Page 18 of Polo Fever
‘Okay,’ I say, leaning forward on the bar. ‘Polo is complicated.’
‘No more than other sports,’ Noor contends. ‘But to really understand it, you have to watch a match. Come with us to the next one and we can talk you through it.’
‘I’d like that, thanks.’ I smile as Noor nods, satisfied, before taking a sip of his drink.
As the door to the pub opens, I bend down behind the bar to pick up a dishcloth I dropped earlier, and when I straighten to welcome whoever has just come through it, I start, dropping the dishcloth again.
Lady Maycourt surveys the pub before she sees me and glides over, a corgi on a lead in tow. Jasper, who has been busy in the back, emerges from behind the bar and stops in surprise at our new customer.
‘Lady Maycourt,’ he says, beaming at her as Noor and Rhys swivel on their stools to greet her with surprised smiles. ‘Great to see you! How are you?’
‘Hello, Jasper,’ she says in a warm, friendly, East Coast American accent that has softened after years in England. ‘I’m well, thank you. How have things been here?’
‘Business as usual,’ he tells her.
‘Pleased to hear it.’ Her eyes settle on me. ‘This must be Ashley. I didn’t get the chance to introduce myself earlier when you were with Mateo, so I thought I’d come by the pub to do so. Jasper had mentioned to me his sister was coming to visit and when I saw you this afternoon, I realised that you were she.’
‘Yes, hi,’ I say, smiling nervously at her. ‘I’m so sorry that I was in your field, Lady Maycourt. I know it was trespassing, but I wasn’t thinking. I got caught up in admiring your horse and—’
‘You don’t need to apologise,’ she cuts in calmly. ‘That’s not why I’m here. In fact, I’m delighted to have tracked you down. I’m here to offer you a job.’
I stare at her. Jasper shares a look of bewilderment with the others.
‘I’m sorry?’ I say, wondering if I’d heard her wrong.
‘My daughter, Julia, broke her wrist recently during a showjumping event, which means I could use an extra pair of hands in the stables. I hoped you might consider stepping in,’ she explains, as her corgi whines loudly next to her. She gives him a stern look. ‘None of that please, Garfunkel.’
Garfunkel stops whining and huffs, plonking himself into a sitting position at her feet.
‘I apologise,’ she says, addressing us, before gazing fondly down at her dog. ‘He had a light lunch today and so I imagine he’s peckish. Corgis have bottomless stomachs.’
‘Sorry, you want me to come work in your stables?’ I check, still trying to get my head round it. ‘The Maycourt Polo stables?’
‘Yes, as a polo groom. It’s extremely hard work but very rewarding,’ she states firmly. ‘I can see, of course, that you have a job here, but I wasn’t sure if it was temporary. I wouldn’t want to step on your toes or go behind your back and steal one of your staff, Jasper.’
He shakes his head, baffled. ‘Not at all. Whatever Ash would like.’
‘I can’t be a polo groom,’ I blurt out, shocked that Jasper is considering the switch. ‘I know nothing about it. I’ve never worked with horses.’
‘You can learn on the job. You seem at ease around them,’ Lady Maycourt argues, watching me curiously. ‘I’ve never seen Serafina connect with anyone the way she connected with you.’
‘Serafina?’ Jasper says, his eyebrows knitted together.
‘A very special pony of mine,’ Lady Maycourt explains. ‘She is the daughter of a pony my late husband was particularly fond of during his own polo career. He made me promise never to sell Serafina and it was a promise I was happy to make; anyone could see her potential. But then we discovered she’s rather… difficult. She may be from a brilliant line of polo ponies, but she’s developed a personality at odds with her ancestors. She’s strong and wilful and won’t get on with my grooms or players. Mateo is the only one interested in her.’
‘Mateo has an eye for a good pony,’ Noor proclaims.
‘Yes, he does,’ she agrees. ‘He’s determined to make something of her. He agreed with the Viscount that she had it in her to be an extraordinary polo pony. Nobody loves those ponies like Mateo does, but even his patience is being pushed as far as Serafina is concerned.’ She turns to address me again. ‘Then you showed up and she took a liking to you.’
Jasper looks at me, his eyebrows flying up.
‘Mateo told me he’s watched you with her,’ she continues steadily. ‘He says that around you she’s calm, relaxed,listening. I witnessed it myself this morning. I saw you slip that grazing muzzle on her. You should have seen one of my grooms attempt to do it yesterday – she was a nightmare. But she trusts you. That’s exactly what we need. Mateo is determined to ride her this season and with your help, he might be able to get her into shape.’
My mouth feels unusually dry and I realise it’s because I’ve been gaping at her this whole time. I swallow, licking my lips.
‘I… um…’
‘Have the weekend to think about it,’ she instructs, tapping her hand on the bar as I flounder. ‘If you’re keen, then you can start Monday morning. Now, I must get Garfunkel home. Lovely to see you, Jasper, and don’t let my team make fools of themselves when they next visit your fine establishment.’
