Chances

by Ruth Saberton

  “You do know you’ve bid?” Harry says but I hardly hear him, all I can think about is rescuing Chances. As the speed of the bidding increases he seems to whirl around the ring in perfect time with the frantic words and I wave and wave and wave until there’s a sudden thwack of the hammer against wood. Even a newbie like me can understand the word sold.

  Oops.

  “What’s happening?” I whisper.

  Harry looks at me. “What do you think? You’ve bought a horse.”

  I think my heart almost stops. “What?”

  “You’ve bought Chances.”

  I thought that was what he said.

  “How much have I spent?” I ask, and I sound like one of the Chipmunks.

  “Two grand,” says Harry.

  Two grand? What have I done?

  “Two grand? I don’t have two grand.”

  Harry passes me our registration card and gives me a big smile. His blue eyes crinkle and the freckles on his nose jiggle and dance. Even his shaggy blonde hair looks happy.

  “Lucky I do then and for that price Chances had better be as good as you say he is!”

  Chapter 14

  “I can’t pay you back,” I say to Harry as we squeeze along the row and make our way to the sales office. “I haven’t got any money at all and now I’ve quit my job at the yard…”

  I pause as a nasty thought occurs since from what I’ve seen the Crewes don’t have any money either. “You’re not putting this on a credit card, are you?”

  Credit cards are something I do know about. The first time Mum was really ill she went wild with about three of them. I had no idea until I was delving under the sink for a cloth and a whole pile of unpaid bills fell out. Dogood spent months trying to unravel the mess and the weirdest thing was I couldn’t even work out what Mum had been buying. The thought of Harry using one to help makes me feel sick.

  But he just laughs. “You actually think they’d give me a credit card? No, don’t look so worried. I’ve used my savings. I try to put a bit aside now and then just in case there’s a miracle and something changes so I can to go to art college. I couldn’t expect Mum to find the money.”

  I feel awful. “You’ve used your college fund to buy Chances? Harry, I can’t let you do that.”

  “Too late! You’ve already bid,” he says. “Besides, how likely is it really that I’ll ever be able to go to art school? You’ve seen how it is at the farm. Mum needs me there to work. We’ll lose our home otherwise.”

  I nod but I don’t feel any better.

  “Anyway,” Harry adds, “let’s look at it a bit differently. You tell me the horse is brilliant and that Drake thinks you’re talented. My opinion of him as a human being aside, he knows what he’s talking about when it comes to horses so this is an investment opportunity. If we get this right then Chances will soon be double what I’m about to pay.”

  We’re in the line for the office now. There’s no going back.

  “He is good,” I say, excitedly. “He’s really good! You should see him jump, Harry! He’s amazing. I’ve never ridden anything like him. And he’s fast too.”

  “Well, there you go,” says Harry. “It’s my lucky day. You’ll win everything, get loads of prize money and make our fortunes so stop looking so worried. This time next year you’ll probably win Badminton.”

  I laugh because I know this is all just day dreaming but excitement starts to fizz in my tummy regardless. Chances is brilliant and I know that together we do have that special magic. If I school hard, practice like crazy and earn the entrance money then who knows? Suddenly anything is possible!

  I fling my arms round Harry. “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” and he laughs.

  “Careful, Amber! People might start to think you’re actually all right deep down!”

  “I can’t have that. My social workers would be really disappointed,” I say. “They love a challenge. Let’s keep this our secret.”

  Harry pays and pockets the receipt and then we collect Chances. When he sees me, he whinnies and tears to the gate with bright eyes and pricked ears. I throw my arms around his neck hug him tightly, burying my face in his warm coat and drinking in delicious scent of warm horse.

  “You’re safe, boy,” I whisper. “You’re ours now and you’re coming home.”

  It’s late afternoon by the time we reach Perranview Farm. Harry parks the cattle trailer in the farm yard and together we lower the ramp. Then I duck inside to untie Chances and back him out carefully. He’s travelled well and although he’s a little hot from being in the trailer he’s relaxed and seems happy. He’s eaten half a net of the hay we brought with us and now he stands in the yard looking around with interest and sniffing the air with wide nostrils. Treacle shouts from the orchard and Chances spins around in a heart beat, burning the lead rope through my hands as he dives for freedom.

  “What’s going on?” Kate flies out of the kitchen door, hands covered in flour and still clutching a wooden spoon. When she sees Chances her mouth falls open.

  “We’ve bought a horse, Mum,” Harry explains. “isn’t he lovely?”

  “But that’s Malcolm’s horse!”

  “It’s a long story but he’s not Malcolm’s anymore. Chances belongs to us. Or maybe more accurately, he’s Amber’s horse.” Harry smiles at me, his crinkly eyed smile that always makes me smile right back. “I think you should pop him in the orchard, Amber. He may as well get used to being bullied by Treacle.”

  “But isn’t that the horse that hurt Emily?” Worry lines Kate’s face. “Didn’t the horse throw her in a really vicious way?”

  “That’s rubbish!” I flare.

  Harry lays a warning hand on my shoulder.

  “I think a lot of that was Emily’s fault, Mum. You know what she’s like.”

  “She lost her temper and had a bad fall but it really wasn’t Chances’ fault,” I chip in. “Malcolm sent Chances to the market without a warranty. Anyone could have bought him!”

  Kate sighs. “I don’t think Mal will be pleased very you’ve brought the horse right back to St Perran, Harry. Emily won’t want to be reminded of any failure.”

  “Stuff Emily!” I’m sick of being bullied by her. This isn’t about Emily Lacey and what she wants. “Kate, I can’t let Chances be punished; not when he’s only behaving badly because of what everyone else has done to him. He’s frightened and angry, that’s all. He’s a fantastic horse and he has so much potential. I promise when he settles down you’ll be amazed.”

