up at Sean.
Is that why you keep trying to look down the front of her dress? challenged Duff.
You filthy-minded beast. Sean was shocked. Don't deny, it, I Candy teased, but I find it very flattering, you're welcome. They moved through the throng of butterfly-coloured dresses and stiffly-suited men. A ripple of greetings moved with them. Morning, Mr Courtney. The accent was on theMister. How's your trade Wind for the big race? Put your pants on himHello, Duff, congratulations on your engagement. Thanks, Jock, it's time you took the plunge as well. They were rich, they were young, they were handsome and all the world admired them. Sean felt good, with a
pretty girl on his arm and a friend walking beside him. There's Hradsky, let's go across and engage in a little hog-baiting, Duff suggested.
Why do you hate him so much? Candy asked softly. Look at him and answer your own question. Have you ever seen anything more pompous, joyless and unlovable? Oh, leave him alone, Duff, don't spoil the day.
Let's go down to the paddock. Come on' Duff steered them across to where Hradsky and Max were standing alone by the rail of the track. Salome, Norman, and peace to you also, Maximilian Hradsky nodded and Max murmured sadly; his lashes touched his cheeks as he blinked. I noticed you two chatting away and thought I would come across and listen to your stimulating repartee. He received no answer and went on. I saw your new filly exercising on the practice track yesterday evening and I said to myself, Norman's got a girl friend, that's what it is, he's bought a hack for his lady. But now they tell me you are going to race her. Oh, Norman, I wish you'd consult me before you do these silly things. You're an impetuous little devil at times. Mr Hradsky is confident that Sun Dancer will make a reasonable showing today, Max murmured. I was about to offer you a side bet, but being a naturally kind-hearted person, I feel it would be taking an unfair advantage. A small crowd had gathered round them listening with anticipation. Candy tugged gently at Duff's elbow trying to lead him away. I thought five hundred guineas would be acceptable to Norman. Duff shrugged. But let's forget it Hradsky made a fierce little sign with his hands and Max interpreted smoothly. Mr Hradsky suggests a thousand. Rash, Norman, extremely rash. Duff sighed.
But I suppose I must accommodate you. They walked down to the refreshment pavilion. Candy was quiet awhile, then she said, An enemy like Mr Hradsky is a luxury that even you two gods can't afford.
Why don't you leave him alone? It's a hobby of Duff's, explained Sean as they found seats at one of the tables. Waiter, bring us a bottle of Poi Roger. Before the big race they went down to the paddock. A steward opened the wicket gate for them and they passed into the ring of circling horses. A gnome in silk of maroon and gold came to meet them and touched his cap then stood awkwardly, fingering his whip. He looks good this morning, sir. The little man nodded at trade Wind. There was a dark patch of sweat on the horse's shoulder and he mouthed the snaffle, lifting his feet delicately. Once he snorted and rolled his eyes in mock terror. He's got an edge on him, sir, eager kind of, if you follow me.
I want you to win, Harry, said Duff. So do I, sir, I'll do my best. There's a thousand guineas for you if you do. A thousand the jockey repeated on an outgoing breath.
Duff looked across to where Hradsky and Max were standing talking to their trainer. He caught Hradsky's eye glanced significantly at Hradsky's honey-coloured filly and shook his head sympathetically.
Win for me, Harry, he said softly.
That I will, sir!
The groom led the big stallion across to them and Sean flicked the jockey up into the saddle. Good luck. Harry settled his cap and gathered up the reins; he winked at Sean, his hobgoblin face wrinkling in a grin. There's no better luck than a thousand guineas, sir, if you follow me. Come on. Duff caught Candy's arm. Let's get a place at the rail. They hustled her out of the paddock and across the members enclosure. The rail was crowded but a place opened for them respectfully and no one jostled them. I can't understand you two, Candy laughed breathlessly. You make an extravagant bet, then you fix it so you can get nothing even if you win Money's not the problem, Duff assured her. He won that much from me at Klabejas last night, Sean commented. If trade Wind beats the filly his prize will be the look on Hradsky's face, the loss of a thousand guineas will hurt him like a kick between the legs. The horses came parading past, stepping high next to the grooms who held them, then they turned free and cantered back, dancing sideways, throwing their heads, shining in the sunlight like the bright silk upon their backs. They moved away round the curve of the track.
