Taunton Barr

by Brian Cain

CHAPTER TWO

  Kalika had time to think although it was only a couple of minutes, she had questions but as the old Land Rover powered out on to the main road her thought train was interrupted by common presence. 'This thing is making a funny growling noise and is fearsomely fast, what's been done to it.'

  'Things are sometimes not as they appear. looks like an old beat up Land Rover, nothing could be further from the truth. The old chassis drive train and motor finally gave out quite some time ago. Mechanic found a V8 Discovery that had rolled over, the body was a mess but the drive train and engine were new, he engineered this old body onto the new chassis. He looks like a bald man in grubby overhauls, you would be wrong to brand him as such because of his appearance, he loves messing around with things like this. If a person loves what they do they will never work again. mechanic tinkers with things like this all day and night, he is a very clever man in his own field. He was in the army, he did volunteer work when he left the army for people who couldn't afford to have work done on their vehicles such as single mothers. I gave him access to the workshop to do his volunteer work, that was before the place was modified to its current standard, he never left and has worked there ever since as I saw his work first hand and offered him a job.'

  'I didn't know that.'

  'You never needed to, you were puzzled when I gave him delicate information to handle, I could see it in your face. Things a little clearer now.'

  'He drives that lovely old car, its always spotless, shines like a new one.'

  'Mk one Jaguar, perfect example, was an absolute wreck when he got it, bought it for ten quid as the owner didn't want to pay to have it towed away. He spent several years, took the thing to little pieces and rebuilt it to its present glory, wins every show it enters. A man with utmost attention to detail, I have never had to tell him how or what to do with things, he tells me and appreciates the fact I trust his judgement.'

  Kalika was then drawn by Winston's choice of clothes, he had changed into different garments that didn't even match each other and fitted poorly. 'You look a bit ordinary Winston, do you not have some older clothes that at least fit properly, you look like a horseman's boy on a fox hunt.' She chuckled, 'really is quite amusing.'

  'Your focus is on the future, dwelling on the past would currently be a source of despair.'

  'It's there in my mind, but you're right, this is keeping it at bay. What was my dads dream you spoke of, I cant remember him talking to me about any dreams or goals he was always busy as a bee.'

  The Land Rover speared on toward Taunton, as the crow flies about sixty kilometres but the country roads are slow, through St Georges, Highbridge, Bridgewater and on to Taunton. Pleasant surroundings on a summers day but steady progress. Winston tried to steer away from the subject of her fathers dream but she persisted. 'He never spoke of it to you because it was such a sore point of conversation, something you have detested all your life, from a child you hated a certain race.'

  'Race of people, I don....'

  'Huh no, a horse race.'

  Kalika glared at him. 'The Grand National.'

  'Yes the grand national, a race Flaxmead could not win, he was not the right horse at the time.'

  'I hate that race, horses put through the worst expectations by people with no other emotion than narcism.'

  'Then we need a narcissistic nag of poor breeding ridden by a girl.'

  Kalika was shaking her head wide eyed. 'Such a horse could never win the race, a girl could not go through the terrible path and gruelling conditions.'

  'You are missing the point, your father had a terrible hatred of the race and the people involved, to win the race with such a horse and rider would rock the establishment, would be as popular as a turd in a swimming pool.'

  'Is that a good comparison, not sure I would consider such a horse and rider turds.'

  'If you were in this so called squeaky clean pool in most cases kept clean by noxious chemicals, you would have to lump it or get out.'

  'I never thought of it that way.'

  'To change anything you must become involved, Flaxmead brought half the world together, we need that desperately again. Turning your back on something you despise will only go the way of the perpetrator.'

  'I'm just trying to fathom the depth of the task, I see where my dad is coming from, he would expect me to stand up and be counted. I wish my dad didn't have to die for me to hear of this, I'm ashamed.'

  'Without a horse that could tackle the job, engaging in planned conversation is just a dream, unless one day you find what you have been looking for, was unfortunately too late for your father, but not for you.'

