“Sure, we’ll be fine,” Beth smiled. “What can possibly go wrong in three weeks?”
“Practise hard,” Sarah called as the taxi rolled out of the yard. “And don’t forget to send off the Tentenden entry form!”
“Bye-eee...” the voices died away as the car disappeared down the drive and out of sight.
Rosie made her way to the water trough. Hunching her shoulders in the wind, she crossed the yard, struggling under the weight of the water buckets. It was a grey, blustery April day. Rosie’s teeth chattered as she gave the horses their buckets and pulled down the sleeves of her jumper. She stopped for a moment, scraping her blonde hair into a tight ponytail before strolling off to take another look at the cross-country course.
Rosie knew it like the back of her hand. She’d spent long enough helping Nick set it up over the winter months. They all had.
“Without our own cross-country course to practise over, we won’t stand a chance at Tentenden.” Nick’s words echoed in Rosie’s ears as she thought back to the day he had started to plan it all. Although the jumps weren’t all that high, the course he had laid out was a challenging one and each fence would have to be jumped clear, or the horse would take a heavy rap. Standing on top of the little tussock by the gate, Rosie’s eyes narrowed as she took it all in and a rush of adrenaline ran through her. Absent-mindedly, she gazed into the distance when a voice from behind her disturbed her thoughts.
“I’ve been looking for you everywhere. Have you forgotten we’ve got a Tentenden training session?”
Rosie spun round to see Jess, walking towards her.
“How could I?” Rosie said, looking at her watch. “I was just checking out the course. Come on, let’s go,” she said, smiling.
The two friends chattered excitedly as they hurried back to the yard. Rosie collected her riding hat and made her way to Pepper’s stable. The little piebald sniffed the air feverishly as Rosie folded back his rug and started to tack him up. Attaching the breast plate to the saddle, she led Pepper out of his stable to join the others.
Rosie sprung nimbly into the saddle and nudged the little pony on through the gate at the back of the yard, into the fields behind. A gusty wind was blowing and it was drizzling with rain. Rosie’s cheeks felt flushed as she drew Pepper to a halt under the trees.
“Here we all are then. Excited?” Beth asked, reaching for her field binoculars. “As this is the first time I’ve taken you over the course, I’m not going to time you. It’s quite slippery, so just concentrate on getting round safely. OK?”
“Yes Beth,” came a volley of voices.
“Let’s get going before it pours down. Try and take extra care through the woods. There are a lot of branches lying around from last week’s storm. I don’t want your horses to spook. The most important thing is to take things slowly. The jumps aren’t that difficult. Now, you all know where you’re going, don’t you?” she said.
“Yes Beth,” they chorused.
“Right then. Charlie, you go first followed by Jess, Tom and then Rosie,” said Beth.
Rosie didn’t know whether to feel pleased or disappointed. She didn’t want to go first, but at the same time, she thought she would die waiting for her turn. Rosie watched closely as Charlie rode across the field and approached the first. He was so quick, she envied him his speed. She would see him up to the trees, then she would go and warm up.
She turned Pepper to a quiet corner of the field and started to trot the pony round. Then she pushed him on into a gentle canter. Pepper had such a smooth, rhythmical stride, he was a pleasure to ride. Soon Rosie began to relax. She didn’t realize how quickly the time had gone. When she returned to the group, Jess was already back and Tom was halfway round the course.
“How was it, Jess?” Rosie asked.
“Brilliant,” her friend answered, her eyes glinting brightly. “Storm Cloud was amazing. Weren’t you?” She leant forward, shivering as the coastal rain swept in across the fields.
And then Rosie heard Beth call her name. Gritting her teeth determinedly, she turned Pepper to the start. Her skin felt taut as the wind whistled past and Pepper lengthened his stride. Rosie drove him forward with her heels and the pony jumped over the tiger trap as if it was alight. As Rosie steadied him before the brush, she felt a tremor run through his body. They took the fence in their stride and raced on towards the hayrack.
“Steady now Pepper. Easy does it,” she crooned. “It’s not as hard as it looks, it’s only a hayrack.”
