Moving on in the direction of the rear of the house the thought occurred to him that Freddie’s visit was a chance not to be missed. A tete-a-tete about the various opportunities that each member of the household had to enter the library on that fateful night could be very rewarding and the library would be the ideal place for just such a meeting! He would also be able to gather Freddie’s reaction to the interesting results of the word association game he’d conducted the previous evening before unsuccessfully trying to sleep. And he smiled at the thought.
With his attention brought back to the job in hand he turned right by the trees that skirted the lawn, quickened his step towards the stable yard and approached the first of the boxes; the one that housed Delilah.
Laura had her back to him as he walked in through the open doorway. She was talking to the mare as she fastened and adjusted the saddle and girth and was obviously unaware of his presence.
He produced one of his discreet but nervous coughs clearing his throat before saying his ‘Good morning’ and, although it was meant as a gentle introduction, it had entirely the opposite effect!
Brushing her auburn hair from her eyes with the back of one hand she wheeled round to face him, her eyes blazing. The look showed how much she had been caught unprepared and the black chunky polo-necked sweater she wore under her open black leather jacket couldn’t disguise the rapid rise and fall of her breasts that revealed just how much her composure had been upset.
‘Dammit, Giles, you startled me!’ she said, breathing heavily.
‘I’m sorry!’ He leaned forward, put a hand on each of her shoulders and made a feeble attempt to place a friendly peck on her cheek. ‘I didn’t mean to.!’
He was given no chance to finish his apology. She shrugged off his grasp, placed both her hands on his chest and pushed him violently backwards. Only the wall of the box brought his movement to an abrupt halt and prevented him falling on to the floor. The ferocity of her attack plus the sudden thump of his back against the wall made him gasp for breath; a breath that was denied him as she attacked him again, this time with her whole body. She pressed him against the wall, closed her lips on his and, for what seemed an eternity, made him forget the need for air as a means of survival.
‘Now Mister Professor, Sir! I don’t think we should keep the lady waiting any longer!’ she said as she pulled herself off him and indicated, with a nod of her head, the quiet mare standing with ears pricked and watching them with interest.
‘But,’ she continued, her tone becoming more matter-of-fact, ‘before we go any further and, by that, I mean getting the mare saddled, let me have a good look at you. Hmm! The clothes I left for you seem to be a reasonable fit. Not Savile Row, I admit, but perfectly adequate, don’t you agree? The jodhpurs and jacket belong to Conrad and the sweater, stockings and shoes were Daddy’s. I hope you don’t mind?’
‘Not at all! Of course I don’t mind! In fact I’m discovering, by the minute, that most things you do for me take my breath away!’
‘Touché!’ She returned his smile and paused before adding, ‘Come on, let’s finish with Delilah then we’ll get you fixed up with a hard hat and a whip!’
‘So, it’s going to be that kind of a party!’ he wheezed, still struggling for breath.
‘Cheeky!’ She screwed up her eyes and squinted at him. ‘You’re looking a bit pique this morning. Are you all right?’
‘Yes. Didn’t sleep too well, that’s all. I’m never really at my best this early in the morning. Don’t worry I’ll improve as the day goes on.’
‘Why don’t you go and pick a hat for yourself. I’ll carry on here. The tack room’s open. Anyway there’s been a change of plan. You’ll be riding Samson this morning. You wouldn’t think so looking at her standing there but Delilah has been a bit fractious and, when she’s like that, she can be quite a handful for a new rider. Go next door and see George. He’s saddling your mount and you should find the horse a big softie. I’ll meet you out in the yard.’
The brusqueness of her voice was in stark contrast to the events that had just taken place and, as he left the box while she turned back to the patiently waiting mare, he wondered what, if anything, he had done to upset her.
‘Good morning, George!’
‘Morning, Professor!’ The little white-haired groom, who was putting the final touches to the magnificent chestnut gelding, cheerily returned the greeting as The Prof strode into Samson’s box. The dark-blue checked flat cap he was wearing accentuated his white hair.
