Chapter Fourteen
Dagmar
S troman was still skittish, his ears flicking, but he wasn’t running. Dagmar approached Ophelia, who was at the fence by the paddock, talking to Caitlin.
‘Hey,’ Dagmar said to announce her arrival. She always hated butting in, but Ophelia turned and smiled.
‘Oh god.’ She let out a sigh and patted Dagmar on the upper arm. ‘I’m so glad you turned up when you did. I wasn’t sure I was doing the right thing, and Brann doesn’t have a clue about horses. He was just doing what he could. Thank goodness he’s sensible.’
‘Dad? Sensible?’ Caitlin sniggered and Ophelia nudged her.
‘Most of the time,’ Ophelia added. ‘And definitely in situations like that. What do you think we should do now?’ She turned her attention back to Stroman.
‘We need to give him some time to calm down. After that, maybe his owners can try leading him around the paddock, get him used to the space before they try to get him inside.’
Ophelia nodded. ‘Makes sense. He’s been through a lot today.’
‘But I’m not sure what’s best in the long run. We don’t want to risk this happening again. We should probably try to find out more about him from the owners and come up with a plan, because this is going to take time and work. It’s not something that can be left to us. The owners will need to be involved. They should be the ones doing most of the work, as they’re the ones who need the relationship with him.’
‘Yeah, all good points.’ Ophelia let out a sigh. ‘He seems ok with Maurice just now, so there’s clearly a bond of some sort.’
‘If he’s easily stressed, this whole move was probably tricky for him.’
Ophelia rubbed her hands together. ‘Ok. When Brann comes back with Avril, we should have a word with her and Maurice. We’ll see where that goes. I still need to get together with you so we can discuss advertising the post here.’
Dagmar’s insides lurched; she’d been deliberately putting that off as long as possible.
‘But now’s not the time.’ Ophelia glanced at her. ‘I saw James helping too. Has he gone?’
‘Yes. He left.’
‘How’s he getting on with his refresher lessons?’
Dagmar’s heart skipped a beat. ‘Um… good.’
‘Great.’ Ophelia smiled and raised an eyebrow. ‘Has he said anything else about why he really wants to learn to ride?’
‘Erm… No.’
‘Oh, well.’ Ophelia brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. ‘I guess if he is doing it to impress Victoria, we’ll see for ourselves at the horse trials.’
‘I guess.’ Dagmar’s cheeks heated. Of course, Victoria would want him there. Dagmar would be there too, as would Ophelia. It might turn into quite a spectacle. But even so, the thought of seeing James again brought that warming sensation to her chest. She could still feel the tingle on her skin from where he’d placed a hand on her arm, see his intense gaze, and the way he looked at her. Why did he look at her like that?
Her phone buzzed in her pocket. She withdrew it and saw a new message from James. Her insides danced, but she had to keep it hidden. Ophelia didn’t need to see her fangirling over him.
‘We should suggest to Stroman’s owners that we keep him separate for now, maybe try some desensitisation techniques. Gradual exposure to the other horses, starting with the calmest ones.’
‘Yes, let’s do that,’ Ophelia said. ‘They might need to bring in a specialist trainer. Maybe if they’re up for discussing it just now, you and I could sit down with them and make a long-term plan.’
‘Sure. We should do it as soon as possible.’
Ophelia put a hand on her shoulder. ‘Thank you. You’re so great with the horses. I really appreciate having you here.’
‘Thanks.’ Dagmar was always surprised when Ophelia was so nice to her, even though she’d never been anything but. Dagmar just expected Ophelia not to like her, but maybe she’d missed a friend here all these years.
‘Let’s see what they say. Here’s Brann and Avril. Let me see if she’s ok.’ Ophelia headed off. Catilin was watching her.
‘Do you think I could do the job here?’ she asked. ‘I want to, but it would mean leaving school. Dad thinks I should stay on and do exams, but this is what I want to do.’
‘I think you’d be really good, but it’s not up to me. And if your dad’s against it, Ophelia won’t employ you. She won’t want to upset him.’
