by Amanda Wills
She dumped her bag on the table and slid into the seat beside Sofia.
‘Thank goodness. Perhaps you can talk some sense into them,’ Sofia said, running her hands through her hair.
‘I doubt it. I’m never speaking to him again,’ said Norah, folding her arms across her chest.
‘Why, what’s happened?’
‘He only went and gave me a sweet that’s turned my mouth blue!’
Norah opened her mouth and waggled an undeniably blue tongue at them.
‘It was supposed to be a joke,’ said William.
‘A joke?’ Norah exploded. ‘What if it doesn’t come off?’
Kristy held up a hand to silence them.
‘Park that. You can fight it out later. I need your help. I think I’ve found Cassius.’
Immediately she had their attention.
‘I’ve managed to track down Teddy’s address.’
‘How?’ said Sofia, impressed.
‘It doesn’t matter how. The important thing is I’ve got it. I want to go after school. But I was hoping for a bit of moral support.’ Kristy paused. She wasn’t very good at asking for help. Never had been. But she didn’t want to go on her own. She looked at her friends. ‘Will you come with me?’
‘Of course we will!’ cried Sofia.
‘Try and stop us,’ William grinned.
‘How are we going to get there?’ asked Norah, her hand over her mouth.
‘It’s in Kingsford. Not too far from my old house. We need to catch the number 47 bus. It stops in the middle of the village.’ Kristy held her breath. ‘Are you in?’
William clapped her on the shoulder and Sofia and Norah nodded.
‘We’re in!’
Kristy stared out of the bus window as the countryside sped by. Beside her Sofia played a game on her mobile phone. Behind them the twins bickered quietly. Kristy had tuned them out. She was playing different scenarios over in her head. In the first, Bella welcomed her with open arms, told her Cassius had been pining for her and pleaded with her to be a part of his life. In the next Bella was more resistant to the idea but, after Kristy poured her heart out, took pity on her and agreed. In the last Teddy sent them packing before she even had a chance to see Cassius.
A vice closed around Kristy’s heart, as tight as a tourniquet. She pressed her forehead against the glass and steadied her breathing. Tears threatened, but she refused to give in to them. If she stood any chance of talking Bella around she had to be calm and matter-of-fact.
There was a hiss of air brakes and the bus pulled into a lay-by by the village green. Kristy grabbed her bag and nudged Sofia.
‘This is us.’
‘Ready?’ Sofia asked.
Kristy grimaced. ‘As I’ll ever be.’
They filed off the bus and watched it rumble past the green and out of the village.
Sofia checked the time on her phone. ‘The bus home stops here just after half past five. We’ve got an hour.’
‘Where’s the house?’ said William.
‘I don’t know.’ Kristy shrugged helplessly. How stupid to be so unprepared. ‘Sorry.’
‘Not a problem. I’ll ask in there,’ said Sofia, pointing a thumb at the village shop. ‘They’re bound to know.’ She disappeared inside. Seconds later she marched back out with a grin on her face.
‘It’s a five minute walk up the lane beside the church. Over there. First house on the right.’
The narrow lane was flanked by hawthorns and periwinkle-blue cornflowers. Cows watched them with limpid eyes as they passed. After a couple of hundred yards the hedge to their right gave way to a flint and brick wall so tall they couldn’t see over it. Kristy ran her hand along the wall and wondered if Cassius was somewhere beyond.
They reached towering wrought iron gates. A black slate sign was set into one of the gateposts. The Grange.
‘I bet they’re locked,’ said Kristy.
‘There’s only one way to find out.’ William tried the latch and the gate swung open onto a drive that swept in a generous arc towards a flint and brick house.
Kristy corrected herself. It was far too grand to be described as a house. It was a country pile, a manor house. A mansion.
William gave a low whistle. ‘I know you said Teddy was loaded, but this is something else.’
Smart post and rail fencing skirted the gravel drive and Kristy swivelled her head from left to right as she scoured the fields beyond for a sign of Cassius. But he was nowhere to be seen.
‘Looks like we’re in luck,’ said Sofia, pointing to the red sports car parked outside the huge front door.
