Langdown Manor by Sue Reid Page B

still to me. ‘Hello, Fred,’ I said. I saw him start, as if he hadn’t expected me. He turned round slowly, raising his eyes to mine.
    â€˜I didn’t think you’d come,’ he said. I’m glad you did , his eyes said. A flush spread over his face. ‘Hot work,’ he said, nodding at the fork.
    I felt shy. ‘I had to see Starshine,’ I said.
    And you , my eyes said.
    I felt Starshine’s nose nuzzle my arm. She gave a whinny. I was neglecting her. I hid my hot face in her mane, pretending that it was for her alone I’d come.
    Fred picked up the fork and began to rake the hay. ‘Didn’t have a chance to do this earlier,’ he said. He was looking anywhere but at me. Then he put down the fork, leaning it against the side of the stall. ‘You must be cold,’ he said. ‘And look, you’re wet!’ he exclaimed as if he’d only just noticed. ‘Here.’ He tramped over to the wall and unhooked his jacket off a nail. ‘Put this on if you’re staying.’
    Please stay , his eyes said.
    I’m staying , mine said. He put the jacket round my shoulders. His hands rested there. I felt them tremble.
    â€˜Polly,’ he said softly. He had never called me that before. I looked up. His eyes were gazing into mine. I felt as if I was standing too close to a fire. I looked away.
    â€˜Polly,’ he whispered again. I raised my eyes to his. I felt as if his hand was holding my heart, squeezing it tight. This time I didn’t look away.
    He bent his head to mine. Our lips met.
    How warm they felt against mine. Warm and sweet and soft. I had never kissed a boy before. I felt dizzy.
    I felt his hands drop to my waist. He pulled me close to him. His heart was beating rapidly against mine. My head was resting against his shoulder. ‘Polly,’ he murmured. ‘Oh, Poll.’ Then he held me away from him and we looked at each other. I gave a little shiver. ‘Are you still cold?’ he said. He slipped the jacket off my shoulders. ‘Put it on properly, it will keep you warm.’ I slipped my arms into the sleeves of his jacket. It was too big for me, and the sleeves hung down over my hands. I saw him smile. ‘It doesn’t fit very well,’ he said. I snuggled into it.
    â€˜It fits very well,’ I said. I smiled.
    He touched my cheek softly. ‘You have a dimple here, when you smile. Right there. It’s nice.’
    I took his hand and held it to my lips.
    â€˜Oh, Polly,’ he said. It was his arms I could feel round me now, his breath warm against my cheek. I felt as if the world was vanishing around me. There was only Fred and me. I could have stood there with him for ever. Nothing else mattered.
    I felt his hands slacken suddenly. I moved closer, but he pulled away.
    â€˜Poll,’ he said. ‘We shouldn’t do this. I’m sorry… I don’t know what came over me. You… I…’ He swallowed.
    â€˜I’m not sorry,’ I said. ‘I’m glad.’
    â€˜Oh Poll,’ he said. ‘Don’t you see? You’re a young lady and I…’ His foot kicked the wall angrily.
    I leaned my head against the rough wood of the stall.
    â€˜I don’t care,’ I said stubbornly.
    â€˜You should,’ he said.
    â€˜Fred—’ I began. How could I tell him how happy he had made me? He couldn’t take that away from me now. He just couldn’t. I wouldn’t let him.
    â€˜Fred!’ a voice bellowed from the yard. ‘How much longer are you going to be mucking out that hoss? There’s the yard to sweep still, and then the carriage wheels need oiling. Her ladyship needs it for a drive tomorrow.’
    â€˜I should go,’ I said. I slipped my arms reluctantly out of the jacket and handed it to him. Our fingers touched.
    â€˜I’ll see you tomorrow,’ I said. He dug the fork into the hay. He didn’t answer. He