15
Stefan
Stefan still couldn’t believe he was on a horse. He only went to the stables to tell Florence his news whilst Lindy was having her first day at the therapy centre without him hanging around.
He had been a bag of nerves all morning, thinking Bethany would call to say Lindy wasn’t coping, but she’d sent a text an hour after he’d left to let him know his daughter was happily drawing in the garden and wanted to stay for lunch, as they were baking cupcakes afterwards. It was such a relief.
He shuffled in the saddle, smiling over at Florence.
‘I knew you’d like it,’ said Florence, positioning her horse to his side.
Stefan wasn’t sure it would be a hobby he’d take to but bobbed his head anyway.
‘Oh, come on, it’s not that bad.’ Florence chuckled.
‘I thought this would be a leisurely stroll, but I feel like I’m doing a workout.’
‘You’re not used to it, that’s all.’
‘I think I prefer walking.’ He lightly tapped the dark-brown horse, worried any movement might give off the wrong command and have him galloping off across the fields.
Florence brought both horses to a halt. ‘We can walk for a bit if you like.’
He nodded, then waited for her to help him dismount. ‘Ooh, I need a massage now.’
Florence raised her brow. ‘Hmm, well, we don’t offer that kind of thing at the stables.’
Stefan was sure his cheeks just heated. ‘Oh no, I wasn’t suggesting you—’
‘It’s all right.’ Florence laughed. ‘Your face. Made me laugh.’
‘I think I made you laugh when I got on the horse.’
‘I gave you Tourmaline, as I knew she’d be gentle with you, but I didn’t know heights were a problem for you.’
He frowned. ‘They’re not, but it’s a bit different when you’re sitting up there.’ He pointed at the saddle. ‘I’ve never felt so tall.’
They walked along for a bit in companionable silence.
‘You never did say what brought you out here on your day off,’ said Florence.
He grinned. ‘I’m buying the Windmill Practice. It’s all agreed. Just got some paperwork to sign.’
‘Oh, that’s great. And is Lindy okay about it all?’
‘Yes. She wants this too. We’re going to celebrate with pizza tonight. Would you like to join us?’
Florence turned to him. ‘Are you sure? Don’t you want it to be a family celebration?’
He gave a slight shrug. ‘You are part of our family now.’
‘I love looking after Lindy.’
He loved it too, as his daughter was so happy with Florence. ‘I’m glad you’ve taken the job.’
‘Me too. I just need to find a part-time job for the weekend to make up the money I need ready for when my sister returns.’
‘Where is she exactly?’ He noticed her head dip and her right boot shuffle in the earthy pathway.
‘Stefan, there’s something I haven’t told you about my life. About my sister.’
‘What is it?’ He watched Florence take a deep breath.
‘She’s not travelling. She’s in prison. That’s where I was last Thursday, and why I couldn’t look after Lindy the next day.’
He waited for her to continue with her story.
Florence met his eyes. ‘One of our stepfathers was into some shady business, and Tiggy was working for him at the time. He got her to sign documents, and she did because she trusted him, but it turned out he was using her name to cover his own tracks. There was this huge fraud case involving way more than my family, and many people were arrested. It was a major scandal, and Tiggy was caught up in it, and there wasn’t anything we could do to help her.’
Stefan reached for her hand. ‘I’m so sorry. That’s shocking he did that to your sister. His own stepdaughter.’
‘Yeah, well, he only cared about himself.’
‘I assume you told the authorities it was all his doing.’
She nodded. ‘It didn’t matter. Because the case was so big, everyone involved got a hefty sentence. Innocent people lost a lot of money because of the scams being pulled left, right, and centre. There was no way any judge was going to be lenient. Tiggy admitted to signing the documents, so that was that.’
‘Bloody hell. You and your mother must have been distraught.’
‘My mother took off and left us to it, as she needed a new circle where she wasn’t linked to shame. As for the rest of our circle, well, let’s just say they dropped us like a hot brick. My fiancé dumped me, our so-called friends disappeared, and the only income I had coming in was from the job I had working for a magazine owned by a previous stepfather, and even he wasn’t keen on keeping me on after the trial.’
