A New Beginning

by Olivia Tuffin

  “Anything I can do?” she asked, as Finn stared through her. He looked really shocked, Alice thought.

  “I-I need to be with Sasha.” He stumbled over his words, but Samantha seemed to understand straight away.

  “I’ll take you to see her,” she said reassuringly. “I’ll drop Alice home, and come and collect you, give you a chance to get your ponies settled. That OK?”

  Finn nodded and Alice decided Samantha had to be one of the kindest people she had ever met.

  Once she and Samantha had helped Finn load up the horses for their journey home, Alice climbed into Samantha’s four-by-four. Samantha was silent as they pulled out of the showground. As she indicated off the main road she finally spoke.

  “He’s a good kid, Finn. I think he’s a bit lost underneath all that attitude. That display was the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen. I can’t wait to show my girls. Such talent!”

  Alice stared out of the window at the fields whizzing by, thinking about what Samantha had said. It was such a contrast to how her mum saw Finn. The air was thick with dust as combines chugged up and down the crops. Although it was the height of summer, there was the faintest hint of autumn round the corner. Alice knew that Finn and Sasha needed the income from the final few shows of the summer holidays, or they faced a long, hard winter. She crossed her fingers, hoping Sasha was going to be OK. Samantha’s words had struck a chord with her too. He’s a bit lost. She had seen something very vulnerable in Finn today and she couldn’t stop thinking about him.

  “All OK?” Josephine was engrossed in paperwork and barely looked up as Alice came in. Ignoring her mum and hopping over Poppy, Alice raced up the stairs to her bedroom.

  A moment later there was a knock on the door and then her mum appeared. “Al?” she asked gently, and Alice looked up from where she was sitting on the bed. Taking in her pale face, her mum sat down next to her.

  “Oh, Mum,” Alice said. Then she poured out the story of Sasha’s fall, as Josephine listened quietly. Alice was grateful she didn’t bring up the subject of Secret’s performance.

  “Where’s Finn now?” her mum asked once Alice had finished.

  “Went back to do his ponies,” Alice said miserably.

  Nodding, Josephine stood up, reaching for her mobile phone. “I’ll give him a call and check up on him,” she said, to Alice’s surprise. “I knew that sort of riding was ridiculous! He should stick to the show ring.”

  Alice just looked at her. Finn, like Secret, didn’t belong in the show ring.

  “Not everyone wants to do what you do, Mum,” she muttered.

  Later, once she had had a shower, Alice wandered down to the yard, her damp hair drying quickly in the late-afternoon sunshine. She needed to be near Secret. Her mum had gone back out for the afternoon to judge at another show and both Shelley and Fergus were out. Only her dad was around, and he was in his study. Alice’s only job was to ride Lachlan, something her mum trusted her to do on her own. She wondered if her mum had managed to speak to Finn.

  Secret was back in his stable, dozing in the cool. Alice stared at him over the door, thinking again about what Finn had said.

  “What do you think, boy?” She cupped her hands out towards Secret as he bustled over. “Are you cut out for something else?”

  “Talking to yourself again?”

  The familiar voice made Alice spin round and Secret whicker. It was Finn, standing in the entrance to the barn, his dog, Lima, by his feet.

  “Finn!” Alice gasped. “What are you doing here…? How’s Sasha?”

  Finn gave a small smile. “Well, firstly, Samantha brought me back, and, secondly, Sasha’s OK. She’s sprained her ankle badly, but nothing is broken and the doctors say she’ll be able to ride again soon as long as she’s careful. So I think we’ll be OK to do the last few shows.”

  “That’s great news!” Alice said, relieved.

  A frown crossed Finn’s face. “Yeah,” he agreed. “The girth just snapped. I knew it was worn, but I didn’t realise how much. It could have been so much worse… If she had fallen a bit to the left…” His voice trailed off, and Alice shuddered, remembering how close Sasha had come to being trampled.

  Finn shook his head, then continued. “Your mum rang and said I could stay here for the night, in the groom’s flat with Fergus. Sasha’s staying in hospital until tomorrow and I didn’t want to be at home by myself.” He scuffed his worn boots in the dust.

