PART 19

As she worked during the following weeks, Darcy relived her shining moment, over and over again, and dreamed of racing in the next event. She practiced hard every weekend to perfect her technique and Tony taught her some new braking skills. Darcy wanted to come in higher than third the next time she raced, if she possibly could.

Practice makes for much improvement

Tactics learned to beat the clock

Taking time to hone and tone

And prove it’s not beginners luck

Repeated run-throughs must confirm

That flair and competence hold firm

One evening, while Darcy was serving dinner in the Cavendish dining room, Jed, one of Tony’s friends came into the bar. He spotted her through the glass doors and tapped to get her attention. Since they were usually together, she asked where Tony was that evening. Jed sat her down and told her that Tony was at home with his wife.

He was married! Darcy didn’t know what to say. She couldn’t very well make a scene. It wasn’t Jed’s fault. So she made light of it, even laughed and got Jed a drink. Then she thanked him and went back to serving. But inside, Darcy was crushed.

Whilst auto-pilot silent serves

The unsuspecting dining guests

Mind filled with disappointed pain

Heart screaming its bemused requests

‘til common sense reveals its voice

There really is no other choice 

The great adventure draws to close

In light of unexpected truth

The little bird has fallen foul

 Of other’s cheating heart, uncouth

When trust becomes an empty shell

Then future faith is lost as well

From that point on, Darcy hung up whenever Tony called. She did not go to the airfield, nor would she answer the door when he came to the house. Even when he turned up at the pub, she refused to serve him.  Maybe Jed eventually told him that Darcy knew, or maybe Tony simply gave up. Darcy did not much care which. It was over.