Free Dream Valley by Paddy Cummins Page B

she was 'putting the boot in.' Was it the beginning of an uneasy period in their relationship? A rift opening? He hoped not. No, it was probably the
    symptoms of the trauma she had been through. Things would improve. He tried an experiment.
    'I'll tell you what, Jenny ... I know you're not into golf ... you find it boring.'
    'I do.'
    'But the dinner to-morrow night. If you're feeling so good,
    you know, going back to work and all that; would you consider coming with me? It's the Captain's Dinner. You'd really enjoy it and it would get you out again ... do you good. Would you do it for me? I really would appreciate it ... we'll
    make a great night of it.'
    Jenny sensed that Ken was now calling her bluff, really putting it up to her. She did feel well, surprisingly well. She certainly could do with a night out - that's for sure - but the Golf Dinner? It wouldn't be her
    first choice but if it kept Ken on side it could serve a useful purpose.
    'What a great idea, Ken ... I'll spend to-morrow getting myself ready while you're out winning the golf.'
    He was elated. This was going to be more than just a night out. It would be like old times again, a new beginning, an occasion to restore and rejuvenate their relationship. He thanked her profusely, and with a new pep in his step, returned to his patients.
    Saturday was another day of sheer pleasure for Jenny. Most of it was spent designing her new stables. She had now figured out the plan of the little complex. It had to blend in with the rest of the property,
    especially the old Georgian house.
    Remembering the day they bought it, she felt happy now that she had waited for a place with a bit of land attached. Ken couldn't care less about land - an old 'period house' with character and charm and he was happy.
    They were lucky to find this place - it had everything. The two little green fields meant everything to her. She had dreamed of the day when her little son or daughter would roam through the grass, chatting to the horses, acquiring
    that unique bond that adorned her own childhood. Sadly, that seemed a forlorn hope now. Still, she would at least have the horses and wait in hope for a miracle.
    She got her clipboard into action; started sketching. A new roadway leading up from the rear of the dwelling house. An American style barn
    housing four stables, a feed-house and a tack-room. A shed to store the bales of hay and straw and all the other equipment such as barrows, tools and the horse trailer. To the rear would be the sand ring, a vital facility for getting
    the young horses started, calming fresh ones, and where they could roll and frolic loose after exercise. The yard and roadway would be enclosed by post and rail fencing, dense laurel hedging, and embellished with a variety of richly
    coloured trees. The whole little development would merge in with its surroundings, would compliment and enhance the entire property.
    She was happy with her design. It was now out of her head and roughly on to the drawing board. The next step was to get it properly drawn
    up to scale for the builder. That would take time - she hadn't done it before, but she would tackle it. It would be fun.
    It was late afternoon and hairdresser-time. She was
    surprised to find herself looking forward to the Captain's Dinner. She didn't know many of Ken's golfing friends, but that wouldn't bother her - it was a night out, would do her good, and most importantly, would keep Ken happy.
     
    The car park of the Golden Lodge Hotel was full of BMW's, Volvo's and Mercedes Benz's. Ken and Jenny came by taxi. There would be drinks in abundance and driving was out of the question. Inside was a gathering of 'everyone who was anyone' from a wide span of the area. Dress was informal so
    the variety was wide, from simple plain outfits to extravagant creations. No expense was spared. There were lots of large egos there too, especially evident when the drinks began to lubricate and banish inhibitions.
     
    Ken looked great