Dream Valley (7 page)

He was startled but not surprised.

'Yes Jenny, but that's not what the doctor ordered. You still need another two weeks. You may feel okay but it could tell on you later.'

'But Ken, you know me. I'll be careful ... don't worry ...
I'll be fine.'

'I know,' he sighed, unconvinced, 'what else did you do to-day?'

'Oh, some walking, a bit of reading; not a lot.'

He detected a hint of vagueness in her reply. Was she being
evasive?

She was. She wouldn't dare tell him that she spent most of the afternoon planning and designing her new stables. It was real fun being an architect for a day - so interesting and exciting that she was going to
continue with it to-morrow, and perhaps Sunday too. Ken would loose the run of himself if he knew. Of course he would have to know sooner or later, but not now. She would wait for her opportunity - timing would be important.

'So you're not bored stiff or lonely without me?' He
realised that he had asked a loaded question - he let it stand - her answer would be revealing.

Jenny wasn't easily tripped up.

'Of course, Darling, I'm missing you! But I'll survive. You
can't be here with me. I can't be there with you - so what?'

She paused to let that much sink in. He waited too - knew there was more coming.

'Sure there's always to-morrow ... it's Saturday; you'll be
free, and we can make up for it.'

He was beginning to feel edgy. Was she being mischievous. She knew well about the Golf Tournament to-morrow and the Golf Dance to-morrow night. What was she up to? Maybe she had forgotten - perhaps the after-effects
of the brain injuries on her memory. He'd give her the benefit of the doubt.

'Did you forget the golf to-morrow and the dinner to-morrow night?'

'Oh, I'm so sorry, Ken. I completely forgot about it. I
won't see much of you over the weekend then, will I? It should be fun for you though, Ken. Enjoy it ... you deserve it ... you need a break.'

She was putting down a little marker. She knew there would
be battles ahead, well, serious negotiations at least. He would be insisting on her abandoning the horse riding. She would be insisting on the opposite. She wanted to bank as much bargaining leverage as she could in advance. This was the first deposit - there would be much more.

Ken felt really guilty, frustrated and bewildered. He knew 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 in his bright grey suit, wine shirt and matching silk tie.

'You're the best-looking man in the place,' Jenny flattered - made him smile.

'You're not looking too bad yourself, Jenny ... look around, there isn't another lady here to match you.'

'Thanks, Ken, much appreciated ... even if you might be a little bit biased.'

She did look really great. He meant every word of it. That
pink Moschine cowl-neck dress enhanced her perfect slim figure, the matching jewellery glistening under the lights, highlighted her stunning facial beauty. She felt great too, even better after the pre-dinner appetiser of two large
vodkas and tonics. Ken prescribed them - she gladly took the doctor's orders. They were badly needed and did the trick nicely - a great little confidence booster - she was now ready for anything.

After a sumptuous five course dinner, the speeches began.
Thankfully they were few and short, ending with the presentation of prizes for the tournament. Ken had a good day, surprised himself by winning the prize for the best 'back nine.' Jenny vigorously led the clapping as a smiling Ken
climbed the rostrum, received his Waterford crystal and rejoined her at their table. It brought the spotlight on them, which Jenny enjoyed, proudly congratulating him with a big hug and a kiss.

The music was great, they danced several times. Vodkas kept
arriving. Jenny saw that Ken was a big link in the golfing chain. They were coming to him from all angles, just to say hello, praise him for his win, and be introduced to Jenny. Then the inevitable: "What would you like to
drink?" Ken was reluctant to refuse - Jenny wondered about his head in the morning; her's too.
Oh sod it, we're out for a good night, really enjoying ourselves, we'll have to-morrow to recover.

Ken, now nicely inebriated, bear-hugged a handsome hulk that
Jenny never saw in her life.

'Jasus Leo! Where have you been all those years? You look fantastic! Great to see you.'

'You too, Ken. You never changed; looking great.'

Ken turned.

'Oh Jenny; this is Leo Hurley, my best mate at collage. Leo, this is Jenny.'

A warm handshake and a big kiss on the cheek impressed her. He sounded charming, bubbly, warm. He certainly had a few drinks in him too;
she could see that.

'You left early; what did you do?' Ken had lost touch with Leo when he abandoned the Medical Collage for a different career.

'I went into the garage business. Best thing I ever did -
four main dealerships now - we're really flying.'

