Geheime Geheimnisse

Claire had called Rowan — and he came immediately.

Rowan: “They’re harassing you? Jamie too? Oh, they’re going to regret that.”

Claire: “It’s unbearable, Rowan. They follow me around all day, do favors for me, compliment me… I know they just want information about Gillian. Watch this — I’m going to lunge Hyacinth now.”

She went into the round pen with Hyacinth. Josh and Jamie leaned casually against the fence.

Josh: “You’re doing a great job, Claire.”

Jamie: “Claire, should I grab your gloves?”

Rowan had observed enough. He stepped forward.

Rowan: “Alright, you two. Stop stalking Claire. She knows you’re just trying to pump her for information about Gillian. So come on — spit it out.”

Jamie: “I just wanted to know if Gillian still has feelings for Josh.”

Josh: “What’s it to you, Jamie? I wanted to know who she’s dating!”

The argument didn’t end there.

Josh: “Gillian is none of your business, Jamie. Stay out of our relationship!”

Jamie: “What relationship? I haven’t even seen you here for months, Mr. Wyoming. And Gillian is my business — because I was here!”

It turned into a long verbal duel. Accusations flew back and forth — neither knowing the full truth about the other. Rowan stood between them, thoughtful. He needed to talk to Claire. This couldn’t turn into a full-blown war — not over Gillian. And certainly not at Meadowland. A difficult situation. Meanwhile, I had fled to Moorland.

Gillian: “Thomas, it’s so kind of you to find me a holiday cottage on such short notice. I just had to get away. No one knows I’m here.”

Thomas: “Anytime, Gillian. How about Justin shows you around a bit? It might do you good to see and hear something different — relaxed and stress-free. He’d be happy to.”

It was a good idea. It truly distracted me. That same day, Josh brought a horse to the farrier in Moorland. While waiting, he saw something that left him stunned. Josh (thinking): This can’t be… that’s impossible! He had spotted Justin and me taking a walk, chatting and laughing. Back at Meadowland, he immediately told Jamie.

Josh: “You won’t believe this! I just came from the farrier in Moorland — and guess who I saw? Gillian! She’s there. And she’s dating young Moorland! Go see for yourself if you don’t believe me.”

Jamie: “Now you’ve completely lost it! Gillian is in Munich. And how on earth would she be dating Justin Moorland? He’s barely more than a kid. I don’t believe a word of it.”

That evening, the two of them drove to Moorland to spy. Justin had just walked me back to my holiday cottage.

Josh: “Well? Do you believe me now? Gillian Meadowland and Justin Moorland. Who would’ve thought?”

Jamie: “Let’s just go home.”

The next morning, they confronted Claire and Rowan in the stable.

Josh: “We know the truth. Gillian is in Moorland — not Munich.”

Jamie: “We saw her. What do you say to that, Claire?”

Rowan: “Have you two completely lost your minds?”

What could Claire say? They were right — I was in Moorland. It had been wrong of me to leave them alone with the situation. But I didn’t know any of this was happening — and certainly nothing about the wild story involving Justin Moorland. He was simply kind. He showed me the area and brought me back to my cottage in the evenings. But back at Meadowland, the boys were losing their minds — spinning absurd stories that would keep my emotional chaos alive for quite some time.