Whilst fiddling with the chinstrap of his helmet Giles was struck by the appearance of the animal. The winter coat was becoming evident, that was true, but the horse’s body just rippled with health making his rider-to-be wish he was in the same glowing state. The horse was huge and seemed to tower over the little groom.
‘I know what you’re thinking! He’s a big lad, all of seventeen hands and more and alongside me he looks even bigger!’ The little man removed his cap and scratched the back of his white head. ‘If the boss had still been alive he would’ve classed him as a "big bugger” That’s for sure!’
‘The boss?’ queried The Prof, wandering to the other side of the gelding’s head as the keen eyes inquisitively followed his every movement.
‘Why, Jack, of course! Mister Ramsden! He’d have loved this old fella! But shouldn’t you be next door with Delilah. Isn’t she the one you’re taking out this morning?’
‘No! There’s been a change of plan. Laura has decided to ride her today so I’ll be up on this one.’
The little man removed his cap a second time and appeared to be thrown by the news but recovered quickly. ‘I’ve done the stirrup leathers to suit Laura but I suppose you can lengthen them once you’re in the saddle. Can’t you?’
‘Yes, yes, George. No worries there! What concerns me more.!’
‘Ask away, my friend.’
‘Is there anything special I should know about Samson before I go out? I mean, does he have any quirky habits?’
‘No, not really! Treat him as you would a member of the opposite sex!’ At this point in his lecture little George Gardner glanced across to the wall that separated both horses and smiled knowingly. ‘Don’t rush! That’s the secret!’ he said, poking a finger to emphasize the point. ‘Ease him from the trot to the canter and take it steadily before asking him to gallop. He’ll respond and give you a super ride. Come on, I’ll lead him out and give you a leg up.’ He took hold of the reins and prepared to move to the open doorway. ‘Oh, and don’t get too close to the one in front. Her, next door, can be a right madam when she likes!’
‘And which one would that be?’
Both men tried hard to subdue their spontaneous laughter.
Out in the yard The Prof had been given a leg up and, settling himself in the saddle, was lengthening his stirrup leathers as Laura led out the mare.
‘What was that all about, Gee Gee? The two of you sounded as if you were enjoying something back there in the box! Anything I should know about?’
‘I’ll let you into a secret, my dear young woman! The same thought had occurred to me earlier when I heard strange noises from your box. And it didn’t sound like the horse!’
‘Oh, that! It was nothing! We were exchanging an idea, that’s all!’
The family retainer studied the expression etched on her face and noted that her fiery temperament almost matched the colour of the wisps of hair protruding from under her black hat. He said nothing as he eased her into the saddle with practiced assistance.
‘Let’s go!’ she said, in the manner of a schoolteacher. ‘I’ll walk on in front. You follow, but keep your distance!’
‘Yes, ma’am!’
He turned round in the saddle to look at George and, as he winked at the little man, he glanced up at the house in the background. A flash of light was coming from an upstairs window. Was it a reflection from the hazy early-morning sun? He turned again and, with a prod of his heels, asked his mount to walk on; then it daw
ned on him what the flash of light had been! Someone was watching them through binoculars!
He put the thought out of his mind and concentrated on his immediate task.
As he settled into the rhythm of the horse’s walk he was conscious of the immense power he had beneath the saddle and the understanding that, if his mount decided to take-off with him, nothing on earth would enable him to control such power. Horse power indeed! Someone had been so right to use that term!
After leaving the yard the hunters took a well-worn path that led towards the lodge of Mr. and Mrs. Gardner which then veered to the left before reaching their home. Still at the walk The Prof had time to reflect on his powerful mount and remember so many of the adages his fiancee had contributed. The last time he’d sat on a horse had been shortly before her accident but much of her equestrian advice was fresh in his memory.
“Begin quietly,” she invariably told him. “Quietly and steadily!” were her passwords. “Avoid any pulling!” she would tell him tenderly. “Even big, strong, honest horses can have tender mouths!” she’d tease him. God how he missed her at this moment!
