Chapter Nineteen
Dagmar
W as there a more exquisite form of torture than this? Waiting two more days until Friday would be impossible. But with time seeming to slow down, it gave Dagmar a moment to think. The estate cottages were ready and in move-in condition. She had so little possessions other than what she kept in the trailer that it would only take a few hours to move in – maybe not even that. All she needed to do was say the word to Ophelia.
With all the changes in her life, this was just one more. Her mum was all for it, and Dagmar knew it was the sensible course of action. The only thing stopping her was her stubborn wish not to be in anyone’s debt.
‘I can’t afford to pay the full rent,’ she told Ophelia when she tracked her down in the office to chat to her.
‘I don’t expect you to pay rent. I told you before. Those rates are for tenants coming in, but you work here. This is part of the deal. If I’d realised sooner that you were living permanently in the trailer, you could have had the cottage I did up last year.’ She pulled a face. ‘The one Jacinta rented to her friend, Camilla, the mad artist.’
‘Oh, her.’
‘Yeah. And don’t think I’m being rude. She’s the one that christened herself that, not me.’
Dagmar took a deep breath. ‘Ok, so… When would this start?’
‘Right now, if you want. There are six cottages in the row. I can give you the one at the end furthest from Camilla, so hopefully she won’t bother you too much. They’re all furnished and ready to go.’
Dagmar’s insides squirmed a little at the thought of living that close to someone, but still, she needed to do this. She’d long outlived the trailer.
‘Ok.’
Ophelia smiled and gave her a pat on the arm. ‘You want to do it now?’
‘Only if you can spare me here for an hour or so.’
‘Of course. In fact, I’ll help you.’
Dagmar’s instinct was to decline, but why not? Ophelia looked eager.
‘I don’t exactly have a lot to move.’
‘Tell you what. You drive the trailer down and I’ll meet you there and help you unload.’
Settled. She headed to the trailer and packed away the camping stuff. It would be so nice not to shower and go to the loo in the horrible little booth. She grabbed all her toiletries and shoved them into the trailer before hooking it up to the truck.
Ophelia was already at the cottage when Dagmar arrived.
‘Here you go.’ Ophelia dangled a set of keys before Dagmar. ‘Your very own cottage.’
‘Thanks.’ Dagmar took the keys and walked up the little path to the cottage door. It was the end one in a terrace. None of them were large, just two small bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs, with a living area and kitchen downstairs, but Ophelia had decorated them beautifully. As she was an interior designer, the results were stunning. Dagmar felt like it was almost too good for her as she looked around the perfect shabby chic living area with its comfy sofa and small wooden dining table by the window. ‘It’s gorgeous.’ Her eyes fell on the table where there was a bottle of wine. ‘What’s that?’
‘I snuck in and left it.’ Ophelia grinned. ‘Welcome to your new home.’
Tears prickled at the corner of Dagmar’s eyes. It already felt like a home. A place she wouldn’t be ashamed to bring people. ‘I can’t wait for my mum to see this.’
‘Invite her round. Invite anyone you like. It’s your house to do with as you please… Within reason, of course.’
‘Don’t I have to sign agreements and things?’
‘I’ll get Barbara to sort out all the paperwork, but for now, just relax and enjoy it.’
Ophelia helped to offload all Dagmar’s belongings in the house, and they chatted as they made the trips back and forth. For someone Dagmar had always been a little in awe of, she was actually easy to talk to.
‘I’ve noticed,’ Dagmar said, ‘that Stroman has a particular dislike of greys. We should watch him carefully when greys are in the neighbouring paddock. His owners told me yesterday there was a nasty incident at his last livery where Stroman and a grey had come to blows with teeth and hooves.’
‘I wish they’d mentioned that before,’ Ophelia muttered. ‘I don’t want any aggro here.’ She glanced at Dagmar. ‘Do you remember that time—’
‘How could I forget?’ Dagmar didn’t need her to finish. Years ago, not long after Dagmar had started, a horse had killed another one. It had been so unexpected and shocking it had shaken everyone for months. Nobody wanted an incident like that ever again.
‘I think we should keep Stroman on his own for now.’ Ophelia drew in a breath and held it for a moment. ‘In sight of the other horses, but separate. I don’t want to risk another tragedy.’