  'Is against every single value I posses, this must have been important to dad. I wish he had talked to me about it.'

  'I'm sure he was about to, somewhere every year a horse is born that wins the Grand National, you just have to find it. A horse that is physically and emotionally tuned to gruelling environments, with absolute disdain for its opposition, that loves a child within an instant.'

  'Sounds like Flaxmead.'

  'I wouldn't take him there, he's not the right horse.'

  'I love him so much I just want to look at him.'

  'So does everyone, that's what he does now, just gets looked at and the people are reminded of how he brought us together. Soon he will be lost like your father, we need to win the Grand National.'

  'I hate it but I'll do it.'

  Winston had a good look round, the speed limits fell. 'Here we are, outskirts of Taunton.'

  'Horses everywhere.'

  'Nice day for a ride. How many horses do you think are in this area, hundreds thousands.'

  'I don't really know.'

  'Nobody does, you have to find out. Just as bigger chance of finding a horse here as anywhere, in fact the blood line here may favour jumpers, there are riding courses all over the place that feature fence jumps.'

  'Maybe that's why dad came here allot.'

  'Ahh, first sign I have seen that points to Barr.' Winston turned right and trundled down a narrowing roadway toward the little Hamlet of Barr. 'Horses everywhere.' Winston had put the address in his GPS when they left home, he followed the directions through Bishops Hull and eventually down narrow back lanes pulling up outside Oldbury Lodge, a majestic two story Georgian period home with freshly rendered walls. There were vehicles in the driveway. 'Mmm, well the place is here, I see no horses around.'

  'Looks like the fields back onto a river.'

  'The Tone, real estate information tells me this place has eleven acres, hardly an area of complete indulgence but plenty to house a horse.' He noticed the curtains move in the lower level window by the main door, he got out went through the gate and approached the buildings main door, he was meet by a distinguished elderly greying gentleman with a refined plum in mouth accent.

  'Can I help you, lost your dog or something.'

  'No,' Blake extended his right hand. 'Winston Blake, glad to make your acquaintance. The man reluctantly took Winston's hand but his handshake was limp and weak. 'I'm actually looking for a horse.'

  The man stepped outside. 'Ah, you own the damn thing do you, cant catch it, eating my grass and plants.'

  'No, I'm not the owner but if it is the foal I think it is I would be interested in purchasing it.'

  Winston was led toward the fence along the side of the property, in the far distance he could see a foal, its exact markings were indistinguishable at the distance. He began to climb over the fence. 'Don't go in there damn thing will chase you, bloody lunatic, had the police here trying to find out who owns it had a go at them.'

  The foal broke into a gallop heading straight for Winston, he walked forward into the field a few paces and held his ground. The foal stopped and reared up only inches from him then steeped back looking straight at Winston. It grunted and clawed at the ground with its front hoof, paraded around in circles kicking and whinnying, piece of turf hit Winston in the face. He smiled. 'Well I never, the heart of a champion.' The f
oal was a dark chestnut colour, long powerful looking thoroughbred legs and body but a large head similar in lines to a draught horse but slimmer. It looked as if someone had got a pot of white paint and a paintbrush and thrown daubs of paint all over him. Winston had noticed his long instep gallop stride when running toward him. 'Well you are a mix up little fella, now for the big test. Winston stood on the top rail of the fence and called out to Kalika, she alighted from the vehicle and walked toward them. Winston jumped down and talked to the gentleman over the fence with his back to the horse, the horse didn't like it and put on a hell of a show. 'Now for the main event sir.'

  'Not sure what you mean.'

  'Watch the birth of a lifetime friendship.'

  Kalika got to the fence and held the top rail with her hands, the foal caught sight of her and stopped dead, he just gazed motionless, Kalika was spellbound, she hastily climbed the fence and they just looked at each other. The little horse walked silently up to her and put his head on her shoulder. The gent was amazed. 'Well I never would see the day, there was a man here yesterday, did the same thing to him.'

