. Just tell me your answer when you’ve made up your mind.’

  Maria merely nodded. ‘Gary’s collecting me in ten minutes,’ she said. ‘I’ll be in touch soon.’

  True to form, it was only minutes before Gary arrived. He jumped out of the car, opened the passenger door for Maria to get in, then gathered up what she had placed on the driveway and piled it into the boot of the car.

  She reached out for Phillips’ hand and held it. ‘Whatever will be, will be … for the best,’ she said, as Phillip slammed the car door shut.

  Gary was particularly chatty and seemed unusually happy on the journey home.

  Maria could hold her curiosity no longer. ‘What’s up with you, Gary? There’s something going on – I can tell.’

  ‘Well, I’ve had a stroke of luck too,’ he said, smiling broadly. ‘D’you remember I said I’d read in The Farmers Weekly that there were exchange jobs available in New Zealand? Well, I contacted my cousin, thinking he’d know more about it, and he said not to bother with adverts. He told me his Dad, my uncle, could fix me up on his farm if that’s what I wanted, meaning I’ve no need to apply anywhere. All I have to do is make the necessary arrangements, and fly off to New Zealand; simple as that.’

  Suddenly devastated, a pang of fear crossed Maria’s chest. ‘You mean you’re thinking of going there? All that way off?’

  ‘That’s the general idea,’ Gary said, pulling heavily on the steering wheel as they entered Manor Farm drive.

  ‘Why, Gary?’

  ‘Tell me why not, Maria. I can guess where you’re going, and you’ve got a whole exciting life ahead of you. But, what’s here for me? Especially with you not around – it wouldn’t be the same.’

  ‘So when is this to be, Gary? Does Gramps know?’

  ‘Yes, he does, and I’ll be off as soon as I get things organised and all agreements signed.’

  His words had cut to the core, and Maria fell silent as they pulled to a stop. With that, Gramps appeared at the door and waved. Her return wave was feeble in comparison; she felt like the ground had been taken from under her feet. She felt sick, and no more was said about Gary’s plan as they walked towards Gramps in silence.

  ‘Got a brew and biscuits all ready for you,’ he said, ushering them inside, ‘and Gary’s Mum is here with a tasty casserole all ready for our lunch.’

  Still reeling from shock at her friend’s news, Maria wanted to talk to Gramps about it before she made any further comments to Gary. There was a lot of chatter as they enjoyed their tea and biscuits, but Maria was unusually quiet, her mind far away, trying to sort out why this had affected her so much.

  Mrs Marsh gathered up the crockery and placed it in the dishwasher. Then she turned to Maria with a smile.

  ‘So what do you think of Gary’s plan to go down under to my brother’s farm? Has he told you yet?’

  ‘Yes, he’s told me, and if that’s what he wants, so be it,’ Maria replied, with little enthusiasm. ‘We’ll miss him, that’s for sure.’

  ‘So will I, but my brother reckons it’ll be good experience for him, and he said that if he likes it he can stay on as long as he wants.’ She placed a dimpled finger on her chin as she thought for a few seconds. ‘Not that I want him to live there permanently, but once he’s there, well, you never know, and we have to take the risk.’ Mrs Marsh then proceeded to set up the table for lunch. ‘Got a lovely beef casserole for you today,’ she said. ‘I put it in the oven ages ago, so it should be ready to eat now.’

  Lovely or not, Maria had no appetite for the casserole or anything else. With the meal over, Mrs Marsh gone home, and Gramps and Gary out in the fields, she shut herself in her studio feeling more dejected than she had ever been before. This was another big worry, and she didn’t feel emotionally strong enough to take it. On top of that was the surprise proposal from Phillip to consider.

  As she sat staring out through the window at Gary climbing into the tractor, she felt a sharp pang of fear…how would it be on Manor Farm without him? She dared not imagine; it was something she had never envisaged before. Life without Gary? No, she could not accept that. But there was little she could do about it now with all the plans settled in his mind, and his Uncle Paul and cousin Rich expecting him to go.