‘I dunno.’ Caitlin watched her dad and Ophelia talking to Avril. ‘She’s not exactly a pushover, is she? And she likes her own way. I think if I could convince her to take me on, she might talk dad into it.’
‘Well, you could try. I started here when I was young, and I learned as I went along. You could definitely do that, but you’d be best to sit your exams first. You’ve already learned a lot in a short time, but it would be best for you to do vocational training in equine husbandry and horse care. I did that while I worked here.’
‘I’ll speak to mum and dad and see what they think.’
‘No matter what you decide, you should do your exams first. They’ll be starting soon, won’t they?’
‘Yeah, next week.’ Caitlin pulled a face.
‘Well, concentrate on doing your best in them. You’ll be in a better position for the job if you at least have some qualifications.’
Dagmar watched Stroman as he started to nibble at the grass near the fence. Her eyes returned to her phone, and she opened James’s message, her heart beating just a bit faster. He’d put a list of times and dates he was available to visit the café. A date with James Charlton? She smirked. Ok, so it wasn’t really a date, but it felt a bit like one. Her teenage self had craved a moment like this and now it was here… Except nothing that happened on it was likely to fulfil her fantasies – either past or present.
Dagmar wiped down the counter for the third time, her nerves making her hands fidgety. She’d never worked in a café, but she could see herself getting obsessed with getting every last mark off the tables. These old wooden things were so scratched and worn however, that she was possibly just removing the varnish.
The café was closed, the chairs neatly stacked on the tables, and Dagmar checked the clock for the hundredth time. Four thirty. Friday had come around like lightning after the drama with Stroman at the weekend. His owners had agreed to the plan for his integration and were taking it in turns to work with him. That was a relief. This meeting wasn’t.
Dotty was in the back, making a new batch of pastries. The smell was delicious, but Dagmar could sense her mum’s anxiety, and it was doing nothing to quell her own. Why should her mum trust James? She remembered him as a cheeky little boy who once stole Dagmar’s Schleich horse. How could Dagmar convince her he’d changed? Did she believe it herself? He’d apologised, and his actions seemed to indicate that he had. But trusting him wasn’t coming easily.
‘Mum, do you need any help?’ Dagmar asked.
Dotty poked her head out from the kitchen. ‘No, love, I’ve got it. Is there any sign of the lad yet?’
Dagmar forced a smile. ‘Not yet.’
‘I’m not going to deny I’m nervous about meeting him. Are you sure he’s trustworthy?’
‘He’s been a lot nicer than he used to be.’
‘I don’t understand what he’s getting out of this. Why is he bothering to help us?’
‘Because I’m giving him riding lessons.’
‘But he’s paying for them, isn’t he?’
‘Yes, but he knew I wouldn’t want to do it. I suppose this is his goodwill gesture, and it’s part of some community drive that Duchan Fayre is doing.’
‘Hmm. So, it’s a publicity stunt for him really.’
‘Possibly. But if it helps, does that matter?’ Dagmar moved around the counter and hugged her mum. ‘If you get a bad vibe or don’t trust him, we don’t have to agree to anything.’
‘Ok, darling. That’s sensible.’
A thud on the glass pane on the door made them both start. Dagmar’s heart skipped a beat as she turned to see James waving through the glass.
‘Oh lord.’ Dotty fiddled with the collar of her shirt. ‘He’s grown up handsome.’
‘Shh,’ Dagmar hissed, rushing to the door and opening it. ‘Hi.’
‘Hey.’ James smiled, and for a moment, the tension in her chest eased. He looked around the café. ‘This place is cute.’
‘Thanks.’ She sucked on her lower lip. Her mum had a point. James was very easy on the eye. He’d obviously come from work, and, in his shirt and suit, he looked smoking hot. ‘Come in.’
He made his way in, and Dotty came around the counter. ‘Well, James,’ she said. ‘It’s been a long time. I haven’t seen you since the two of you were at primary school together. You won’t remember me.’
James shook her hand. ‘Of course I do. You haven’t changed a bit. Hopefully, I’ve grown a little since you last saw me.’
