Rescue Heart

Chapter Five

Sorry for the delay. I've had a million and one things to do, and I just haven't had the chance to get writing let alone get on Wattpad, save from a bit of night-time reading (when I really should be sleeping). Hope this chapter is to your liking, it explores another aspect of Tess's troubles xxx

C h a p t e r  F i v e

Friday morning proved to be the start of a busy, but beautiful day. The breeze was mild, the temperature was warm, and the sunshine was having a brightening effect on the horses who were very agreeable to handle and deal with – Diva included.

All morning, my stomach flipped with apprehension and excitement. It had seemed like an age had gone by since I had last seen Lara, and I wasn’t sure how things would go when she got here. But when I spotted the dark green Land Rover crawl up the driveway, any worries I had vanished, replaced with delight.

The dogs raced me over to the car to greet the visitor. Lara stepped out of the car, and flipped her long black braid over her shoulder as she bent down to great the dogs who showered her with enthusiastic affection. She lifted her head, her blue eyes meeting mine, and her rosy face split into a grin.

“Tess, you look great!” she exclaimed, getting to her feet quickly and throwing her arms around me.

“So do you,” I smiled in return as she squeezed tightly. “It’s so nice to see you, it’s been far too long, I’m sorry.”

Lara ‘tutted’ under her breath and she stepped back. “None of that. You needed time, that’s all there is to it,” she scolded lightly. “Although, it looks as though it’s been far too long since you’ve given yourself any attention. I think today we’ll hit the shops!”

This was the Lara that I remembered fondly from university – forward, outgoing, and with the sweetest of natures all at once. Her bubbly character was infectious and it was hard not to love her. She always had the best of intentions, and one of the purest souls.

“A shop?” I joked. “What is that again?”

“I hope you’re joking,” she deadpanned, her expression seamlessly switching to that of mock severity. It would almost have been believable, were it not for the way her lips quivered in the beginnings of a grin, which she fought desperately hard to keep hidden.

“Well, I’ve been in the tack store and the pet shop if that counts. Oh, and the supermarket.”

“What an interesting life you lead, dear,” she sighed, pulling her suitcase out of the backseat of her Landy. “What is on the agenda then?”

“Well, why don’t we get you into your room, then you can meet the horses, and we will go out for this girly day that you so desire.”

“Sounds like a fab plan. Where is Heather?”

“She’s at the supermarket to stock up, because Tom is arriving later on. He’s also staying for the weekend.”

A gleam of interest began to shine in her pale blue irises. “Well, isn’t that good news?” During our time together at university, she had gotten to know Tom a little, and had a brazen crush on him, which she made very obvious. Tom being Tom never ever noticed, and was far too busy studying his boring accountancy and in general being ‘one of the lads’. Even now he still hadn’t grown up enough to find himself in a committed relationship.

Most people would resent the thought of their best friend and their brother entering a relationship with one another. But I had always secretly hoped that Lara and Tom would end up with one another. He was a tall, lanky, socially awkward guy – still quite handsome, though – and she was a tall, confident, elegant blonde. They complimented one another pretty well, but he had never recognised her flirtatious advances, and had just perceived them as friendly banter – much to her annoyance.