  She buried her head in her hands and cried as though there was nothing to live for. All thoughts of Carter and My Chance were obliterated by the calamity of losing Gary. She hadn’t expected this; nor had she expected the way she was reacting to the news.

  It was hours later when Gramps called her to say he was home, that she went downstairs. He stared at her swollen eyes when she walked into the room. ‘Maria. You’ve been crying. Don’t worry, Chance will be fine at Carter’s place.’

  ‘It’s not Chance; it’s Gary going to New Zealand that’s upsetting me. Life won’t be the same without him, Gramps. I don’t know how I’l
l cope.’

  ‘Hey, relax,’ he said. ‘Gary’s not finalised anything yet; the idea’s still new and too fresh to worry about.’ He drew Maria close and patted her head. ‘Have you told him how you feel about his going all that way off?’

  ‘No, it’s not my place to influence him. If that’s what his ambition is, then I wouldn’t stand in his way.’ She wiped away the tears and linked her arm in her grandfather’s. ‘Something like this happening never dawned on me, so it’s a real shock for me. I had no idea Gary meant so much to me. I guess I’ve taken things for granted – like thinking he’d always be there for me. I was mistaken.’

  ‘Now I’ll tell you something, Maria, but promise me not to let on. He thinks you’re in love with Phillip Carter, and that you’ll go to live at Colacomby Stables before long. He’s noticed how enamoured Carter is with you, and told me he can never hope to compete with a man like that.’

  ‘Compete? Gramps, Gary would only have to crook his little finger and I’d go running to him. My life without Gary would be futile.’

  ‘Well, Gary doesn’t know that, so you’d better tell him; and let him know how much you need him to stay. See what his response is. If you don’t put him in the picture, you could regret it for the rest of your life.’ He stretched his neck to look through the window. ‘And here he is. I’ll go and leave you together to sort things out, so don’t delay.’

  Gary entered the kitchen just as Gramps went into the hall out of the way. ‘Hey, Maria, your eyes…what’s up with the tears? Missing My Chance already?’

  ‘No Gary, it’s not that at all. It’s about you going to your uncle’s farm that’s upsetting me. I’ll miss you too much. Do you really have to go?’

  Gary stared at her as though he didn’t know what to say, and it took almost a full minute before he replied. ‘No, I don’t have to,’ he said. ‘It’s just that I thought I need a change, and going down under would be good for me and give me new experiences.’

  Maria could not hold back the flow of tears any longer and gave vent to her feelings.

  Rushing to her side, Gary wrapped his powerful arms around her and drew her close. ‘Don’t cry. There’s no need for that,’ he soothed, wiping away her tears. ‘I had no idea my going away would upset you like this.’ He took both her hands in his and for the first time ever, drew her close to kiss her in a long and passionate embrace.

  Gazing lovingly into Maria’s eyes, he made his confession. ‘The truth is I couldn’t bear to think of you with that man, Maria. I wanted to get as far away as possible if you were going to be with Phillip Carter, and it looked like that was happening, looked like you might marry him.’ He nuzzled his head in her neck. ‘I love you, Maria; I always have, and I wanted you for myself, but I never dared think for one minute that I had a chance of you ever wanting to be with me.’

  ‘You are so wrong, Gary. I think the glamorous life Phillip Carter represented must have turned my head temporarily. You see, I’ve absolutely no ambition to live in an ancient fortress, and compete with beautiful horses and gorgeous women. But most importantly, Carter is not my kind of man. You are - and it’s time I told you.’

  The surprised, but ecstatic expression on Gary’s face made Maria burst out laughing. They fell into each other’s arms, frantically kissing each other just as Gramps returned to see what all the noise was about.

  Maria grasped his arm and pulled him close to them. ‘Gramps, Gary and I know the score at last!’

  She put her arms around her grandfather’s neck and hugged him tightly. ‘Thank you so much for prodding me, Gramps. We both know where we’re going now.’

  Looking happier than ever, Maria pulled enthusiastically on Gary’s arm. ‘Come on, it’s high time we told your Mum she needs to go shopping for a new hat!’

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