A Ride to Freedom

by Olivia Tuffin

  Gathering up her reins and trying to smile, Alice searched the crowd for Finn. She hoped he’d managed to get to the festival in time. But there was no time to worry about it. Alice trotted into the arena, steadying Secret, who snorted at the flags. She’d planned her route carefully, trusting her own judgement, and hoping to play on Secret’s strengths, his astonishing turns of speed and nimble feet. But the jumps were huge! Then the bell rang, and Alice felt the nerves grip her stomach as she turned into the first fence, a green and white upright.

  “Steady, steady…” Alice whispered under her breath.

  The stands were silent as Secret soared the first, and then the second and third and the double, following the course she’d planned. Clear so far. As each jump disappeared under Secret’s neat hooves Alice started to relax, to believe. Secret felt brilliant, in perfect sync. Maybe they could do this, but she had to keep her focus.

  On round the corner and to the hanging gate. It was enormous. For just a split second Secret felt a little unsure and Alice knew it was up to her to guide him. Sitting as quietly as she could in the saddle, keeping her contact light, she encouraged him into the jump, feeling him lift and soar. Then on to the next, and the next, and Alice could tell Secret was trying his absolute best in a class that was well above his comfort level. His willingness to do well for her was overriding his inexperience; he was trying so hard. Nearly there, still clear, but she had to decide now what she was going to do. If she jumped the joker and got it wrong, they’d lose all their points, but more importantly Secret might lose his confidence.

  Third to last, and Secret, his ears flicking back and forth, slightly misjudged his take-off and there was a gasp from the crowd as Alice clung on to his mane, feeling airborne for what felt like minutes. Although he had the scope, his – and Alice’s – inexperience was starting to show with the stridings. The pole rolled in the cups, but miraculously stayed up.

  They turned down to the penultimate fence, an easier upright, and Secret flicked an ear back. They had just ten seconds left to jump, enough time to try the joker … but should they go for it?

  “I’m doing my best. I’ll try, for you!” Secret seemed to say as he jumped the penultimate fence, and Alice’s mind was suddenly clear. Instead of turning the sharp corner down to the joker, she swung a wide right and cantered around the arena, slowing him to a bouncy trot and patting him over and over. Secret gave a little leap of joy, as if elated by his clear round. Alice knew she’d done the right thing. The joker was a step too far for them both – for now at least!

  “Good round, Alice!” June Darby was beaming happily as Alice rode out. “What a great score!”

  Then Seb appeared and Alice gave a start. He was on crutches and looked very pale.

  “Alice,” he said. “Thanks for, you know, saving me. And thank you, Secret.”

  He reached out to pat the little roan who eyed him suspiciously.

  “Really, it’s fine.” Alice didn’t quite know what to say.

  “What happened there, though? You could have jumped the joker! You were flying!”

  “I didn’t want to risk it.” Alice felt totally at ease as she replied to Seb, knowing in her heart that she’d made the right choice.

  “I would have risked it,” Seb replied airily and Alice looked straight at him.

  “Then I guess that’s the difference between you and me,” she said firmly, turning away from him as she saw Finn approach. Her heart leapt but then fell again. Alice knew she’d jumped brilliantly, but she’d surely missed out on the prize money, and she’d so wanted to help Finn.

  Finn smiled. “Alice, that was amazing!”

  There was a pause, and before Alice could say anything else he took her hand again.

  “And thank you. For everything!” His voice quietened. “I thought I was doing OK, but it’s all been getting to me since we’ve been here. It was Gabby that made me think of Mum. I mean, I think of her every day, but Gabby really reminded me of her.”

  Alice’s tummy jolted as she remembered how Gabby had seemed familiar. She thought about the photo in Finn’s kitchen, of Finn’s mum riding side-saddle and laughing, so carefree and beautiful.

  “Mum would have known what to do with everything that’s going on,” he continued. “Dad and I are too alike; we run away or get angry. But I want that to change. Since meeting you, and Secret, and riding for your mum, I guess it’s the most secure I’ve felt in ages, and I’m as scared of losing all that as I am about the Flying Fillies.”

