Leah was in the yard when Alice arrived, smiling as Secret whickered at her. Happy anywhere, he’d obviously been having a snooze after his evening feed and scrambled to his feet in greeting. Leah was fussing over Kite, who was fidgeting next door, wrapping scarlet bandages around his slim legs for the night, which were also emblazoned with the gold embroidery of Hadley Feeds. It was almost like Kite and Leah were a brand in themselves, the dramatic auburn of Leah’s hair and Kite’s gleaming conker patches making them a truly stunning pairing. And everything they used was top end and labelled with the sponsor’s name. No wonder they had such a following. Alice cleared her throat, aware that with the old-fashioned bars between the stables they could clearly see each other.
“You’ve done amazingly, getting such a good sponsorship deal,” she said, and Leah looked up, as if she’d just noticed Alice was there. “Kite is so lovely.”
“Thanks,” Leah muttered, concentrating on her tasks.
There was a short pause.
“I’d love it if a big company approached me,” Alice continued, thinking about her own dreams. “I’d love to be a sponsored rider.”
Leah fixed her with a cool gaze. “Why?” she said. “Your mum is Josephine Smalley, right? So why do you need sponsorship?”
Alice flushed. It was true she didn’t have to worry about livery costs or entry fees.
“I mean … um…” She tried to explain herself. “More that it would mean I’ve really made it. For someone to want me on their team, I guess.”
Leah shrugged. “Well,” she said. “If I had it my own way, it would just be me and Kite. But I can’t be like you, can I? I don’t get to choose my own path.”
She turned her back on Alice, and carried on her chores in silence. Alice frowned, but reasoned that she was going to be competing against her very soon, so maybe Leah was professional enough not to get friendly with any of her rivals. And tomorrow Alice would be seeing Finn anyway, and enjoying the backstage pass Celia had given her. It didn’t matter if she didn’t make any new friends, this once.
Alice had a restless night’s sleep. Used to the countryside of home, where the only sounds were the occasional pony snort or the hoot of an owl, she’d eventually pulled the pillow over her ears to block out the sounds of traffic. However, drawing back her curtains the next morning, she was captivated by the sight of the park glittering with frost in the first tendrils of the morning sun. She had the whole morning to spend with Secret before making her way over to Olympia on the carefully planned route Emily had worked out for her. Throwing on her jodhpurs and a warm jumper she headed down to the kitchen, where there was a note waiting for her.
Morning Alice, Emily’s neat handwriting read. I’ve gone to my exercise class, then I’m out most of the day. I’m going to watch the dressage at Olympia later so can meet you there to come home with you. Plenty of food, help yourself!
Gosh, Alice thought in awe. Emily really was an early bird! After two slices of toast she headed down to the yard, where Clare greeted her with a smile.
“Just done my morning checks,” she said warmly. “Your pony’s a character, isn’t he?”
Alice chuckled. “You could say that!”
“Now is the best time to ride, if you want to head out,” Clare continued. “There will be some joggers out but it’s too cold and early yet for most. I’ll get you a map of the park.”
“Thank you!” Alice smiled. She’d been longing to hack Secret around the famous park. It was a beautiful winter’s morning, the pink sun now having crept on to the horizon, the city stretching and awakening with it.
Kite was gone from his stable, his head collar looped on the ring next to his door. Secret whinnied, as if displeased his new next-door neighbour had disappeared.
“Is Leah riding out as well?” Alice asked, wondering if she might catch her up. Although Leah was not exactly friendly, it would be nice for both ponies to have company in the new hacking environment, and Kite seemed on edge, so it might do him good to have another pony with him.
“No, not exactly,” Clare explained. “She’s having some sort of promotional photo shoot in the park. I had to let them all in extra early.”
“Oh, right.” Alice thought back to her conversation with Leah the previous evening. She’d been so spiky when she’d mentioned her sponsorship. But to Alice, photo shoots and top-of-the-range rugs and bandages seemed like a very good deal!
