by Dave Warner
In her heart, Charlotte knew that was what she wanted to do. She had just needed somebody else to push her. It was not just what her mum would have wanted, it was what she really wanted. She saddled up Leila and hauled herself up.
Leila cackled. 'Thornton Downs, here we come.'
From her vantage point by the judging post, Caroline Strudworth watched Lucinda complete a very strong dressage. A pity the girl's personality didn't match her riding. The crowd of parents and interested onlookers applauded from the temporary stands erected around the arena but it washed over Miss Strudworth, who was still worrying about Charlotte Richards. Mr Graham leaned over.
'Well, that's the last of them.'
Miss Strudworth took the microphone and began her well-rehearsed little speech. 'Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your attendance. Tomorrow we will have the jumps ...'
She faltered, barely able to believe her eyes. Cantering towards her across the arena was Charlotte Richards and Leila. A murmur went through the crowd at the late arrival. Miss Strudworth waited, transfixed and deeply relieved.
Charlotte saw they had made the dressage in the nick of time. It had been several hours since they had set out from the city. First they had cut around its perimeter and then snuck aboard a freight train heading in the general direction of Thornton Downs. The train was slow but it afforded Charlotte the opportunity to change into her riding outfit and gave Leila the chance to rest. Her cough didn't sound good at all. The train got them within thirty kilometres of Thornton Downs. Leila had leapt from the train and galloped the rest of the way, without a word of complaint.
Looking across at the people in the stands, at Miss Strudworth, at the other girls lined up on their horses, Charlotte knew that Leila had been right. Charlotte had been running away. Not any more. If Leila could do this, so could she. Maybe she would fail but she was not going to quit, she would give it all she had. She owed that to her mum and dad, the people of Snake Hills, Leila, and most of all, herself.
She stopped before Miss Strudworth.
'We've been very concerned, Richards.'
'I understand and apologise, Miss, but I would like the opportunity to compete.'
Strudworth nodded.
'Very well. We'll discuss the other things later. What music do you choose?'
Charlotte handed over a second-hand CD, which at Leila's insistence she had purchased in the city with her last forty cents.
'Track four, please.'
Strudworth studied the CD, cocked an eyebrow and passed it across to the sound man. She picked up the microphone.
'Charlotte Richards will perform to Vogue by Madonna.'
Charlotte bowed to the judges and turned Leila around.
'Are you certain about this?' she asked Leila.
'I've danced to this in the Whisky, Studio 54 and the Viper Room. Just leave it to me.'
Charlotte looked at all the people looking at her and Leila and felt her stomach turn upside down.
'I'm so nervous,' she confessed.
'Nervous is waiting for the vet when you've got colic. Sit back, relax and let Leila do the walking. This is my turf.'
The music began and Leila started moving in a way Charlotte had never experienced. Leila seemed to float across the arena, stopping on beats, shimmying, twisting and flicking her legs at right angles. The gasps of the crowd were audible even from the middle of the arena.
Standing on the sidelines The Evil Three almost swallowed their tongues. They had never seen anything like it.
In sections where the music stopped and Madonna said 'Vogue', Leila literally stood statue-like in whatever pose she had just reached; leg up, leg down, neck twisted, even rearing on hind legs, perfectly rigid, for what seemed like an eternity. Each new stunt brought a more expressive sigh from the crowd. Eventually the music stopped, Leila did the splits and the crowd erupted rapturously. Charlotte couldn't believe it herself.
In all her years Miss Strudworth had never accorded top marks but she simply couldn't imagine a better dressage. The rest of the judges agreed. Mr Graham muttered it was a tragedy the girl would probably be expelled. Strudworth considered that.
'We'll see.'
Charlotte was dismounting, giving Leila a pat when she saw Strudworth looming.
'Marvellous effort, Richards. Truly the most amazing dressage I have ever witnessed.'
'Thank you, Miss.'
Strudworth cleared her throat.
'I know it can be difficult coming from the outback to a place like this. If you apologise for taking the money ...'
'I will not apologise. I didn't take the money and that's that,' snapped Charlotte.