  And for a second he looked so young and totally vulnerable.

  “But you won’t!” Alice cried. “Whatever happens when you get back Mum will still want you to ride for her, and I’ll…” She blushed, wondering how to say it. “I’ll always be your friend.”

  Suddenly, she had an idea. She wanted them to get away from the hustle and bustle of the competition. Alice had been one of the first to jump, and with at least fifty pony clubbers entered, the class would go on for hours yet. She knew the perfect place to take Finn.

  “Finn?” she asked hesitantly, thinking of all the times he’d refused to come out with her during the week. “Do you want to go riding with me?”

  Finn smiled at her. “I can’t think of anything I’d like to do more.”

  Celia lent Finn one of the Rebel Riders’ ponies, and soon Alice and Finn were clattering out of the yard and on to the path up towards the lavender fields that were now completely dry, having been deluged just a few hours earlier. There were a few people heading back to the stables from the showjumping, either on foot or by pony.

  Alice had to look twice as Seb limped up on crutches, his arm encircling the same pretty girl from the evening showjumping, the one who’d argued furiously with him. Judging by the way she was cuddled up to him now, whispering in his ear, it looked like he’d been forgiven. Looking up as Finn and Alice approached, Seb at least had the good grace to look embarrassed.

  “Oh, hey, Alice, Finn. This is Sylvie, um, my girlfriend,” Seb said, and Alice smiled to herself. Of course Seb had a girlfriend. She realised she didn’t mind at all.

  “Pleased to meet you,” she said politely. “Hope you feel better soon, Seb.”

  “Oh, Seb will be back to his winning ways soon,” Sylvie purred.

  Alice smiled. “I’m sure he will. Have a good rest of the day!” she said, nudging Secret on.

  Secret gave Seb a sideways look, his ears flicking backwards. At least her pony was a good judge of character, Alice thought wryly.

  Finn shot her a glance as they rode past. “OK?” he said once they were safely out of earshot.

  “Perfect,” Alice said, and she meant it.

  They rode on, following the track up through a forest, which then opened up into meadow, and Alice tried to remember various landmarks from her afternoon with Celia. The land stretched out before her, a vibrant mix of purple and green and sandy yellow. It was brilliant being back with Finn, riding out, just the two of them, and they could have been at home, riding on the downs that lay above Park Farm. Then suddenly they were in the clearing. Alice held her breath. Were they going to be lucky a second time?

  “What are we waiting for?” Finn whispered next to her, and Alice smiled at him.

  “Let’s just stay here.”

  And as she gazed around her, hoping and waiting, Alice remembered what she’d been going to explain to Finn, right after she’d left Seb on the dance floor. There was still so much unsaid.

  As if reading her thoughts, Finn turned to her. “Are you sure you’re not upset over Seb?” he said in a low voice.

  “Not at all,” Alice whispered.

  “It’s just that…” Finn looked like he was struggling for the right words. “He really seemed into you, and I guess I thought I couldn’t compete.”

  Alice stared at him. “What?” she said quietly. “You were jealous of Seb?”

  Finn shrugged. “Yes, I was.”

  Alice blinked. Finn, jealous? “But I thought you were p
ushing me away!”

  “I did,” Finn said. “Because I knew as soon as I told you about the Flying Fillies it would become real. And I wasn’t ready for that. But I don’t want to push you away any more. I want you to be part of my life, more than you are already. Since my mum died it’s been the worst of times, but it’s been the best of times too. Whatever happens at home, I’ve got you, and Secret. In fact,” he said with a chuckle, “I have Secret to thank for a lot of stuff, really.”

  Alice smiled, thinking of how Secret had brought her and Finn together all those months ago.

  Then, moving his pony closer, Finn took Alice’s hand, and she felt a shiver run through her whole body as he leaned in, closer and closer, until their faces were only millimetres apart. Alice’s mind was going at a million miles an hour. She half closed her eyes and then…

  “Look!” A movement had caught her eye, and both ponies raised their heads as the mare Alice had seen before appeared with her foal at foot, followed by another and another, until a whole herd of wild horses came into view.