  'His name was Roger Palmer.'

  The gent looked at him. 'Yes, how did you know.'

  'That's his daughter Kalika.'

  'Good god that's Kalika Palmer, thought Id seen her before its her pictures are everywhere, gold medallist in Olympic showjumping.'

  'And what did Roger say to you.'

  'Nothing, was here for an hour or so, had the horse doing all kinds of things, then he just left.'

  'What was he driving.'

  'Who are you.'

  'Winston Blake.'

  'Did you work with Winston Hornswaddle and Bartholomew Fothrington in Bristol.'

  'Yes, was a while ago now.'

  'I remember your name on some of my documentation, they did my books for me.'

  'And you are.'

  'Lord Mulberry.'

  'I don't remember you, sorry.'

  'Well, I never did go there.'

  'The vehicle Roger was in.'

  'He was in a vehicle like you have.'

  'He wasn't driving a black Bentley Sports.'

  'No, haven't seen a vehicle like that in these parts, was a Land Rover, like yours except it was green.'

  'Have anyone with him.'

  'Cant say didn't look. See that tractor working in the field there adjacent to our property, he may be able to tell you more. Damn thing was in his field and attacked him whenever he got out, he chased it over here and it clean jumped the fence into my property, police are trying to find out who owned it to get rid of the damn thing.'

  'Jumped the fence, its six feet high.'

  'I'm telling you it jumped the fence, clean jumped straight over it.'

  'How long has it been here.'

  'Nearly a week.'

  'Then you are legally the owner of the horse, detained beyond four days without being claimed makes you the lawful owner.'

  'Mmm, didn't know that, must be worth a quid if your after it.'

  Winston was enraged but remained calm, he dug deep. 'Lord Mulberry, coming back to me now. You were involved in an offshore hedging fund far as I remember. I believe you were warned of the consequences of dubious actions and you eventually took your accounts elsewhere.'

  'Meddling in other peoples affairs can get you into a lot of trouble.' He looked menacingly at Winston. 'Don't know when your well off minding your own business old boy.'

  Winston glared at Mulberry. 'If I have to get involved in someone else's business to get that foal so be it.'

  Mulberry became agitated, he took off his glasses and cleaned them nervously. 'I want ten thousand pounds for it.'

  'I have no problem with that.'

  Mulberry chuckled, 'You are willing to gamble ten thousand pounds on that nag, you must be mad man.'

  'Lot of difference between a gamble and a calculated risk, just like the one you are taking demanding ten thousand pounds for someone else's property.'

  'Your the expert you say I'm the legal owner of the thing now.'

  'During the course of the transfer information has to be supplied to several bodies, one the police, local council, bailiffs association.'

  Mulberry put his glasses back on with a stern look. 'Bailiffs association.'

  'Yes I'm a registered Bailiff for the horse acquisition, part of my race horse training business. All kinds of information may end up on the desk of all these controlling bodies.'

  'You threatening me.'

  'Yes, and enjoying every minute of it, would you like to call the police you can use my phone.'

  An elderly woman approached in silence until she was behind Mulberry, Winston could see her smiled and nodded. 'George who are these people.'

  Mulberry jumped out of his skin turned to address his wife. 'Emm people just come to pick up this damn horse Mildred.'

  'Oh wonderful, its trampled all my Rhododendrons into the ground to say nothing of the everything else.'

  Winston addressed Mildred. 'Just talking to George about the costs involved in the bailiff operation to remove the horse.'

  Mulberry put his hands on his hips. 'Costs.'

  'Yes sir, horse floats, paperwork, travelling long distances mounts up you know. I give an estimation of around twenty thousand pounds.'

  'Twenty thousand pounds are you serious!'

  Winston folded his arms. 'Yes very serious. George Mulberry, the first name has stirred the inner sanctums of memory.'

  'Would you take the horse for no charge.'

