Chance of a Lifetime

  Chance of a Lifetime

  Dilys Xavier

  © Dilys Xavier 2015

  Dilys Xavier has asserted her rights under the Copyright, Design and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as the author of this work.

  First published in 2015 by Endeavour Press Ltd.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven.

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty One

  Chapter Twenty Two

  Chapter One

  The startled colt jerked up, his eyes wide with fear as the squeal of tyres shattered the early morning tranquillity. ‘Steady boy,’ Maria murmured, patting the animal to calm it. Wrapping her arms around Chance’s neck, she wondered what was going on outside. Then a vehicle door slammed and heavy footsteps crunched their way up the gravel path leading to the farmhouse.

  Expecting no one at this early hour she peeped over the top of the stable door to see who it was, and watched a tall man, his head down and shoulders hunched against the lively morning breeze, stride purposefully towards the farmhouse door. Most of his features were hidden by a wide-brimmed racing felt pulled low at a jaunty angle, but when he reached the door, he straightened up and knocked with an air of confidence.

  Even as he stood waiting Maria noticed a kind of bearing about the stranger. He clasped his hands behind his back, looked down, and deliberately ground his heel into the ground as though impatient at having to wait. Moments later, he swung around and boldly surveyed the stable block. That was when Maria saw him full-face. It was no one she knew.

  She wondered what an unexpected caller could possibly want so early in the morning, but within seconds her grandfather had opened the door and invited the man inside. Gramps had said nothing to her about a visitor, yet by the look of it, he seemed to be expecting this one. She dismissed the incident with a shrug and continued to groom the colt.

  ‘Hi! Glad to see someone else is busy.’

  The voice startled Maria, and she looked up at the cheerful face of Gary Marsh, displaying his usual impish grin as he leaned over the bottom half of the stable door. He nodded at the farmhouse. ‘Got an early caller, I see.’

  ‘Yes. Don’t know who he is or what he wants.’ She pulled a face. ‘The way his car shot up the drive scared me; scared Chance too. It was peaceful until then.’ Maria reached for the bridle and fiddled with it. ‘Anyway, I’m too busy to find out who he is, or what he wants right now.’ She slipped the bridle over the horse’s head. ‘Come on beauty, it’s exercise time.’ She turned to Gary and smiled. ‘Look at him prancing; he knows exactly where he’s going.’

  ‘He's hard work, but it could pay off one day.’

  ‘I hope so,’ she said, leading the young horse out. ‘You looked after him really well for me while I was at college. His super condition is all to your credit.’ She gave Gary a long look of appreciation ‘I know how much effort it takes to get him looking like this. Honestly, I can never thank you enough for what you did on the farm, and for Chance.’

  ‘No problem; that’s the least I could do with you being so far away.’ Gary thrust his hands deep into his pockets and chuckled as a slight flush spread over his cheeks. ‘Anyway, what else could a fella do for his best mate, eh?’

  Gary Marsh was the proverbial 'boy next door'. Maria could not remember a time without him being around. He was so strong and reliable and always there when needed. On top of that, every time he appeared on the scene he livened up the place and made her laugh. His happy nature and the way his country-fresh face creased in smiles always made Maria feel good.

  With her father no longer around to run the farm, she would have had to leave college to look after Gramps, and do whatever farm work she could. That would have meant forfeiting her final year at college and jeopardising a promising career in the art world, but she had Gary to thank that it didn’t happen that way, and she was grateful.

  ‘We’d never manage Manor Farm without you, Gary. It’s a big place, and I’m sure you know how indebted we are that you and your brother, Tom, do the bulk of the work here.’ She paused and smiled at her copper-haired friend, whose freckled face glowed pink by now beneath his healthy tan.

  Gary shifted awkwardly from one foot to the other. ‘Got work to do now; see you later,’ he muttered, and hurried across to his tractor parked outside the meadow gate.