‘Agreed.’
‘Listen, Brann’s away on Friday. He and his son are travelling to a highland games in Morayshire. I can’t go as I’m in Edinburgh on Saturday for my friend’s birthday, but I’ll be free on Friday evening. Do you fancy having a drink? Or we could take the horses out for a hack if the weather stays nice.’
Heat burned Dagmar’s cheeks. Everyone knew she never did anything in her free time, but Friday was the one time in her life she really had something on. Ophelia wouldn’t believe her. This would sound like such a copout. Seriously? Social events were worse than London buses.
‘I, um, can’t on Friday. I mean, thanks for asking, but I’ve actually got a date.’
Ophelia raised an eyebrow. ‘Aw, that’s lovely.’ She patted Dagmar’s upper arm. ‘Anyone I know?’
‘Oh… No.’ What a lie. But how could she tell the truth?
‘Well, enjoy.’
That was the general idea, but her nerves were frayed.
‘I’ll leave you to settle in here.’
Living in the cottage was bliss compared to the trailer, though she found it odd not having the horses in sight. It was just a short walk up the path, but because of the layout of the land, a hill blocked the view from here. When Dagmar chatted to her mum, she seemed to think that wasn’t a bad thing. And maybe she was right. The horses were always going to be important to her, but that didn’t mean she had to spend every second with them.
She messaged James and told him she’d moved, so he should pick her up from here on Friday.
He replied quickly.
JAMES: That’s so great! I’m so pleased for you. See you on Friday. Can’t wait xx
She smiled at the message and the kisses. Suddenly, her life felt new and fresh – if a little strange. Now, every free moment she had was taken up with making herself as presentable as possible. She even bought some new make-up, even though she was only going to James’s house. It seemed necessary though as the only stuff she had was so old it had dried up and was useless.
She spent ages moisturising, shaving, plucking. On Friday afternoon, she clocked off early to make sure she had time to de-horse in her wonderful new shower in the cottage. She caked her hair in a new conditioning balm she’d bought and left it in for ten minutes.
Now, she just had to wait. While she did, she applied her new make-up, following a tutorial she’d seen online and hoping she hadn’t made herself look like a waxwork. Tilting her head in the mirror on the pretty dressing table in the dormer window in her bedroom, she checked herself… Not too bad. Was it?
Her heart leapt at the sound of a knock. She squinted out the window but didn’t see a car. Had James walked from somewhere? Maybe he’d parked at the stables. She rushed to the door, a smile already forming. But when she opened it, it wasn’t James standing there.
‘Caitlin?’ Dagmar blinked. ‘Why are you still here?’
Caitlin shifted from foot to foot. ‘Mum was supposed to pick me up, but she hasn’t shown up yet. My phone battery’s dead. Can I charge it here? And maybe use your phone to call her?’
‘Of course.’ Dagmar stepped aside, her stomach knotting. What if James showed up now? This could be all kind of awkward. ‘There’s a charge point just there.’
Caitlin unravelled a charger from her bag and shoved it into a plug in the living room
‘Thanks. This cottage is so cute.’ Caitlin glanced up at Dagmar and opened her mouth slightly. Oh god. Dagmar never wore anything other than horsey clothes, so this dress and the make-up must look completely sus. ‘Do you mind if I use your phone now? I just want to make sure Mum’s ok.’
‘Oh, yeah.’ Dagmar opened her phone. She had Kristi’s number in case she needed to call her about Caitlin, but she’d never used it. She hardly ever called anyone. Her eyes scanned for a message from James, then flicked to the window. Where was he? And how was she going to explain what he was doing there if he showed up? Surely it would be blatantly obvious. What would Caitlin make of it? Would she gossip?
Dagmar handed the phone to Caitlin, who hit the call button and pressed the phone to her ear. ‘Hi Mum, it’s me. Where are you?’ She paused, listening. ‘Ah, ok, that’s fine. I was just worried. My phone died, and I’m at Dagmar’s cottage… Yeah, she’s in the end one. You know the terraced ones on the main drive… I’m charging it now. See you soon.’
She ended the call and handed the phone back. ‘She got held up behind a tractor, but she should be here soon. She’s still not that confident a driver.’
‘No problem.’ Dagmar smoothed out her long black dress, glancing at the door. When would James be here? Should she offer Caitlin a drink?