Rosie sat deeper in the saddle and collected Pepper for the spread. Pepper snatched at the reins, impatiently waiting for Rosie to release him for the jump. Quickly, she urged him on, letting the reins ease through her fingers as the pony jumped clear and went on to soar over the hedge. Leaning forward as they entered the trees, Rosie swung Pepper towards the tree trunk. Determinedly, she drove him on. Without hesitating, Pepper rose to the challenge, up and over and on to the log pile.
Rosie knew they were going well. Bravely, Pepper gathered his legs up under him and they flew over the tyres. Galloping forward, clear of the water jump, they approached the zigzag rails. Rosie held her breath. But they jumped it squarely and the gutsy little pony landed lightly and went on to race over the gate. Rosie felt herself slipping and gripped harder with her knees as they thundered across the fields. The rain was teeming down now as they took the stone wall. Touchdown! They had done it. They had finished.
Pepper snorted, his breath spiralling from his nostrils like clouds of smoke, as Rosie slowed his pace to a trot.
Everyone was making so much noise when Rosie eventually returned to the group, that she couldn’t get a word in edgeways.
“Quick everyone,” Beth said, “we’ll have to hurry back to the yard if we don’t want to get drenched.”
As the horses wound their way back into the yard, Rosie felt content. She was soaked through to the skin, but somehow it didn’t matter. Leading Pepper into his stable, she removed his tack and started to rub him down. Then she hurried to the tack room to collect some grooming kit. She could hear trouble brewing between Tom and Charlie over who was riding Hector and Napoleon in the afternoon hacks. Putting her head over Blackjack’s stable door, she glanced inside. Susannah – one of the younger pupils – was there with him.
“Did you enjoy your ride?” Rosie asked her.
“Yes,” she replied. “Alex told me I was really improving,” she added proudly.
“I’m sure you are,” Rosie said kindly. “If you nip to the barn and get Blackjack’s food, I’ll take over grooming him if you like.”
“Thanks. I think my mum’s waiting for me,” Susannah answered gratefully, scuttling off. Rosie picked up the body brush and made a start on Blackjack’s mottled coat.
“Keep still Blackjack,” she muttered.
“Here’s his food, Rosie.” Susannah’s head appeared over the door.
“Great,” Rosie said. “See you the same time next week then.”
“Thanks,” Susannah shouted over her shoulder as she ran off.
Impatiently, Blackjack shifted his weight as he eyed the food sitting outside the stable. Gently, he nosed Rosie’s back as a little reminder that he was waiting.
“Don’t you fret,” said Rosie. “I haven’t forgotten you, but you can’t have your lunch till I’ve got you clean. There, that should do the trick.” She bent down to pick out Blackjack’s last hoof. Patting his hindquarters, she closed the door behind her. That was her two horses sorted. She hoped Jess had got Storm Cloud and Minstrel settled as quickly. After all, they did have plans for that afternoon.
“All set Jess?” Rosie cried as she saw her friend scurry past.
“Nearly,” said Jess. “I’ll check on Storm Cloud and then I’ll be with you.”
Five minutes later they were ready. Looking at her reflection in the glass of the tack room window, Rosie wiped the smudges from her face.
“Come on,” Jess urged, “or we’ll be late.”
Joggi
ng down the lane, the girls headed for the bus stop at the corner of Sandy Lane. Out of puff and red in the face, they stumbled to the stop and clambered aboard the bus.”
“Phew. We nearly missed it, slowcoach!” Jess teased. “Two halves to Colcott, please,” she said, scrabbling about for some change.
The two girls chattered excitedly as the bus climbed the hill away from the coast. Fields of greenery sped past and buildings sprang up as the bus wound its way along the winding back roads.
As they neared the town of Colcott, the girls rang the bell. The doors swished open and Rosie and Jess jumped to the ground. The bus drove off, leaving them outside the old saddlery.
“Afternoon Jess...Rosie.”
Mr. Armstrong’s jovial face peered out at them from behind the counter. The Sandy Lane regulars spent so much time in his shop, he had come to know all of their names. His watery blue eyes twinkled at his two favourite customers.
“They’re ready, girls. I hope these are what you wanted.”
The girls grinned at each other as Mr. Armstrong placed four brand new skull cap covers, in Sandy Lane red and black quarters, on the shop counter.
