Without giving away what she knew, Anna grabbed Bea’s hand and said, “I’m so happy we get to spend the day together. I’m sorry I’ve been a little MIA lately, but please know I’m so grateful for all your help with … well, you know.”

Beatrice, happy at the show of gratitude that she felt she deserved, smiled at Anna. “Aww, you’re such a doll. I’d do anything for V. If he’s happy then so am I.” Bea hugged Anna, but when she pulled back her smile was gone, replaced by a frown. “Well, so much for our funderful day,” she muttered. “Don’t look now, but you’ve got double trouble at six o’clock.”

Anna waited for a moment and then slowly turned her head to look behind her. Her heart clunked like a clock striking midnight, signaling the end of Cinderella’s magical evening. Eleanor, in a ridiculous pink hat, was pushing Alexander in a wheelchair. As wheelchairs were not designed for grass, it was a pathetic sight to see. Everyone in town had heard about Alexander’s accident, and soon there was a large crowd rushing to their aid. Moments later a few of the larger men in attendance were carrying Alexander across the field like he was a king.

A warning horn sounded, and for a split second Anna wondered if she’d imagined it, but then realized it was a man using an air horn to signal that the race was beginning in ten minutes.

Anna’s phone vibrated with a text from Murf. Anna, I told him you didn’t want him to race, but he said that you shouldn’t worry about him. And I quote, “’cause I got this” and he wanted you to know

She stared at the incomplete message bubble, waiting for the rest, but nothing came. She texted back, Know what? What did he want me to know????? Bubbles appeared and Anna wanted to shake her phone as if that would do anything. While she waited she used her binoculars to watch the starting line, and she spotted Vronsky mounted atop Beatrice’s mother’s horse Frou Frou, trying to steady himself in the saddle. Oh, my baby, she thought, why, oh why are you doing this?

Anna’s phone vibrated and she saw Murf’s text. Sorry, dropped my phone! He wanted you to know he’s gonna get you that trophy! *black thumbs-up emoji* *black bicep muscle emoji* *trophy emoji*

XI