  'Yes I think I can do that. I advise you go back in the house and hide there like you have been doing for the last twenty years.'

  'Yes I'm feeling a bit drained could do with a nap what.'

  'You don't own this place I did my homework on the way here, its rented. Perhaps some people would like to know you've moved.'

  'Take the horse and go.' Mulberry and his wife shuffled away.

  Kalika was lying down on the ground along side the foal just short of the fence, Winston chuckled as he looked down at them. 'My father has touched this horse I can tell.'

  'Yes he was here yesterday, the horse is ours, been here for nearly a week, I'll do a bailiff possession.'

  'That would make the horse owned by the people who own this property. What did they say.'

  'They don't own the property they rent it, the owners live in a small cottage not far down the lane here, not sure who owns the property they live in but my guess is we know them.'

  'That's why you had me look all that up on the way.'

  Winston activated his mobile phone, there was an answer. 'Mr Blake.'

  'Mechanic, get Belvedere to leave with the float immediately, destination Oldbury Lodge, Barr near Taunton.'

  'Just making a note, that was Oldbury Lodge, Barr near Taunton, on the GPS map sir.'

  'Yes.'

  'Will you be there.'

  'Yes, I or Kalika.'

  'On his way.'

  'Thank you mechanic.' Winston looked at the fence to the adjoining property, he could see the tractor tiling the black soil. 'The foal jumped that fence.'

  'Kalika sat up and looked round. She looked back at him startled. 'That must be six foot, impossible.'

  'Apparently not, Lord Mulberry here has no reason to lie about such things. I'm going to see the person driving that tractor over there, just go and climb through the fence to the other side.'

  'I want to stay here with the foal.'

  'I have a hunch he will follow you.'

  Kalika got up and the foal immediately shot to its feet ears pricked up. She walked to the fence followed by the little horse, she climbed through the wire and stood on the other side of the fence. The foal went mad, ran back and forth along the wire then took of toward the middle of the field, turned and gallop full speed toward the fence. Kalika put her hands over her mouth. 'No, please, no.' The little horse cleared the fence and her coming down just beyond where she stood, he turned walked to her an put his head on her shoulder.
>
  Winston chuckled in disbelief. 'Good god Roger, I do understand.' He walked out of the garden got into his vehicle and drove into the same field Kalika and the tractor were in, the gate was open to the roadway, he pulled up beside the tractor coming on the unploughed side. The tractor stopped and a big man with a trench coat, herringbone cap and steel cap boots climbed out, he was unshaven and blinked allot. Winston extended his hand and the man shook it nearly crushing Winston's hand in the process. 'My name is Winston thank you for stopping.'

  The man had a wide northern accent. 'Oh arr, no problem sir, I see you and the lady lookin at the little horse there.'

  'You are from the north.'

  'Oh arr I sir, north Yorkshire sir.'

  'Long way south for you.'

  'Man who owns this farm gave me a job here sir, owns that place there too sir.'

  'Ah, I see, the occupants of the lodge never mentioned that.'

  'Just between me and you sir I don't like that man in that there house.'

  'I could understand that.'

  'Don't see much of him and he's very rude, I don't think Mr Barton will renew his rental lease sir.'

  'And your name.'

  'Ohh arr, Wilfred sir, Wilfred Smith.'

  'What can you tell me about that horse.'

  'I been worried about him sir, he rolled up here from nowhere about a week ago sir, he likes to play, I couldn't go anywhere without him wanting to follow me.'

  Winston nodded with a smile. 'I could understand that perfectly, have you ever seen him jump that fence.'

  'Oh arr I, every day sir, he comes and goes as he pleases. I give him some chaff and water every day, man here yesterday asked me to guard that horse with his life.'

  'Was his name Roger.'

  'Oh arr I was, how would you know that sir.'

  'That's his daughter with the little fella now.'