“Yes, Mr. Armstrong,” Jess breathed. “Those are just what we wanted. What do you think Rosie?”
“They’re brilliant Jess. We’ll look like a real team now. I can’t wait to see the others’ faces.”
“Don’t they know you’ve ordered them then?” Mr. Armstrong asked.
“No,” Jess said mischievously. “Rosie and I have been saving up for them for ages. We wanted it to be a surprise.”
“And how are Nick and Sarah?” Mr. Armstrong asked, as he totalled up what they owed.
“Haven’t you heard?” Rosie said, glancing anxiously at Jess. “They’re away at the moment. Sarah’s father’s been taken ill.” She paused to draw breath. “So they’ve had to go to America to run his stud farm for him. We’re helping Beth look after Sandy Lane while they’re away.”
Mr. Armstrong looked concerned. “How long are they planning to be away for then? Is it serious?”
“I’m afraid it is,” said Rosie. “He’s had a heart attack. They’re going to be away for three weeks.”
“Well, if you speak to them, do send them my best wishes,” Mr. Armstrong said, looking worried.
Rosie nodded. “Come on, Jess. We’d better get going,” she called over to where Jess was browsing through the bridles. “We’ll miss the next bus back if we don’t hurry, and we need to get the horses groomed and tacked up for the afternoon rides.”
“Coming,” said Jess. “Bye Mr. Armstrong,” they called as they let themselves out of the shop. The low rumble of the bus sounded in the distance as Rosie and Jess waited patiently by the stop.
“Don’t worry. We’ll be at the stables soon enough,” Rosie said as the bus pulled over and the two girls climbed on.
Twenty minutes later, the bus drew to a halt in Sandy Lane and Rosie and Jess jumped off. Rounding the corner by the sycamore tree, they walked on up the drive to the stables. Quickly, Rosie made her way to Pepper’s stable, only to find it was empty.
“Uh oh,” she said to herself. “Too late.”
Jess looked equally sheepish as she met Rosie in the middle of the yard.
“Someone seems to have beaten us to it, Jess,” Rosie said. “We’re not going to be in anyone’s good books at this rate.”
“It can’t be helped,” Jess said briskly. “We’re not that late. Wait till the others see what we’ve got for them. They won’t be angry then.”
“I hope so,” said Rosie, unconvinced. “Let’s go and find them.”
Eagerly they hurried to the tack room.
“Hi everyone,” Jess called to a wall of stony faces.
“Nice of you to drop by.” Charlie was the first to break the awkward silence.
“Sorry,” Rosie mumbled. “We didn’t realize we’d been so long.”
“Obviously,” Charlie said sarcastically.
“It’s not very responsible to go disappearing on the first day Nick and Sarah are away,” Tom said in a more appeasing voice. “We’ve all had to help get your horses tacked up.”
“Oh...um...sorry,” said Rosie, shamefaced.
“We’ve got to pull together while Nick and Sarah are away,” Kate added, crossly.
“We know all that,” Jess answered. “We’re not trying to get out of our jobs. It’s just that we had to collect some things,” she said.
“What things?” Charlie asked, frowning.
“These,” said Jess, pulling the bag out from behind her back. “Hopefully they’ll make you less annoyed with us. We bought them for Tentenden.”
The colourful caps spilled out onto the tack room desk. Everyone stood back, looking embarrassed.
“Well, it’s a good idea,” Alex said kindly.
“Oh Jess, Rosie. They’re perfect. You’ll all look really professional,” Kate exclaimed.
“Yes, thanks you two,” said Tom, running the silk caps through his fingers. Charlie grunted noncommittally.
“You might be a bit more excited,” Jess said. “We went to a lot of trouble to get them.”
“And they are very nice,” said Tom. “It’s just that there were only four of us to get the horses ready and Beth’s lesson was late. We thought you’d just gone off and left everyone to do your jobs.”
“Well thanks. Thanks a lot everyone,” Rosie said huffily. “We didn’t think you’d miss us for an hour and we wanted it to be a surprise.”
