Platinum Coast. Lynne Pemberton

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СКАЧАТЬ a magnificent garden,’ she said. ‘I’ve never seen anything quite like it, except in films.’

      ‘This is only half of it. Come on, I’ll give you the guided tour of the grounds. Put on some suitable shoes and follow me.’

      He waited patiently whilst Christina unzipped her bag and found a pair of trainers which she quickly pulled onto her stockinged feet.

      He took her hand and they left the house by the front door, meeting Muffin, the spaniel, panting on the doorstep.

      ‘Come on, Muffy,’ Stephen called as they set off down the drive. Muffin slumped down in the warm porch and dropped his head on his paws, ready for a snooze.

      ‘He must have been down at the stables with Victoria all day,’ Stephen commented. ‘He usually comes back exhausted.’ They walked round the side of the house, down a set of old brick steps to a narrow path where they had to walk single-file. The path twisted through a vast rose garden where Old and New English Roses, floribundas, miniatures and hybrid teas blossomed in every shade from white and palest lemon to deepest pinks and crimsons. The garden was heavy with scent.

      ‘There are over fifty different varieties in here. My wife had this garden planted specially. It was her pride and joy. She was a keen gardener,’ Stephen said in a soft voice.

      ‘What about you?’ asked Christina.

      ‘I’m afraid I haven’t got green fingers; I love to see it looking beautiful, but I’d much rather pay someone to keep it that way.’

      The path ended at a crumbling old summer-house where a white rambling rose swathed the black-beamed walls.

      ‘Come on.’ Stephen opened the door and Christina stepped inside. It was damp and musty-smelling.

      ‘This was Victoria’s den.’ He pointed to a heap of dusty toys piled in one corner. Rubbing a small pane in one window with the flat of his hand, he beckoned to Christina. ‘Look.’

      With her nose almost touching the glass, she peered out onto an enclosed patio where flowering plants poked through old flagstones and honeysuckle and clematis crawled up pale stone walls. A small swimming-pool was set in the centre. It looked unused. Dead insects and leaves floated on the surface.

      ‘Don’t you use the pool?’ Christina asked, staring at the stagnant water.

      ‘I do occasionally, but Victoria never does. She’s afraid of the water. She almost drowned when she was two years old and has never forgotten it.’

      ‘I love swimming,’ Christina said.

      ‘Well, swim you shall. I’ll get Jack the gardener to clean the pool out this afternoon, and if it’s warm enough we can go swimming together in the morning.’

      ‘How about skinny-dipping this evening?’ she said mischievously.

      ‘If we can manage it, I’m game.’

      They left the summer-house and walked hand in hand through several acres of woodland, completing the tour of the twenty acres of grounds at the stables, where Victoria was grooming her bay gelding in the yard as they approached.

      ‘Come and meet Mischief.’ Stephen pulled a reluctant Christina towards the fourteen-hand pony. She thought the name might be apt and approached the animal warily.

      Victoria continued grooming Mischief’s tail as Christina cautiously stroked his mane.

      ‘How long have you had her?’

      ‘Daddy bought him for my tenth birthday as a surprise present. Didn’t you, Daddy?’

      Stephen nodded and smiled.

      Victoria continued speaking just to him. ‘Do you remember how you tied his tail and mane with lots of big red ribbons, and what fun we had that day? I’ll never part with Mischief. Even when I get big I’ll still keep him.’

      Victoria finished grooming the horse’s tail, and put the brush on a bench by her feet. ‘Daddy always knows just what to buy me.’

      She stood next to her father, watching Christina stroke the pony’s neck.

      Stephen smiled. ‘I think he likes you, Christina.’

      ‘This pony has good taste,’ she said, and gave hisa neck a final pat.

      Victoria left her father’s side to stand in front of Mischief, saying, ‘Come on, boy, back you go.’ She pushed him back towards his stall, but he was enjoying the attention he was receiving from Christina and did not want to move.

      ‘Back, boy!’ Victoria slapped his hind quarters and Mischief bucked, landing heavily on Christina’s foot. She screamed and pulled away from the beast, who rolled his eyes at the noise and movement. Victoria did not spare her a glance but concentrated on calming her pony.

      ‘Are you okay, Christina?’ Concerned, Stephen bent over and examined her rapidly swelling foot.

      ‘She’ll be fine, Daddy, really. What a fuss. It happens to me all the time.’

      Victoria bolted the stable half-door and held out her hand to Mischief. In it were two Polo mints which the pony took and chomped with great relish.

      ‘See you tomorrow, my darling Mischief,’ she crooned. ‘I hope you’re going to win for me.’ Then she turned to Christina. ‘I really would think twice about coming to the gymkhana tomorrow. There’ll be lots of horses there and you could get trodden on again.’ Her voice was cold.

      Stephen took Christina’s arm and gave his daughter an angry glare. ‘Have you no sympathy, Victoria? Can’t you see Christina’s hurt?’

      ‘It’s not my fault if she’s not used to being around horses.’

      A petulant look appeared on Victoria’s face. She would have relented and said she was sorry, if only for her father’s sake, but could not bring herself to speak as she watched him supporting Christina and tenderly sympathizing with her as she limped out of the stable-yard.

      Victoria threw a spiteful look in Christina’s direction and muttered under her breath, though loud enough for them to hear, ‘Stupid girl! She’s just making a fuss to get attention.’ Before her father could rebuke her she ran past them and up the small service drive across the top paddock. They saw her round the back of the house and vanish from sight.

      ‘I’m sorry about her behaviour,’ Stephen apologized as he helped Christina back to the house. ‘She resents anyone in my life. That’s why I never bring women down here. You’re the first since Barbara’s death.’

      Christina winced in pain and thought: If this is the way Victoria’s going to act, I’ll probably be the last!

      She would have liked to have said so, but held back.

      ‘I’m sure she’ll get used to me in time.’

      She squeezed Stephen’s arm as a sharp pain shot through her ankle. She was positive that Victoria had engineered her accident and sincerely hoped that the wilful child would get used to her soon. If not, she might not survive the weekend.

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