Chapter 16
Over the next couple of weeks Alice saw a lot of Finn. Samantha added a pretty Exmoor mare to her growing herd, and she wanted Finn to ride all her ponies. Sasha was back on her feet again, practising her moves on her grey horse. Finn had told Alice they were spending every evening trying to drum up business, but that Sasha had taken a waitressing job to tide them over.
Alice had been around Rookham Manor long enough now to know Finn and Sasha still had money problems. She had been relieved when Finn had told her that the next-door farmer had cut their hay for them for virtually nothing, so at least the ponies’ winter fodder was sorted. It made Alice really happy to see the hay stacked up next to the tack room, ready to go up into the loft. The sight of the sweet meadow hay was reassuring!
According to Finn, Sasha and Marcus were now completely over. So it took Alice by surprise when Marcus appeared one morning at Rookham Manor with a tall blond man. There was something about the way the man peered around the yard, cigarette dangling from his lips, that sent shivers down Alice’s spine.
She was sitting on the mounting block, watching as Finn rode Merlin in the front paddock. Seeing the two men, Finn urged Merlin into a canter and clattered into the yard.
“What do you want, Marcus?” Finn practically spat. “Sasha’s not here.”
Marcus glowered at Finn. “There’s stuff here that belongs to me.”
Finn stood his ground. “I don’t think so. This is OUR home and OUR business.”
Marcus moved closer. “You can’t exactly call yourself a business,” he taunted. “No bookings, no money – pathetic. And to think I put so much time and effort into this place. Your sister owes me!”
“She owes you nothing. You’re totally full of it,” Finn said, his eyes flashing. “Get out, Marcus.”
“Gladly, but this won’t be the last you’ll see of me,” Marcus replied, and sauntering back down the drive he pointed and muttered something to his friend. They laughed, an unpleasant sound.
Alice stood up. “You OK?” She took Merlin’s reins from Finn.
“I am now he’s gone,” he said furiously.
“It sounded like he was threatening you…” Alice’s voice trailed off. “Do you think we need to tell someone?”
“He’s completely spineless; he won’t do anything,” Finn replied confidently. “And what can he do? Sasha fired him.”
Then, removing his riding hat and shaking out his damp hair, Finn burst into unexpected laughter. Alice looked at him, bemused. She’d never really heard him laugh properly before.
“We’ll be OK,” Finn said, once his chuckles had subsided. Then, looking around the beautiful yard, he added, “We can start over again. We’re made of strong stuff!”
Archie was turning out to be the star of the season. Finn had qualified him for an end-of-season championship show, much to Samantha’s delight. Alice’s mum was having to juggle things to make sure Finn had plenty of time to ride him.
“Hmmm,” Josephine said, looking at her full diary as she planned riding time for Finn. “I’m judging a show an hour away from Finn and Sasha’s place on Thursday,” she continued. “If I drop Archie at Rookham Manor on my way, and then go on to judge the evening performance, I wonder if Finn would be happy to give Archie a quick training session in one of his paddocks.”
“I don’t see why not.” Alice was sitting in Poppy’s basket, her arms round the sleeping dog. Then she had a brainwave, remembering her recent ride with Finn. “Actually, Mum, can we take Secret to Finn’s as well? It would be good to ride him somewhere else, for experience.” She crossed her fingers as she said this, hoping Finn would suggest hacking out in the beautiful grounds surrounding his home.
“Good idea, Alice.” Josephine sounded pleased. “I’ll ring Sasha now. Talking of Secret, why don’t we take him to a little practice show with Archie? In a couple of weeks?”
Alice fiddled with the tag on Poppy’s collar. “Maybe,” she said, avoiding her mum’s eyes.
“OK, let’s decide nearer the time.” Josephine turned back to her diary, her mind on Archie. “But,
Alice, we do need to talk about Secret. It’s clear you’re having some problems as a partnership.” Alice mumbled a reply. Until she got her thoughts straight in her head that was one conversation she wanted to avoid for now.
“I’ll pick you up later this evening, OK?”