‘Oh dear,’ Dotty replied with a chuckle. ‘I’m sure my hair is a hundred per cent greyer than it was back then. Now, why don’t you two sit down and have a chat? I’ll bring out some pastries.’
Dagmar watched her mum bustle off. So much for being nervous. Her mum had given into the Charlton charm without any resistance. James took a seat at a table near the window. Before Dagmar could sit down, Dotty called her and handed her some cutlery.
‘He seems very nice,’ she whispered. ‘I can usually tell.’ She made her way over to where James was sitting without letting Dagmar reply, then she sat in the outside seat on the opposite side to James, which meant the only seat Dagmar could get into was the one right next to him as her mum was blocking the one opposite. Why did she get the feeling her mum was doing it on purpose?
Feeling stupidly awkward, Dagmar took the seat next to James. He was leaning his elbow on the back of the chair, his chest open to her. His top two buttons were undone, and a wedge of bare skin was visible beneath. Dagmar tried not to look at him as she sat, but his expensive fragrance threatened to overpower her. The warmth of his presence beside her made her both comforted and anxious at the same time and she didn’t know where to focus.
Dotty got up almost as soon as Dagmar sat. ‘I’ll just grab a tray of pastries and some coffee.’
Dagmar slowly turned her gaze to James. He was smiling at her and her insides wobbled so much it was like they’d rearranged themselves.
‘Have you had a good day?’ he asked.
‘Yes, it was ok.’
‘How’s Stroman getting on?’
‘Slightly better. Every day he seems a little more confident.’
‘That’s great. Little steps.’ His smile was wide, and he very subtly dropped his focus from her eyes to her lips. Dagmar froze. What the hell?
‘Here you go.’ Dotty placed a tray in front of them, then took her seat. ‘Now, tell me, James. Why are you offering to help us? It’s bothering me. Why us?’
James took a bite of a pastry and smiled. ‘These are delicious, Mrs Ingenfeld.’
‘Call me Dotty.’ She waved her hand. ‘I’m not a Mrs as I never had a husband. Dagmar’s father was, well, not a nice man. And we were never married. I never wanted to be married after that.’
Dagmar sipped her coffee, hoping her mum wouldn’t say anything else. She’d never met the man who’d got her mum pregnant. Dagmar couldn’t even think of him as her father. Her mum wouldn’t tell her the whole story, but from what she had said, it sounded like the man had pressured her into unprotected sex, and then left her when she got pregnant. Maybe that was a factor in Dagmar clinging to her celibate life. She’d grown up believing men were never trustworthy, and even now, she wasn’t sure she trusted James. She wanted to, but it was difficult. And James hadn’t answered her mother’s question, which set her on edge.
‘Why do I want to help you?’ He placed his remaining pastry on the plate and dusted the corner of his lip.
So, he was going to answer it, was he?
‘Well, there are a few reasons. I really need the riding lessons. And I know Dagmar didn’t want to teach me, because of things that happened at school.’
‘Like you stealing her Schleich horse?’ Dotty raised an eyebrow.
‘What?’ He frowned at her, then glanced at Dagmar. ‘Um… ok, that. And, well, I needed to make it up to her somehow. I read the post you put on social media and instantly thought it was exactly the type of project that would qualify for or community fund. It seemed like the perfect opportunity and something that could be mutually beneficial. You’re looking for an investor. Here I am.’
‘Well, that really is very kind, and it’ll definitely make up for that horse. But I’ll feel we’re always in your debt.’
‘Not at all. Once the riding lessons are done, then we’re quits. You might be asked to do a couple of photoshoots and articles for Duchan’s publicity campaigns, but it won’t be taxing or detrimental. In fact, it’ll be something that gives as much exposure to you as it does for us.’
‘And what exactly can you do? The landlord wants me out of here.’
‘We have a few options. If you can negotiate an extension on the lease, the fund could be used to upgrade the equipment and redecorate. Depending on the asking price for the building, the fund might stretch to purchasing it. Or we could look into finding a different location for the café.’
‘I see.’ Dotty glanced at Dagmar, who guessed what her mum was thinking.
