CHAPTER THIRTEEN #3
Rolling her eyes to heaven in amusement despite the turbulence of the day, she turned back to the door smiling, remembering her grandfather’s saying: ‘Etonians own the racehorses while us Harrovians train them.’ She switched off the light and went back out into the hall and to the study where she was supposed to be.
The walls were covered with a ravishing wallpaper adorned with silver birch trees and beautiful birds and woodland animals, who peeped out from behind tall, green bookshelves laden with thousands of books.
Leather-bound volumes and more contemporary classics jostled tightly together alongside Tattersalls and Goffs sales catalogues.
A huge oak desk sat in front of a large window, the thick cream curtains of which were embroidered with green, brown and orange leaves.
The floor was lined with soft raffia matting; the room was elegant but at the same time cosy and inviting.
Sage moved around the desk to sit down and, picking up the telephone, dialled the familiar number of home. It answered on the second ring.
‘North Place,’ Dennis barked down the line.
‘Bumpa, it’s me,’ Sage said softly. ‘Are you all right?’
‘Darling, are you all right?’ Dennis’s voice lost its harsh edge, concern travelling down the wire.
‘He has been back. Only as far as the intercom at the gates. He was very angry when you didn’t turn up at the pub.
He’s gone away again for the moment, but I am not convinced he won’t be back.
Well done for getting Hal out of the way.
Yes, everything is fine here. I’ve got the lads on high alert. ’
‘What shall I do?’ she asked her grandfather.
‘Well, first of all, where are you? Are you safe?’ Dennis asked, ever the pragmatist.
‘Yes, we’re safe. We’re at Rafe’s,’ Sage said, her heart full of gratitude.
‘Hmm, good. That’s good. Can you stay there tonight?’ Dennis was relieved: he trusted Rafe implicitly. The lad was from a good family and had proven himself to be honest, reliable and intelligent. He was also turning out to be a damn good trainer.
‘Yes, Bumpa. He has kindly said we can stay as long as we need to. But … I want to go down to see Dad in Cornwall – I need to. Will you give me his number?’ Sage asked.
She knew, now, that her father still cared about her.
The fact that he had flown to Panama on some perhaps misguided retribution trip in her honour meant more to her than she could entirely comprehend.
She needed to find somewhere safe for her and Hal to lie low for a while.
Without the safety of North Place, Sage felt adrift.
She did not want to impose on Rafe, it was too soon to ask that of him.
Her father, however, was another matter.
She could lean on him as much as she needed without feeling a scrap of guilt. He owed her and Hal.
Deep down, she really wanted to see her father.
She had loved him deeply in childhood, both she and Casper had.
He had been a wonderful father while their mother was still alive, and however hurt they had been when he left, he was still her dad.
If she held onto that, she might, one day, be able to forgive him.
The thought of Hal, who was short on dependable close relatives, having a proper, hands-on grandfather was the carrot on the stick – it urged her on.
‘I thought you might say that. Do you have your mobile?’
‘I do but it’s dead. I’m going to change my number anyway – I’ll do that tomorrow.’
‘I am going to call you back in five minutes. I’d like to speak to Rafe when I do, please, Sage. All right?’
Dennis had already rung off before Sage could reply.
In the kitchen, Hal was still engrossed by the television and Rafe was reading something on the Racing Post app.
Looking up at her, he smiled his big, heart-warming smile and put his phone down.
In that moment, she felt she could tell him everything and that instead of judging, he would want to help her. She took a deep breath.
‘Rafe, my grandfather is about to call back, hopefully with contact details for my father. I have got to go and see Dad in Cornwall. It will also get Hal and me out of the way while Santiago is here.’ Sage went on, slightly more cautiously, ‘But … Bumpa wants to talk to you. I’m sorry.
I don’t know why but he’s calling back in a minute.
I think he might want to check that we are welcome here and that we aren’t foisting ourselves on you!
’ She moved around the table next to Rafe who pulled her down to sit on his lap.
‘Do you think he wants to ask if my intentions are honourable?’
He drew her head towards his and, checking that Hal was still engrossed in the television, he placed a kiss on her lips.
Her heart galloped about in her chest, her stomach flipping.
She kissed him back, running her hands through his dark hair, turning her body into his so that they fitted like a well-made puzzle.
They both felt a deep sense of belonging, tightly holding onto one another until, a few minutes later, the telephone rang.
Rafe reached behind her to pick up the cordless phone from the table.
His eyes twinkled. ‘Should I assure Dennis that I have both honourable and extremely dishonourable intentions where you are concerned?’ He moved Sage onto the chair next to him and stood up to answer the call, wandering away out of earshot.
He hung up ten minutes later. Sage looked at him searchingly.
‘Well? Have you sorted out my life between the two of you?’ She was laughing; Dennis was so old-fashioned, and if her grandfather and Rafe could think of a solution to the Santiago problem, then she was all ears.
Rafe sat back down next to her and took her hand in his.
‘I don’t think he wanted you to worry but Dennis is actually very concerned.
Santiago is apparently staying somewhere in Newmarket.
He was threatening your grandparents.’ Seeing her face crumple, he reassured her, ‘Don’t panic, Dennis said he’s got all of the yard armed with pitchforks and sitting beside their phones but he agrees it is a good idea for you and Hal to stay away for a while.
I have an idea. How do you feel about me driving you both down to Cornwall?
We can go first thing in the morning. I can get some extra help for the next couple of days and it would be my pleasure to take you.
Dennis has said you can keep the car, but I think it would be better if you leave it here for him to collect. We can go in mine.’
‘Rafe, I would love for you to take us but it’s such a long way and your time is so precious—’
‘Great,’ he said, cutting off any further prevarications, his stubbornness bringing a smile to her face.
‘I think that’s the most sensible course of action.
I am going to make a few phone calls and pack a bag.
It’s almost nine now,’ he said, glancing at the clock.
‘Do you want to take Hal to have a bath? The blue room is all made up and there are towels in the bathroom. Just help yourself to anything, make yourselves at home.’ He took her hand and spoke more softly.
‘I know the circumstances aren’t exactly ideal, but I am glad you are here.
’ Then, walking over to Hal, ‘Right, Master Hal. Can I ask for your help, please?’
Hal slowly tore his eyes away from the television.
‘Yes, Rafe,’ he said tiredly, waiting for further instructions as he watched Rafe with drooping, sleepy eyes. He liked their new friend and wanted to please him, but he was overtired and on the verge of a meltdown.