Chapter 28
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
CHARLEY
“Do you want a beer?” Simon asks as I take a seat near the firepit.
“Yes, thanks.” I take the bottle he offers and have a swig. Andrés is tending something on the barbecue. He’s promised us a taste of Argentina, so I’ll be interested to see what he’s cooking. It certainly smells good.
Kirsty and Alexa are sitting across the fire pit deep in conversation with Felix.
We’ve all had a few days off since the opening of the centre, taking time to rest. I did as I intended and spent most of Sunday in bed, with Gabriel.
Since then I’ve caught up on a few emails and messages but kept it easy.
This morning we had a team meeting at work, a debrief with everyone reporting on how the weekend had gone in their area and any ideas to make any improvements.
There’d been no major catastrophes during the event, so I’m happy.
We also have more restaurant bookings for the few days a week we’re open, as well as interest for special events in the restaurant and ballroom.
Oscar gave us some feedback on the website hits and social engagement, and we gained a fair number of new followers, so it’s all looking positive for the future and the sustainability of the centre.
Tonight, though, is a purely social occasion.
I like that my work colleagues are also my friends, my chosen family.
Gabriel arrives with Immy, Oliver, and Oscar.
Immy and Oliver are due to return to Spain tomorrow for a few months, so this is also serving as a farewell for them.
Oscar is going with them for a couple of weeks as he’s going to take over their marketing as well.
“Hey, baby,” Gabriel says, plonking himself down beside me and leaning in for a kiss.
“Did you have a good afternoon?” I ask, and he smiles and nods. He’s been meeting with the estate manager for the last few hours. He accepts a beer from Simon and tells me about it until Andrés announces the food is ready.
The table is laden with dishes of grilled meats, potatoes, and salads. I grab a plate and pile it high, not realising how hungry I am. When Andrés said that his country was synonymous with grilling food I barely believed him, but this is delicious.
“Thank you, Andrés,” I call across the circle, and he lifts his beer in acknowledgement.
After we’ve all devoured the food like gannets, I make my way over to Immy.
“I’m going to miss you,” I say truthfully. She’s the closest I have to a sister.
“Thank you, Charley. We’ll be back before you know it. Certainly before the baby’s born.” She absently places her hand on her belly, which is only just starting to swell with life. She looks so radiant and happy and I’m pleased for her and Oliver.
As night becomes darker it gets chilly, and we all gravitate to the warmth of the fire, sitting in a circle around it. I have Gabriel on one side and Felix on the other.
“So, what’s next?” Oscar asks. “You’ve done the grand opening, have you planned any more polo fixtures for the season?”
“We have a few we want to plan, we just need to make sure we don’t clash dates with any of the other clubs in the county or when the team is playing away matches,” Gabriel replies.
“I think we need to do something unique, an event that sets us apart,” I say, and Gabriel gives my knee a squeeze.
We’ve already had a quick conversation about this, but I want to know what the others think.
“Oscar gave me the idea when he said we should be proud of our inclusivity. We should do something that highlights that.”
“How about a tournament to fundraise for a queer charity?” Felix asks. “I know a few who’d be glad of the help.”
“Yes, that’s a good idea. Something along those lines.”
“What about if only queer teams played?” Simon suggests.
“Would that work?” I turn to Gabriel. “I thought we were the only all-queer team.”
“Think we are, but there could be another way.” He stops and I can see he’s thinking.
“If it’s for charity, we can pick the teams,” Andrés supplies, and Gabriel picks up on it.
“Yes, that’s it. I’ve seen this done before. Instead of teams, we invite players, and then on the morning of the tournament we pull names out of a hat to form the teams. They play the tournament as that team. We can even give them names to fit the charity. Something fun.”
“How does that fit with the handicap system?” I ask, trying to get my head round it.
“We wouldn’t use it. As it’s for charity, there wouldn’t be any league points. It would be on its own, so we wouldn’t need to use the handicaps to keep the teams even. It’s the luck of the draw,” he explains. I can feel the excitement bubbling at the thought of it.
“In that case, would you allow players who weren’t registered?” Oscar asks.
“What do you mean?” I turn to him.
“It sounds like fun and I’d like to join in. I’ve played a little polo in the past, and I know a few others on the showjumping circuit who might be interested as well.”
“As long as they know enough to be able to follow the rule book and stay safe, then I can’t see it being a problem,” Gabriel says and turns to me. “Does that sound sensible?”
“It does, because we’ll need at least sixteen players to form four teams, and I’m not sure there are that many queer polo players,” I say and catch Andrés smirk, which tells me that might not be true.
“What about allies as well?” Immy pipes up. “Not that I’d be playing. I’m not getting back on a horse until after the baby comes. But it might solve your problem if there aren’t enough players.”
“I think we could make it open to all. Anyone willing to fundraise for a queer charity who isn’t queer themselves is going to be an ally, right?” I ask, and there’s a chorus of nods and words of agreement.
“If it works, you could make it a regular feature, or even take the concept to other clubs in the country,” Felix says.
“You’re a genius, you know that, don’t you?
” I say quietly, and he smiles broadly like I’ve just made his day.
He not only came up with the idea, but is forward thinking enough to already be thinking about how it might work long term.
I make a note to make sure he’s on the working party for this idea.
Because this is going to happen. I feel Gabriel bump his knee into mine and I swivel back to him.
His eyes are dancing and he’s wearing a big smile.
He tips his head towards the group and I look around them.
Everyone is talking animatedly, sharing ideas, obviously enthusiastic about the new idea.
Friends and family who are excited about the future.
I feel a surge of pride. This is our doing, we’ve made this.
I look back at Gabriel and I know he feels the same way.
I thank the day he walked back into my life while I was at my lowest point and gave me a chance at something far better.
I bump his knee with mine in answer, that I know what he’s feeling and that I feel it too.
He puts his arm around me and I snuggle in close, also excited about the future.