Page 32 of A Sense of Turmoil
‘This is our regular canter,’ Luke said, struggling to hold Onyx back as he pranced sideways and attempted to rear up. ‘Will you be all right, Archie?’
‘Oh, don’t mind me. Mabel and I will trot along and catch you up eventually.’
Luke grinned across at Flora. ‘Ready?’
She didn’t respond but instead encouraged Amethyst forward. The gelding took off with an impressive turn of speed but Onyx overtook them long before the end of their gallop. Flora drew rein, hot and smiling, feeling as though time had gone backwards. This was how it always used to be for her and Luke. She fervently hoped that it would be again for the short amount of time left to her at the Court. Luke gave Onyx a long rein as they walked slowly side by side, offering the horses an opportunity to regain their breath and Archie a chance to catch up with them.
‘I apologise for my comment about Miss Fleming,’ Flora said. ‘You treat me so informally and I am used to saying anything I like to you. I sometimes forget that you don’t need to seek my approval for your decisions.’
‘You don’t like Ottilie?’
‘I think she is charming, as does your grandmother.’
Luke chuckled. ‘I don’t believe that is all Grandmamma said about her.’
‘If it is not, don’t expect me to enlighten you. If you want to know, you will have to ask her yourself.’
Luke rolled his eyes. ‘Ignorance is often the better option when it comes to Grandmamma and her opinions.’
Flora smiled. ‘Indeed.’
‘What are your reservations about Ottilie?’ Luke asked after a brief pause.
‘What makes you suppose that I have any?’ She looked away. ‘If such reservations exist, I can offer no rational explanation for them.’ She sensed him frowning, even though she couldn’t bring herself to look at him, aware that there would be censure in his eyes at this oblique reference to her gift. ‘I don’t want us to be bad friends.’
‘We could never be that.’
But his tone was acerbic, as though her belief in her sixth-sense had disappointed him, and their brief truce appeared to be over.
‘Here comes Archie,’ she said, hearing the sound of wheels and Mabel’s plodding gait. She looked over her shoulder and waved.
‘You like Archie?’ Luke’s question sounded more like an accusation.
‘Very much. He is endlessly entertaining, doesn’t take himself too seriously and makes me laugh at life’s absurdities. I think it to his credit that he has maintained his sense of humour, given all that he has had to endure.’
Luke opened his mouth to speak but Archie reached them and he changed his mind, making do with scowling at nothing in particular instead.
‘You two look hot and bothered,’ he remarked, ‘whereas Mabel and I have more sense than to charge about at breakneck speed.’
Flora laughed. ‘I am glad you appreciate Mabel’s limitations.’
‘Mabel and I understand one another perfectly.’
They rode on without speaking until they reached the reservoir. Flora slipped from her saddle, secured Amethyst’s reins and left it to Luke to help Archie down. The three of them sat on the bench, looking out over the water, and Archie mentioned Flora’s suggestion that he resume regular swimming.
‘You were the best of us all when you had the full use of your limbs,’ Luke said. ‘I think it’s an inspired suggestion.’
‘Hardly inspired,’ Flora replied. ‘It’s just common sense. Archie won’t feel the pain in his legs when they are supported by the water, which means he can strengthen the muscles and ligaments without putting himself through unnecessary agony. It can’t do any harm and I am confident that he will eventually see an improvement in his movement.’
‘It will stop him getting fat and lazy, too,’ Luke added, appearing to have shaken off his introspective mood.
‘Too wretched cold at present though,’ Archie said, shivering.
‘There is a new indoor swimming bath in Swindon,’ Luke said. ‘I went to the opening ceremony a couple of years ago. It’s quite something. They have a Turkish bath, too. Membership is exclusive and expensive, but I imagine they’d put up with you.’
‘I didn’t know it was there,’ Flora said, beaming. ‘That would be ideal, Archie.’
‘Thanks, Luke. I will look into it,’ Archie said.