Swinging herself lightly into her saddle a short while later, Alice tucked the map Clare had given her into her pocket. It was fairly simple: she had to stick to the wide sand path and be courteous to other park users. There were some parts of the path that were busier than others, sections that went past the lake and main roads, and quieter, almost forest-like areas. A mist hung over the lake and the park was quiet, just as Clare said it would be, apart from the odd runner or dog walker clutching a steaming takeaway cup of coffee.
Secret set off at a jog before settling into a relaxed walk. Alice remembered Angus’s words, about allowing Secret some downtime before the pressures of the weekend, and made sure she let Secret have a loose rein. The sand was beautifully maintained and Secret’s pale hooves barely made a sound as they rode on, enjoying the sights and sounds of the park.
Then Alice blinked. Up ahead there was some sort of hold-up on the wide path next to the lake. A whole team of people and equipment, including the light reflectors Alice recognised from her time in France, when Secret had trotted straight through a fashion magazine shoot. She realised she knew the pony standing in the middle of it all, a gorgeous skewbald, his auburn-haired rider in polished boots and the scarlet jacket emblazoned with her sponsor’s name. It was Leah and Kite.
But before Alice could get any closer, a shortish, plump man with black slicked hair and an air of superiority put a hand up.
“Wait there just a minute, young lady,” he said in a bored tone, without even looking at Alice. “Wait until we’ve got our last photo, would you? Don’t want you upsetting our Kite.”
Too taken aback to do anything else, Alice did as she was told and halted Secret while the photographer clicked away. Alice looked at Leah, who seemed tense. Kite was flinging his head around, dancing on the spot, clearly unhappy with the proceedings.
“Leah, crack a smile,” the man snapped, and Leah did as she was told, but it was probably the most insincere smile Alice had ever seen. “You’re meant to be the pony club superstar,” the man continued. “Act like it. And keep that pony still for one second, would you?” His tone had an edge to it and Alice frowned, wondering who on earth he was and why he was able to talk to Leah that way.
Like Kite, Leah obviously wasn’t happy. Holding her hand up, she glared at the man as the photographer lowered the camera with an irritated look on his face.
“What?” the man snapped.
“Kite’s not himself,” Leah said firmly. “He’s not been happy since we got here. I think this is all too much. I should be just hacking him, keeping him relaxed at this stage. Not posing for photos.”
Alice wasn’t sure if she’d imagined it but she thought Leah threw a longing glance in her direction as she said this. Unsure what to do, she patted Secret. She was desperate to continue her hack around the park, and didn’t want to turn back, but the group were blocking her way. She sat and waited.
“And I own him,” the man said darkly. “So you’ll do as I say.”
So this was Kite and Leah’s sponsor, Alice realised. He seemed horrible! Despite how frosty Leah had been the day before, Alice felt a little sorry for her. They were obviously all having a bad day. Finally she was free to pass the crowd and she and Secret set off again, but not before Alice glanced back and just for a second caught Leah’s eye. The other girl wore an expression Alice couldn’t quite work out. It was like she was trapped. But, just as quickly, Leah looked away and the moment was gone.
After mucking out and allowing Secret a brief turn-out in the small paddock adjacent to the yard, it was time for Ali
ce to rush back and change, ready to catch the bus to Olympia to watch Finn’s display.
The bus was easier to manage than Alice had thought. The stop was just a few metres from Emily’s front door, and the Travelcard her mum had organised for her worked, much to Alice’s relief. She climbed upstairs, enjoying the view of the city as the bus wound its way through the streets. Everywhere was so Christmassy. The big familiar signs outside Olympia sent a little shiver down Alice’s spine and she couldn’t stop the butterflies in her stomach as she passed the trade stands and headed towards the stables and the welcome aroma of hay and shavings and horses.
She quickly found Finn. He was sitting on a tack trunk, dressed and ready in his Rebel Riders’ costume. The Flying Fillies always looked amazing, but the Rebel Riders, with their very own dressmaker on the team, took it to another level. Finn was in a dark-blue military-style jacket with gold piping and a stiff collar, his long legs encased in breeches and leather boots brought over from Spain. As she approached Alice thought how handsome he looked. He continued to laugh and chat with the other riders, unaware she was there. But as she got nearer he gave a start, jumping to his feet and hugging her. Although it had only been two weeks since she’d seen him last, and she’d been so busy with her Olympia prep, Alice realised just how much she really had missed him.
