Page 28 of Polo Fever
‘High Fives,’ she repeats drily. ‘It’s what we call Clara Fennel and her friends. They’re essentially polo groupies and won’t shag anyone with a handicap below five.’
‘Oh. Right. Who’s Clara Fennel?’
‘The Honourable Clara Fennel is the blonde in the middle of them and the leader of the pack,’ she tells me in a strained voice, nodding to the girl who’d brazenly beckoned Mateo to her in the pub when he’d been sitting with me. ‘And the brunette next to her is Paige Potter, my ex-girlfriend.’
I stealthily check out Paige, who is very pretty with tight, brown curls, big, dark eyes and wearing a red, floral dress that shows off her curves and matches her bold-red lipstick.
‘Clara and I didn’t get on at school and since the break-up with Paige, she dislikes me even more, which means her entire entourage aren’t allowed to like me, either.’ Jules heaves a weary sigh. ‘It’s all very stupid.’
‘Sounds it.’ I notice Clara look over at me, her friends following suit, before a sneer appears on her face and shewhispers something to the other girls, who snigger. ‘For some reason, I don’t think she’s a fan of mine, either, even though we haven’t met yet.’
‘You’re new and you’re pretty. That’s enough to get on her bad side,’ Jules mutters.
‘You must be Ash!’ a voice says behind me and I spin round to see one of the polo players, Malcolm, giving me the once-over. ‘Word on the grapevine is that you’re fairly new to all this. How come you’re Lady M’s latest hire, then?’
‘Probably something to do with Fitz,’ chips in Eric, another one of the team, his voice slightly slurred as he joins our group.
‘That right, Fitzy-boy?’ Malcolm says, ushering Fitz to come join us, too. ‘You were the one to bring this new groom to Maycourt, were you?’
‘Nothing to do with me, but can’t say I’m complaining,’ Fitz declares as Clara and her friends watch on, wearing similar distinct scowls.
‘Don’t be a slimeball, Fitz,’ Jules snaps at her cousin, but he shrugs it off with a laugh.
‘It was Mateo who spotted her…talents,’ Fitz says, his eyes scanning down my body as I wrinkle my nose in disgust. ‘He has an eye for these things.’
‘I can’t take any credit for Ash being here,’ Mateo says calmly.
I hadn’t noticed he was even in the room, but as he speaks, people surrounding us part slightly to turn to look at him. At odds with the other players in their pastel designer shirts and chinos, Mateo is in a t-shirt and jeans, leaning on the bar on his own.
‘Lady M saw that she was good with Serafina and broughther on to help us work with her,’ he continues, before taking a sip of his drink.
Eric sighs, shaking his head. ‘That pony isnevercoming round. She’s reactive and doesn’t suit the pressure of polo. She should be sold.’
‘Mum will never do that,’ Jules says, frowning at him.
‘She shouldn’t. Serafina is the quickest pony in the yard,’ Mateo adds.
‘She cannot be controlled,’ Fitz proclaims. ‘She bit me, you know. She’s a feisty bitch and makes it damn clear she doesn’t want anyone riding her.’
‘Maybe it’s justyoushe doesn’t want riding her,’ Eric suggests.
‘She wouldn’t be the first, eh, Fitzy-boy?’ Malcolm jeers, sending a ripple of laughter through the room.
‘Oh ha bloodyha,’ Fitz mutters into his drink.
‘It will be impressive if you can get Serafina into shape for the season, Ash,’ Malcolm says, stroking his chin. ‘Have you worked with ponies before?’
I shake my head.
‘I’ve heard you don’t even ride,’ Clara jumps in, her plummy voice booming around the room and holding its attention. ‘Is that true? Itcan’tbe.’
‘No, it’s true,’ I say.
The players share looks of surprise, while a smirk creeps across Clara’s lips.
‘Howfascinating,’ she emphasises, her eyes flashing at me as she begins her fun. ‘And what about polo? You must be very knowledgeable in the sport at least?’
I hold her steely gaze without flinching. ‘I’ve never seen a match before today.’