Kristy took a deep breath and pulled the doorbell.
After what seemed an eternity they heard the sound of bolts being scraped back and the door was thrown open.
A slim girl in her early twenties opened the door. It was the girl from the school centenary celebration. If she was surprised to see four teenagers in school uniforms on the doorstep she didn’t show it.
‘What are you collecting for this time?’ she drawled. ‘Starving orphans or sick animals?’
Kristy took a step forward. ‘Actually we’re not collecting for anything, Bella.’
The girl’s eyes narrowed into slits.
‘What did you call me?’
‘Bella,’ said Kristy patiently. ‘I need to talk to you.’
‘Is this some sick joke?’
‘Er, no,’ said Kristy.
‘Because if you think you’re being funny,’ the girl spat. ‘I can tell you - you’re not.’
The ground seemed to tilt under Kristy’s feet as she grappled to make sense of the situation.
‘You are Arabella Hayward, aren’t you? Teddy’s fiancé?’
‘That conniving, money-grabbing little so-and-so?’ The girl’s eyes flashed dangerously. ‘Why, are you a friend of hers?’
Kristy gaped at her. She had no idea what was going on.
Norah stepped forward and gave the girl one of her famous hard stares. ‘If she was a friend of Bella’s she would clearly know what she looked like,’ she said smoothly. ‘I’m afraid this is a simple case of mistaken identity. I assume you must be Teddy’s sister?’
The girl couldn’t take her eyes off Norah’s blue tongue but gave a small nod.
‘Then we are very sorry for the misunderstanding. Aren’t we?’ she said, elbowing Kristy in the ribs.
‘We are. I just assumed -’
‘That I was Bella? Absolutely not! I’m Beatrice, Teddy’s twin sister.’
‘We’re twins!’ William said, pointing to Norah.
As Beatrice looked from one to the other something in her face softened. ‘Yes, I can see. You two would probably understand.’
‘Understand what?’ said Kristy, who still felt as though she’d landed in some parallel universe where nothing made sense.
‘Why I was so furious to be mistaken for Bella. Right now she’s public enemy number one in this house. Although I saw straight through her the moment I met her. But it’s no good saying I told you so. It’ll only upset him, and he’s upset enough as it is.’ Beatrice paused in her tirade, and looked Kristy up and down. ‘So if you’re not a friend of Bella’s, who are you?’
Kristy fingered the photo of Cassius she kept in the pocket of her blazer. ‘It’s a long story.’
Beatrice held the door open and nodded. ‘I suppose you’d better come in.’
Kristy followed Beatrice along a wide, wood-panelled hallway into a large airy kitchen at the back of the house. The twins and Sofia were so close behind she could feel their breath on the back of her neck. Kristy quickened her pace and rehearsed what she would say. She had a nasty feeling if she didn’t play it just right, Beatrice would have them out of the house before she could blink.
The older girl swept an untidy pile of magazines and books to the far end of the vast kitchen table and pulled out a chair.
‘Sit,’ she ordered. Kristy nodded meekly and sat at the opposite side of the table. Sofia and
William sat either side of her, like trusty lieutenants at their general’s side as they prepared for battle. Norah drew up a chair next to Beatrice.
The older girl lay her palms flat on the table. ‘Spill the beans. Why are you here?’
Kristy reached in her pocket for the photo of Cassius. She stared at his familiar face until it blurred around the edges. Sliding the photo across the table to Beatrice she said thickly, ‘Do you recognise this horse?’
Beatrice glanced down. ‘Of course. It’s the one Teddy bought back for Bella.’
‘Not it. He,’ said Kristy fiercely. ‘Teddy had no right to buy him. He’s mine.’
Beatrice frowned. ‘Bella told us the horse used to be hers but she’d given it - sorry, him - away. She wanted him back. I can remember the day she came over, all fired up. She’d seen him in the paper and begged Teddy to get him back for her. Teddy’s totally allergic to horses - they bring him out in hives - but of course he agreed. He always did. She had him wrapped around her little finger.’