Alice gave her mum a quick kiss on the cheek. In her cream jacket and skirt and matching hat, she looked the picture of elegance. Archie and Secret had been unloaded into Finn and Sasha’s yard, and Josephine was on her way to judge the evening championship.
“We’ll be fine, Mum. I hope it goes well tonight!”
Alice waved as she turned back towards the stables. Fergus was stepping in to help Josephine as a steward, so it was just Finn, Sasha and Alice in the yard. Alice wondered if her mum was softening towards Finn and his family at last; she couldn’t have imagined being left alone at Rookham Manor at the start of the summer! And she knew Sasha was happy to have the ponies visit for an evening schooling session.
“When’s Secret’s next show?” Finn gestured at the little roan as they rode later in the front meadow. The sun was setting, throwing a fiery shade of pink over the grass, highlighting Secret’s beautiful colouring.
Alice took a deep breath, her mind made up. “I’m not doing any more showing with him.”
There, she had said it. After days and days of thinking it over, Alice had finally realised what would be best for her and Secret’s relationship. And as she said the words aloud she felt even more sure. She didn’t want to do the next show with him; she didn’t want to show him ever again.
Finn nodded in approval. “That’s the best decision you’ve made. Does your mum know?”
Alice shook her head. “No. And she’s not going to be happy.”
“Why?” Finn said in surprise. “He’s your pony.”
“I know,” Alice said, thinking about her mum’s reaction. Would she be let down? Disappointed? Angry? “Oh … it’s hard to explain. It’s just that she thinks he has loads of potential.”
“He probably does,” Finn agreed. “But it isn’t what’s right for you, or him. Look, I think you might be surprised at your mum. It’s not like you’re giving up showing altogether, are you?”
“No!” Alice shook her head. She couldn’t imagine not riding Lachlan, or Porridge, or any of the youngsters that came and went. It might not be what she truly loved, but she still wanted to help her mum.
“So, tell her then,” Finn said simply. “Tell her you want to do something different with Secret, but that you’ll carry on working hard with the other ponies. You’re a talented rider, Alice.”
Finn’s compliment caught her off guard, and she glowed with pleasure. He made telling her mum sound so easy!
“So what is it that you really want to do with Secret?” he asked, jolting her back to the present.
Alice reached forward and gave the roan a pat. “Nothing, for a bit. Just ride him with no pressure. Start again. And then I’d really love to go back to what I did with Honey.” She smiled at the memory of her faithful palomino. “Jumping. That ride I had with you, when I jumped that log, it was amazing! I could imagine me and Secret doing that. I don’t think I’d jump cross-country again…” Her eyes squeezed shut as she tried to block out the painful images of Honey’s accident. “But I think I’d like to showjump Secret. Though for now, I just want to enjoy being with him.”
“Sounds perfect,” Finn smiled. “Especially the no-pressure bit. Let’s start right away. What would you like to do now?”
Alice looked around her, at the setting sun ablaze on the horizon, at the team ponies grazing peacefully in the meadows by the house, and blushed.
“I know it sounds stupid,” she mumbled, “but I’ve always wanted to canter bareback in a meadow…” The words trailed away on her lips as Finn smiled.
“Come on then!” he laughed, jumping lightly off
Archie and removing his saddle in a flash. “Let’s go!”
Before she knew it Secret’s saddle joined Archie’s on the grass, and Alice was back on Secret, legged up by Finn. Alice’s legs were so long that her feet brushed the long meadow grasses as they left the schooling area. Both ponies jigged a bit, sensing something exciting was about to happen. Following Finn, Alice rode Secret back out of the field and under a line of ancient chestnut trees. A wide, uphill meadow stretched behind the big house invitingly.
“We used to do this all the time, with Mum.” Finn grinned over his shoulder. “Race you to the top!”
A surge of adrenalin flowed through Alice as Secret broke into a canter, giving a little rear of excitement as he plunged after Finn. Alice crouched low as his speed increased. As the warm breeze whipped past her and the ponies cantered to the top of the meadow side by side, she laughed out loud. This was exactly what she had dreamed of. Her and Secret, completely as one, no pressures. Why hadn’t she done this before?
Alice was still smiling as she and Finn untacked together back in the yard. Then Sasha limped over, phone in hand.