  That was really nice of Mum, Alice thought, pleased.

  “Were the ponies OK?” she asked.

  Finn smiled. “Samantha helped me turn them all out, before we went to hospital,” he said. “She’s really nice, wants me to ride all her ponies when she sends them here.”

  So he’s going to be around a lot more, Alice thought happily, trying not to look too pleased.

  They were both silent for a minute as they watched Secret, who was back at his hay net, eating with huge enthusiasm, dragging each mouthful through his water bucket. He really was the messiest pony on the yard!

  “Anyway,” Finn said, stretching, “I need to keep my mind off things. Why don’t we hack out?”

  “What, now?” Alice said, startled. “Just us?”

  Finn looked around. “Well, I don’t see anyone else, do you?”

  “It’s just … I normally go with Fergus,” Alice said nervously. Although Josephine was keen that all the ponies were hacked out regularly, they were always very routine with Fergus leading a pony and Alice trotting behind.

  Finn shrugged. “So?”

  “I do need to ride Lachlan…” Alice said slowly.

  “Perfect. I’ll ride Lachie, you take Secret,” Finn said.

  Nodding, Alice agreed, and before she knew it she and Finn were clattering out of the gates on the two ponies. She felt as if she was skipping school! Secret, who adored going out, pricked his ears, jogging besides Lachlan.

  “Where do you normally go?” Finn was relaxed, reins in one hand.

  “Um … take a left, round the village and back up the long hill to the yard.”

  Finn made a face. “Boring. What about going this way?”

  He indicated a bridleway that led on to the downs. Alice had walked there often enough with Poppy. Before she could stop him Finn had swung the gate open, grinning at her to follow him. After a moment’s hesitation Alice nudged Secret on, and the little pony followed, free and easy, with no hint of any naughtiness. It didn’t take long for the bridleway to open up into an inviting expanse of rolling ground. As Finn urged Lachlan into a canter, Alice did the same, and just for a few minutes, as their shadows stretched out long in front of them and the ponies’ manes flew behind them, Alice felt free for the first time since her accident. This was what she had waited for over four years to do: just ride her pony, with nothing to worry about!

  “Come on!” Finn laughed over his shoulder as they slowed back to a trot. “Look ahead!”

  Alice looked. There was the most inviting mossy log lying in their path, only about half a metre high, the sort of thing Alice used to adore jumping on Honey.

  “I’ll check it out.” Riding ahead, Finn gave Lachlan a pat as he surveyed the landing side of the log. It was perfect ground, with no holes or hazards. “Why not?” he said with a grin, going back to Alice.

  Alice took a deep breath, realising she wasn’t even nervous. She wanted to jump the log more than anything and she felt Secret did as well. She nudged Secret forward. Ears pricked, soft and responsive, Secret broke into a rolling canter. There was no hint of the bored pony Alice had grown used to. Although the log was only tiny, the rush of happiness was huge as Secret sailed the jump, landing in a controlled canter.

  Half an hour later, as they cooled the ponies down on their walk home, Alice didn’t think she would stop smiling.

  “How about that then, Alice in her palace?” Finn grinned as they turned into the lane towards the yard. “That’s the best I’ve seen you look together. Imagine the future, if you could do that?
”

  Alice ignored the dreaded nickname. The ride had been amazing. Secret had felt his very best: alive, spirited and free, but working with her in a partnership. Her mind was now made up. Secret didn’t belong in the show ring. He had been trying to tell her for years, and she had only just realised.

  With Samantha in no hurry to get home, and Finn staying with Fergus for the night, an impromptu supper was laid on in the kitchen. Everyone helped themselves from the plates of food piled on the big wooden table, talking happily about ponies, pony shows and more ponies.

  Alice asked Finn if he had heard from Sasha. He nodded, pulling out his mobile.

  “She texted me to say she was OK. One of the nurses has got her Horse and Hound to read,” he said, looking at the message on the screen.

  “Is Marcus with her?” Alice asked, and Finn looked angry.