  Maria mounted Chance and trotted past the visitor’s parked vehicle. ‘A Ferrari? Brand new too, by the look of it,’ she muttered, realising that the visitor was a man of means, despite the slightly tatty attire he was wearing. It was evident he had not dressed for a social visit, so again the question ran through her mind. Why was he there?

  As soon as they entered the field, Chance picked his way daintily over fresh mown grass, while Maria savoured the clean air and tranquillity of the deep countryside. Lost in thought during these daily excursions, she was always surprised at how quickly time passed. It seemed she had been out for only minutes, but when she glanced at her wristwatch, to her surprise it was later than she thought. ‘Come on, boy, get a move on,’ she muttered, urging Chance into a trot.

  Her thoughts bounced over different facets of her life as they went home. She had only vague childhood recollections of her mother, who had died young. After the loss, her father had bestowed all his love and affection on her, and now he had gone too. A glazed look came into her eyes as she remembered the fateful tractor accident that had robbed her of a loving father. She hated passing that steep field; the memories were too painful.

  With a shudder, she looked away and urged the horse into a gallop. As she approached the large Victorian farmhouse, sharply silhouetted against an azure sky, she sighed as she recalled the happy days when the house was full of laughter.

  Maria slipped off Chance and led him into his stable to rub him down and strap his muscles with a nice soft cloth. ‘Got to keep you in trim,’ she whispered. Once she had finished and tidied everything away, she bolted the stable door securely and headed for the farmhouse.

  A soft breeze wafted fragrant perfume from the honeysuckle Dad had planted especially for her outside the front door. Wherever she looked, there were memories of a dearly loved father. She missed him so.

  ‘Ah, there you are.’ Gramps' sharp tone startled her as he beckoned enthusiastically from the doorway. ‘Been looking for you all over. Come inside m’dear. I want you to meet our visitor.’

  Surprised the man was still there, Maria stepped inside and studied him carefully. Gramps placed a hand on the stranger’s shoulder and eased him nearer to her as he introduced him. ‘Mr Carter is paying us a brief visit.’ And that was it; no further information was given.

  This must be some sort of business call, she assumed. The visitor’s lips firmed into an attractive smile as he held out his hand. As Maria grasped it a surge of power ran through her, but with it came a strange feeling of apprehension.

  ‘How are you,’ she said, automatically, mesmerised by the intensity of the man’s gaze. She looked into the handsome face towering well above her, her eyes absorbing his fine features.

  Charles Cable shifted self-consciously from one foot to the other. ‘Mr Carter’s had a look around the farm. He’s seen the other
horses, but Chance was out with you.’ He ran his fingers through his hair, and looked unusually perturbed, but Phillip Carter’s voice broke the awkward silence.

  ‘Indeed I have, and thank you, Mr Cable; it’s been most enjoyable. I’d enjoy more equine chatter, but I must have been here for over an hour, so it’s high time I went.’

  Curious about why a stranger should be taken all over the farm, Maria shot her grandfather a questioning look. Instinctively, she knew something was up between this man and Gramps, but there was no explanation forthcoming, and anyway, it was none of her business. She shrugged off her thoughts and turned to look through the window at the blue-grey tips of the majestic Brecon Beacons rising in the distance. They gave her a momentary sense of wellbeing, but within seconds, Charles Cable’s voice jolted her back to her immediate surroundings, and the visitor.

  ‘My grand-daughter’s going places, Mr Carter,’ she heard him say. ‘Maria’s making a name for herself in the world of fine art.’ His eyes were shining with delight. ‘She’s holding an exhibition soon in the prestigious Anthony Giles Gallery. Not only that,’ he went on, ‘Maria's a first class rider and could do just as well with horses if she wished. In fact, it was touch and go which she would choose for a career, painting or horses.’

  Maria flashed him a look of annoyance. Why was he giving all this personal information to a stranger. ‘Gramps, I'm sure Mr Carter hasn't come here for my life story,’ she chided, colouring slightly as Phillip Carter’s smiling eyes met hers again.