  Drawing back, Finn smiled, and they watched silently as the horses drifted across the meadow. They started to graze or roll luxuriously, before they wheeled round and cantered away, their tails streaming behind them.

  “Wow,” Finn whispered. “Thank you.” Then he paused for a minute, before his voice cracked with emotion. “I can’t think of a more perfect way to spend today.”

  They rode back in contented silence, but Alice’s brain was in overdrive. That had been the most amazing moment … but Finn had been about to kiss her, and she’d been distracted by the horses! She had no idea how to even address that. But soon her thoughts were interrupted by Holly running towards her, face flushed, eyes sparkling.

  “Alice!” she yelled in an excited voice. “Where have you been?” Then without waiting for an answer she jumped up and down. “You have to go back down to the arena – it’s been a whitewash!” she cried. “There’s only about eight left to jump and you’re going to be placed but you have to hurry! You need to stay on Secret for the lap of honour!”

  “W-what?” Alice was confused. She’d jumped clear, but she’d missed out the big scoring joker fence. She’d fully expected to drop down the placings with every round that was jumped after her. As if reading her thoughts, Holly made a mock exasperated face.

  “No one has done as well as you. Hurry up!” she chided. “Come on!”

  Glancing at Finn, who grinned and nodded at her, Alice gathered up her reins.

  “Sorry, boy,” she said to Secret, who danced a bit from side to side. “Just one job left to do!”

  When they reached the arena the fifth to last rider was jumping.

  “I totally thought my score would get beaten,” Alice said to Holly, who grinned.

  “Nope,” she said. “You’re the one to beat!”

  “How did you do?” Alice asked her friend. She felt like she and Finn had been up with the horses for hours and hours. Due to the events of the morning and not much sleep, Alice had totally lost track of time!

  Holly pulled a face. “Four down,” she said cheerfully. “It was super hard! I’m so proud of Minstrel, though. Look, this rider has had another pole down!”

  Alice watched the rider shake her head as a pole clattered behind her. Cantering a wide circle, the rider slowed her pony and left the arena to a short burst of applause.

  “Jean-Louise Allard, riding Oliver,” the commentator said. “Unlucky there, Jean-Louise. Miss Alice Smalley from the United Kingdom is still the one to beat!”

  And that’s when it started to feel real. Alice held her breath as the next boy jumped, and then another girl. Neither did well or attempted the joker. Alice was still lying in first with one rider, a French girl, left to jump. Alice couldn’t believe it!

  “This is it!” Holly squealed as the girl rode into the arena. “Alice, I think you might do it!”

  But Alice watched as the girl coolly cantered a circle on the most beautiful grey. There was something about her that stood out, her calm manner as she aimed her pony at the first fence, the way she folded so gracefully as her pony seemed to turn a corner in the air, flying on to the next fence and the next, fast but with perfect precision, each fence clear.

  The whole arena was silent as the girl and her pony headed towards the joker fence. And, as she cantered past, Alice noticed she had blue stirrups, the ones Alice had always coveted.

  It’s a sign, she thought just as the pony took off, clearing the joker by miles. The girl flung her arms round her pony’s neck as the arena burst into thunderous applause.

  And it had been such an amazing round that Alice clapped as hard as she could, knowing that the girl and her pony had thoroughly deserved their win. She knew Secret would be capable of that, and soon. She believed in them. But part of her still felt like crying. She’d wanted to help Finn, and now she couldn’t.

  “Well, look at that!” the commentator cried. “The top score will stay in France this year. Well done, Eva Ducard and her wonderful pony Swallow!”

  “Alice!” Holly was hugging Secret and reaching up to hug Alice. “You were second, out of fifty! And the highest-placed UK rider, that’s amazing!”

  “You are amazing.” It was Finn and his voice was overflowing with pride. And suddenly Alice was surrounded by all the pony clubbers, and June and Mathis, and before she knew it she was in the arena for the prize-giving.

  “Well done!” she said to the winner.