  “He turned up after I left,” he said. “Probably trying to get back into her good books after their fight this morning.” Running a hand through his hair, still full of dust from the show, Finn frowned. “He’s definitely up to something. Why else would he be seeing how much the yard is worth? Surely she’s got to see sense now…”

  Chapter 15

  A few days later, Alice and Fergus went over to Rookham Manor to drop off Archie and the new Connemara, Merlin, for Finn to ride.

  “Hello?” Fergus called as he opened the tackroom door. Sasha was slumped on a pile of rugs in the corner, head in hands, face streaked with tears. Finn was pacing back and forth, his expression a mix of worry and fury. Alice frowned as she noticed Marcus leaning against a pile of rugs, playing with his phone and looking bored.

  “Um…” Fergus pushed the door a little wider. “All OK?”

  “No,” Finn said. His voice was so icy that a shiver went down Alice’s spine.

  Fergus tried again. “Is there anything we can do to help?”

  “Only if you can ring all of the shows and convince them to book us,” Finn said bitterly as Sasha started to cry again.

  “I just don’t understand!” she sobbed. “We’ve never had a problem, and now they’ve all cancelled on us!”

  “What’s this about?” Alice asked Finn quietly.

  He pressed a hand against his tanned forehead. “The last shows have all cancelled,” he said, glaring at Marcus. “Apparently.”

  “I told you, Finn,” Marcus said with a yawn.

  “They all rang while Sasha was in hospital, and you were gallivanting around at the posh show yard. They said they were terribly sorry but they’d heard about the fall and they’d rather book something else, something more reliable, because, let’s face it, the last show was a disaster.”

  “I just can’t believe they all thought that!” Finn sounded desperate.

  “Oh, Finn.” Marcus’s tone was patronising. “I’m as disappointed as you. All that work booking them in the first place. Such a shame.” He shook his head, not looking at all disappointed. “We’ve got to think of a plan for the winter, Sash.”

  “What plan? To try to get Sasha to sell this place?” Finn had his fists balled now. “Have you explained to her why you were looking up the price of the yard?”

  “Sasha knows everything I do is for her own good,” Marcus said smugly. “She needs me!”

  “You good-for-nothing piece of—” Finn swung out at Marcus, but Fergus stepped in front of him and grabbed his fist.

  Sasha had been watching the whole exchange silently. “My brother’s right,” she said slowly to Marcus, as if it was just sinking in. “You’ve never tried to help us; you’ve been trying to break us from the start!”

  “Oh come on, Sash.” Marcus chuckled. “Can’t you see how much better life would be if you could just get away from this place? Finn’s busy with his precious job now, and the Flying Fillies are pretty much over, so what have you got to lose?”

  Sasha’s face flashed with fury. She threw the nearest thing she could find at Marcus, an ancient pink dandy brush. “I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to see through you!” she cried. “Just get out. Get out of the yard, and my life!”

  “Do you mind if we skip schooling for today?” Finn leaned wearily against Archie’s side a little later. “Just ride around the fields instead?”

  “OK,” Alice agreed, swinging lightly up into Archie’s saddle. Mounting Merlin, Finn clattered out of the yard and, reaching down, fiddled with the catch on a gate, pushing it open. A rotten piece of rail collapsed next to it, tumbling to the overgrown grass.

  “Well, that’s just perfect!” Finn exploded, before patting Merlin. “I’m sorry, boy, I didn’t mean to startle you.” Then he gave Alice a crooked smile. “Or you, Alice.” There was something about the way he looked at her that made Alice drop her gaze first.

  They rode side by side, the ponies relaxed and stretching their heads long and low, and Alice felt brave enough to ask Finn what he and Sasha were going to do now.

  Finn held his head high. “What we’ve always done. Start again, work hard and get the Flying Fillies going once more, without Marcus. Sasha loves this yard, and so do I. We’d never ever sell it, and I can’t believe Marcus even thought she would consider it!”

  But however fiercely he said the words, Alice noticed a slight quaver to his voice. Finn’s future looked very uncertain.

  As the teenagers completed their loop of the parkland, Finn told Alice a little more about his dad, who was currently working in Andalusia, Spain.