  'Well blow me down, he said he was coming back today to get that little horse, when he told me that I was so happy. He saw the horse jump the fence when he was driving past and ran straight over to him. The horse took to him like you wouldn't know, they spent a couple of hours here together, is he with you sir.'

  'Unfortunately no, Roger Palmer died of a heart attack this morning, the last thing he did was inform us of the whereabouts of this horse, we are from Flax Burton.'

  'Good lord that's taken me back sir.'

  'Was anyone with Roger.'

  'Yes there was sir.'

  Winston wore a look of deep interest, he squinted. 'What did he look like.'

  'Oh no was a lady sir.'

  'A lady.'

  'Ohh arr, dressed up like that girl you have with you, like she was going to ride a horse.'

  'What was her name.'

  'I didn't talk to her sir, just saw her at a distance.'

  'What colour hair did she have.'

  'Red sir bright red, very long hair she was only tiny.'

  'Mm, look Wilfred could you call me Winston.'

  'Ohh arr I could do that sir.'

  Winston noticed a little girl in a pretty blue dress, would be no more than five standing in the lane looking at Kalika and the horse. 'That little girl, you know her.'

  Wilfred looked over then bowed his head kicking the dirt around with one of his boots. 'Yes, you don't want to know sir, very sad sir, she comes and plays with the horse every day.'

  'Why is that sad.'

  'Oh that's not sad sir, the rest of her life is a sad story.'

  'Tell me more.'

  'Oh I don't want to go into that sir just make me even sadder sir.'

  'Winston.'

  'Sir Winston how about that.'

  Winston raised his eyebrows. 'How long have you been round here.'

  'Thirty five years sir.'

  'An you still have such a strong northern accent.'

  'The wife and I don't get out much sir, go down the pub once a week, our son visits once a month other than that we keep to ourselves sir Winston.'

  Winston sighed then smiled, he handed Wilfred a card. 'Should you need anything at all just call me.'

  'Oh Mr Barton takes good care of me sir, want for nothing really.'

  'I could understand that, I'm going to the police to see about this horse, anyone else be able to help trace its background.'

  'Oh arr, that little girl, she knows where its from.'

  'Where can I find her parents.'

  'I strongly advise you don't go there sir, very sad sir.'

  'Mmm, where does she live.'

  'The big place down by the river sir, watch the dogs sir, there nasty bits of work.'

  Winston looked at his watch. 'How long will you be here.'

  'Till dark sir.'

  'That's another nine hours.'

  'I.'

  'When did you start.'

  'First light sir.'

  'Good lord.'

  'Well we have only a short window to get the fields ready.'

  'Its mid summer.'

  'There's only me sir Winston, I like it that way.'

  'I will drop in and say hello to Mr Barton, would you watch over Kalika and the horse until my float gets here.'

  'Oh arr protect her with my life sir Winston.'

  'And I will protect you with mine should it ever become necessary.'

  'Thank you very much I will remember that sir Winston.'

  'You have a grand day.'

  'I already have with you taking that little horse and making him safe.'

  Winston shook Wilfred's hand and he got back in the tractor and chugged away.

  Winston drove over to Kalika, he spoke to her through the window of his vehicle, the little horse was quite settled nudging Kalika with his muzzle while she spoke she laughed with joy occasionally. Winston looked at his watch. ' Belvedere will be here in less than two hours, I have a couple of people to see before we leave hope I have enough time. Did you see the little girl.'

  'Yes, she ran off when I began to walk toward her with the foal.'

  'Mmm, not sure about who she is but old Wilfred on the tractor said she would know where the horse came from, he may know he's been round here for thirty five years. Wilfred will be looking over here while I'm gone.'

  'We're fine, never seen a foal jump so high, he got excited when he saw the child.'

  'All very confusing, going to the police station to see what I can find out then the Barton's whom apparently own this property.'

  'Okay will call if need be.'

