Waking with a start, I realised I’d fallen asleep as it was dark outside and Dan had called out from the kitchen, announcing that he was home. Whereas he still had his tidy little flat in Kendal, he called the farmhouse home and we were sharing more than just coffee mugs. I desperately hoped that I would not be sent to prison and so looked up nervously as he walked in with a serious look on his face.
“What?” I looked at Dan who had come home from work looking particularly serious. “Oh no, have you heard something about the charges against me?” He nodded curtly, my heart sunk. I’d had almost two months of this hanging over my head, now it looked as if it seemed as if I was going to lose everything. I hung my head. Dan embraced me and whispered in my ear… “It’s done… It’s over… They’re not pressing charges!”
I burst into tears, the months of stress removed so quickly. Dan hugged me tightly.
***
The next morning we were up late, I raced out onto the yard calling out for Adam and Kate. They raced towards me, both looking worried, I grabbed them into a huge hug. “It’s over! Dan told me, that they have decided that, as I was not a criminal and that I was not using the money for criminal activities they are not pressing charges and they aren’t confiscating the money!” Kate squealed. “They’ve recovered most of the remaining money from Sean, he was a bit stupid in Las Vegas and drew a hell of a lot of attention to himself to both the US tax and revenue service and US police.”
I had a future. For the first time in many months, maybe years I felt that I had something to live for, in fact, I had a lot to live for.
***
“I don’t know why he wants to rush this!” Kate was complaining, I knew she was tired and I knew how she felt. We were in hour three of wedding dress fitting, I would have been massively out of my depth. However, I had brought a worthy back-up.
“Kate… It needs to be perfect. And then, there are the shoes and the bridesmaids’ dresses and the venue!” Annie laughed. “Oh, this is so much fun!”
Kate and I exchanged glances, but what could I do. Adam happened to mention that he wanted to get married sooner, rather than later, just in case I’d been charged. Almost as soon as I had told people my phone had rung. It was Annie announcing she was coming to Cumbria to help organise the wedding. I was sure that she was going to find a perfect partner herself in time, however, until then Annie had become wedding planner extraordinaire. The kitchen table had become covered in lists, menus and mood boards, I was not quite sure what that entailed and poor Kate was being prepared for what anyone would believe was the Society wedding of the year and not just a simple service at the local chapel.
I took a step back, Annie was clapping her hands together, this was the one. Kate turned, looking in the mirror. There was a long pause and she turned to face us again, nodding. Annie gave an ear-splitting squeal.
***
“A spa day!”
“Don’t sound ungrateful…” Adam laughed.
“I don’t do things like spa days though.”
“Has anyone told you how unattractive you sound when you whine?” Adam yelped as Kate flung the bucket of water she was filling at him. “It was a joke…”
“Spa that!” She stomped off.
“Oh no… The end of marital bliss so soon. Can’t you at least wait until you get married?” I handed Adam a towel from the pile in the tack room. “She’ll have a lovely day!”
“Oh, I know she will…” He smiled.
“At least Annie hasn’t planned a stag night for me…”
“Ah…”
“No… Oh crap… No… Tell her no…”
“You don’t know what it is?” I smiled.
“I can tell by your face… You’ve stitched me up, haven’t you?”
“Oh, my little brother… Have faith in your big sister…”
***
“Are you still talking to me?” I looked up to see Adam standing by the arena gate. I had finished the last lesson of the day and was just saying goodbye to my riders.
“I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to throw a bucket of water over you.” He grabbed me, kissing me.
“Ah… Saves me having a shower later… It’s a joke! You’ll enjoy a spa day. Oh goodness, there’s that grumpy face again…”
“It’s just not me…”
“Okay… Well, grin and bear it. I’ll make it up to you. Anyway, you get a day off sipping champagne and getting pampered while I do the stables.”
***
In fact, the spa day had been a great success. Planned for a Monday, the traditional day off in the equestrian world, Adam had waved off the girls as they left the yard in a taxi heading towards an expensive hotel and spa.
I knew that Kate was not looking forward to being pampered, a hip flask had helped followed by copious amounts of champagne throughout the day. In the end, she had been in her element, loving the attention even if she did fall asleep while being massaged by a rather hunky masseuse.
Emily and I dragged her out of the taxi and into Adam’s arms.
“I can tell that someone enjoyed herself.” Kate was slithering in my arms. “Come on you…”
“Love you…” Kate slurred as Adam dragged her into the house. He sat her down on the sofa, she was fast asleep by the time he returned with a steaming mug of coffee for her.
***
“Morning…” The only response I got was a low groan, Kate opened one eye before going back to sleep. “I’ve got coffee for