‘Bella didn’t give Cassius away. She abandoned him when he lost the sight in one eye. She didn’t want to know. She walked away without a backward glance, leaving thousands of pounds in unpaid vet’s bills and livery fees.’
Beatrice tutted. ‘Princess Bella didn’t want the damaged pony. Why doesn’t that surprise me? So why did she change her mind?’
‘Bella saw the story about us winning the quadrille. He was all shiny and new again and she wanted him back,’ said Kristy flatly.
Beatrice shot Kristy a sympathetic look. ‘People like Bella Hayward covet the things other people have. Teddy had a lovely girlfriend when he met Bella. But once she’d set her sights on him poor old Kim didn’t stand a chance.’
‘Did Teddy tell you what happened when he went to Mill Farm?’ said Kristy.
‘It was a bit weird actually. The first couple of times the owner denied all knowledge of the horse. But Teddy can be very persistent. And the last time he went he spoke to the owner’s business partner and suddenly the horse was there after all. And this business partner was happy for Teddy to take him, as long as she was reimbursed for the money Bella owed.’
‘She had no right to let him go,’ said Sofia roughly. ‘Cassius is Kristy’s. We clubbed together to buy him for her.’
Beatrice shrugged. ‘Well, she did. And of course Teddy, her knight in shining armour, bought Princess Bella her steed. It was his engagement gift to her. That and the ten grand diamond ring,’ she said bitterly.
Something had been bothering Kristy and she realised what it was. ‘You’re talking about them in the past tense.’
‘That’s because Bella dumped Teddy last week. She’s found a newer, richer boyfriend. Ted’s devastated but he always was the soft one.’
Kristy’s mouth felt as dry as unbuttered toast. She’d been so close to finding Cassius. But fate and Bella’s capricious ways had conspired against her. She knew exactly what had happened. It was obvious.
‘Bella’s taken Cassius with her, hasn’t she?’
25
Together Again
Beatrice looked at Kristy as if she had just announced the world was flat.
‘Are you mad? Of course she didn’t take him with her! She took the ring and all the other presents Teddy showered her with. But the shine soon wore off the horse. He was too much like hard work. And Princess Bella doesn’t like to get her hands dirty.’
‘But I thought you had stables here.’ Kristy waved her hands towards the huge French windows, beyond which fields shimmered like a green sea in the early evening sunshine. ‘You must have grooms to look after your horses.’
Beatrice barked with laughter. ‘The stables are home to a different kind of horsepower these days. My father uses them to house his collection of vintage motorbikes. There hasn’t been a horse here since he was a boy.’
‘So where’s Cassius,’ Kristy cried.
Beatrice gave Kristy a brief smile and pushed back her chair. ‘Come on, I’ll show you.’
‘Who’s been looking after him,’ said Kristy, worry lines crinkling her forehead.
‘I have,’ said Beatrice grimly. ‘I told you Teddy’s allergic and our parents are in the Bahamas. I don’t know much about horses but it’s not exactly rocket science, is it? I make sure he has fresh water, lots of grass and a couple of carrots twice a day so he can see in the dark.’
William spluttered and Beatrice raised an eyebrow.
‘I was joking,’ she said drily. ‘I offered him a carrot one day and he seemed rather partial to it. So it became a bit of a habit.’ She tucked her hair behind her ears. ‘He’s quite sweet actually. I’ve become rather fond of him.’
Beatrice seemed to spend an inordinate amount of time choosing a jacket from the many hanging on a line of hooks by the back door. Kristy hopped from foot to foot, nervous excitement zinging through her veins like electricity. At last Beatrice shrugged on a crinkly wax jacket the colour of algae and pushed open the back door.
‘He’s in Hastings,’ she said.
‘Hastings?’ Kristy’s heart plummeted. It was a town on the south east coast. Why on earth would he be in Hastings?
Beatrice chuckled. ‘My great grandfather was a bit of a history buff. Named all the fields after famous battles. Waterloo, Agincourt, Trafalgar, Bosworth, you get the picture. Hastings is just the other side of the poplars.’