Caitlin checked out the window. ‘I didn’t want to hang about at the stables. Stroman’s owner is in the tack room and he’s a bit weird sometimes. That’s why I didn’t want to use the charger in there.’
‘He’s a bit abrupt at times,’ Dagmar agreed.
‘Are you going out? You look nice.’
‘Thanks. I, um, yeah. I’m on a date later.’
‘Really? Cool.’
Dagmar sat on the sofa but couldn’t help tapping her feet. Where was James? Would he arrive before Kristi?
‘I had a date with this boy the other week, but he was strange. He had this totes annoying habit of flicking his hair.’ Caitlin demonstrated, then laughed.
‘Oh dear.’
‘Yeah. Anyway. I’m not seeing him again.’
Fussy girl. Dagmar chuckled internally. But Caitlin was young and very pretty; she could afford to be fussy.
A car door banged outside, and Dagmar spun around, but it was Kristi’s car not James. As she got to her feet, a message came in.
JAMES: So sorry, running late. Be there soon as I can xx
Dagmar let out a sigh. At least she would have to explain his presence to Caitlin and Kristi.
Dagmar opened the front door as Kristi jumped out of her car, waving. Her outfit wasn’t dissimilar to Dagmar, but she wore the black dress with more style. Perhaps it was her curves or the fact the dress laced down the front like a bodice. Her shock of red hair begged to be seen. Her arms were bare, and she had tattoos that looked both pretty and a little scary.
‘Sorry I’m late.’ Kristi strode up the path to them, her tartan Doc Martens crunching on the gravel. ‘There were so many tractors, and I hate passing them on those roads. I’m too chicken.’ She hugged Caitlin briefly before turning to Dagmar. ‘Wow, you look stunning. Going somewhere special?’
Dagmar’s cheeks heated. How could someone who looked as good as Kristi think she looked stunning? ‘Oh, just a date,’ she mumbled.
‘A date.’ Kristi’s eyes lit up, and Dagmar could almost see her putting everything together after their chat the other day. ‘How exciting. Well done, you.’ She patted Dagmar on the arm. ‘And you’ve moved? This cottage looks amazing.’
‘Have a look if you like.’ Dagmar stood back to let her in.
Kristi came in and scanned around. ‘I love it. This is what I need. My flat is tiny and falling to bits. The lock on the front door is a total menace.’
Dagmar smiled. ‘I think the other cottages are still available. You could ask Ophelia.’ The idea of having Kristi as a neighbour was quite fun.
‘It’s a nice thought, but I like living in Glenbriar. It’s handy for work.’ Her eyes roamed over Dagmar’s outfit again. ‘So, who’s the lucky guy?’
‘Good point,’ Caitlin added, grinning. ‘You didn’t say who.’
Dagmar laughed, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. ‘It’s nothing, really. Just a casual thing.’
‘That’s my girl.’ Kristi gave her a wink, and Dagmar had no doubt she’d worked out who Dagmar was seeing. ‘That’s exactly what I needed to hear. You look amazing. I love your dress. Very elegant. He’s a lucky man and don’t let him forget it.’
‘Who?’ Caitlin frowned at her. ‘Do you know something I don’t?’
‘Of course I do. I’m much older and wiser.’ She winked at her, then grinned at Dagmar. ‘You go kick up a storm, girl.’
‘I’ll try.’ Dagmar let out a laugh, glancing towards the window. When would James get here?
‘Just enjoy it.’ Kristi patted her arm. ‘And remember, you have my number. I’m sure nothing will go wrong, but don’t think twice about calling me if you need an out.’
‘Thank you.’
As Dagmar turned to leave, Caitlin called out, ‘Have fun.’
Dagmar waved and went back to the living room, her mind racing. How long would it take James to get here? She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. Maybe he was stuck behind a tractor too. Or maybe he was in a meeting that would go on for hours. The tension might crack her head open at any second. She let out a groan.
Horses were so much more reliable than humans, but if she wanted to get out of her perpetually single, constantly celibate rut, then she needed people. So far, she’d made inroads by getting new friends in Kristi and Ophelia – even Caitlin, despite how young she was. But men were still a mystery… Hopefully, it wouldn’t stay that way much longer.