“I love you Dan, but I’m scared that you’ll lose your job if…. What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“What did you say?”
“You’ll lose your job…”
“No… Before that… The first bit.” I blushed, oh goodness I hadn’t intended that to slip out like that, however it was true. He had been beside me throughout everything and he was tough and strong and made me feel protected and he had a great body… “Mandy?…”
“Oh, sorry… I love you, Dan Willoughby… Oh goodness, I’ve come on too strong. “What? Dan…” My words were cut short as he kissed me.
“And I love you too… And even if a criminal record mattered, it wouldn’t to me… As long as I have you… Now, as it seems that we are all alone and you are so sexy…” He started to unbutton my blouse.
“Oh, Dan…”
41
Change And Celebration
I’d thrown myself into work, it was the only way I could take my mind off what could happen to me. At night I’d dragged myself exhausted into the kitchen, kicking off my boots and filling the kettle before slumping onto one of the kitchen chairs. I was dropping off to sleep in the chair when the kettle clicked, so I forced myself up and poured myself a mug of tea.
I knew I had to eat something, however, as Adam was having dinner with Kate and the grooms in the flat and Dan was working late I thought I may not bother. I picked up my mug and walked into the living room, dropping onto the sofa.
Waking with a start, I realised I’d fallen asleep as it was dark outside and Dan had called out from the kitchen, announcing that he was home. Whereas he still had his tidy little flat in Kendal, he called the farmhouse home and we were sharing more than just coffee mugs. I desperately hoped that I would not be sent to prison and so looked up nervously as he walked in with a serious look on his face.
“What?” I looked at Dan who had come home from work looking particularly serious. “Oh no, have you heard something about the charges against me?” He nodded curtly, my heart sunk. I’d had almost two months of this hanging over my head, now it looked as if it seemed as if I was going to lose everything. I hung my head. Dan embraced me and whispered in my ear… “It’s done… It’s over… They’re not pressing charges!”
I burst into tears, the months of stress removed so quickly. Dan hugged me tightly.
***
The next morning we were up late, I raced out onto the yard calling out for Adam and Kate. They raced towards me, both looking worried, I grabbed them into a huge hug. “It’s over! Dan told me, that they have decided that, as I was not a criminal and that I was not using the money for criminal activities they are not pressing charges and they aren’t confiscating the money!” Kate squealed. “They’ve recovered most of the remaining money from Sean, he was a bit stupid in Las Vegas and drew a hell of a lot of attention to himself to both the US tax and revenue service and US police.”
I had a future. For the first time in many months, maybe years I felt that I had something to live for, in fact, I had a lot to live for.
***
“I don’t know why he wants to rush this!” Kate was complaining, I knew she was tired and I knew how she felt. We were in hour three of wedding dress fitting, I would have been massively out of my depth. However, I had brought a worthy back-up.
“Kate… It needs to be perfect. And then, there are the shoes and the bridesmaids’ dresses and the venue!” Annie laughed. “Oh, this is so much fun!”
Kate and I exchanged glances, but what could I do. Adam happened to mention that he wanted to get married sooner, rather than later, just in case I’d been charged. Almost as soon as I had told people my phone had rung. It was Annie announcing she was coming to Cumbria to help organise the wedding. I was sure that she was going to find a perfect partner herself in time, however, until then Annie had become wedding planner extraordinaire. The kitchen table had become covered in lists, menus and mood boards, I was not quite sure what that entailed and poor Kate was being prepared for what anyone would believe was the Society wedding of the year and not just a simple service at the local chapel.
I took a step back, Annie was clapping her hands together, this was the one. Kate turned, looking in the mirror. There was a long pause and she turned to face us again, nodding. Annie gave an ear-splitting squeal.
***
“A spa day!”
“Don’t sound ungrateful…” Adam laughed.
“I don’t do things like spa days though.”
“Has anyone told you how unattractive you sound when you whine?” Adam yelped as Kate flung the bucket of water she was filling at him. “It was a joke…”
“Spa that!” She stomped off.
“Oh no… The end of marital bliss so soon. Can’t you at least wait until you get married?” I handed Adam a towel from the pile in the tack room. “She’ll have a lovely day!”
“Oh, I know she will…” He smiled.
“At least Annie hasn’t planned a stag night for me…”
“Ah…”
“No… Oh crap… No… Tell her no…”
“You don’t know what it is?” I smiled.
“I can tell by your face… You’ve stitched me up, haven’t you?”
“Oh, my little brother… Have faith in your big sister…”
***
“Are you still talking to me?” I looked up to see Adam standing by the arena gate. I had finished the last lesson of the day and was just saying goodbye to my riders.
“I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to throw a bucket of water over you.” He grabbed me, kissing me.
“Ah… Saves me having a shower later… It’s a joke! You’ll enjoy a spa day. Oh goodness, there’s that grumpy face again…”
“It’s just not me…”
“Okay… Well, grin and bear it. I’ll make it up to you. Anyway, you get a day off sipping champagne and getting pampered while I do the stables.”