  The man inclined his head, his sensual mouth lifting attractively at the corners and pressing deep dimples into dark-tanned cheeks as his hazel eyes looked down an aristocratic nose.

  Maria had always preferred the rugged looking country type, even so, this man’s looks were impressive. With looks like that, no doubt he had a beautiful wife and several children at home. Raising his brow, he broadened his smile to reveal the most perfect teeth she had ever seen, and with that, her pulse quickened. Phillip Carter was perhaps a tad too good looking.

  Even though she knew Gramps was bound to realise she was curious, he still offered no explanation for the man’s visit. Instead, he cleared his throat, and addressed her again. ‘I’d like Mr Carter to see some of your paintings, Maria.’ He turned to the man. ‘My granddaughter has a degree in fine art, you see, and her animal portraits are fabulous, especially of horses. I think you’d find her work interesting.’ He looked hard and silently at his visitor as if making sure his remarks had been absorbed.

  Maria frowned; there was no stopping Gramps. She was not bothered whether Phillip Carter knew of her talents or not; he meant nothing to her, and she felt certain he was equally as disinterested in her and her personal achievements.

  ‘The paintings she's done of My Chance are out of this world; they really are. You should see them.’

  Each rhetoric heightened Maria's embarrassment as well as the colour in her cheeks. ‘Gramps, please. Maybe Mr Carter has no interest in paintings.’ She spoke curtly, trying to put an end to her grandfather’s proud talk.

  ‘On the contrary,’ Phillip Carter broke in quickly, directing his words at Maria. His strong jaw lifted with an air of importance. ‘In fact, I’m interested in anything connected with horses, but not much else, I'm afraid.’

  Maria stiffened, uncomfortable for several reasons now, one being his ability to stir feelings in her she didn’t want, and secondly because she objected to his being there for some strange reason. Whatever it was, she certainly resented his sudden and unexplained intrusion and wanted to see the back of him now.

  Gramps took the visitor by his arm and drew him through into the hall. ‘Look at these,’ he said. ‘Maria can make any creature come to life on a canvas; she’s incredible.’

  Phillip Carter nodded approvingly. ‘I see what you mean,’ he said. They really are good; you were not exaggerating.’ He pointed to a painting of My Chance. ‘I like this one.’

  Gramps nodded with a broad smile. ‘Yes, it’s excellent; she’s done several of him. Clever horse that one. Maria taught him a few little tricks, and he just loves showing off.’

  For several minutes they looked at the paintings in the hall, and then moved into the sitting room to look at more. All the while, Maria deliberately kept out of the way; she’d had enough of this intruder and did not want to encourage him to stay longer.

  Gramps has a bit of explaining to do, allowing this man to march all over our property as though he were an estate agent or potential buyer, she thought. Wish I knew what he’s here for. Her intuitive feeling that this man meant trouble grew stronger by the minute. Just then the two men returned to the farmhouse kitchen.

  ‘Mr Carter took a fancy to your painting of Chance. Would you bring him out for Mr Carter to see before he goes?’ Gramps’ tone cut across her thoughts. ‘I know you've only just put him away, but I'd like you to parade the colt.’

  ‘No trouble,’ she fibbed, thankful for a reason to get away from the conversation. And maybe this man will leave us in peace after, she thought, as she strode over to the stable. Venting her feelings on the bolt as she opened the door, she pushed it back so hard it jammed her finger, making her yelp.

  Phillip Carter jumped forward. ‘Here, let me,’

  Instantly, Maria lifted her hand out of the way. ‘No, thanks,’ she said tersely, her expression daring the man to come any nearer.

  He looked slightly taken aback, but stayed where he was and waited, chatting to Gramps until Maria brought Chance out of his stable. She walked him around the yard, all the time keeping a wary eye on Phillip Carter to note his reaction. She had every reason to be proud of her horse, but there was no smile on her face as she paraded him for the simple reason that right now she felt equally on show for Mr Carter's close scrutiny. She had done this often enough before, and felt annoyed it was bothering her.

