Leaning down I found the bag with my clothes; they were now at least dry. If I ran, I would have to leave my riding boots and hat at the home, but there were cheap and I could beg for an advance to get some more workwear. I had a few belongings, my only fear was Adam, could I leave him to flounder? Fearful of what would happen to him if I didn’t return. Sighing, I needed to return for him; it would be selfish to leave him. I put the magazine down.
***
Some days later, I was to be sent home; the days had dragged for me in the busy ward. “Hello.” I looked up and saw Andrew, someone I had known through my long time in care, he was from social services and generally had treated me with respect. He was kinder than most of those I had on my journey through care. He wore glasses which he took off as he sat beside my bed, looking deeply into my eyes. “May I sit down?”
“Now Amanda, I hope you are feeling a bit better. It was a nasty accident you had there. Mrs Manderson told me what happened. You need to take more care.” I nodded, reinforcing the lie but, what could I do. “Now, I don’t know if Mrs Manderson has told you, but we’ve been looking for a foster home for Adam.” The obvious look of shock on my face made it abundantly clear the care home manager had kept me in the dark about what was happening to Adam. “Well, we have a lovely family lined up for him. They live on a beautiful farm in mid-Wales, we think that it would be perfect for him. I’m so sorry, but they are not open to taking you as well, however, we need to think of Adam.” He paused. “I’m guessing that this is a bit of a shock for you?”
“No…” I smiled, looking down briefly. “It would be great for him, he’s young, he deserves a chance. I totally understand.” I avoided eye contact. I knew, if I looked up I would burst into tears. This was what was best for Adam if he found a family he would flourish.
“If you are sure.” Andrew smiled. “I hoped you would understand. Thank you for being so mature.”
What else could I do? However, now my mind was made up. Fate had ensured that Adam would fly free, Now, I just needed to resolve my own freedom.
***
The ward was almost silent, there was darkness outside the window, snores from other patients were the only sound. I dressed quickly, having sneaked clothes into the toilet earlier in the day, glancing down the corridor. The nurses’ station was quiet, so I made my move.
No one would care for an orphan running away. Pushing open the door onto the fire escape, I took one last look back. This was it, now I took charge of my destiny. I made my way quickly down the metal stairs, hoping that the sound of my footsteps would not attract attention. All I had were the clothes I stood up in, and a few pounds in my jeans pocket nestled together with the torn-out page from Horse and Hound, however soon I would also have my freedom.
***
The station was quiet as the first train of the day eventually rumbled into view. I boarded alone and sat down, hoping to be invisible to the ticket collector otherwise this escape could be over as quickly as it had started. However, I needn’t have worried, it seemed he had no plans to walk through the otherwise empty carriages, sitting instead in the rear cab warmed by a fan heater.
The slow train rumbled out of through the outskirts of Birmingham, first the city and then the industrial heartlands before passing fields and stables like the one I had ridden at. We travelled on towards London. My destination was to be a green and pleasant commuter belt village where London workers could afford to spend their weekends in the country riding on borrowed horses. I had called ahead and been told they would see me; however, it was unclear if this was an interview or rather an attempt to get me off the telephone.
Stepping off the train at a country station, the day still only starting, commuters were lining up on the platform to board the train towards London. As the train left I was alone and started the long walk towards the Seacrest Equestrian Centre. The name had puzzled me, Seacrest? Here, about as far from the ocean as one could get in landlocked Hertfordshire.
The day was cool, I wasn’t dressed for the cold as I walked down the grass verge beside the country road. However, this was freedom, an escape and a new life so a bit of a chill was nothing which would concern me. Every step was one further away from my past life.
Over an hour later I finally approached the stables driveway, bright lettering on the sign announced the presence of the equestrian centre. I started my approach down a perfectly manicured driveway. There were sounds of activity and surprisingly, classical music, along with sweeping and hooves on concrete. Oh goodness, this place was beautiful. I let myself daydream for a moment, thinking that maybe such an establishment could be mine. Oh, just think, my own posh equestrian centre with finely trimmed lawns and bright borders like this place. I sighed, lost in the dream.
“May I help you?” I snapped back to the present. The woman was slim, dressed in bright white breeches, polished riding boots and