  Winston drove off toward Taunton, the only police station he could pinpoint on GPS was in the upper high street in Taunton, would take him half an hour each way. The journey was cut short when on the outskirts of Bishops Hull he pulled over being a police vehicle, a Land Rover discovery, he felt sure it would be the more rural officers in charge of the vehicle. An officer was walking back toward his vehicle after talking to a motorist, he noticed Winston beckoning to him as he climbed out of his vehicle, they meet at the front of Winston's Land Rover. 'I wonder if you can assist, I have been out at Barr and found an abandoned horse, we are in the process of a bailiff acquisition and I wonder if you could assist with finding the owners.'

  'We have a lot of horses go missing and or lost around here, can I see some ID.'

  Winston fumbled around in his wallet and produced his driving licence. 'Winston Blake, Flax Burton,' the grey haired sergeant was in deep thought. 'Where is this horse exactly.'

  'Oldbury lodge, in Barr.'

  'Just hang on.' the sergeant walked to his vehicle and climbed in, less than a minute later he returned and handed back Winston's licence. 'Mmm, patrol was out at that area last night, not related to any issues about horses. Nothing listed, however I cover this area from the station in Taunton and over the last week has been complaints about a small horse roaming free out that way. You are a horse bailiff, yes.'

  'Yes, have had the accreditation for some time we have often had to rescue horses and thought the best way was to cover the legal side as well.'

  '
Far as I can make out by your background you would certainly be that person. You were out that way.'

  'Just came from there.'

  'Did you see any children.'

  'Yes as a matter of fact I did.'

  'Teen with a green dress.'

  Winston shook his head. 'No, little girl no more than five, she was wearing a blue dress.'

  'Mmm, could you lead the way and spot the exact place you saw her.'

  'Yes of course.' Winston headed back to the lane and pulled up outside the field, the tractor was still working away. Winston stood at the spot he saw the child and the sergeant plus another officer joined him. 'She was standing right here.'

  'How long ago.'

  'Oh, half hour.'

  The sergeant spoke to his partner. 'Send a text to central, positive sighting of Kristy Ballard, give location and estimated sighting half hour ago.'

  'Right sarg.' The officer made haste to his vehicle.

  'Kristy Ballard.'

  'Yes, that's her name.'

  'She a missing person.'

  'No her mother is wanted by police, have a warrant for her arrest. Would you have seen a green Land Rover round here similar to yours, woman driving it, she has red hair usually dressed in horse riding apparel.'

  'I haven't but Wilfred over here on the tractor saw her yesterday.'

  'Wilfred, works for Barton, see or hear nothing off him, seen him in the local pub once.'

  'Well that checks out, may I ask what this child's mother has done.'

  'Her husband was murdered last week, she is wanted in relation to the non payment of traffic fines.'

  'Well that's hardly serious.'

  'No but we cant keep her safe on the loose. You have some powerful friends Mr Blake, what brings you down here.'

  'The woman with the horse, her father was here yesterday and brought the location of the horse to our attention.'

  'Would we be able to speak to this man he may have seen something that is of value.'

  Winston looked down at the ground. 'Unfortunately not, Roger Palmer died of a heart attack this morning. However I can tell you Wilfred tells me she was driving Roger Palmer around here yesterday.'

  'We know she's here, we just don't know where.'

  'Wilfred appears to think the big property at the end of the lane.'

  'Really,' the sergeant shook his head. 'Last place I would have thought of looking.'

  'Look the horse, have you heard of any reports of a horse with this description missing, stolen, lost.'

  'No, doesn't mean there isn't any, if I hear of anything I'll let you know. You've been very helpful, people don't say much round here. Oh, did you deal with the people in the Lodge here.'

  'Yes, its not owned by them they just rent it.'

  'Did you get there names.'

  'Yes I did, George Mulberry, Lord Mulberry if you ask him.'

  'I've knocked on the door of that place twenty times over the last six months and no one has ever answered the door.'

  'I could understand that.'

  The sergeant chuckled, 'I'll probably be here when your float gets here, I suppose its on its way.'

