by Mark Stanley
"For fucks sake what's he doing?" Robert was getting very agitated, but as far as I could see the jockey was completely blameless and was merely a passenger as Royal Quest, powered on.
"Now at half way and Royal Crest is ten lengths clear and still running hard and fast, how can they stop him? King's Island has now gone off in pursuit and has pulled two lengths clear of the pack headed by Napoleon with Saratoga and the improving Harry Truman, the rest have cried enough and thrown in the towel as the pace is relentless and quite extraordinary."
"What's happening?"
"We're winning Hugo, but I'm not sure for how much longer."
"Down to the Bushes, two furlongs to go and still this wonder horse is hard on the bridle, seemingly unstoppable! Nothing is in the same Parish as Royal Quest! Harry Truman is into second but he must be at least twelve lengths behind! A furlong to go and the end of a triumphant return for the Superstar, the unbeatable, the fastest Guineas winner of all time. I've watched racing for forty years I've seen other great horses but nothing , nothing can compare to the incomparable, Royal Quest, he destroys the Guineas field and wins!"
Some of the party were smiling but overall we were just as stunned as everyone else, we had seen it, but, like the course commentator, we were struggling to believe it. Victoria looked down at her racecard and then at me.
"Seems to be back on form doesn't he?"
It was my turn to laugh at that single comment, the absurdity of it and the deadpan way in which it was delivered broke the silence and the celebration could begin.
Of course, I was incredibly fortunate to be associated with this superstar, but it was more than that. His trainer, Robert had, on the back of last season’s performances, taken on adjacent stables in the hoped for influx of new talent and there had been some, but hardly enough to justify the expense and now, with this performance, he was now established, made his mark and I couldn't be happier and judging by his celebrations, neither could he. Putting me in a bear hug and twirling me around whilst kissing my cheek.
"Enough, I'm spoken for!" He put me down and I could see how much it meant to him and his wife. I managed to extricate myself from his embrace and to begin my own, starting with Victoria who was so delighted.
"I think Royal Quest wanted to give you his own particular welcome back, well done Billy."
Robert, at my insistence, led Victoria and Lulu away as I fielded the congratulations and the wonderment that had just taken place. It would surely be one of those moments, when the day was remembered people would be able to say I was there. The Paddock was packed awaiting the return of the conquering hero. We watched, on the same big screen that we had viewed the race, the jockey and horse, parade in-front of the packed Grandstands accepting the applause of the spectators. We stood, patiently chatting, until a fanfare was blown.
"Ladies and gentlemen, a quite stunning performance by your winner of this year’s QIPCO 2000 Guineas, please show your appreciation for the jockey James Doyle and the horse, the magnificent ROYAL QUEST!"
And then, with Lulu on the left and Victoria on the right, they led the horse in to tumultuous applause and cheers. I've been to Newmarket on many classic days and seen lot's of winners but I have never seen crowds or heard cheers the like that greeted the arrival of Nipper. The jockey got down and was immediately hugged and picked off his feet by Robert. I slapped the horse on his neck and whispered a quiet thank-you to him, before thanking Lizzy who looks after him as the television cameras jostled for photographs of these wondrous moments. I shook hands, after Robert had released him, with the jockey and gave him the same warm thank-you that I'd given Lizzy. He seemed quite nonchalant about all of the celebrations and was led away by a course official to 'weigh-in'.
"If I can grab a word. Lord Stanley, what a performance!"
"It's been joyous to see, after all of the worry with him because of the cold winter and wet ground, a reinvigorated Royal Quest. From a very early stage Robert Walker his trainer, has said that he could be a special horse and today he has proved it with a performance, the likes of which I don't believe anyone has ever seen."
"Did you have doubts?"
"Of course we’ve had doubts, he was taken for a racecourse gallop to Newbury ten days ago and can I express my thanks to the course and the directors for allowing us access and he was underwhelming, he won the gallop but on the evidence of that day he wouldn't be winning a Guineas. Ten days of drying weather and warm sun has transformed him and I think, perhaps, he's getting wiser and has started doing less at home and saving it for days like today."
"Robert Walker seems a little hesitant about his next target?"
"Does he really? There's only one target for his next run...The Derby!"
"Ladies & gentlemen, a performance that we've never seen anything comparable with, either here at Newmarket and may I be so bold to suggest, anywhere. A performance that has smashed the course record of 'Mister Bailey's', set in 1994, by almost a full second, with a winning distance of twelve lengths, eclipsing the eight length distance achieved in 1947 by 'Tudor Minstrel'. It gives me the greatest pleasure to invite Lord Stanley with his fiancée Victoria Brompton and his three children, Lulu, Charles and Hugo, to come and accept the trophy for the 2015 running of The Qipco 2000 Guineas!"
And we were delighted to do so. We shook hands with the sponsors and had the photographs taken that would prove to the World that I was alive and kicking. Robert was next receiving his trophy and then the jockey and we looked a very happy bunch. There were some things that we had to do after the presentation, which mainly consisted of being introduced to lots of people we would probably never meet again. And it was over an hour before we re-joined our party in the box and the first opportunity for Victoria to reprimand me.