‘Makes sense why you left London.’
Florence let go of his hand to stroke the dapple-grey horse to her side. ‘I’m trying to build a life now for Tiggy as well. I want her to have the peace I found here. That’s why I’m saving so hard to move. I can’t expect the Silvers to take her in, even though they’ve offered. There’s even a part-time job waiting for her at the café on their land.’
‘They sound like good people.’
Florence smiled. ‘They are. You should come to dinner one night and meet them all. There’s no children there, so it’ll be okay for Lindy. Well, Viv has a baby, and Willow’s got one on the way, but that’s about it for kids.’
Normally, Stefan would happily accept a dinner invitation, but it felt like Florence was inviting him to meet her family.
Florence shrugged. ‘You’ve invited me to dinner with you and Lindy enough times. I guess it’s my turn now.’
He liked spending time with her, plus it would be good to make more friends in the area, so he agreed, pleased to see her smile. ‘We’ll arrange a date.’
‘Probably best after the Mermaid Festival, as it can get extra busy at the farm with all the tourists that flood in for the day, even though it’s over in Sandly.’
Stefan scanned the fields. ‘I’ve noticed Pepper Bay is a bit of a tourist hotspot.’
‘Yes, mostly Pepper Lane, because of how cute the shops and cottages are along there. And the tram takes you straight there from Sandly, so easy access.’
‘Lindy loves the tram.’
Florence beamed. ‘I’ve told Tiggy all about it, and she can’t wait to take a ride.’
‘You seem very close.’
‘We are. Growing up, we only really had each other, and we’re a lot alike, so that helps us get on.’
‘When will she be here?’
‘September.’ Florence started shuffling her boot in the ground again. ‘Erm, Stefan, are you okay about this?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Will you still want me to look after Lindy when Tiggy is here?’
He frowned, unsure what difference that made to their arrangement. ‘Why wouldn’t I?’
‘She’s got a criminal record, you’re a respectable doctor of the community, no one from our old life wants anything to do with us. I’ll understand if it’s not something you want to be attached to.’
‘No wrong has been done here, Florence. Whatever this big case was, your sister was a victim as well. I’m not going to judge her or dismiss you. I like to think I’m better than that.’
Florence glanced his way. ‘I think you’re a good person, Stefan, but I had to ask. The people around here are happy to welcome Tiggy, but I still know what it’s like to watch a friend turn their back.’
He scoffed, shaking his head. ‘Then they were no friend in the first place.’
‘I don’t blame them. I know their families. How they live. What they can be associated with. Image has to be maintained in business, and many of my old friends come from families owning large corporations.’
‘I don’t care what their family owns, a real friend would stand by you through the bad times. At least give you the benefit of the doubt.’
Florence snuggled into her horse, resting her head for a moment. ‘It used to bother me, but I stopped caring about them ages ago. I like my life here, and I’m glad I’m not part of my old life anymore. Once my sister moves here, I plan to wipe the whole ordeal from my mind.’
He smiled softly. ‘Your sister might need more than just this beautiful place and you, Florence. After everything she’s been through, she might need some mental health care.’
Florence straightened. ‘She’s had some therapy in prison. Do you think she would need more out here?’
‘This isn’t just me being a doctor, I just think she might. One of the worst things that can happen to you is to be locked up for a crime you didn’t commit. It’s got to take its toll on anyone.’
Florence nodded. ‘I can sign her up to your surgery, and you can refer her to someone, if that’s what she wants.’
‘Of course.’
‘Hey, why don’t we get back on these horses and head to the stables? Lunch is due.’
Stefan wrinkled his nose at the thought of clambering back in the saddle but got on with the task as best he could, hoping he looked as cool as Florence, who really did look so magnificent on her horse. In fact, he thought she looked stunning each time he saw her.
He rode by her side, thinking over what she had told him about her backstory. He was so pleased she had found such friendship and happiness, and he hoped her sister would find the same.
His thoughts turned to Lindy, as life on the island was doing her the world of good too.
Maybe Pepper Bay is a magical place designed to cure all .
He smiled to himself as Florence started to talk about the upcoming Mermaid Festival. Something else that was intriguing him.