Strudworth shook her head sadly.
'Very well. As you are aware the evidence against you is damning. You may continue to compete but I have to warn you, the JOES isn't just about horsemanship. It's as much about character and my decision will reflect that.'
Her excitement punctured, Charlotte watched Strudworth stride away.
Leila felt gutted. It was all her fault. No matter how well they did in the dressage or the point-to-point, Charlie was going to be blamed. She shuddered. She felt cold and weak all of a sudden.
'Are you okay?' whispered Charlotte, as if she could sense the problem.
'Nothing a choc-sundae wouldn't fix. Only joking,' Leila added.
Miss Strudworth was alone in the yard that evening, clearing up rubbish. She was distracted, wondering just how hard those girls had pushed Charlotte Richards. Perhaps the pizza business had been a cry for help?
'Charlotte Richards didn't take the pizza, I did.'
The voice, sounding like a young American woman, came out of the shadows. Strudworth couldn't think of any American girls in her squad. She peered in the direction of the voice and was startled when Charlotte's horse emerged.
Dressed for bed in her pyjamas, Charlotte had been crossing towards the stables with a carrot for Leila when she'd heard Leila's voice. Leila? Talking? She changed direction and pulled up, horrified. Leila was in the yard talking to Strudworth. Oh, no! Charlotte ran.
Miss Strudworth was so shocked to find herself being addressed by a horse, she found herself going along with it.
'You did?'
'Yeah, you see ...'
Charlotte cut in, 'I can throw my voice.'
Strudworth's head whipped to Charlotte, who glowered at Leila, but Leila wasn't to be silenced.
'Charlie, stay out of this. I was to blame. I should take the rap.'
With a fixed smile on her face, Charlotte said firmly, 'Thank you, but I can handle this.' Before Leila could respond, Charlotte reached over and held Leila's mouth shut.
Miss Strudworth watched on, eyes bulging. Charlotte carried on.
'The thing is, Miss, I know stealing is wrong. But I never intended ...'
Strudworth held up a hand.
'You don't need to explain. I understand a lot more now. Those girls you were rooming with were mean. I should have stood up to them on your behalf but I failed you. You were lonely, felt abandoned.'
Charlotte attempted to speak but once more Strudworth's hand shot up commanding silence. 'It's all right. I've been there. I've been the odd girl out all my life. You sought comfort food. It's understandable. The failing is mine, not yours. I'm sure from here on in you'll have no need for such behaviour. Consequently, if you can qualify for the JOES, I will be delighted to endorse you.'
Later in the stable Charlotte admonished Leila for exposing herself like that. What if Charlotte hadn't shown up?
'They'd probably think Strudworth was a loony and you'd be home free. It was a can't-lose strategy any way you look at it,' Leila cackled, which set her off into a fit of dry coughing.
'I think I should get the vet for you.'
'All I need is a good night's sleep. You too.'
Charlotte kissed Leila goodnight and took herself off to bed. She was sure they had scored well on today's dressage – all they needed now was a solid round on the jumps and the point-to-point and she w
ould be a JOE.
Chapter 15
Charlotte was in the dining room, dressed for a day of jumping, about to scoff down a quick bowl of cereal, when Miss Strudworth burst through the door and came striding towards her. Charlotte's first thought was that Strudworth had changed her mind about the deal and she was back in trouble.
It was something far worse.
'I'm afraid it's Leila. She has a fever. The vet is with her.'
Charlotte didn't even feel the bowl slip from her hands. Before it hit the ground she was running.
Emma, who had been next in line, steadily poured herself a tomato juice and turned to Rebecca, who stood beside her, cramming a pastry into her mouth.
'Now, isn't that a shame.'
Charlotte swung into the stables, her heart bursting. She ran full pelt towards Leila's box, arriving just as the vet stood and closed his bag. He was talking to Bevans.
'I've done pretty much all I can. From here it's in the lap of the gods.'
'You mean Leila might die?'
The words ripped their way out of Charlotte's mouth. The vet turned and studied her. 'She's your mount?'