She would continually cajole him. “Sit still and quiet,” she’d say. “Learn to walk with a long rein and yet try to keep contact with his mouth. Apply just enough pressure to keep him balanced and under control like a good angler plays a fish!” He was, he thought, just about managing to reproduce everything he’d learned.
The hand signal, from up front, snapped him out of his reverie on good horsemanship. Then, as Laura and the mare broke into a jog trot, he and Samson did likewise.
The easy gait of his mount was in direct response to his controlled handling and gave posthumous credit to the teachings of...! Almost simultaneously the two hunters changed to the canter and were soon travelling smoothly over an area that reminded him of his boyhood days when he tried, without much success, to follow the local Hunts on foot.
They were lobbing along almost parallel to a road track and, as the leading horse changed to a gallop with the gelding following suit, his heart began pounding to the beat of the hooves. Hedges were looming in the immediate distance. It was jumping time! Laura was putting him to the test! Was that what her violent kiss had been in the stable? Had it been a farewell gesture? Or was it meant as encouragement? He had no time to decide!
Samson was going well and taking hold of his bit. Giles felt at one with his partner. He could see the mare clear the first fence then it was his turn. Keeping his horse collected and riding in towards the obstacle with hands and heels and trying not to interfere with Samson’s head his well-balanced mount flew the hedge and landed without any loss of impetus.
‘Wow!’ The exhilarated rider expressed delight and relief. The horse was a natural!
He gathered himself as Laura and Delilah soared over the next hedge. He sensed the ability of his partner to put himself right at each jump and realised that, as a rider, his aim was to concentrate at doing nothing that would jeopardise that ability thus allowing the jumper controlled freedom.
He was rewarded with another superb leap at the second obstacle and was positively relishing the experience as they approached the third and what seemed to be a larger hedge than the first two. He was back in the world of dreams; riding in the Grand National and approaching the biggest fence; The Chair. The cold morning air slammed into his face and gave him the same impression of the speed he’d had in Laura’s sports car on the journey from the railway station. He focused his vision between the pricked ears of his hunter knowing that this time things were different. This time he was in control!
But something was wrong! Delilah and Laura were over the fence. That was clear! But as he neared the enormous hedge he had time only to note that the mare was galloping away riderless! Laura had disappeared!
Seconds later he and Samson were airborne. The well-balanced animal, clever at his fences, and jumping off his hocks, barely touched a twig as they made a safe excursion to the landing side. The Prof was all too aware of the immense pressure on his stirrup leathers as he let out the reins and made every effort to assist in keeping the balance of horse and rider. His attempts were severely tested as Samson sidestepped something lying on the grass as they landed.
Looking ahead he could see the riderless animal clear the next and it took him no time at all to ease Samson back into a canter and start pulling up. His fiancee would have been proud, as he didn’t rush to pull up for fear of damaging his horse in any way.
Wheeling round at the walk he looked back to the obstacle he had just cleared. Then, as he hacked back towards the inert object lying on the grass, he was overcome by the feeling of dread he’d had when his fiancee, Linda, had lain in a similar position after her severe fall in that Point-to-Point.
He dismounted, led Samson to a nearby fence post and tied him up. He walked over to the limp motionless figure, removed his leather jacket and placed it gently over her body.
Bending down he heard a soft moan emanating from her lips, those same lips that, earlier, had...! He put the thought from his mind as she stirred.
‘Please, don’t move!’ he implored, placing a restraining hand on one of her shoulders. At just that moment he was aware of the sound of a car engine on the road and looked up to see the Vauxhall Victor Estate coming to a halt with George at the wheel.
Almost before the car had stopped, Conrad and his wife Mabel raced out and approached the scene of the accident.
Against The Prof’s advice Laura was soon sitting up and telling those around her that she was all right. Sore, shaken and probably bruised, but all right!