***
In fact, the spa day had been a great success. Planned for a Monday, the traditional day off in the equestrian world, Adam had waved off the girls as they left the yard in a taxi heading towards an expensive hotel and spa.
I knew that Kate was not looking forward to being pampered, a hip flask had helped followed by copious amounts of champagne throughout the day. In the end, she had been in her element, loving the attention even if she did fall asleep while being massaged by a rather hunky masseuse.
Emily and I dragged her out of the taxi and into Adam’s arms.
“I can tell that someone enjoyed herself.” Kate was slithering in my arms. “Come on you…”
“Love you…” Kate slurred as Adam dragged her into the house. He sat her down on the sofa, she was fast asleep by the time he returned with a steaming mug of coffee for her.
***
“Morning…” The only response I got was a low groan, Kate opened one eye before going back to sleep. “I’ve got coffee for you, you can have that and then start mucking out. The other girls are not feeling well so you’ll have to do their stables too and then take out a three-hour hack at nine.”
“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 bar of the local pub in Grange, Adam and Kate at one end of the big table with Annie and the girls sitting on the long bench. Dan and I were sitting at the opposite end.
“Don’t be silly… I have everyone in my life altogether.”
“Not quite, everyone, I hope?”
“May!” Adam hugged her. “You’re here as well… Now it is perfect!”
I would remember that night for the rest of my life, this was my family all together. Of course, it was going change, Adam would soon be married and Annie and May would go home, but, for this one moment, I had everything together.
42
Wedding Bells
“Nervous?” It was a stupid question, I deserved the withering look I got from both Kate and Annie.
“Keep still…” Annie snapped as Kate flinched as eyeliner was being applied. “Mandy, could you please pass my makeup bag, and a straitjacket to try and keep little miss fidget here still.”
Kate was looking beautiful, her hair had been styled and pinned up and Annie was being remarkably subtle with her makeup. I had tried and failed so was back to what Dan called my ‘natural beauty’ which I thought of as chapped lips and a general weather-beaten look.
There were only a couple of hours to go before Kate was due to become Mrs Bishop, her dress was hanging on the wardrobe ready.
***
“Hair of the dog?” Dan handed the flask to me and I took a sip, coughing and spluttering. “Maybe not!” He laughed. “You ready?”
I looked at him. I was dressed in a morning suit, I had never worn a suit and not worn a tie since school so this was uncomfortable and unnatural. However, it was what was expected so I had polished my new shoes, which were cripplingly tight and got myself ready.
It was only a short drive to the church which had been beautifully decked out in flowers. It seemed that most of the town had turned out for our wedding, there were even photographers from the press, no doubt looking for a happy ending for us. The pews were full, I did a double-take to see our working pupils, who we had formally employed as full-time staff the day before, in dresses rather than breeches or jeans.
Dan was my best man, he was keeping me suitably calm and sat me down on the front pew waiting for Kate to arrive.
***
“Why’d you tell to me to close my eyes? Are those horses on the yard?”
“Keep them closed.” The carriage drew up. In a perfect world, our own horses would have pulled it for the short distance into town, but it had been more of an uphill struggle to try to train them in a short time and, as we didn’t want to be galloping past the church and into the distance, I had hired two beautiful dapple greys along with an antique carriage to transport the bride to be to her ceremony. “Now, you can open them!”
“Oh my goodness!”
It was typical that Kate went to see the horses first, and we had to make sure she didn’t get equine slobber on her wedding dress. Kate, Annie and I sat watching the world pass by. People double took and cheered as we passed and, all too soon, we’d arrived.
***
I stood up as the organ music started, turning around I saw a pure vision of beauty as Kate stepped through the door. Her dress was astonishing and as she stepped beside me and lifted her veil I was taken aback.
There was a massive cheer when the vicar announced that ‘you may kiss the bride’ and I took my
advantage for a prolonged snog, ignoring the wolf-whistles.
“You can put her down now…” Amanda hissed.
“Never sis, never…”
***
Annie had arranged the reception, having a marquee build in the outdoor arena of the stables, which had been frustrating, what with lessons to complete. We all cheered as my brother and his new wife came in. We ate a beautiful meal and then Dan nudged me. Crap, time for speeches. I stood up nervously, tapping my wine glass.
“Hello, good afternoon. I’m not good at speeches, so I’ll apologise in advance.” There was a chorus of good-natured catcalls from the grooms. “I don’t think I need to tell you much about our lives, most of it has been published in the press, it doesn’t tell you much about Adam and Kate.
Adam and I were out of touch for a long time, I ran away from a children’s home and in that time he became a man and the sort of man anyone would want to spend time with. We both met Kate, an astonishingly good working pupil and, more importantly, someone I would have by my side through anything, and have done.
Both Adam and Kate have been put through some pretty serious challenges. Every couple goes through issues, however very few are kidnapped, attacked, involved in a car crash, nearly drowned and finally partially frozen. However, despite all of this their love has just grown stronger.
County Lines Rider Page 20