Charlotte looked down at Leila, who was curled in a heap on the ground. 'She's my friend.'
The vet gestured helplessly. 'I wish I could give you a better prognosis. She has a viral infection. It could disappear in forty-eight hours or it could kill her. I'm sorry.'
As he and Bevan moved off she heard him tell the foreman that she needed to be kept warm. Charlotte threw herself down and hugged Leila with all her strength.
'Come on, Leila. You'll be fine.'
But the horse's eyes were closed and from her body came a deep and steady wheeze. Charlotte felt big warm tears well up and fall. No, this couldn't happen. She had loved her mother and she had been taken from her. Not Leila too.
She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up through teary eyes to find Strudworth looking down.
'I'm terribly sorry, Charlotte. I know what it's like.'
Charlotte recalled the stuffed horse in Strudworth's parlour. Was that the fate that would befall Leila?
Strudworth coughed deliberately and said gently, 'The jumps trials start in half an hour.'
Charlotte looked at her blankly. 'Obviously, I can't ...'
'You are entitled to a replacement mount. Not the ideal situation, I grant you, but I'm prepared to let you ride my horse, Romeo.'
'But I couldn't ...'
'It's quite within the rules. You have had no chance to organise a replacement. Romeo is very tractable.'
Charlotte continued to shake her head. 'I mean, I couldn't compete while Leila was sick in here.'
Strudworth sighed. 'Loyalty is a wonderful thing but I'm sure if Leila could talk, she would urge you to carry on and make the JOES.'
But the words were bouncing off Charlotte like hailstones on a tin roof. She shook her head furiously.
'No, I'm staying with Leila.'
'Charlotte, if you miss the hurdles you won't score any points. Your chances of making the JOES will be minuscule.'
'I don't care. I can't do it.'
Strudworth tried one last shot. 'Your father is coming down to see you ride. It was meant to be a surprise. He'll be here tomorrow for the point-to-point but if you're not jumping ...'
'He'll understand.'
Mr Graham poked his head into the stables. 'Caroline, we need to go through these guidelines.'
'Yes, I'm coming.' Miss Strudworth looked sadly down at Charlotte. 'I have to go now but I urge you to reconsider. Don't throw away a career.'
Then she turned on her heel and Charlotte was left alone with Leila. She rubbed Leila's muzzle. She was burning up.
Charlotte stayed cuddled up to her for a long time. Exactly how long, she couldn't have said. She was solely focused on getting Leila well. It was probably about midday before she even thought about the trials again. The other girls had long since come and taken their mounts out. They would be competing right now. Charlotte had laid her jacket over Leila and now she placed a damp cloth on her brow.
Leila groaned.
'Water ... I need water.'
Charlotte screwed up the wet cloth so some water dripped into Leila's mouth.
'Don't taste like Perrier. I gotta have Perrier, gotta have class ...'
Charlotte lied. 'It's Perrier. The fever makes it taste different.'
Leila relaxed. 'Girl's gotta keep her standards up.' Then she let out a high, deranged giggle. 'Perrier, yeah. Perrier the derrière. My butt's too big ... gotta watch that new Palomino filly, Chiquita ... start out as your understudy, next thing they're the star and you're an extra ... can't trust nobody ... Hollywood ... not real friends ... No mom or dad. You gotta look out for number one. Nobody else will.'
Charlotte lay her head against Leila and pleaded with her mother, if she could hear her, to not let Leila die.
Strudworth watched the last of the riders complete the jumps. Some of the girls had been of a particularly high standard but that hadn't cheered her one bit. All she could think of was what might happen to the Richards girl if Leila didn't pull through.
Her train of thought was broken by Mr Graham, approaching at a brisk walk. 'That's it, then?'
'Yes, that's the last of them.'
He could see she was worried. 'Still fretting about Charlotte Richards?'
'I can't help it.'
'Nonsense, Caroline. You did everything by the book.'
She felt like saying to Mr Graham that while that was true, sometimes it was wiser to not follow the book. But she did not say that. Instead she smiled bravely and said, 'I'll see you tomorrow for the dressage.'