Conrad and Mabel said they would get Laura back to the house and call a doctor. George offered to collect her horse that they could see grazing about two hundred yards away and Giles said he would trot Samson back to the stables and wash him down.
‘Stay here and we’ll go back together. I’d like to have a word with you!’ It was the tone of the little groom’s words more than the words themselves that convinced him he should pay special heed to them.
Between them Conrad and Mabel helped a groggy Laura into the back of the Estate. Mabel remained in the back of the car with her and Conrad, with a ‘See you back at the house, we’ll get her to bed and call the doc,’ waved an arm, got behind the wheel and, with a rapid but smooth three-point turn, drove away.
As silence returned The Prof noticed something lying in the grass. He went across and picked it up. It was Laura’s whip. He untied Samson and, leading him by the head, joined George who was looking very serious.
‘I’ll take that, if you don’t mind! The little man grabbed the whip and began to stride out in the direction of an unconcerned Delilah who was enjoying a leisurely early breakfast.
Giles hurried after him. ‘Was I glad to see you with the car!’ he said, opening the conversation. ‘But how on earth did you appear so soon?’
‘It was Conrad and Mabel! I suppose you could say it was Mabel really. The two of them came rushing down to the stables with a garbled tale that something terrible had happened. Conrad explained that it was his wife who had a premonition there had been a riding accident. She was sure someone had been seriously hurt. She was also sure that person was you! I didn’t stop to ask questions, but got them into the car, came down here and saw you trying to help Laura. The rest you know!’
‘Do you think they had been watching us from the house? You see I thought I saw someone using binoculars before we left the yard!’
‘No, I asked about that. About how they could know and all I got was that it was simply a feeling that Mabel had. She couldn’t explain it but said she felt a cold numbness coming over her and insisted we should check it out!’
‘Lucky you did! I don’t know what we would have done if you hadn’t arrived when you did!’
‘Well, that’s something you don’t have to answer. The fact is we did and Laura appears to have escaped serious injury!’
‘Mabel seems to be a most unusual young woman. And someone it might be
worth keeping a close eye on. Sensitive, emotional, responsive and impressionable, there’s no denying she has those qualities but, as for extrasensory perception, that’s an entirely different matter!’
‘I won’t disagree with you, Professor, but something puzzles me much more than whether Conrad’s wife has second sight!’
‘And what would that be?’
There was a lengthy pause before the little man in the cloth cap replied. He stopped, halted his companion with an outstretched arm and gave the matter some thought.
‘What, exactly, made Laura fall?’ He let his question sink in before adding, ‘After all, she’s taken that hedge hundreds of times before and never had a mishap! I know it can happen to anyone, but why today? It wasn’t as if she was in a race and under pressure from other competitors. No, it doesn’t add up! Think back, Professor! Weren’t you supposed to be riding Delilah this morning?’
‘Yes, but...! You’re not suggesting...!’
‘I’m not suggesting anything! Oh, I hope not! I sincerely hope not! But, I’ll tell you, lad, I think we’re about to find out! Come on!’
They started walking again and the mare looked up from her munching as the two men, with the horse, came towards her. She pricked her ears as her groom caught hold of her reins. He checked the bridle and girths. Everything seemed in good order and the saddle was secure. He moved round to the opposite side and The Prof heard the intake of breath followed by a whistling sound of air expelled through pursed lips.
George appeared and the look on his face gave an indication of things to come. ‘The stirrup leather, on that side, has snapped. She really had no chance of staying in the saddle. But that’s not all. It looks as if it may have been cut!’
The significance of his news was not lost.
’But that means.!’
‘Yes, lad! We both know what that means! Now let’s get these animals back to their boxes!’
It took over fifteen minutes to walk the horses back to the stables and during most of that time a mutual silence allowed their thoughts plenty of scope. Occasionally they exchanged reminiscences but the possibility that a vital piece of equipment may have been tampered with remained uppermost in both minds.
The Statue of Three Lies Page 10
