Before the war Ralph had competed at the highest level in the show jumping world and been chosen to represent Great Britain in the Olympics where he had won a bronze medal but afterwards, having no wish, or the energy, to renew the hurly burly of travelling all over the world to continue his career, he turned to teaching others. A disused barn was turned into six luxury en-suite rooms with a large airy lounge, dining room and kitchen. This was followed by an impressive indoor training ring and stable block and it wasn’t too long before ambitious youngsters from far and wide booked themselves and their horses in for four weeks instruction from one of the top show jumpers in the world. Constance cooked and washed for their guests, revelling in looking after them to the best of her ability. The business had proved most lucrative and provided the funds to indulge their other passion of rescuing animals in distress. There were now sheep, goats, cows, dogs, chickens and naturally quite a few horses and ponies who resided in peace at Tangles. All this activity resulted in a need for lots of willing hands and along with the stable staff Ralph employed there were always people popping in to offer their services for the sanctuary. Tangles was a really amazing place with amazing people and Charles and Anne, along with Delia, were frequent visitors.
Charles glanced up at the framed photograph on the wall opposite him. A smiling Andrew Kershaw, his pretty young wife, Shirley, and their new baby were grouped together on the lawn, only hours after young Philip was christened. Charles had been delighted when asked to be one of the baby’s Godfathers. The ceremony was conducted in St. Mary’s with a party afterwards at Tangles. It had been a wonderfully happy day for them all.
Then, just a few short months later, on a cold January evening, Andrew and Shirley had an outing to the cinema in Harrogate and decided to go on Andrew’s treasured motorbike but while they were cosily snuggled up inside the darkness laughing at the antics of the actors and actresses in a crazy comedy, the weather outside turned treacherous. Snow came down, thick and fast, freezing hard as the temperature plummeted and their journey home ended in one final skid across the road straight into the path of an oncoming car. They were catapulted into the air, landing with sickening thuds on the impacted ice. Andrew died instantly. Shirley lingered for another day.
It had been a dreadful shock for Ralph and Constance, eased only by Shirley’s parents agreeing that Philip should remain at Tangles. Charles did what he could to ease the pain, being there when Ralph wanted to talk, cuddling the tiny Philip as Constance busied herself in the kitchen. He was desperate to do anything to keep the hurt at bay. It had been a miserable time for them all but it cemented their friendship to an even deeper level and Charles couldn’t imagine not having them around. They all supported each other. True friends indeed.
Ralph finished his meal and leaned contentedly back in his chair. “I’ve been thinking. Velvet, that mare we took in a while ago and discovered she was in foal … well, Delia did profess a desire to see it born. It won’t be long now so perhaps as well as Star, Philip could also bring Velvet up to the house; pique Delia’s interest again and stir her into wanting to see the emergence of the new arrival. She and Philip have also missed two shows and there’s the Great Yorkshire in July. It would be a shame if Delia couldn’t compete. I had high hopes of her this year.”
“Don’t hold out any hope of her being ready for that,” said Constance. “It’s going to take a while longer to get her back on her feet.”
“Don’t be too sure, Constance,” remarked Ralph. “That girl is a fighter and a damned good little rider. With her attitude and my training, she could make the Olympics one day.”
“Philip is pretty good too,” said Charles, having spent considerable amounts of time watching both youngsters being schooled by Ralph.
“Yes, but he hasn’t the killer instinct like Delia. He’s more careful and although keen, he hasn’t the determination or the drive to win, to be the best. Your daughter has enough of that for both of them,” Ralph laughed.
Charles rubbed his eyes painfully. He felt so tired and drained of energy.
Constance noticed his gesture.
“I think you need a bit of a holiday, Charles. Why don’t you get away for a while? You’ve had a dreadful few weeks. Get up to Blairness for a few days. Delia is fine here and I’m sure bringing the ponies up to the house will aid her recovery.”
Charles sighed. “I could certainly do with getting away. It’s all been a dreadful strain … Mother, Delia … Margaret … Rathbones have set the wheels in motion for the divorce but Margaret is holding out for a huge and quite absurd settlement. She wants two million pounds as a