  Although she didn’t want to say it, the more Finn told her, the more Alice thought how selfish his dad sounded. “If he knew about the shows being cancelled,” she asked thoughtfully, “would he come back to help?”

  Finn shook his head. “Sasha still won’t tell him,” he said, sighing. “I wish she would. She thinks he has enough on his mind. She says if we can just get over this and secure some new bookings, then we can scrape by.”

  “Oh.” Alice knew how lucky she was. Josephine might be completely obsessed with showing, but Alice never needed to worry about paying the vet’s bills or feed bills. And, most importantly, she had both her parents around. It was funny, she thought; she envied Finn’s freedom, and yet he envied her security. The ponies really were the only common ground they had.

  Samantha’s ponies were calm, and as they walked along on a loose rein Alice found herself talking to Finn about things she never told anyone. About her accident with Honey and the day she had been released from hospital, to meeting Secret for the first time. Finn really listened to her. He didn’t tease her, or call her ‘Alice in her palace’. They chatted about the other ponies on the yard, including Lachlan, who it turned out was related to the mare Fergus and Alice had delivered all those weeks ago.

  Finn looked thoughtful. “I’m pretty sure they’re half siblings. Remind me to dig out her passport when we get back, so I can check.”

  “What did you call her in the end?” Alice asked.

  “Sasha named her Hope.” Finn clucked at Merlin as they headed for home. “Which is exactly what we need right now.”

  The sun was high in the sky when Alice and Finn returned from the hack, and they busied themselves sponging the hot ponies down and filling hay nets. There was no sign of Fergus or Sasha.

  Finn clicked his fingers. “Oh yes, Hope’s passport. Come with me.”

  Following Finn across the yard into the cool of the kitchen, Alice tried not to stare. It was the first time she had been in the house. Although shabby, it was beautiful. There were mementos of Finn’s dad’s nomadic life everywhere, polo sticks propped up in the corner, a western saddlecloth draped over the sofa where a cat blinked sleepily up at them. Finn’s dog was lying on the flagstones, and thumped his wiry tail sleepily as they walked in.

  Finn bent down to stroke the dog, who stretched luxuriously. “Good boy, Lima.”

  “That’s a funny name for a dog,” Alice remarked. She was studying South America in geography. “It’s the capital of Peru.”

  “I know.” Finn chuckled. “Dad f
ound him wandering around the streets there as a puppy and paid a fortune to get him home.”

  It was easy to see where Finn got his love of horses and dogs from. Maybe like Finn, his dad was better with animals than people.

  Like Alice’s kitchen, there were photos of horses everywhere. Ponies in the show ring ridden by a younger Sasha, and Finn being led around on an enormous Friesian by a dark-haired man. Alice spotted a photo of a woman who looked exactly like Sasha riding a big grey side-saddle, throwing her head back and laughing. She looked so happy. It had to be Finn’s mum. For just a second Alice felt Finn’s pain as if she had been punched in the stomach, and it nearly took her breath away.

  Finn was rifling through papers on a desk, looking confused. “That’s weird,” he muttered.

  “What’s up?” Alice asked.

  “The pony passports!” Finn exclaimed. “They’re all missing!”

  Scratching his head, he looked around. “I wonder if we left them in the lorry, after all the drama when Sash fell.”

  But the passports weren’t in the lorry either. Alice could tell Finn was getting worried. Sasha hobbled across the yard, her face still puffy from crying.

  She frowned as Finn asked her about the missing passports. “Are they not in the desk? The horsebox then?” she questioned as Finn shook his head.

  “No.” He sounded agitated. “I’ve looked. They’ve gone!”

  Sasha shook her head angrily. “Finn, they cost hundreds of pounds to replace! How can they be missing? I always put them back as soon as we get home from a show! Why didn’t you? You know they’re important!”

  “I was a little preoccupied after you fell,” Finn said icily. “Don’t blame me!”

  “Great.” Sasha threw her hands up. “I mean, that’s all we need, isn’t it?”

  As the siblings argued, Alice frowned. Why did this seem familiar? When Fergus returned, ready to give her a lift back home, Finn barely noticed as she climbed into the cab, as he and Sasha continued to squabble.