  Winston looked at his watch. 'Fifty minutes away or close to it.'

  'We will probably still be down the lane here, will sign your paperwork for you, the horse has obviously been here for more than four days. Catch up with Barton he's your best bet.'

  'I'm heading there now.'

  'Okay.' The sergeant walked away and drove off in his vehicle toward the end of the lane.

  Winston drove down to the cottage opposite the field Wilfred was ploughing, he drove up the short drive and as he got out the cottage door opened. A man, senior in years greeted him under the porch veranda. He had a strong hand shake, Grant Barton and you are.'

  'Blake, Winston Blake.'

  'I see you meet Wilfred my father.'

  'Your father.'

  'Yes, he owns the place.'

  'He didn't mention that.'

  'No, he would be embarrassed.'

  'Mmm, I tended to feel that's how he would be.'

  'Dad has driven a tractor all his life, he loves it.' There was some old chairs and a table under the veranda, solid wood carved into ornate patterns, Grant gestured toward them. 'Please sit down.' Grant was wearing a worn dressing gown and slippers. 'What brings you here, the little horse for one.'

  'Yes, I was wondering if you could direct us to the owners or had any idea of the history of the little fella.'

  'Rolled up here just over a week ago, has a mind of its own and can get quite aggressive if you try to get it to do things its not interested in. Horses like that are pretty useless to riding stables, the place is crawling with them, could have come from anywhere round here. They need docile plodders, this little fella is far from that so I guess someone exiled it during the night in our lane rather than find a home or pay for its disposal.'

  'Your father seemed to think the little girl knew of its background, Kristy Ballard.'

  Grant sat back in his chair. 'Look it could be, her father was killed here only last week and her mother runs a riding stable, the police have been here several times over the last week looking for her. Turning into a pretty sad story.'

  'She was here yesterday, she has red hair wears riding apparel and drives a Land Rover like mine.'

  'True, my father said he saw her yesterday with a stranger looking at that horse.'

  'That stranger was Kalika Palmers father.'

  'The show jumping Olympian.'

  'Yes, she is currently over there with the little horse.'

  'Really, wow a celebrity of that status in our lane.'

  'Is this little girl living in the big place at the end of the lane by the river.'

  'I would say yes, but if you want to go into that place I must warn you, the sooner the police raid the place the better.'

  Winston smiled at Grant. 'Well you never know.'

  There was a few loud bangs from the end of the lane, shouting and screaming. Grant stood up and looked toward the end of the lane way. 'What an earth is that, usually very quite round here to say the least.'

  'I'd say it was SCO 19.'

  'The special services of the police, what are they doing at the end of the lane.'

  'I would have thought you would know more about that than me.'

  'Good lord I hope the little girl is okay.'

  'I'd say she's fine.'

  'What makes you think that.'

  'She's standing over there next to your father by the tractor.'

  'Good lord so she is, well I never noticed her come along the lane.'

  Winston got up and walked to the edge of the veranda, he looked across at the pair talking by the tractor, he studied the ground around the cottage and noticed tyre marks leading into the garage adjacent to the house, he recognised them as army Land Rover pre sixties. 'Grant you are not exactly telling us what you know I feel.'

  'You have your horse that's why you came.'

  Winston turned around leaning on a veranda post looking back at Grant, he looked concerned. 'I legally have the horse, morals have not yet been established, they are far more important to me than legalities.'

  'You had something to do with that famous horse, came over here from Australia and won a big race here.'

  'True, the Epsom Derby to name one, supposedly the best flat horse race in the world, I would dispute that after having one horse win many including the Kentucky Derby and the Melbourne Cup.'

  'What is so valuable about that little horse.'

  'Your father would understand, perhaps you should ask him. You have something to do with horses.'

  'Not really.'

  'You must or my name would not be familiar nor the events I have mentioned. You are very familiar with Kalika Palmer.'