“Your mum rang,” Sasha explained. “They’re running late and she’s not even started judging her class yet.” She made a face. “I remember all that hanging about. So she’s asked if you can stay for supper with us.”
Alice tried not to make it too obvious that she was over the moon to spend more time with Finn and Sasha … especially Finn!
Sasha and Finn’s horses were all out in the paddock, as they were most summer nights. But knowing Secret’s ability to find a weak spot in any fence, Alice put Archie and Secret into the old coaching stables. The stables were reached down a long cobbled corridor, and as the hoof beats echoed around the thick stone walls, Alice imagined all the horses who had walked down here over the centuries. She peeked into the tack room as she passed. It was full of extraordinary kit: ancient side-saddles, elaborate costumes and unusual bridles. Alice knew it was all used in the displays, and even though some of the objects were practically falling apart, they were totally irreplaceable.
Finn leaned on the stable door as Alice fussed over the handsome roan.
“Bet this is a shock isn’t it, boy?” Finn reached over and patted Secret. “No gold-plated buckets or butlers for you here!”
Alice glared at Finn crossly. He always managed to wind her up!
“Hardly,” she said in irritation.
“All right, calm down, Alice in her palace!” Finn held his hands up, his eyes sparkling. “I was joking.”
Alice couldn’t help chuckling as she threw a handful of hay at Finn. She finally felt like she was getting to know him, and it was a really nice feeling.
Supper was pizza in the garden. It was clear the garden had once been amazing, but it was more like a hayfield now. Sasha was sitting on a deckchair resting her ankle, and Finn and Alice sat on a Newmarket blanket covered with grey hairs.
“It’s Robin’s blanket,” Sasha laughed, referring to her grey horse. “Sorry, we don’t normally have guests.”
“It’s perfect,” Alice replied, and it was. Finn and Sasha’s home may not be modern or luxurious like hers, but it was special, and romantic.
As they ate, Sasha told a few stories from her time in the show ring, and Finn chatted about Hope the Highland’s progress. He was aiming for her to join the Flying Fillies next year, and it made Alice happy to hear him talk about the future in a positive way. As the evening closed in around them, they remained sitting in the garden, Finn and Alice side by side.
At nine p.m. there was still no sign of Josephine. Sasha limped back into the house to make a coffee, and Finn stretched as Lima curled into his shoulder.
“We need some rain,” he remarked. “The ground is getting too hard for the…” The words died on his lips as he sat bolt upright, pressing a finger to his mouth.
“Did you hear that?” He turned to Alice, the urgency in his voice startling her. She shook her head, and Finn stood up, his eyes searching.
Sasha came back out of the house, balancing three mugs on a tray. “Here you go!” she said, making her way back towards them. Then she dropped the tray as a huge bang came from the stables.
Chapter 17
All three ran as fast as possible towards the yard, Alice’s breath ragged. All she could imagine was the worst possible scenario: an explosion … the roof falling in … Secret trapped. As they rounded the corner into the yard the heat of a fire hit Alice, and acrid smoke filled her lungs, making her cough. The hay was ablaze, flames curling round the thick stone doorway into the tack room. For what felt like an eternity, all three stared in horror, before Sasha snapped into action.
“We need to call 999!” she screamed.
Alice was jolted to her senses, and rummaging in her pocket for her phone, threw it to Sasha and ran straight for the stables. Flames were licking the walls, growing higher, filling the walkway with smoke. A frightened whinny carried over on the still evening air, and Alice knew it came from Secret.
“No, Alice!”
Finn tried to grab Alice’s arm, but she shook it off and raced forward, tearing down the corridor in the direction of the ponies. The heat was unbearable, and her eyes stung as she struggled to see in front of her. She was aware of shouting behind her, and realised Finn had followed her in.
“No!” she shouted, panicked. “Get back!” She waved frantically at Finn who had pulled his T-shirt up over his mouth.
Finn caught up with her. “I’m not leaving you alone,” he yelled. “Come on!”
Secret was pacing around his stable, his sides slick with sweat, every vein in his neck showing. Archie was at the back of his box, rolling his eyes, his whole body trembling.