“It was a surprise,” Tom said appreciatively. “Come on you two,” he said, linking arms with the two girls as he led them out of the tack room. “Don’t look so upset. It’s just that for a while, we’ve got to put the running of Sandy Lane above everything else – even Tentenden.”
3
DISASTER STRIKES
“Don’t let him puff out his belly when you’re trying to tighten up the girth, Jess,” Charlie called from the other side of the yard.
“I know that,” Jess snapped. “But it’s easier said than done. You’re not the boss around here anyway. You know how Minstrel hates being tacked up. Why don’t you put on his saddle if you think you can do any better!”
Rosie groaned. Not another quarrel. It had only been four days ago that they had waved goodbye to Nick and Sarah and already the arguments were in full swing – who was riding who, who was taking the lead, who was in charge of what. On and on it went. And it was getting worse. Yesterday they had all been bickering so much that one mother had lifted her child off Horace before the lesson had even begun.
Somehow, without Nick and Sarah around to oversee the yard, things weren’t quite so straightforward. Rosie liked Beth, but she just couldn’t keep control like Nick did. Jess, for instance, was supposed to be in charge of Minstrel, but when Alex had brought him in from the hack yesterday afternoon absolutely plastered in mud, she had gone mad and refused to groom him. And nothing Beth had said would make Jess change her mind.
“If you were the one who had to clean him, you wouldn’t have let him get that dirty,” Jess had screamed at Alex. Rosie cringed as she remembered the scene.
They weren’t getting anything done on time either. Rosie looked at her watch. It was five past eleven. Beth was supposed to have started the lesson in road-work at eleven o’clock and Pepper was the only one of the horses ready.
“Come on everyone,” Rosie moaned. “I must have circled Pepper at least a dozen times. He’ll have made his own track if I’m not careful.”
Jess scowled as she tried to help a rider with a leg-up onto Napoleon. “Coming,” she grumbled.
By quarter past eleven, Jester, Napoleon, Minstrel, Storm Cloud and Whispering Silver stood groomed, tacked up and ready to go.
“At last,” Rosie mumbled under her breath.
“Who’s going on this ride, Rosie?” Beth called.
“The lot training for their road-work test – George, Melissa, Anna, Mark and me,” Rosie answered cheerfully.
“Excellent,” Beth smiled. “All good riders. That should be fun. Let’s go then,” she said happily. “Follow on after me.”
Rosie nudged Pepper forward, relieved to be leaving the others behind her to argue things out. As the horses meandered down the tiny winding lane, Rosie thought what a fine spectacle they made. Their buffed coats gleamed as the April sun peered weakly through the clouds. Beth and Whispering Silver led the string of horses and Rosie took up the rear. Slowly, they picked their way along the grassy verge of the roadside, past gates and hedges heading for the open fields ahead of them. Rosie pushed Pepper on into a brisk trot to catch up with Napoleon.
The further they rode from the stables, the better Rosie started to feel. Of course it wasn’t the same at Sandy Lane without Nick and Sarah around. She shouldn’t have expected it to be really. But once things had settled down, they would be all right, she was sure of it. Rosie sighed contentedly as the wind rustled through the trees, stirring the leaves. The smell of the countryside enveloped her. It was so peaceful and the rest of the Easter holidays lay ahead of her to be spent at Sandy Lane.
Rosie didn’t know when it was that she first heard the sound of the approaching car. Certainly it wasn’t until it was right upon her as there were no warning calls from the front. It all happened so quickly. One moment, she was quietly ambling along the side of the road, the next, the low-slung red sports car had sped out of the Colcott junction and was heading straight for them at full throttle. Swiftly, she collected her reins and checked Pepper, but the riders ahead of her seemed to be having trouble as their horses danced skittishly from side to side.
Any minute now the car will slow down, Rosie thought to herself. But if anything, it seemed to accelerate. Rosie looked on in horror as the car swerved out of control across the road. At the last moment it careered left, not a hair’s breadth away from the horses, and sped on. Rosie gasped as everything was thrown into total chaos. And later, when she was to look back on things, she couldn’t remember anything very clearly. Horses and riders spun in a whirlwind of colours, shrieking voices and clattering hooves merged as one.
Strangers at the Stables Page 2