“Hey!” Finn released her with a grin. “You made it! So good to see you.”
“And you.” Alice grinned, aware of the smiles from the other Rebel Riders.
Finn took Alice’s hand and led the way to Horatio’s stable so she could see how the gorgeous snow-white Highland was getting on. Incredibly calm by nature, he was munching on a hay net, as if being stabled at the world’s biggest horse show was no big deal.
“How did Secret settle in at Hyde Park?” Finn asked as they leaned on the door. “The yard’s amazing, isn’t it?”
“Yes! And you know Secret,” Alice chuckled. “Happy wherever he goes. We had a lovely early morning ride around the park today. London’s actually really pretty from horseback!”
“It’s cool, isn’t it?” Finn agreed. “Hey, did you meet that other showjumper yet? I never really got a chance to say hello. Leah somebody or other, has a lovely pony, but he was too spooked to come near any of us.”
“Yeah.” Alice frowned, thinking back to her slightly weird encounter with Leah that morning and the rude man in the park. “But she’s not very friendly.”
Finn shrugged. “You are rivals, I guess.”
Leah was forgotten then as Celia swept over and hugged Alice before chivvying Finn along to get Horatio out of the stable and into the warm-up ring. Alice watched the Rebel Riders canter around the small ring in their normal relaxed manner before she made her way down the famous tunnel towards the entrance to the huge international arena, finding a quiet spot to stand and watch. Even today, not actually competing, it gave her goose bumps as the arena opened up in front of her.
“Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls!” The loudspeaker boomed as the famous Olympia music started to play. “They went down a storm yesterday on their debut and we are so pleased to have them here this week, all the way from Spain … the Rebel Riders!”
Alice clapped along with the crowd, and as the team galloped in she had never felt so proud. The Wednesday crowd was mainly made up of dressage enthusiasts, but they were soon cheering loudly as the riders performed all manner of daring tricks, including Finn’s trademark gallop across the arena hanging upside down. The applause was almost deafening as Celia finished with a spectacular capriole on her gorgeous grey horse, Domino.
“Wow!” Alice ran alongside Finn as he trotted back in, dark hair damp with sweat, a grin on his face. “That was incredible!”
She was still buzzing a while later as she helped Finn sponge Horatio down before rugging him up and leading him round to gently warm down. When Finn was called over by Celia for a chat, Alice happily agreed to put Horatio back in his stable. She knew the sweet gelding well, from all her visits to Rookham Manor.
Just as she’d shut the stable door after giving Horatio a pat and making sure he had enough hay, she spotted something on the floor. Some sort of bracelet with a pony-head charm attached, glinting in the sand. Picking it up, Alice approached the stable next door, clearing her throat nervously. What if it was Charlotte Dujardin or John Whitaker in there? Whoever was in the stable had obviously not long arrived, judging by the tack trunks piled up outside the door. The sweet bay mare who popped her head over to say hello seemed awfully familiar, Alice suddenly thought, stopping in her tracks. It couldn’t be, could it? Then the smiling face appeared, long golden hair in a sleek ponytail. It was Devon Jenkins, her hero!
“Hey!”
“Hi … um…” Alice felt as if her mouth was full of concrete, unable to make any words. Instead she thrust the bracelet forward. “Found this… Is it yours?”
Devon’s pretty face lit up. “Oh my gosh!” she cried in a relieved tone. “Yes, it is! That’s my bracelet!”
Alice handed it over, pleased she could help.
“Thanks so much,” Devon continued. “Honestly, I wouldn’t have been able to jump without it.” She pointed to the little charm on the delicate silver chain. “It brings me luck, and I’m so superstitious!”
Devon was so friendly, Alice immediately felt at ease.