“Quick, open the doors,” Finn shouted. “They’ll find their way out.”
The crackling and popping was getting louder, and Alice cried out as Secret half reared over his stable door. She leaned against it to open it, but noticed Archie had retreated even further back, his head lowered, sides heaving violently. It was as though he was paralysed by fear. Alice realised if she let Secret go, Archie probably wouldn’t follow him, and then they would have to drag him out themselves, which would be impossible.
“GO!” Finn had managed to get Archie’s head collar on and was gesturing wildly at Alice to open the door and let Secret loose. He tried to lead Archie to the stable door, but Archie flung his head up in alarm before backing up again.
“No … wait!” Alice knew she and Secret needed to do something to help. Grabbing Secret’s head collar, she made a desperate attempt to put it over his head as he thrashed around, finally managing to do up the buckle.
“Listen,” she said to Finn, using all of her strength to stop Secret fleeing as she unbolted the door. “If I let Secret go, I don’t think Archie will follow, and he’ll be trapped. You can’t move him on your own.”
“Alice, GO!” Finn repeated desperately, not listening to her.
“I’m not leaving you!” Alice cried. She wasn’t going to let anything happen to Archie, or Finn.
Secret was plunging about like a wild stallion, the whites of his eyes showing. At that moment Alice knew what she needed to do. She had to put all of her trust into the little red pony, and he needed to trust her.
She placed a reassuring hand on his damp neck. “Come on, boy. It’s now or never.”
Alice led him to Archie’s open stable door. Somehow she managed to get Secret to stand.
“Come on, boy, easy now,” Finn murmured as he tried to encourage Archie to walk forward, realising that Alice wanted Archie to follow Secret out. Alice placed a hand on Secret’s chest and gently urged him to back into the stable so that Archie could see his friend. Secret whickered and Archie whinnied back: a small frightened sound. There was another crash, and Secret shot forward, knocking Alice sideways and clattering out of the open stable door. Archie reared, and backed up so violently he almost snapped his lead rope.
“He’s not moving!” Fi
nn cried, his teeth gritted.
Seconds felt like hours. A wave of determination hit Alice. Somehow she still had hold of Secret’s lead rope. She gave a yell of fear as one of the rafters, a huge old beam, crashed down in the walkway. There was only just enough room to get past it, Alice realised in horror. They had to hurry.
“Steady, steady!” she cried, trying to keep the panic out of her voice, patting Secret, singing to him, just like she had when he had fallen into a ditch as a foal.
Secret rolled his eyes, his red nostrils flared, but he remained where he was. He whickered again to Archie and it seemed to bring the black pony to his senses. Hesitating, he stepped forward.
“Attaboy!” Finn said encouragingly as Archie reached the door.
The two ponies touched noses, and Alice could have sworn Secret was telling Archie to follow him.
“OK,” Finn said grimly. “Let’s get them out.”
Nodding, Alice started the walk back into the open air, pulling her T-shirt up around her mouth as Finn had done. The walkway was thick with smoke. Archie and Finn were right behind them, and although Secret was snorting, poised to flee, he remained besides Alice.
Crash!
Another rafter fell, landing between Secret and Archie. Archie gave a squeal of fear as Secret shot forward, the lead rope shooting through Alice’s hands. Then there was a scrabble of hooves on cobble and Archie scrambled through the tight space between Secret and the wall, bolting for freedom. Alice let go of Secret, and rolling his eyes wildly, Secret followed his friend out into the safety of the yard. There were just a few steps between Alice and freedom, but looking back she gave a cry of horror as she saw Finn was on the floor, by the fallen rafter.
She dashed back and crouched next to him as he struggled into a sitting position. His left eye was completely closed, his face streaming with blood. Alice knew she had to get him out. She summoned every last bit of her strength to haul Finn to his feet, hooking his arm over her shoulders and shouting at him to run as another burning rafter creaked above them. Limping and clutching each other, they just made it into the courtyard, desperately gulping in the clear air, as the main supporting beam crashed down right behind them, blocking off the walkway altogether.
A New Beginning Page 7