Kristy’s patience, as taut as a tightrope, finally snapped. She physically could not wait a second longer. She broke into a run, quickening her pace until she was sprinting flat out, her legs pumping like pistons. She tore around the edge of the line of trees, flung herself over the gate and skidded to a halt, panting heavily.
There he was, grazing in the far end of the field with his back to her. Too out of breath to call out to him, she willed him to turn around, imagining her thoughts, as delicate as gossamer, spiralling through the early evening air towards him. It’s me, Cassius. I’m here. I found you.
The big Percheron lifted his head and sniffed the wind. He whipped around, as agile as a cat despite his sturdy frame. He tilted his head and gazed at her, as still as stone.
‘Cassius,’ Kristy whispered.
He whinnied and Kristy’s heart sang. She held out her arms and he trotted towards her, the drum of his hooves echoing the thrum of her heart. He stopped an arm’s length away and she took a couple of faltering steps forward, her legs as weak as a newborn foal’s. Flinging her arms around him, she buried her face in his silky soft neck and let the groundswell of tears she’d kept in check for so long finally fall.
Kristy felt a hand on her shoulder, as light as air, and a voice said softly, ‘Hey, are you OK?’
Beatrice was peering at her, a worried look on her face.
‘Why are you crying? There’s nothing wrong with him, is there?’
Kristy broke away from Cassius, although she kept one hand entwined in his mane. ‘He looks great, Beatrice. They’re happy tears. I was worried I’d never see him again, you see.’
Beatrice offered her a carrot. ‘I’ll let you give it to him today.’
Cassius whickered and Kristy shook her head ruefully.
‘I’m not sure who he’s pleased to see the most, me or the carrot,’ she said, half laughing, half crying.
The Percheron took the carrot from Kristy’s outstretched hand and dispatched it in a couple of loud crunches. He gave a contented sigh and nuzzled Kristy’s neck.
‘Oh, I’d say you win over the carrot every time,’ said Beatrice shrewdly.
‘Cassius adores Kristy,’ blurted Norah.
Beatrice smiled. ‘I can see that.’
She reached into the back pocket of her jeans for her mobile and turned her back to them as she made a call.
‘Teddy, you need to come to Hastings. Like right now.’ She shook her head. ‘No, he’s fine. But there’s something you need to see.’ Beatrice turned back to them and rolled her eyes. ‘No, it’s not Bella. You know you’re better off without h
er, don’t you? We’ve been over this a million times. Just come, OK? For me.’ She jabbed the end call icon and shoved the phone back in her pocket.
‘He and I are going to fall out big time if he doesn’t get that silly girl out of his system very soon,’ she said archly.
Kristy could see William was struggling not to laugh.
‘Do you fight much?’ he asked innocently. ‘’Cos me and Norah never do, do we sis?’
Norah shook her head in despair. ‘Of course we do. All the time.’
A flash of amusement crossed Beatrice’s face. ‘It’s what twins do.’
Kristy ran her hands over Cassius and checked his feet. He had lost some muscle tone and needed new shoes, but otherwise he looked remarkably well. Beatrice had looked after him, there was no doubt about it. But would she be willing to let Kristy be a part of his life in the future?
She was about to broach the subject when a fit of the sneezes heralded Teddy’s arrival. He trudged across the field, his blond head bowed and his shoulders hunched. Kristy felt a stab of pity for him. She knew what it was like to lose someone you loved. But then her heart hardened. He hadn’t given a second thought to her feelings when he’d stolen Cassius from her. Not stolen, she corrected herself. As far as Teddy was concerned he had bought the Percheron fair and square. It was Karen who’d betrayed her.
Teddy whipped a handkerchief from his pocket and blew his nose. He glared at his sister with puffy, reddened eyes. Whether they were the consequence of his broken heart or his allergy, Kristy couldn’t be sure.
‘What did you drag me over here for? You know he makes me sneeze. And who are they?’ he asked, pointing at the four children, who were gazing at him in fascination.
‘This is Kristy and her friends. Kristy is Cassius’s rightful owner. The woman who sold him to you did so under false pretences,’ said Beatrice.