“It’s no problem,” she smiled. “Glad you got it back.”
“I must have dropped it when I was unloading stuff,” Devon said. Then she looked at Horatio, who’d put his handsome head over the door to investigate. “Sweet pony!” she cried. “Is he yours? Do you work for that amazing display team? I just saw the last bit. I could hear all this cheering so I went down to see what was going on.”
“No, not exactly,” Alice replied, swelling with pride as she thought of Devon watching Finn ride. “I’m just here to watch. He belongs to my … friend.”
She thought about saying boyfriend, but she was never really sure what she and Finn were. Closer than friends, perhaps, but they’d never really put a label on their relationship.
“Oh, cool,” Devon smiled. “So I’ll see you about? What’s your name? I’m Devon.”
“I know.” Alice blushed. “My name’s Alice.” Then before she could stop herself, she told Devon she was jumping on Sunday. She longed to talk showjumping with someone as cool as Devon. “My pony, he’s coming here on Saturday,” she said, all in a rush. “We qualified in the summer for the Pony Club Christmas Tree Stakes, it’s been amazing.”
For a minute Devon’s eyes seemed to cloud over, and Alice wondered if she’d somehow said the wrong thing, but what? However, Devon’s expression quickly changed to a megawatt smile.
“Lovely,” she said kindly. “That’s the class I did on my first trip to Olympia.” She lifted up the bracelet to the light and gently touched the little pony charm. “I rode an amazing pony called The Talisman. But…” She looked as though she was going to say something else, then shook her head. “Anyway, this is my own little talisman, to bring me luck.”
“What a wonderful evening!”
Alice was glad of Emily’s company on the journey back to Hyde Park. It was one thing catching the bus on her own on a bright winter’s afternoon, but quite another in the dark. Emily was very smartly dressed, having enjoyed the Kur, the dressage to music, from a private box. Alice and Finn had shared pizza together backstage, watching from the warm-up ring. It had been magical and awe-inspiring to see the world’s greatest dressage riders perform their tests to thundering music, and Alice still had stars in her eyes when she found Emily at the end. From her hack in the park, and then watching Finn ride, to meeting Devon and watching the dressage, it had been one of the best days she’d had in ages!
“Just enough time to pop in and see Secret on the way back.” Emily checked her watch. “I’ll come with you.”
It was new having Secret at a livery yard, but Clare didn’t offer any sort of DIY arrangement. Alice was grateful; it meant she’d been
able to enjoy Olympia without worrying about who was going to feed or skip out Secret, but equally it was strange when she was used to doing everything herself!
“What was it like backstage?” Emily asked.
“Really interesting,” Alice replied. “Seeing all the preparations going on.”
“Ooh,” Emily said, her eyes twinkling. “Meet anyone famous?”
“Actually, yes!” Alice enthused, and told Emily how Devon Jenkins was stabling her horse next to Finn’s pony.
Emily frowned, as if trying to remember something.
“Devon Jenkins. Yes, she’s doing very well, isn’t she,” she said. “She came from nowhere, you know. Talent-spotted at a riding school. Then there was that dreadful business with her pony. She’s done fantastically well to get herself back up the levels again. Always did admire a gutsy rider.”
Alice thought about the little talisman on Devon’s bracelet. A talisman for a talisman, she’d said. Again, Alice wondered why she’d looked so sad when she’d mentioned the pony’s name.
Secret was lying down in his enormous stable and didn’t get up as Alice turned his light on, giving a low rumbly whicker in welcome instead. Alice added another wafer of hay to his net and topped up his water bucket as Emily looked on, out of place in her evening dress. From the next stable along Kite reached over the door and Emily leaned over to pat his handsome head.
Then she looked closer, and frowned. “I recognise that rug,” she said, her brow furrowed. “Hadley. I’m sure this is the same company that used to sponsor Devon.” She paused. “That’s why I admired her so. Although she was dropped so suddenly, she managed to start over. It just seemed so unfair, but I guess they didn’t get on. That’s what I heard, anyway.”
A Dream Come True Page 3