  ‘Well?’ Gramps looked intently into the face of his visitor. ‘Good, eh?’ His eagerness for the man's opinion was evident. Maria’s thoughts went into overdrive. What the hell does it matter what the man thinks? The horse is in good shape, and Phillip Carter’s opinion means nothing to me or to Gramps.

  ‘I like him. He moves well. And I like the way he's put together.’ Carter nodded cool approval. ‘Yes, I like him very much.’ He ran an experienced hand down the colt's legs and then stepped back a few paces, running his long fingers over his jaw while he continued to study the animal.

  ‘My son bred him from a mare we had here. She was the last of a fantastic blood-line. But you know that, of course.’

  ‘Yes,’ nodded Phillip Carter. He clicked his fingers, ‘Fine Chance, by Sorragar.’

  Gramps beamed with pleasure at the response. ‘You are right,’ he said, sounding extremely satisfied, ‘I knew you’d be familiar with the blood-line.’

  ‘This colt is two years?’ Carter's question was directed at Maria now, his head down, his eyes still keenly surveying the horse.

  ‘Yes,’ she answered briefly, not wishing to engage his look again.

  ‘And he's done well as a two year old?’ The man’s brow lifted as he posed his second question.

  ‘Yes, he's won some useful races, nothing big yet, but he's genuine and fast on the flat.’ Maria gave Phillip Carter a long straight stare, her aggression mounting at his manner, which she considered arrogant. His questions were short and sharp, and it annoyed her that Gramps had allowed her to be subjected to this. She had better things to do than answer questions from a stranger, and her patience was running thin. Anyway, what business was it of his?

  He walked slowly around the horse, taking care to avoid the prancing hooves, while Maria watched him carefully, but by now feeling somewhat concerned over the intensive interest he was showing in her horse. It was the kind of inspection one would make if buying a horse, but Chance was not for sale. She found no pleasure in his praises, and his attitude only served to deepen her resentment.

  ‘Seen enough?’ she asked impatiently.

  �
��I have, thank you,’ he called out, in almost a drawl.

  Maria heaved a sigh of relief, but she noticed how Gramps was rubbing his hands together, and concluded he had sensed the tension between her and his visitor. Then she heard Gramps make an offer that dismayed her.

  ‘Let's go inside for a cup of tea. I'm sure you could do with one, or a drink?’

  Maria’s spirits fell. She had hoped the man would be on his way by now.

  Carter looked up sharply, his expression relaxing immediately. ‘I really should be on my way, but yes thanks, a cup of tea will be fine.’ As he spoke, his eyes lingered on Maria's frowning face.

  ‘Come along, then.’ Gramps seemed anxious as he made for the farmhouse door, but Maria's lips had straightened to a thin line by now. They had enough to do without having to entertain so early.

  ‘Join us when you've stabled Chance, Maria. We'll go inside.’

  Maria watched the two men disappear through the farmhouse door, but when she turned to Chance her mood changed immediately. ‘Come on gorgeous,’ she cooed, patting the glossy coat as she led the high spirited creature towards his stable again. ‘I’ll take you to the meadow later on where you can prance around to your heart’s content.’ The horse responded, nodding his head vigorously, as though he understood every word she said.

  Maria regarded Chance as something rather special; he was a strong bond between her and her father. She would always remember what her Dad had told her. 'This colt has the pedigree and the looks to make a great racehorse. You can never tell how a youngster is going to develop, but you'll see what I mean one day.' Now it was up to her to see her father's dream realised. She owed him that, and she was determined to do it.

  Chapter Two

  Slipping quietly into the old farmhouse once she had stabled the horse, Maria heard laughter and the clink of china coming from the dining room.

  ‘That you, Maria? I’ve made the tea. Come and join us’.