Page 70 of Beyond Her Manner

Colin gave her a once-over. “Have you not got a proper riding jacket?”

Viola looked at Gillian again, just as the woman rolled her eyes.

“I’m sure I have a jacket in the wardrobe from when I was younger — and thinner — that might fit you well.”

As Gillian made to leave, Colin called out, “Could you show James where the stables are so he can set up?”

With a huff she left with James in tow, then returned with a shapely black velvet jacket that fitted Viola like a glove. She could have done without it in the hot summer air which currently suffocated Kingsford.

“Perfect,” Colin said, admiring Viola. “Are you sure this isn’t really your house, Gillian?” He chuckled.

Viola cringed, bracing herself for a response.

“It most definitely is not my house,” Gillian snapped.

Colin pulled himself back and straightened his face. “Where’s this horse then?”

Gillian marched outside, followed by everyone else. As Viola caught up to her, she realised she would have to ride Dudley. As if sensing her unease, Gillian placed a hand on her back as they walked.

“I’ll suggest we go into the paddock; at least it’s familiar. Remember everything I taught you.”

Viola nodded. She could walk Dudley around the paddock; she’d done it before.

The crew busied themselves arranging their equipment while Gillian tacked up Dudley. Agatha emerged from the stable and stretched. Approaching Dudley, she rubbed her head and then body against his leg. It surprised Viola that he didn’t react. Instead, he lowered his head and appeared to nuzzle the cat’s side, pulling on her heartstrings in the process.

“I’ll stay close by in case you need me,” Gillian whispered as she gestured for Viola to mount.

“Thank you.”

Once mounted, she retraced the steps they had taken during her lesson. Gillian opened the gate ahead of her, then closed it once everyone was through. Colin called out directions, asking Viola to position Dudley in a certain spot for the ‘perfect light’ and ‘perfect backdrop’.

She was sure Dudley was completely biddable; unfortunately, she failed to instruct him correctly, and the pressure made her more flustered. Every time Gillian stepped forward to try and assist, Colin called for her to get out of the shot.

“Left — no, not that left. The other left,” Colin barked.

“I’m trying,” Viola said through gritted teeth, biting back a sharper reply.

After fifteen minutes, Colin called time, and they returned to the stables, where Jason immediately held a laptop in front of Colin. Viola could only assume they were analysing the photographs of her and Dudley.

“We’ll have to work with what we’ve got,” he grumbled.

“You asked if I owned a horse, not if I could ride one,” Viola said, jumping down, pleased to see Gillian close at hand should she need her.

“I assumed all country folk rode, regardless of horse ownership,” Colin retorted.

The smile on Gillian’s face as she removed Dudley’s saddle didn’t escape Viola’s notice. She’d let her have that one.

“We could do with another external shot,” Colin said. “Have you got some sort of outdoorsy vehicle? Although that car in the drive is very nice, it’s not befitting the look we go for atCountry Life. I thought I spotted an old Land Rover on the way in; that would be perfect.”

Gillian rolled her eyes. “Give me five minutes.”

“Thank you, Gillian,” Viola called after her, wondering at what point the woman’s patience would give out and she would snap completely.

“Calls for a wardrobe change, I’m afraid,” Colin said, gesturing with his arm that they return to the house. “Reset on the drive,” he called to his crew.

By the time Viola had changed back into her country attire, complete with her tweed cap, Gillian’s Land Rover was in front of the house. This time she was more comfortable than in the previous shot. Standing beside a vehicle was more natural to her than riding a horse.

It appeared to suit Colin better too. He snapped away as she posed around the car.