Searching For Sylvia by Joanna Stephen-Ward

Author:Joanna Stephen-Ward [Stephen-Ward, Joanna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bloodhound Books
Published: 2019-04-29T16:00:00+00:00

‘Grace, Vasco just rang me – we’ve got a problem with one of the riders,’ said Noël.

‘Where?’

‘They’re at the billabong. Will you come with me?’

‘Shall I come too?’ asked Guy. ‘Is it serious?’

‘No one’s hurt or anything. One of the girls is distressed.’

‘Bet it’s the girl that’s with the thuggish bloke,’ said Grace.

They got into the car and drove to the billabong, where they found Vasco and a girl standing apart from the rest of the group. The girl was crying.

‘What’s wrong?’ Noël asked her sympathetically.

‘Zara’s boyfriend’s angry with her because she is finding it difficult,’ said Vasco.

The girl wiped her eyes. ‘I can’t ride. I don’t want to.’

Grace put an arm round her. ‘That’s okay. Not everyone likes riding.’

‘I don’t,’ Guy told her. ‘I tried, but it’s not for me. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.’

‘Her boyfriend says she’s wasted the holiday and he’s sorry he’s brought her with him,’ said Vasco.

‘There are other things you can do,’ said Guy. ‘Can you play tennis?’

Zara blew her nose. ‘Yes.’

‘Then how about a game of mixed doubles,’ suggested Noël. ‘You, me, Guy and Friedrich. I’ll ride your horse back to the paddock.’

Zara nodded. ‘Thank you.’

They went to the car and Vasco went back to the riders. As she mounted the horse Noël saw the boyfriend scowling. As she rode back she realised that if Zara’s boyfriend was bullying her, something more would have to be done.

After a game of tennis in which the girl proved herself to be an excellent player, Noël asked her, ‘As it’s only the start of the holidays, do you still want to share a cabin with him?’

‘Not really, but where else –’

‘Plenty of places,’ said Grace. Matthew’s got spare bedrooms or you can stay in one of the guest bedrooms with us or Noël.’

‘I’d hate to put you to any trouble.’

‘It’s no trouble at all. I’ve got to collect my husband from Cobar in an hour. You can stay with us. We’ll go and collect your luggage from the cabin now.’

‘Will your husband mind?’

‘Not at all. In fact he mentioned that he didn’t like the look of your boyfriend and that you looked cowed. How long have you been together?’

‘Three months. We don’t live together – I still live with my parents. I didn’t realise what he was really like till now.’

At dinner that night Vasco sat with Zara. Her boyfriend behaved like a changed man. He smiled at her, asked how she was, and begged her to come back to share the cabin. Noël had feared that his charm would work and was pleased when she refused. Already she seemed more confident. She spent the rest of the week going on the walking tour with Matthew and going up in the plane with Noël or playing tennis. She chatted to Coral and Mary and they accepted her offer to help in the kitchen. Every evening she and Vasco sat together. When it was time to go home she had tears in her eyes when she said goodbye to Vasco.

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