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Vic laughed. “It was a challenge to get it moving, that’s for sure.”
“Well, you can’t fucking cook, so you’ll have to come home with us or you’ll end up starving to death out here. Then the dogs will eat you. It will be a disaster.”
Vic laughed. “You really think it will be okay? You think I should tell Julia I love her?”
“Victoria Grey-Hughes. I think you are amazing. I think you have so much love to give and you just needed the right person who appreciated you, and now look at you, giving it everything. You are absolutely doing a grown-up relationship, and I can’t think of anyone more perfect for you than Julia-Swoolia. Come back tomorrow and come get your girl.”
Vic smiled and gripped Erin’s hand. “Thank you,” she said.
On Saturday morning, Vic was feeding Hyzenthlay and herself and the dogs toast and jam when the cars arrived. She had expected perhaps one car and a horsebox for Satan. She frowned as she saw out of the kitchen window five black Range Rovers and a horsebox. A suited security team swiftly emerged from the black Range Rovers, which only meant one thing: the Queen was here. Naomi emerged from the horsebox leading a tacked up Sebastian, and Alex got out of the middle Range Rover wearing her casual riding clothes. Still, she somehow managed to look like the epitome of chic. Her ashy blonde hair was neatly banded back and her famous blue eyes were glittering.
Vic opened the kitchen door and Alex opened her arms. “I’m so sorry. I was wrong. I was so very wrong, Vic. I’ll support you in anything and everything, and I should have been the friend you deserve rather than the self-serving, selfish bitch I was. I was a hypocrite and I’m sorry.”
Vic fell gratefully into her arms. Alex was small, but her hug was fierce. She whispered in Vic’s ear. “I’ll make it right. I promise.”
Vic smiled and tears were running down her cheeks. She pulled out of the hug. “So, Bodyguard sorted you out? You are no longer the wicked witch?”
“She might have pointed out what a hypocrite I was being. I say I believe in love, and yet, here I am, trying to keep my best friend from the woman she loves. That was so wrong of me. I’m so sorry.” Alex held Vic’s hands.
“I do love her, you know?”
“I know,” Alex said as she squeezed Vic’s hands. It felt awkward in front of all the security and the staff.
“So, I have brought Olivia and plenty of staff to take Hyzenthlay and all of your things. I brought Sebastian in the hope that we could ride home together. It is your home, you know. The castle. We are more than just your friends. We are your family. I want to give you more than just your room. I want to give you the whole west quarter of the castle as your home. That way, you, Julia and Hyzenthlay can have your privacy and your own home. When we visit, we will stay in the east quarter. There is plenty of room for everyone. If that is what you want? If it isn’t, I can give you somewhere else, you just say.”
Vic smiled and hugged Alexandra. “That is more than I ever imagined. You can’t give us all that.”
“I’m the Queen, I can do whatever the hell I like.” Alexandra smiled wickedly.
“Now, will you ride home with me or what?”
Vic smiled. “Sure, I’ll ride home with you, Princess.”
Naomi appeared round the corner with Satan tacked up and ready to go, he looked excited and ready to show off for the audience.
Olivia appeared. “I’ll organise everything here, Ms Grey-Hughes. I’ll look after Hyzenthlay, don’t you worry.”
Vic let Naomi leg her up into Satan’s saddle. He snorted and jogged and threw his head as though he knew there was an audience and he wanted everyone to see how special he was.
Naomi then legged Alexandra up onto Sebastian, who was still like a rock. He was a calm, well-mannered horse. He was everything that Satan wasn’t, but he suited Alex and her technically perfect riding.
“I wish we could be alone, but unfortunately, we will be accompanied,” Alex nodded to the four members of her security team who were currently unloading horses from the horsebox and getting on board.
“Give me distance, I want as much privacy as possible,” she called to them as she guided Sebastian to the gate onto the fields with Satan jogging alongside.
One of the castle staff rushed to open the gate for her, but she waved them away. “I’ve got it,” she said, firmly, as in control as ever.
Alex skillfully moved Sebastian into position next to the gate, undid the latch and then swung the gate open and both horses moved through followed by those of the security team who then dispersed into the field.
“Good work, Princess.” Vic looked for the dogs. “Bear! Linda! Here!” she called and the two dogs lifted their heads from what they were doing and came running.
“Opening it is one thing, closing it is sometimes another thing entirely.” Vic watched as Alex’s legs guided Sebastian backwards once she had hold of the gate. She closed it successfully and it clicked into place.
“Still got the skills!” Alex smiled, satisfied, and they set off with the dogs across the fields back to the castle.
20
Julia was sitting in her office in the castle. She had noticed last night the absence of Vic at the dinner table, and then she realised there was no sign of Bear or Linda or Hyzenthlay either. She asked one of the staff to be told that they thought Vic had moved out.
