An hour later they paid their entrance fee and walked into the showgrounds, programme in hand.
“Cooee.” Amy pushed past people and ran over to greet them, wrapping her arms around Ryder’s shoulders for a quick hug before turning to Eb. “Oh my gosh, I’m so nervous this morning.” Her cheeks were flushed and she twisted a tissue in her hands. “They started judging a little while ago and I’m so jittery.”
“Stop worrying so much. It’s out of your control now so why don’t you relax and show us your entries.” Dressed in jeans, plain button up shirt, and her cowgirl boots, Ryder felt right at home amongst the locals. She looked as though she belonged, as did Ebony in her cute outfit. Pink boots to match her pink cowgirl hat, she swung her hips making the tassels on her skirt sway around her legs.
“My, don’t you look the perfect picture, the two of you?” Amy shredded her tissue more, letting wisps of it drop to the ground unnoticed.
“Amy, settle. Now take us and show off you wares. I’m dying to see what you’ve done.”
“I cannot believe how nervous I am. Why, Uncle Eric will have a fit if I beat him. I don’t know what possessed me to enter in the first place.” She mopped her brow with the remaining tissue and tucked it in her handbag, pulling out another fresh one.
“Come on, let’s go.” Ryder slipped her hand through her cousin’s arm and together they walked over to the pavilion where Amy pointed out again that the judging was taking place at this very minute. Ebony skipped along side them, watching everything with interest.
“Mummy, can I have candy floss soon, please?”
“Sure thing, as soon as we see what Cousin Amy has entered in the show.” The walked into the large open building where long trestle tables were set out down the centre and around the edges of the room. Ryder honed in on the flowers, figuring it was the best place to find Amy’s roses. “Right, which are yours and Eric’s?”
Amy took a shuddering breath and pointed her finger at a display of mainly pink blooms. Six glass cylinders held single blooms and a squat heavy vase held a large bouquet of mixed roses. They were spectacular, even Ryder had to admit to that, and she wasn’t an expert by any means. Her attempt at gardening had left her mother shaking her head many a time. “How can a child of my own body have such a black finger of death when it comes to plants?”
“Simply stunning, Amy. I love that stripy one. So pretty and delicate.”
“Yes it is. Last year I couldn’t get the blooms I wanted to open in time. This year everything all came together. Just as if it was meant to be.” She sighed and pointed to a magnificent display further along the table. “That’s Uncle Eric’s. See why I’m nervous?”
Ryder crossed her arms and looked at both of the displays objectively before answering. “Yeah, I see what you mean, but you have something he doesn’t, that pretty two tone one. That would tip the scales in your favour if it was me judging.”
“His Colours of the Rainbow roses always sway the judges. They all come from the one bush and I’m not sure my Lollipop will be enough.”
“I prefer Lollipop.”
“Me too.” Ebony put her opinion in and Amy gave a big sigh, patting her on the shoulder. “You are too kind, both of you. Now let me show you the food side of the competition. Grandad always takes out most of the jams and chutney awards and this year I was so happy with my Chilli sauce that I couldn’t help but put in a bottle.”
They made the appropriate noises again before Amy gripped Ryder’s arm. “Oh my lord. Here are the judges. Please stay with me for a moment while they award the prizes.”
“No worries. And good luck, Amy. I mean that. You deserve to win something today.”
They stood back and watched as the judges walked around the room tucking the certificates for first, second, third, and highly commended next to the entries. Amy gripped Ryder’s arm when they paused in front of her roses. Ryder held her breath as the judges talked amongst themselves and then nodded while one of them slipped a certificate up against the main arrangement.
“I have to go and look.” Amy scuttled over, her shoulders hunched as though she was worried someone would stop her and a shiver crept up the back of Ryder’s neck. She looked over to the crowd of people on the other side of the room and saw her grandfather and uncle watching her. Neither of the men smiled or waved but continued to stare.
Fuck this. Ryder walked over and put her hand on Amy’s shoulder. “Let me see.” Amy held up the certificate for First Place. Tears shimmered in her eyes and Ryder let out a whoop of joy before grabbing her cousin. “You go girl! Told you you could do it.”
Amy laughed and hugged her back, then froze. She coughed and pulled away, her gaze over Ryder’s shoulder.
“Uncle Eric, look. Amy got a prize!” Ebony ran over to him and grabbed his hand, pulling him toward the table of roses.
He looked at the certificate and sniffed. “Well, I suppose congratulations are in order, Amy. Can’t say I’m not annoyed by it all.”
Ethol stepped over and clapped his hand on Eric’s shoulder. “Give the girl her due. You got enough damned prizes. About time someone else got a shot at their five seconds of fame.” He smiled, a look that transformed the normally harsh face into something very different. Ryder could see a warmth as her grandfather glanced at Amy. “You did well, Amy. I’m proud of you. Now, just don’t go beating me in the sauce department and we’ll still be good friends.”
“Don’t you think that’s being a bit mean?”