  The girl smiled. “I didn’t think I’d beat you. You are the ones to watch!”

  And then the flower sash was placed round Secret’s neck for winning the highest-placed UK rider, and Alice was presented with the biggest, sparkliest rosette she’d ever seen. And as she cantered around the arena to the crashing, soaring sound of a marching band and the audience’s applause, for just a second Alice got a sense of what her future might hold, and it felt incredible.

  “So, now it’s my turn to ask – what’s up with you?” Finn turned to her as she led Secret back up to the yard, the sash still round his neck, walking contently by Alice’s side.

  “What do you mean?” Alice shook her head, not quite meeting his eyes. “Nothing’s up! I couldn’t be happier.”

  Finn gave her a sceptical look. “Alice, I know you,” he said gently. “You’re not secretly disappointed you didn’t win, are you? You practically did…”

  “It would have been nice … the prize money…” Alice blurted out.

  Finn frowned. “What?” he said. “You’re not seriously upset over that, are you? I mean, I know you love those blue stirrups, but I didn’t think you’d feel that upset about not having them!”

  Alice stopped Secret and looked right at Finn. “I wanted to help you.” She took a deep breath. “I overheard you on the first night talking to your dad about needing money, a thousand pounds, quickly. And what with the Flying Fillies and everything, when I found out what the prize amount was, I thought it might help … so you didn’t have to give up.” She blushed. “I’m sorry, I should have told you and just been honest instead of trying to make you talk. I didn’t mean to interfere.”

  “That’s probably the nicest thing anyone’s ever thought to do for me,” Finn said quietly. “But I’m glad you didn’t risk it.”

  “But, Finn,” Alice continued miserably, “what now? What about the Fillies?”

  Finn gave a small smile. “Alice, that thousand we needed was only the start of it, just the first payment.” He paused as if struggling with what he was about to say. “We owe a lot more than that,” he said in a quiet voice. “We’re trying to work out what we do as a family, and I thought if I gave up the Fillies then it’d be one less stress for everyone.”

  He sounded so resigned and sad, despite his smile.

  “So that’s the end of the Flying Fillies?” Alice felt her heart sink and Finn looked away.

  “I don’t know, in all honesty,” he said truthfully. “This week has been amazing, working with the
Rebel Riders. I don’t know where I’ll go from here.”

  And then, taking her hand, he pulled Alice closer.

  “There was something I wanted to do, up on that hillside.” And Alice’s stomach turned over as his dark eyes looked right at her and for a few long seconds they hovered, unsure what to do.

  But this time it was Secret rubbing his head on Alice’s back that pushed her right towards Finn and into his arms. And with the festival in full swing around them and music and laughter in the air, they finally kissed and it was just the two of them, and nothing else mattered.

  Alice’s eyes were full of stars, her heart still beating loudly as she tended to Secret. He had practically swaggered back into the yard, full of his success, the flower sash now minus one or two blooms from where he’d nibbled it. Still smiling, Alice was just hanging her tack back up when Gabby appeared in the doorway.

  “Hi, Alice,” Gabby smiled. “I hear you did brilliantly! Well done, you and Secret!” Then she hesitated, biting her lip. “Thank you for this morning. I’m still trying to process it all. I knew Maria disliked me; I just never realised how much.”

  “Why did she do it? Was it just to try to get you fired?” Alice felt like a hundred years had passed since she’d caught Maria out that morning. What a night and day it had been!

  “Yes, I’m afraid so,” Gabby said and sighed. “She tried to mess up the shoots, delete files, that sort of thing. She even cut the reins on the horse’s bridle on the first day!”

  I knew it! Alice thought. She couldn’t believe anyone – especially a grown-up – would behave in such a way!

  “And when her subtle sabotage didn’t work she took the ring,” Gabby continued. “It was just really unlucky that Finn’s disappearance coincided with it all. I don’t think she meant it to go as far as it did; she had always meant to ‘find’ the ring, taking the praise for bringing it back after I’d left the safe open. But then Finn disappeared and we called the police, and suddenly it was all a big mess.”