“He’ll be back before you know it…” Emily put her arm around my shoulders. That was it, I’d been so strong up to that point but now my shoulders were shuddering and tears were splashing on my cheeks. “Come on. We’ve finished the morning stables and are going up for breakfast. Don’t be alone.”
Emily led me towards the staff flat, it was strange to be back amongst them, but it was as if I’d never left their ranks. The grooms set a plate in front of me and dished up sausage and beans along with piles of toast. They were all soon laughing and joking, their infectious enthusiasm was impossible to ignore.
* * *
“You’re very quiet…” Sally had turned the radio down as we approached the main road, and as we stopped at a junction she turned and looked at me.
“Sorry, I’m not a great person to be around at the moment.”
“Don’t tell me you’re getting homesick already, we’re not more than a few miles away? Look you soppy git, I get it, you are having to leave Kate for a while and I have been firmly told that you are off-limits. More’s the pity. Oh, I didn’t get a smile there, did I? You are going to get the chance to ride with an amazing teacher, and Hilary isn’t bad either.” She laughed.
“Okay… I’m sorry. Let’s start again. You know what, I’m really excited to work with Hilary. I just need to get over myself.”
“Good! You should be excited, and I’m glad to hear you are! I’m not having a miserable working pupil. Ah… Did this not get fully explained to you? You aren’t getting free riding lessons you know. You have to work. Your ass is mine babe! I’m the head girl and you are the lowest of the low. If there is a job too dirty, or too nasty even for me… Well, guess what?”
“I thought I was going to be riding?”
“And ride you will. But, as you well know, with horses you don’t just ride. So, you will also muck out, and groom and dig and sweep…” She laughed. “Your face!”
“Oh, I can work as hard as anyone…”
“Glad to hear it, cos’ you are my stable bitch!”
“I tell you what… I’m looking forward to it… Bring it on, boss!”
Ice properly broken, Sally turned up the radio and we both started to sing along, badly, to the pop song being played.
* * *
“We’re here…”
“I’ll get out and do the gates.”
“No need…” Sally reached up and pressed a button on a remote which was attached to the sun-visor. The gates started to slowly open.
“Oh, very posh…”
The yard was small but beautiful. There was a line of wooden stables in an L shape, the horses started to wicker and call as the box drove onto the yard, clearly interested in the new arrival. Oscar stood for a moment looking around at his new surroundings. It was just as it had been when I’d come here before, the yard was immaculate, with a circle of grass in front of the stables and flowerbeds in bloom as well as hanging baskets overflowing with bright flowers.
We led Oscar into a large stable, quickly removing his bandages and rug. He rolled in the fresh shavings before turning to start eating the hay net which was hanging at the rear of the box.
Sally closed the door. “Let me show you around. Tack room.” We looked inside, the saddles and bridles were hanging on stands with polished brass nameplates, I noticed an empty slot with a plaque with ‘Steel Secret’ above it. “I’ll introduce you to each of the horses properly later. Let’s put your stuff away.”
We walked across the yard; Sally pointed out the beautiful farmhouse where Hilary lived. It was covered in wisteria and had a simple garden in front. Next was the grooms’ cottage where Sally herself lived. It was small, but, as she said herself, perfectly cosy particularly on winter evenings. Finally, we turned the corner, and there, beside a sprawling muck heap was a static caravan. My heart sank as we waded through ankle-deep mud to the mouldy looking unit. Opening the door, dreaming it may look better inside was a massive disappointment. To her credit, Sally looked somewhat sheepish.
“Look. I’m sorry, it’s not great…”
“Sally, it’s fine. I threw my bag down. Ignoring the patches of mould on the walls and the all-pervading smell of damp, I’ll be working hard, this is just somewhere to lay my head. Come on, there must be work to be done. Set me at it…”
Sally smiled and led me back onto the yard, soon enough we were grooming and tacking up and she took me out on horseback to show me the land which surrounded the stables. I was impressed by the large lake surrounded by forest.
“That’s Swinsty reservoir, huge, isn’t it? Makes for some nice hacks. But don’t get too comfortable, most of the time you will be working hard in the yard.”
“You’re enjoying this aren’t you?”
“If you mean, I have a handsome slave at my beck and call virtually twenty-four hours a day… Yes, I am enjoying this!” She pushed her horse on into a canter, I laughed and rode to catch up.
“Handsome?” I laughed to myself before pushing the horse on.
* * *
“Ah, you’re back. Sorry I couldn’t be here to greet you. I’d things to do. I hope Sally has taken you under her wing.”
“Yes. Sally has taken me under her boot, if not her wing!” Hilary glared at her groom. I carried on. “No, she has assured me that I will learn lots and work hard. I am looking forward to doing both. I am sure she is a very fair taskmaster.”
“Oh, I