The way he spoke about business was always so casual, like it was just a little thing. Maybe to him it was. He could fork out a hundred thousand pounds for a building, just like that.
‘I need to clear it with finance and my parents first, but I don’t see there being a problem. They already provisionally said it was fine, and this is what the fund is for.’
Dotty smiled. ‘It sounds almost too good to be true.’
James lifted his pastry again and Dagmar took another sip of coffee.
‘Might I get a picture of the two of you?’ Dotty said. ‘Not to post it anywhere. Just for my own memory. This is something I want to remember.’
‘Sure,’ James said.
Dagmar looked up from her coffee. She hated having her picture taken. Beside her, James had on his kilowatt smile and looked like he could be on the front cover of a business magazine.
‘Come on, Dagmar.’ Her mum held up her phone. ‘Give me a little smile.’
Dagmar tried.
‘James, lean in a bit so I can get the two of you.’
Heat flared in Dagmar’s cheeks. ‘Mum, that’s not necessary…’
James put his arm along the back of the seat, close to Dagmar’s shoulders. The heat of him and the strength of his arm sent a shiver down her spine. She tried to relax, hyperaware of his proximity. His cheek was almost touching hers. And he smelt divine. An overpowering urge to kiss him slammed through her at a hundred miles an hour. She’d never felt anything like it.
‘Perfect.’ Dotty snapped the picture and looked at it. ‘Oh, you both look so gorgeous.’
James sat back, still smiling.
‘Gorgeous?’ Dagmar scoffed. ‘Not me. Look at me next to Ophelia and you won’t think that.’
‘Of course I will.’ Dotty got to her feet, lifting the empty cups and plates. ‘You’re my daughter. To me, you are the most beautiful person in the world.’
‘And you don’t need to be beautiful like Ophelia,’ James added as Dotty disappeared through the kitchen door. ‘You’re beautiful as you.’
The heat in her face could now rival molten lava. Did he mean that? Or was he just being nice… And if so, why? Christ . Talk about confusing. She couldn’t look at him. ‘Thanks.’
He gave her a little pat on the arm and said quietly, ‘I’m not sure what you see when you look in the mirror, but I don’t think it’s the same as what everyone else sees.’
Dotty returned to the table and took up her seat. ‘This building has been a curse. Honestly, there has been so much wrong with it. My house is the same, though it has a lovely location.’
‘Location is important, though it doesn’t always work out.’ James pulled a face. ‘I bought a plot at the end of Loch Briar, some time ago. Thought it would be perfect, but I kind of regret it now. It’s too close to town for the kind of house I want. The views are stunning, but I’m not sure if that’s enough to make me build the house.’
‘Ah, shame,’ Dotty said. ‘I’m sure you’ll find the right place eventually.’
James smiled. ‘Yes, I’m sure I will.’ He checked the time on his phone. ‘Ladies, I should go. I’m dining with my parents tonight. They want to go over the campaign.’
Dagmar frowned at him. ‘Campaign?’
‘On what we’re going to say to you-know-who at the horse trials to move things along.’ He pulled a face and sighed.
Dotty shook her head, and Dagmar shot her a look, warning her not to say anything, as she wasn’t supposed to have told her about Victoria in the first place.
James pushed his chair back, and Dagmar stood up to let him out. ‘I’ll see you there.’ He smiled at Dagmar. ‘Wish me luck.’
‘Good luck.’ She held her breath as he passed her, sensing that he might kiss her cheek or something, but he didn’t. Her mind wanted to retract the good luck she’d just wished him and replace it with a hope that Victoria would find someone else – maybe the rich banker Ophelia had spoken about. Dagmar hated the thought of James being with Victoria. Could she avoid seeing them together as she’d be there too? The way she’d avoided seeing him with Ophelia at the Highland Games last year?
‘Bye-bye and thank you,’ Dotty said.
James gave them a final smile and left. Dagmar watched him go, then turned to her mum and realised she was peering at her with a curious expression.
‘Do you think he and Victoria will be a good match?’ Dotty pulled a face.
Dagmar nodded. ‘No doubt.’ But her heart crumbled and fell apart like flaky pastry. Why can’t it be me?