  'She is an Olympian her picture is everywhere, many horse products are endorsed by her.'

  'Indeed.' The float rumbled past the cottage and pulled up along side Kalika and the little horse. 'If
you would excuse me, I have to go.' Grant Barton watched Winston Blake reverse from his drive and trundle down to the float some hundred metres away, he then went inside and closed the door.

  Whilst Kalika loaded the little foal up the ramp into the float, Wilfred walked over to watch, he was accompanied by the little girl Kristy. They got there just as the ramp was going up and the foal was now safe. 'That's a fine lorry there Mr Blake.'

  'Yes Wilfred makes travelling very easy.'

  'What will happen to that little horse.'

  'In two years time he will win the Grand National steeplechase.'

  'Oh arr the one where they jump over them fences.'

  'Yes.'

  'I didn't think you were a character that would approve of such things.'

  'I don't, this foal does, important difference.'

  'I understand what you mean sir Winston.'

  'Nice of you to help Mr Barton keep up with his mortgage payments.'

  'Oh he has no such thing sir Winston sir, he came into allot of money many years ago and bought this place and a few others around here.'

  Winston bent down to the little girl. 'Kristy, that's a pretty dress you have there, you like horses.'

  'Yes Mr. You taking my horse.'

  'The horse is yours.'

  'Yes.'

  Wilfred interrupted. 'She thinks all horses around here are hers, oh arr yes, loves em.'

  'Does your horse have a name.'

  'No, I just call him horsy.'

  'Well he does now, his name is Taunton Barr and he's going to make you very proud.'

  Wilfred smiled. 'Taunton Barr, that's a grand name, oh arr, would never have thought you know.'

  The police sergeant arrived, he climbed from his vehicle and spoke to Winston. 'Your paperwork, don't have much time.'

  Belvedere handed it to Winston, he passed it on to the officer, he knew exactly where to sign the documents, he handed them back. 'We found no one, I can't take Kristy its her mother we are after.'

  'You'll find her in the cottage.'

  'The sergeant looked sideways at Winston. 'Grant Barton's place.'

  'Yes.'

  'That's a really strange suggestion.'

  'Not from where I'm standing.'

  Winston bent down to Kristy again. 'Where is your mummy Kristy.'

  'In the little house.'

  Winston stood up and looked at Wilfred. 'What kind of car does Grant Barton drive.'

  'Oh he doesn't drive sir Winston sir, he never has, why do you ask.'

  'How does he get around.'

  'Taxis, would be the best customer Taunton taxis has.'

  'You have a car Wilfred.'

  'Oh no sir, I use the tractor have no need for anything else really. I walk to the pub once a week.'

  'But a vehicle, four wheel drive with similar tyres to an army Land Rover uses the garage regularly, there are multiple fresh tyre marks on the ground. I saw them myself.'

  'I don't know sir Winston sir, I have to go back to work, come on Kristy.'

  'Okay grandpa.' The pair walked off toward the field.

  The sergeant chuckled under his breath. 'Take your horse and you can go home, I will have three weeks of paperwork by the end of the day, suppose I better go get a couple of warrants, at least I have the manpower ready.'

  'The fearsome mansion house at the end of the lane, was empty no doubt, owned by Grant Barton no doubt. I want to know where this horse came from.'

  'Yes, not a stick of furniture, like I said, if I find anything out will call you. Not sure who owns that mansion.'

  Winston held up his phone to the sergeants face. 'Lands data base, dialled it up when I got here.' The officer studied the screen.

  'He owns areas of Glastonbury as well, and just about every property within two miles of here.'

  'I think you'll find Wilfred has a surname, Barton.'

  'Only ever known him as Wilfred.'

  'I have to get going, will be keen to hear what you find out about this horse.'

  'Okay, will be busy for a couple of days but soon as I dig something up will call.'

  Winston banged the back of the float with his fist and it slowly pulled away and made its way down the lane, Winston got in his vehicle and followed along.