"I'm fully aware, that not only have you removed your crash helmet but that you disposed of it by putting it into that empty box when you thought I wasn't looking. You're no better than a child and need treating like one."
"Hear, hear!"
My Mother, misses nothing.
"At least I can pass on some of your other foibles to Victoria to ensure that you can't get away with anything!"
As the crowd dispersed, we flew back to our new home. The last time there had been a celebration after winning had been...well actually it had never taken place; we had planned a celebration but then attacked before it could take place. All that had been there on the fateful Boxing Day were reassembled plus there were additions. I had decided that win or lose we would celebrate this evening, that hopefully Royal Quest would win, but regardless, we would celebrate life and that's what we were going to do. Adelice, Maria, Paolo and Juan had prepared a feast to behold and the celebrations went on into the early hours and for the first time I think we all felt that the nightmare of the last few months was finally behind us.
The next day, after the majority of the guests had been waved goodbye, we, me, Victoria and my parents were sitting down in the garden perusing the newspapers whilst the children were swimming.
"Have you seen this?" My mother was holding up The Sunday Times Magazine. I shook my head.
"I have..." Victoria smiled across at my Mother before turning to me with a raised eyebrow. "...It's the Rich List."
"Mother not turning into a voyeur are you?"
"Do you know, it's quite tedious the way that you use humour as a form of defence? Nevertheless, you're in it, of course darling Victoria always is but you've...surfaced."
"And it's very disconcerting the way that you use words that convey distaste at most things, with the exception of Victoria and the children, generally aimed at me."
Victoria tried to deflect my Mothers rising hackles.
"At least this year it's a little more accurate having finally removed my parents from the list."
"I can't bare the excitement..." I yawned. "...Pray tell Mama, which lowly place have I surfaced?
"I reprimanded Charles only yesterday and I can see that I'll need to do the same with you. D
arling Victoria is at number fifteen with a super six point seven billion, very well done darling. You on the other hand are a new entrant at...wait I shall read you what they've written about both of you.
"There have been major changes at Brompton Estates with the Patriarch Lord Daniel moving to his luxury home in St. Tropez and in doing so, going into tax exile. His beautiful, if formidable daughter is now the sole owner of the company, started by her great, great Grandfather and now valued at £5.8 billion. We have added a further £800 million for a substantial trust fund which she gains full control over when she reaches thirty, added to which there are other investments and her magnificent house in Belgravia, which comfortably add a further £200 million."
My Mother smiled at Victoria before she turned her gaze back to me and resumed sucking a lemon, as she pursed her lips.
"A new entry is Lord Mark Stanley. Lord Stanley owns seventy five percent of MSP, his highly regarded property development company, which we have valued at £350 million when added to two expensive properties and other investments, we think that we have conservatively valued him at £300 million. He is shortly to marry Victoria Brompton"
"Where does that put me Mother?"
"Three hundred and fiftieth with much work to be done if you're not to be thought of as marrying Victoria for her money."
The comment made Victoria laugh and me have a wry smile.
"...I think that's everything. I'll be back at 4 o'clock and if there have been any issues please make notes and I'll deal with them." She then looked at me before. "There had not better be any issues, or you'll be confined to home for another month, do you understand?"
Victoria has always had the ability to scare me as she scares people in business, but now it was on another level after my Mothers tips.
"Yes Victoria, of course."
Which elicited a smile and a kiss before she left along with her own security guys for a day in her own office. It wasn't all bad, for the first time in five months I was back at work and happy to be so, or was I?
"Office please Lord Stanley."
"If you're just going to morph into Victoria I'm not sure I want to stay. Do stop calling me Lord Stanley it's so..."
"Pompous?"
"Unnecessary."
I had managed to schedule in my first lunch at Scott's, with my fat friend, in far too long. It was early summer but not overly warm, the weather was slow to change so I put on a coat, as my surrogate Mother demanded and with John and Paul, we wandered, I don't rush, down to meet the fat one. The restaurant staff were as always very welcoming and kind. I've frequented many of the same restaurants for many years and people get to know one and it becomes almost a club when one dines. Sadly a club which one has no control over the membership…
"Ludo, how are you? Looking very portly nowadays, you should take some exercise come with me for I have the machines to get even you into a sweat!"
"If I were not a gentleman, I'd tell you exactly what you can do with your exercise machine. Are you back at work for MSP or because Victoria's bored with you?"
"Shut up you fat fool."
"Better fat than dead. How are you dear boy? I must say I was a trifle concerned when you were half-way to that Great Building Site in the Sky. What precipitated the rush of blood to the head which ended with you in Hospital? Did you forget Cara's pregnant and there are bills to be paid, you are sometimes a most inconsiderate fellow."
"Something's never change, your waist line for one, which is only slightly slimmer than your fat mouth and your self-interests being but two constants"
"I expect you to look after me, as I've looked after you."
"When was that?"
