The Lover's Children novel Chapter 64

JAMES

And as it does this time of year, April’s shower clears, the sun comes out and it's a glorious day, with everything Spring has to offer. Technically, we may be still in April, but it seems May has decided to arrive early.

Trees and hedgerows wave in the fresh breeze, flourishing frothing blossom like hands applauding the sky. Close by the hedges, the hum and buzz and burr of insect life all but drowns out the birdsong.

The birds themselves flit one way and another, ferrying twigs and grasses. Some of the more enterprising raid the stable for horsehair, tugging it loose from crevices and crannies, trailing it behind like some sort of bridal veil as they fly to nests-in-progress.

And my flame-haired mermaid is there, in the stable. She’s roughly dressed, in jeans and gumboots. The filled wheelbarrow and the pitchfork says she’s already mucked out. Her back to me as she grooms Charlie, she hums something I don’t recognise but which captures the Spring Glory perfectly: bright and joyful. Oliver, his coat smooth and gleaming, snatches a tuft of hay from the rake, chewing it with a sound like a caterpillar tap-dancing.

Leaning against the door jamb, I wait for Charlotte to notice me, watching her work. Charlie nickers approval as her mistress sweeps through gritty hair, whisking away dirt and hayseeds. “Like that, do you?” Charlotte chuckles as the mare backs into the stiffly bristled brush. “Want a good scratch?”

Working harder with the brush, she scrubs at caked-on mud. Oliver snorts a protest, shoving his head at her, demanding his share of the attention. Charlotte staggers as he jostles her, swatting back at him. “Back off you big galumph. You’ve had your turn.” Returning to teasing out a tangle of burrs in the mare’s tail, she hums her ditty as Charlie blows air in appreciation.

She’s lost in her work. I’m not going to be noticed. “You sound happy.”

Charlotte startles… “Master…” …then flashes me a smile over her shoulder. “Yes, I have a lot to be happy about, don’t I.”

Charlie tosses her head to me in greeting. Oliver, ears swivelling forward, stamps and shifts, keen to be out. I move close in from behind. Laying my hands on Charlotte’s shoulders, I kiss into her lovely neck. “True. Ready to take them out?”

“Just about. I’ve almost done here. Where shall we go?”

“I have a spot in mind.” I reach down, lay a palm over her stomach. “A nice gentle amble in view of your condition. No trotting...” She flashes another sunburst smile... “… What d’you think about a picnic?”

“Sounds lovely. All of us? Beth and Richard. Michael. The kids?”

“I was hoping just you and me. Now that you're safely expecting again, I thought perhaps we might spend some time together?”

Her smile blooms. “I'd like that. Um… What about Cara?”

“She’s with Michael somewhere. He said he had a surprise for her.”

Her eyes widen. “A surprise?”

“No idea. But he seemed keen to show her something. In any case, she’s in good hands. He’s probably taking her on his rounds in the hotel.”

“He wasn’t dressed for that. He looked more as though he was going to work in the garden.”

“Whatever he’s doing, Cara’s fine. You and I can have some privacy.”

“Sounds lovely. I’ll go change my clothes and then make up our picnic.”

“No need. I’ve already done it. We’re good to go as soon as you are. You get changed. I’ll saddle up.”

Her eyes glint. “You had this planned.”

“So I did. Go get changed. And…” I cock an eye to the muck-barrow… “Have a quick shower.”

*****

I know exactly where I’m taking her: the gentlest of walks over our mountain meadows. Oliver protests the easy pace, wanting to be away, but I rein him in. I’ll give him a good gallop when I’m not with my pregnant mermaid. She’s dressed sensibly, in jeans and tee-shirt, her hair in a long braid from under her helmet, glinting copper in the sunlight. Ambling along, saddlebags packed with our picnic, we make our way along high narrow paths tramped through the turf by generations of sheep.

And now, overlooking the water far below, the breeze fresh against the heated sun, I rein in. “Here we are.”

Charlotte follows my lead, drawing up Charlie to stand side by side with her son. “Master, is this where we…?”

“I wondered if you’d recognise it. Yes, it’s where I brought you when we first met, that second day, after the auction. Our first picnic.”

“That was the day you introduced me to Michael.”