“Oh, I know what you are going to say…” She snorted. “Amanda, I do know that this isn’t the finest establishment in the world, I’m not as daft as some you think I am. Don’t be shy. I try to make sure the horses and you girls come first, I know we are a sort of last resort. Some people won’t step through the gate, however I don’t need those sort of people in my life. Those that need a place to be safe always find us and are always welcome. People sort of have a knack of finding me and I am always there to support when I can.”
“Well, thanks…” I relaxed. “It’s not too bad!”
“Oh, you’re so polite! You live in a windowless flat under a railway arch! The food is… Well, it is supposedly edible but what do you expect if your cook also cleans the toilets.” She smiled. “I understand the girls want to have a little celebration for you, Sue called it your ‘new birthday’, so we’ll getaway for the evening and enjoy ourselves.”
“Thank you…”
“No, thank you… Now you have lessons to teach. There is someone for a new rider assessment and a couple of private lessons with regulars.”
“Yes miss!” I playfully tugged my forelock and ducked as Anne threw her used teabag at me.
***
Dusty and tired after spending hours standing in the stuffy indoor school I waved goodbye to the last of my riders and stepped onto the strangely silent yard. The weather had been oppressive and the horses hung their heads over stable doors lazily. I yawned, oblivious to the footsteps behind me, shrieking as pairs of hands grabbed my arms and legs, I was lifted and carried across the yard. “Aggh! What the hell!”
“Dunk her!” Sue yelled as I was flung into the deep trough which sat beside the paddock. There was a loud splash as I sunk beneath the frigid water. I gasped struggling to my feet in the slimy water, wiping my eyes I saw the grooms surrounding me applauding.
“Oh very good… Thank you!” I bowed. “I was rather warm… But, I have to say, I’m bloody freezing now!”
“Oh Mandy, we can cure that for you!” Sue whistled loudly and I was grabbed again, dragged from the trough and once again lifted and carried across the yard. The penny dropped.
“Oh no!” I stuttered. “Sue, girls… No!” I was being dragged at speed towards the sprawling muck heap. “Please… Not the muck heap…”
“Ah…. Come on Mandy… One, two three…”
Flying through the air, I landed in a hole dug in the steaming heap, I covered my face as pitchfork loads of manure hit me.
Sue stood back with the other girls. There was no evidence that there was anyone on the muck heap and it crossed her mind they might have gone just a little too far when I breached the surface bedraggled and swearing. I dug her way from the pile. The collected laughter and wolf whistles were cut short as I rushed towards the others with my arms open. I grabbed Sue in a stinking bear hug.
“Happy birthday kid! Now you bloody stink and we aren’t taking you out till you’ve had a shower!”
I laughed, wiping my mucky hands-on Sue’s face and hair. “You too you bitch! You know what…” I released my arms and turned to the assembled staff. “I have never been made to feel so welcome anywhere!”
“Oh, you crazy cow!” Liz giggled. “Come on, you have the first shower while there is hot water. The rest of you better run!”
“What!” Sue cried. “Don’t leave me…”
***
Scrubbed and wearing my best jeans I stepped out onto the yard. Sue was behind me moaning that she had a cold shower but was being ignored by the others who were joshing and laughing. Anne was waiting by the office wearing a short dress. There was a chorus of wolf whistles and cries of ‘she does have legs!’
“Yes, ladies. Just because I live in breeches, it doesn’t mean that I can’t sometimes dress up.” She laughed. “Let’s go up West.”
A night on the town usually meant a trip to the local pub, however tonight we boarded a bus and tube, finally arriving in Covent Garden at a small Italian restaurant. “I don’t think I can afford this?” I whispered.
“Don’t you worry… This is our treat!” Liz smiled.
As we stepped inside, the owner rushed forward and embraced Anne saying it had been ‘far too long’. We were seated on a long row of tables and wine was soon poured followed by the softest Italian bread and olives.
Dish after dish were served and shared until, after bowlfuls of rich trifle and dark coffee we staggered out into the night air. “What’sup, babe?” Sue reached across and wiped the tears from my eyes.
“It’s stupid…”
“Nothing’s stupid…” She winked. “Except maybe Liz’s taste in men!”
“Oi!”
I giggled. “No, I’ve just never had a meal like that. I’ve never had a proper meal in a restaurant or had friends around me.”
“Well, that’s where you’re wrong. We ain’t just your friends. We’re family!”
A loud and drunken chorus of ‘We are family’ was sung as they approached the tube station.
***
Back on Clapham High Street, Sue nodded towards a bar. “Fancy a nightcap?”
“Not for me girls. Some of us have to be up early. Tell you what, I’ll start the morning feed, just don’t leave me to muck everything out. You enjoy your night!” Anne smiled and walked towards the bus stop.
The interior of The Blue Moon was dark, illuminated with small pools of lights on tables. As it was a Wednesday the bar was quiet and so the bartender welcomed a group of rowdy women to make the evening go a little quicker. He was soon mixing jugs of cocktails and fending off wolf whistles and lewd comments with good nature.
“It’s got busy out there…” Patrick looked through the one way glass into the bar, watching the women standing at