The crowd rustled with excitement, a bookmaker's voice carried over the buzz. Twenty-to-one bar two. Sun Dancer at fives. trade Wind even money. Duff showed his teeth as he smiled. That's right, you tell the people. Candy twisted her gloves nervously and looked up at Sean. You there in the grandstand, can you see what they're doing? They're in line now, moving up together, it looks as though they'll get away first time, Sean told her without taking his binoculars from his eyes. Yes, there they go they're away! Tell me, tell me, commanded Candy, pounding Sean's shoulder.
qiarryls showing in front already, can you see the filly, Duff VI saw a flash of green in the pack, yes, there she is lying sixth or seventh. What horse is that next to trade Wind? That's Hamilton's gelding, don't worry about him, he won't last to the turn. The frieze of horses, their heads going like hammers and the dust lifting pale and thin behind them, were framed by the guide rail and the white mine dumps beyond them. Like a string of dark beads they moved up the back stretch and then bunched in the straight. trade Wind's still there, I think he's making ground the gelding's finished and no sign of the filly yet. Yes! There she is, Duff, wide on the outside. She's moving up. Come on, my darling -'Duff half whispered. Let's see you foot it now. She's clear of the pack, she's coming up, Duff, she's coming up fast, Sean warned.
Come on, trade Wind, hold her off, Duff pleaded. Keep her there, boy. The pounding of the hooves reached them now, a sound like distant surf, but rising sharply. The colours showed, emerald green above a honey skin and maroon and gold leading on the bay.
trade Wind, come on trade Wind, shrieked Candy.
Her hat flopped over her eyes as she hopped; she ripped it off impatiently and her hair tumbled to her shoulders. She's catching him, Duff! Give him the whip, Harry, for Christ's sake, the whip, man. The hoof beats crescendoed, thundered up to them, then passed. The filly's nose was at Harry's boot, creeping steadily forward, now level with trade Wind's heaving shoulder. The whip, God damn you, screamed Duff, give him the whip. Harry's right arm moved, fast as a mamba, crack, crack; they heard the whip above the howling crowd, above the drumming of hooves and the bay jumped at its sting. Like a pair in harness the two horses swept over the finishing line.
Who won? Candy asked as though she were in pain.
I couldn't see, damn it Duff answered. Nor could I - Sean took out his handkerchief and wiped his forehead. That didn't do my heart any good as Francois would say. Have a cigar, Duff. Thanks, I need one. Everyone in the crowd was turned to face the board above the judges box and an uneasy silence held them. Why do they take such a long time to make up their minds? complained Candy. I'm so upset that I can only last a minute before I visit the Ladies Room.
The numbers are going up, shouted Sean. Who is it? Candy jumped to try and see over the heads of the crowd then stopped hurriedly with an expression of alarm on her face. Number Sixteen, bellowed Duff and Sean together, it's trade Wind! Sean punched Duff in the chest and Duff leaned over and snapped Sean's cigar in half. Then they caught Candy between them and hugged her. She let out a careful shriek and fought her way out of their arms. Excuse me, she said and fled. Let me buy you a drink. Sean lit the mutilated stump of his cigar. No, it's my honour, I insist. Duff took his arm and they walked with big satisfied grins towards the pavilion.
Hradsky was sitting at one of the tables with Max. Duff walked up behind him, lifted his top hat off his head with one hand and with the other ruffled Hradsky's few remaining hairs. Never mind, Norman, you can't win all the time. Hradsky turned slowly. He retrieved his hat and smoothed back his hair, his eyes glittered yellow.
He's going to talk, whispered Duff excitedly.
agree with you, Mr Charleywood, you can't win all the time, said Norman Hradsky. It came out quite clearly with only a small catch on the Vs', they were always difficult letters for him. He stood up, put his hat back on his head and walked away. I will have a cheque delivered to your office early on Monday morning, Max told them quietly without taking his eyes off the table. Then he stood up and followed Hradsky.
Sean came through from the bathroom, his beard in wild disorder and a bath-towel round his waist. The famous Duke of York He had ten thousand men He marched them up to the top of the hill And he marched them down again. He sang as he poured bay nirn from a cut-glass bottle into his cupped hands and rubbed it into his hair. Duff sat in one of the gilt chairs watching him. Sean combed his hair carefully then smiled at himself in the mirror.
You magnificent creature, Sean told his reflection.
You're getting fat Duff granted.
Sean looked hurt. It's muscle. You've got a backside on you like a hippopotamus Sean removed his towel and turned his back to the mirror; he surveyed it over his shoulder.
I need a heavy hammer to drive a long nail, he protested. Oh, no, groaned Duff. Your wit at this time of the morning is like pork for breakfast, heavy on the stomach Sean took a silk
