“Go away…” Kate moaned, clutching her head.
“Come on lazy… Lot’s of work to do…” I giggled as Kate opened her bloodshot eyes, groaning and trying to move. “Only joking…” She looked at me, a confused expression on her face. “You can take the day off… With the number of cocktails you had yesterday you’ll need to…”
I glanced back as I left the room, she grabbed the duvet we had placed over her last night and rolled over on the sofa.
“How is she?” Adam was sweeping the yard down. “The girls are somewhat, disorganised to say the least. Thank goodness I took over the feeds.”
“She needs to rest. A few more hours and a greasy breakfast as she will be good as new! She loved her spa experience, by the way, you are going to need to treat her to them regularly.”
“Now, was it the spa or the champagne?” Adam laughed.
“Oh, just treat her like she deserves.”
***
“So he still thinks he is going to the ballet for his stag do?” Annie giggled.
“I’ve been winding him up for days now…” I smiled. He had been putting a good face on it but thought that he was being taken to a cultural evening. It was a struggle for him as he didn’t have many male friends, so we were going to be holding a slightly unusual stag do for him. However, I knew that he would enjoy the experience.
***
To his credit, Adam didn’t complain, however it was clear as the following Monday came round that he was not particularly looking forward to joining his sister at the ballet. He hadn’t noticed me throwing a holdall in the boot and was somewhat surprised when I pulled up at a large stable yard near Harrogate. As we pulled up a woman walked towards the car, three dogs barking happily.
“Is that?” Adam was somewhat in awe. I nodded. “But she…”
She, was Hilary Wessington, without a doubt one of the greatest show jumpers in the UK with three personal and two team Olympic gold medals to her name and, despite him denying it vehemently, someone who he had a major equestrian crush on.
I really don’t know what strings Annie had pulled, as we stepped out of the car Hilary greeted us warmly hugging both Adam and I. Adam stuttered his greetings.
“I’m sorry Hilary, I think someone is a bit starstruck…” I took the bag out of the boot of the car and flung it into Adam’s arms. “Get changed, you’ve some riding to do.”
***
I had felt a bit guilty that, in the flurry of setting up my stables and all that had happened, Adam’s showjumping skills had fallen by the wayside. He had been quite an impressive rider and it was clear, from the comments from Hilary that he had not lost it.
Adam was circling on ‘Be a Rebel’, a huge bay stallion who had a stable name of Brian and had a penchant for prawn cocktail crisps, according to his groom who was leaning on the fence beside me.
“He’s a looker.”
“Oh yes, he is a great horse.” I had smiled.
“I meant the rider.”
“Ah… Sorry, Sally, he’s taken…” She sighed.
“All the good ones are always are, or gay.” She looked up as Hilary called for her to reset a jump.
We both turned to watch Adam ride. Despite having ridden with my brother many times I had never really seen him jumping and I was impressed. As he cooled down the horse on a long rein Hilary came across to the fence-line.
“Your brother’s a good rider. He should compete.”
“Thank you…” I smiled. I could tell she wanted to say something, I knew what it would be as the same curiosity struck everyone we met since we had been in the press and I am sure it was why she had willingly given up her time for us. “What would you like to know?” She blushed.
“Was I that obvious? Oh, I am sorry. All that happened to you, was that for real…” I nodded. “Oh goodness…”
“Join us for lunch, we can give you the whole gory story…”
***
Adam and I had finished telling our story, it had become rather well practised over time. Hilary and Sally say mouths open in shock. We had just enjoyed a filling and delicious lunch in a country pub just a few minutes from Hilary’s yard.
“Goodness…” Hilary regained her composure. “You have been through a hell of a lot… Look, Adam, you are a damn good rider. I would love to help you develop.”
It was Adam’s time to be shocked, we laughed as he sat speechlessly. Sadly, all too soon Hilary and Sally had to leave, many more horses to exercise and yard duties to perform. I could tell that Adam’s mind was still reeling at the prospect of riding world-class horses and receiving tuition from an Olympian. I think Sally was also keen at the prospect to watch, I hadn’t truly appreciated how my baby brother had grown into such a handsome man but I knew that he would only ever have eyes for Kate.
“I suppose I had better drag you away from here…”
“Thank you…” Adam took my hand.
“Annie planned this you know…”
“No, thank you… You are an amazing sister. All you have been through and yet you are still so positive and upbeat. Whatever has tried to bring you down has failed. I’m really proud to have you as a sister.”
I sat stunned for a moment, and then did the only thing that I could and bawled my eyes out. We hugged before Adam stood up.
“Right now you’re making a scene… And I want to get back so we can all have a drink.” He winked.
***
“Look I know this is not a great stag night…” We were sat in the
