Chapter 21
21
A fter another glass of champagne and something to eat, Cally and Logan stood in a viewing area, watching the scene on the track.
‘Want to place a bet?’ Logan asked.
The idea of gambling was an unfamiliar concept to Cally. She’d never quite been able to understand how gambling equated to fun. The truthful answer was no; she had little to zero interest in placing a bet. She wrinkled her nose. ‘I don't know. No, not really. I wouldn't know where to start.’
‘It's easy.’
Cally nodded. Of course it was easy for Logan. He clearly knew exactly what he was doing. ‘Yeah, actually, no, I don’t think so…’
Logan picked up on Cally’s hesitation right away. ‘We'll just put a small bet on Midnight Dancer to win. It'll make the race more exciting to watch. Trust me.’
The irony , Cally thought to herself. Trust was not something she was feeling in spades at that precise moment. Before she could protest further, Logan was leading her towards the betting stands. She blinked rapidly as she tried to work out what was going on. The process was a blur of unfamiliar terms and numbers, but soon enough, she found herself holding a betting slip.
As they made their way back to the stands to watch the race, Cally again felt as if she was enjoying herself. It was an odd feeling: a mix of excitement and trepidation together with being dressed up to the nines and tottering around on heels under a huge, pretty hat. The atmosphere was electric, with people jostling for the best viewing positions and discussing the merits of various horses. Cally stood squinting at the track and then down at her ticket when the sound of the starting bell cut through the chatter. She found herself caught up in the excitement despite herself, cheering along with the crowd as the horses thundered past.
When Midnight Dancer crossed the finish line first, Cally let out a whoop of joy. ‘We won!’
Logan beamed, pulled her into a celebratory hug, picked her up, and spun her around. For a moment, Cally forgot about how angry she was with him and how the next day she would be telling him about what she knew, letting him know that she was aware that he’d been married and hadn’t told her. That he was a liar.
As the excitement of the win settled, they made their way towards a small circle of people where Logan’s mum and his aunt Cecilia stood chatting.
'Cally, dear, you look absolutely stunning!' Cecilia gushed as they approached. 'That dress is simply divine on you. Rather gorgeous hat, might I add.'
Cally blushed but very much liked the compliment. 'Thank you, Cecilia. You look lovely as well.'
Logan's mum smiled warmly, then turned to introduce a few family members. Beatrice, an elegant woman in a pale pink suit and wide-brimmed hat, stepped forward to air kiss Cally's cheeks. 'It's wonderful to finally meet you, my dear. We've heard so much about you.'
'Indeed. It's a pleasure to have you join us today,' Logan’s mum added.
Cally smiled politely. 'Thank you. It's lovely to be here.'
The group fell into conversation, discussing the recent race and their plans for the rest of the day. Cally mostly listened, trying to follow the unfamiliar jargon and references to past events.
'I must say, that was quite a thrilling race,' Beatrice commented. 'Midnight Dancer certainly lived up to expectations.'
Logan’s uncle, Reginald, nodded, swirling amber liquid in his glass. 'Yes, he's been in excellent form this season. I had a feeling he'd pull through today.'
Cally glanced at Logan. 'Cally and I actually placed a bet on Midnight Dancer to win,' Logan said, wrapping an arm around Cally’s waist.
Cecilia raised an eyebrow, looking impressed. 'Did you now? Well, congratulations on your win, both of you.'
As they chatted, Alastair arrived. Cally bristled internally. Alastair had a habit he wasn’t even aware of, of rubbing her up the wrong way. Alaistair kissed everyone and grabbed himself a drink from a passing waitress. He then turned to Cally and beamed. 'You look beautiful! Wow! Do you often attend the races?’
Cally felt her stomach flutter with nerves, unsure how to respond. 'Oh, no, this is actually my first time,' she admitted. 'I'm quite new to all of this.'
Alastair frowned and wrinkled his nose. 'First time! What? Really?
‘Yes.’
‘Sorry, I thought you were joking! You’ve never been to the races before! What? Rather odd.’
Cecilia joined in. ‘She’s loving the excitement, all the glamour, and the thrill of it all.'
‘Bet you are.’ Alastair laughed. ‘Can’t actually believe it’s your first time.’
Cecilia touched Cally on the elbow. 'I have a feeling Cally here might be our good luck charm. It's not often that Logan wins a bet.'
Logan feigned offence. 'Hey, I've had my fair share of lucky streaks in the past.'
Cecilia rolled her eyes good-naturedly. 'Of course. But you have to admit, having Cally by your side makes you rather luckier than usual.’
Cally felt a pang in her chest at the mention of luck and fortune. These people didn’t know they were born. Or they did. They very much knew where they were born. On the right side of a big fat silver spoon. One that dripped in liquid gold.
She flicked the switch and smiled at Cecilia, and played along with the banter, hoping what she felt didn't show on her face. 'I'm happy to be anyone's good luck charm.'
Logan squeezed her arm. ‘You’re certainly mine.’
Grr, that’s why you lied to me, Cally said to herself. She had to stop her nostrils flaring and a hiss of steam coming out of her ears. What an actual scumbag. He was making out they were so tight when he’d lied. She bristled inside. If only the stupid Henry-Hicks family knew that she knew the secret. A knife twisted in Cally's gut. How could he say nice things and woo her when he had been hiding such a monumental secret from her? She simply didn’t get it. She smiled, played the part of the happy, carefree girlfriend and thought about how she was going to be the one with all the cards the next day.
'You two make such a lovely couple,' Beatrice said. ‘Rather lovely to see.’
Cally swallowed hard, forcing a smile. 'That's very kind of you to say.'
As the conversation flowed on around her, Cally found herself drifting, her mind consumed with thoughts of Logan and the secret. She tried to focus on the present, but the nagging betrayal lingered. Part of her realised her plan to keep schtum until after the races was complete stupidity. What had she been thinking? She glanced around at the sea of colourful hats and tailored suits, at the gleaming horses, and at the immaculate grounds of the racetrack. It was all so different from the world she knew—such a contrast to her simple, unassuming life.
Beatrice rested her hand on Cally's arm. ‘You must visit us at the estate sometime. We would love to show you around the gardens and introduce you to the rest of the family.'
Cally blinked, surprised by the invitation. 'I’d love that.'
Beatrice nodded enthusiastically. 'Yes, please do come and visit. We could make a whole weekend of it, perhaps have a little dinner party for you and Logan.'
Cally glanced at Logan, who was smiling broadly. ‘Mmm. Thank you.’ She nodded, trying to muster up some enthusiasm for the idea, even though inside, she thought that she wouldn’t be around after the next day.
As the group continued to chat, Cally looked around at her surroundings. A beautiful building looking out over a racetrack surrounded by high society where she actually wasn’t doing too badly at all. She observed Logan for a bit and how he was completely at ease. How he navigated this world and had brought her into it entirely comfortable and confident amongst the wealthy and the privileged. He was fine carrying on when he’d not been truthful. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was a part of him she didn't know, as if he had a secret life hidden from her. The thought made her heart ache and question everything. Cally did not like that at all. She touched the edge of her hat and pursed her lips. Henry-Hicks would soon be toast. The little fa?ade he’d created would come crashing down around his ears, and she would go back to holding up the sky. Just as she always had.