Leila had been rambling off and on in a delirium for a little while now. She started up again.
'I know I let you down, Mom. But see, I was frightened when you left. I was a frightened itty-bitty little foal. I played the brat for attention ... and now, now I've been sent ... I'm burning. Daddy ... I wish you could help me, I wish I'd known you more but now here I am, roasting. Oh, it's soooo hot. Please, Daddy, save me ... I'M SORRY.'
Charlotte leaned over and kissed her. Leila seemed to calm. Then her eyes found Charlotte and she smiled. Her breath stank badly but Charlotte said nothing about that.
'My angel. My guardian angel. Is that you?'
'It's me.'
'Thank God you're here,' she whimpered and drifted off to sleep.
Around sunset the other girls returned with their horses. Most of them poked their heads in and wished Charlotte good luck, but Emma, Lucinda and Rebecca kept their distance.
'It's her own fault,' whispered Emma in that superior tone of hers as they hung up their tack. 'The horses are there to serve us, not the other way around.'
Lucinda said she suspected it was all a con. 'Look at that pathetic effort against Milthorp. She's not very good at jumping so she piked out.'
Rebecca merely gazed at herself in the mirror hanging by the tack and wondered if her zit would go down in time for the dance with the Milthorp boys the next night.
Eventually they all shuffled off and Charlotte was back alone with Leila, just how she liked it. Around seven that night Miss Strudworth arrived with food for Charlotte. Charlotte told her she appreciated her going to the trouble but she wasn't hungry. Strud-worth asked if she minded if she joined her.
'Of course not,' said Charlotte, but she was lying. Miss Strudworth checked Leila's temperature and noted it was much the same.
'Can't we put her on a drip or something?' Charlotte wanted to know.
Strudworth explained the vet had said with this virus it was pointless. She began talking of her days as a young rider like Charlotte and how she had experienced a similar trauma with Zucchini. She had nursed him for three days after the vet had written him off. Eventually he came good. The story bucked Charlotte up.
'Unfortunately,' added Strudworth with gravity, 'we haven't got three days. Leila may recover but it will be too late for you.'
'Isn't it too late
already?' asked Charlotte absently. She assumed she was already out of contention.
'If you win the point-to-point tomorrow, and only if you win, you would have enough points to qualify,' explained Strudworth. 'You owe it to your father, your town and yourself to have a go.'
'But suppose I did ride Romeo. Suppose I won the race ...'
Strudworth, who saw this discourse as a positive step, was nodding along.
'And then I raced back here and something horrible had happened to Leila. How could I live with myself?'
It was then that Strudworth realised the futility of her mission. 'Very well, Charlotte. Have it your way. You may sleep the night here with Leila.'
Charlotte smiled a warm thank you.
The night passed slowly. Unwanted memories of a vigil by her sick mother's bed kept forcing their way into Charlotte's brain but she forced them right back out. She kept talking to Leila about all the fun they were going to have together. She reminded Leila she had promised to show her Hollywood and Charlotte told her one day she would show her Snake Hills. She tried to think of anything about Snake Hills she hadn't yet told Leila but in the end didn't worry if she was going over old ground. Leila couldn't really hear her anyway. Extremely self-conscious, Charlotte even hummed a few of Leila's favourite songs. Finally, in the darkest and stillest part of the night, exhausted, Charlotte's heavy eyelids dropped down and she fell asleep.
She awoke when a rooster crowed in the distance. She jumped up, remembering where she was, and thrust out her hand to feel Leila. Her heart stopped. Leila was cold. She had died in the night and Charlotte had not even realised. Tears gushed. 'No, no, it's so unfair,' she wailed.
'What's unfair is a girl having to get her own drink. I'm parched.'
Charlotte turned but didn't dare believe. 'Leila?'
'No, Cher. Who do you think?'
Charlotte had never been so happy to hear one of Leila's smart-alec comments. She gave Leila water. Leila gulped it down and looked around.
'How long was I out?'
'A day.'
'A whole day?' Leila whistled. 'So, how did you go in the jumps?'