"Moving on. I must say that it's almost pleasurable to see your face, well the one that's here today."
"At least I'm two-faced and not two-waists!"
"Jibes about my girth are so...Essex as your Mother would say. How is dearest Margaret?"
"Fit, healthy and on my case, as per usual, what with her and now Victoria, life used to be so much easier."
"And the terrible duo?"
"Scheming."
"I was afraid you were going to say that. I saw the interviews in The Sunday Times and last weekend’s Sunday Telegraph, it looks as if you're being set up for greatness. I had to keep reminding myself that it was you and not some God."
"Fuck right off!"
"Ah the language of Essex, to boot. Regardless old man, you come across, and this is where I become confused, as some heroic icon quite amazing what a bullet will do. Has it also made you more amenable? No I thought not judging by the expletive about to be launched at me. You're in the mire and you need to start shovelling because they will bury you. Still going ahead and marrying the Luscious One?"
"Why wouldn't I?"
"Well, if only to get away from Bonny & Clyde would be sufficient for most people. I must admit, her devotion to you is quite overwhelming."
I sipped my water as I looked at the proffered menu. All that Ludo had colourfully said was true, well lot's of it. I know I'm getting in deeper and deeper but I've no idea where it will end.
"That's all very well Ludo but as you well know, when you've shaken hands with the Devil you have to honour the deal. The only prize I've ever sought is Victoria and even she has seen through her folks and despite me trying to broker a peace, it's at best simmering. When we see them I'm permanently on edge, waiting for either them or her to start another argument."
"Well if there's nothing else to be done, I'll have the lobster!”
We ordered our meals before hopefully moving on.
"How's business?"
"Suffering with your absence? Do you know I've telephoned Giles numerous times with some wondrous deals and he turned them all down flat, thank God you're back, and I never thought I'd utter those words?"
I thought about another expletive but decided not to waste my breath.
"Giles, as you well know, is a cautious chap who has done a great job during my absence." “But had bought nothing? I know you had and still have a surplus after the big deal, but one still needs to feed the pipeline as I continually told him.”
"Anyway, I'm back now and so if you have anything, then let me know."
"Hallelujah, we have returned from the Wilderness!"
Lunch took an age, it was as if Ludo viewed me as a mirage and if he lost sight of me I would disappear. It took me until well after 2pm to extricate myself and take the exercise back to the office, where Felicity looked like...Felicity, a demon.
"Five months on bed rest and then you comeback and disappear for a working lunch with your best mate, whilst the paperwork..."
Victoria came ten minutes early, which she spent interrogating Felicity, who undoubtedly dished the dirt on me for as we left for the short journey back it was to be in silence. Better that than a punch in the balls.
"Get changed, Catherine will be here at 4.30." At that she turned and left and I did what I had to do and got changed.
My exercise regime is stiff, it has to be and I’d had massive muscle wastage as well as weight loss and like a lot of forty year olds I was in danger of running to fat. The attack had at least allowed me to reassess my health and exercise and I had a bigger incentive than most to get into shape. I worked as hard at the exercises as I do at everything and probably harder than any of Catherine other clients. At the end of today's session, I had to use the lift to get back upstairs, I was so exhausted. Victoria sat at her desk in the bedroom, pouring over a laptop as I entered and without looking up, she started.
"So Billy, first day back, very little work accomplished, but a fine lunch with Ludo? What was all the bullshit about needing to get back to work? Because you get back and treat it like a jolly. It's a very good job that you're less than a hundred percent because I'm angry, fucking angry!"
I went into the bathroom and stayed there for almost an hour in the hope that she would have calmed down. When I came out, she was still working and so I went, silently into t
he sitting room and sat down. After twenty minutes she joined me but I refused to make eye contact, that would be just asking for trouble. There we sat in silence, I'd like to say it was companionable silence but that suggests that there is a level of friendship and that I felt had been suspended and I knew that I'd have to capitulate, if only to save the evening.
"Did you have a good day, dear?"
"Yes, thank you dear, I put in a full-shift and then continued at home."
"That's why you’re such a powerful role model."
I could see that she was crumbling from the way she turned away so that I couldn't see her smile.
"Diligent, organised and powerful, so very powerful."
"Enough!"
"Can we go out to dinner?"
"I'd have thought you'd have had enough food for today."
"It will just be enough for me to see you enjoying yourself."
On Friday my arrival at the office was delayed for two reasons. It had been a very late night as I catnapped through it whist watching the General Election results and fielding excited phone calls from the South of France as it became apparent that the Conservatives, would, against all odds, be returned with a healthy majority. Secondly, Victoria wanted to show me something. The car took us from the Heliport and into the heart of Mayfair to a row of boarded up shops, with 'To Let' signs outside of each.
"This it?"
"Don't look so enthusiastic Billy; let me tell you my ideas. You remember that Mayfair used to have an almost Village feel?"
"Just about."
"Quite. Well the landlords, not Brompton Estates mind you, decided to keep bumping up the rents at every rent review until it became impossible for anyone, outside of the super rich fashion labels to be able to afford them."