An Unexpected Summer

Chapter 4

 CHAPTER 4 

“So, what do you guys want to do after lunch?” Meryl asked the group cheerfully, as she stirred the pasta in the pan. 

Bethany took a long drink of apple juice, considering the question. She was hoping to see Clara again, but could hardly declare that she was meeting with someone she’d only met for ten minutes.

“Well, I’m getting the bus to the nearest town, to see if there’s a decent dry-cleaners and to replenish my nail kit.” Rochelle replied, glowering at James as she spoke.

“I thought I’d take Otis and Tess for a walk.” Kyle smiled shyly at Bethany. “So, do you want to join me?”

“I probably will, unless…” She left the sentence unfinished.

“Mummy’s going to help me make a ball-gown for purple-Barbie. She’s the only one who can’t go to the ball tonight – all the rest have dresses.” Rose declared.

“Well, I noticed a swing rope in the woods earlier – I thought I’d take Jack and Jake there.” Meryl cut in, “So what about you James, you’re the only one without an activity.”

“I thought me and Bethany could hang out,” He sent a flirtatious grin her way. “There’s a really cool movie on TV that I thought she might enjoy. You don’t want to go for a walk in this weather.” He glanced out of the window at the lashing rain and wind.

“Thanks, but I’m going with Kyle.” Bethany said mildly, expertly fending off his advances. “I love this wild weather anyway!”

“You could always do that in the evening. Come on, you’ll love the movie.”

“No.” Bethany drained her glass. “I want to go for a walk. What’s the use in coming to a place with such lovely scenery if all you’re going to do is hole up inside like some couch potato? Besides, I won’t be able to appreciate it in the dark.”

“You know what?” James slipped into the seat next to her. “You’re right; I’ll come on the walk with you and Kyle.”

“You?” Kyle scoffed. “You wouldn’t last ten seconds. And God forbid a dog might actually shake water over your designer clothes or the wind mess up your hair.”

“What do you know Brainy Boy?” James shot at his older brother, “I’m surprised you actually know how to make conversation, spending all your time up in your room studying like some anti-social geek!”

Bethany rolled her eyes as she refilled her glass with water, shaking her head at their pitifully immature behavior.

“Honestly you two. There’s no reason to fight. Kyle is right though, James, you won’t last ten seconds. Why don’t you watch your film while we’re walking, and then we can watch some more TV in the evening?”

*

“So . . .  what are you going to wear?” Clara was perched awkwardly on Misty’s blue and white patchwork quilt. No answer followed her inquiry. Getting up, she strode over to one of the two walk-in wardrobes.

“Not that one!”

Misty leapt from her position on the window seat, and sprinted across the spacious room, in a desperate attempt to prevent Clara from opening the white doors. It was too late.

“Misty . . . what is this?”

Instead of the clothes Clara had been expecting, the wardrobe held three saddle racks with three saddles expertly positioned on each one. A grooming kit sat on one shelf, and a frieze of red and blue rosettes hung from what appeared to be a coat rack. A navy velvet show-jacket was draped over a rail, and there was a pile of horse-blankets in one corner. The walls were all hung with black crepe silk – all except for one, which was plastered with a collage of pictures. Pictures that all held the same two figures; a chestnut-haired girl, and a jet-black horse.