'Great! Are you still into motor racing?'

'Oh yeah ... I go to as many international rally's as I
can.'

How exciting, thought Jenny. Ken's life seems dull and boring compared to that.

'Remember Monte Carlo Ken?' They both burst into laughter.

'Sure do,' enthused Ken, 'that was something else, wasn't
it?'

'And Nancy Meyers? Remember her?

More laughter.

'Christ will I ever forget her,' exclaimed Ken, suddenly conscious of Jenny's inquisitive look. Leo saw it too, realised he had made a
bit of a bloomer. They changed the subject, Ken insisting on another drink to celebrate the pleasure of this unexpected and happy reunion.

Returning home, Ken was on a high and acting like a teenager
on his first date. Cuddling amorously in the back of the taxi, he hugged and kissed Jenny sensually.

'Tell me about Nancy Meyers?' she whispered.

He wasn't surprised, was anticipating the question.

'Oh, just another student. She organised the trip to the Monte Carlo Grand Prix when we were at collage: Leo, Tracy Behan, Nancy and myself. We had a great weekend. Her father paid for it. He's a wealthy businessman in Waterford; into rallying.'

'A foursome? Tell me more.'

'Well there isn't much more really.'

There was a lot more, but he couldn't tell Jenny. It all came back to him; that fabulous weekend. Nancy was something else. Lucky to
have a rich father able to finance her expensive college lifestyle. She had an insatiable appetite for pleasure. Tall, blonde, attractive and sexy. Very well endowed physically, but definitely not academically. She wasn't too bothered
about studies or lectures, but miraculously managed to scrape through. If the exam results were based on her knowledge of the male body, she would pass with flying colours. A recognised specialist who had used most of the good-looking male students in her 'scientific studies, all of whom enjoyed the experience, and lived to tell the tale.

In Monte Carlo, they ate, drank, but didn't sleep much. Nancy saw to that. She made a man of him. It was a romp of sexual adventure that left
him amazed and bewildered at her versatility, and his own stamina. Her wide variety of unique positions was astounding - stretch therapy was her description. To him it was a crash course in sexual gymnastics, that he would never forget. But was it enjoyable? He remembered making the suggestion to
Nancy of a refresher course some other time - that would be no bother to Nancy - just say the word.

Jenny knew that Ken was savouring old memories and wouldn't be sharing them with her. It didn't bother her.

'And where is Nancy now?'

'Oh, I haven't a clue; never saw her since college. She had to repeat her final year. She could be anywhere now; America, Australia. She could be dead for all I know; probably never see her again.'

As the taxi wheeled around on the tarmac in front of the big house, depositing the tired but happy pair almost on their doorstep, the dawn was about to break. Jenny felt the chill as Ken struggled with the keys.

'Butter-fingers! You wouldn't be much use in the operating theatre to-night,' Jenny joked.

The door opened. He threw his arms around her in loving retaliation, lifting her over the threshold into the hallway. Closing the door
behind him with a reverse nudge of his backside, he carried her up the stairs, exhausted and panting as he reached the bedroom. Dropping her on to the bed with a thump, he collapsed on top of her while struggling to regain his breath.
It was the beginning of the end of a perfect night - and it wasn't near over yet.

Ken was really fired up. He never saw Jenny look so beautiful. The past month wasn't great for either of them. It was really rough
for Jenny. To-night though, she seemed back to her old self again, relaxed, restored, recovered.
God, does she have any idea how beautiful she
is?
He felt the luckiest man in Ireland.

She wriggled out of her clothes. Gazing at her, naked and
stunning, he wanted her more than ever, more than he could find words to express. She really needed him too; been a long while. Having assisted him to undress, she cloaked herself around him in a tight clasp, both rolling to the
centre of the bed.

He moved gently, carefully mindful of her recent injuries. She was responding with strength, with urgency, with overwhelming desire. He couldn't hold back. They were soon locked in a frenzied passion that quickly
sent them both ecstatically, sumptuously, blissfully over the edge in a glorious and beautiful release. It was wonderful, spontaneous, and all too short. It felt so natural, so free, so satisfying, not laced with the old pressures of the past. To-night they made love pure and simple, not trying
desperately to force conception at all costs, degrading it to a mechanical act that would inevitably end in failure. To-night they weren't tense or apprehensive about anything, just loving each other intensely, sharing the
exquisite pleasure.