  My foster mother gives me a long, hard look.

  “Well, that does sound quite a familiar tale. I could never, ever turn away anyone who was in that position,” she says slowly. Brushing flour from her hands, she steps forward and gives the Arab a pat. “I guess it’s a case of saying, welcome to the family, Chances.”

  While Harry puts the trailer away, I turn Chances out into the orchard. It’s a far cry from the beautifully manicured paddocks he’s been used to at the Rectory but it has lots of lovely old gnarled apple trees for the horses to rub on and to give them shade in the summer. I watch him trot across the grass to say hello to Treacle and Minty who’ve meandered across to inspect the new arrival. There’s a little squealing, some head-butting from the sheep and several laps of the orchard by all three, Chances dancing ahead while Treacle lumbers behind and Minty does her best to keep up, before they all settle down to graze. I watch them for a few minutes to make sure they’re settled before returning to the house. I’ve got a lot of plans to make.

  Kate and Harry are sitting already at the table with mugs of tea and biscuits. Kate’s still frowning and Harry looks serious. They’ve obviously been discussing everything.

  “Here’s yours,” says Kate, pushing a mug over to me when I take the seat opposite. “Now listen to me, both of you. I’m going to say this once and once only.”

  Harry and I exchange glances. It looks as though we’re in the bad books.

  “First of all Harry shouldn’t have taken
you out of school without permission,” she begins. “Don’t argue, Amber, or try to tell me it was all your idea. Harry’s eighteen and supposedly an adult. He knows right from wrong.”

  “Ouch,” says Harry but his mother ignores him; she’s far too busy laying down the law.

  “Your attendance has been a big issue in the past, Amber, and you’ve got your exams next year so this is non-negotiable. If you truant again or pull another stunt like this, Chances won’t be staying at Perranview. I mean it! This is no example to set Maddy and both of you need to think a little bit more about her.”

  Blimey. I had no idea Kate could be so tough. To be honest I’d written her off as a bit of a drip.

  “Harry, you’ve spent your college money on a horse and that’s your choice,” Kate continues, “and Amber, you’ve now got to pay for Chances and that won’t come cheap. He’ll need shoes, feed, hay, rugs, tack.” She ticks these off on her fingers. “I don’t know why you quit your job at the stables but you’d better get yourself there fast and put things right with Drake because you’re going to need every penny.”

  “We don’t need Drake Owen,” grates Harry.

  “Oh yes we do!” says Kate. “He’s a trainer and Amber has an horse that needs training. She also needs the money to pay for it all – unless you’re taking care of that too? And paying entries to events and vet’s bills?”

  There’s no way I’m letting Harry pay for any of this. No way at all. He’s done quite enough. I’ll go and grovel to Drake if I have to and eat a massive slice of humble pie. Whatever it takes to keep Chances, I’ll do it. I’ll even smile sweetly at Emily and scrub her stables with a tooth brush if it keeps my horse safe.

  “I’ll go over after school tomorrow,” I promise.

  “You’ll go now,” says Kate.

  There’s a note in her voice that says there’s going to be no arguing and, catching my eye, Harry gives me a nod.

  “I know! How about I go right now?” I suggest brightly and Kate laughs.

  Her laughter stops abruptly when there’s a knock on the kitchen door and none other than Drake Owen appears. Instantly Harry’s on his feet and the two guys bristle at one another.

  “Sorry, I tried the front door but there wasn’t any answer,” Drake says apologetically as hovers on the threshold. “I heard voices so I followed them. I was looking for Amber.”

  “Well you’ve found her,” snaps Harry. “Now what?”

  Drake looks awkward. “May I come in?”

  I can tell Harry wants nothing more than to grab Drake by the scruff of the neck and throw him off his land but Kate is nodding and already offering tea. While Drake pulls off his Hunters, Harry glowers at him. He’s taller and broader than Drake, who is slighter yet wiry and lithe, and I think it’s pretty brave of Drake to come here.

  “I’ve had a call from Mick Ellery, the horse dealer who took Chances to Hatherleigh. He told me the horse was sold to you, Harry. Is that true?”

  Harry eyeballs him. “I can’t see that’s any of your business.”

  I see Drake fight to keep his temper. A muscle ticks in his cheek.

  “It is when the horse is one I know. Is it true? Is Chances here?”

  His dark eyes search mine and I have the swooping sensation you get just before leaping a giant fence.

  “He’s here,” I say. “We bought him at the market.”

  “You don’t give up easily, do you?”

  I raise my chin. “No. Some people don’t.”

  Drake rakes a hand through his dark hair. “Look, I messed up and I’m sorry. I should have had more balls - sorry Mrs. Crewe – more guts and stood up to Malcolm but I was worried too. He’s a difficult horse, Amber. You could get hurt.”

  Kate gasps. “Are you saying Chances is dangerous?”

  “No, of course not - if he’s handled properly that is. Then he’s a star in the making but if you get it wrong…” He pulls a rueful face. “Then yes, Kate, I do think he could hurt somebody. I guess that’s why I’m here.”

  “You can’t take him away now, Drake. Chances is mine,” I say.

  “I wouldn’t dream of doing that. You’re the only person I truly believe has what it takes to help him,” Drake replies. “Look, I know it hardly makes up for letting you down before but I’m willing to come and train you. I’ll give you all the help you need to get Chances going properly and safely.”

  “And how much is that going to cost?” snaps Harry. There’s an expression on his face that I can’t quite identify.

  “Nothing. I’ll train Amber in my spare time. I’d like her to have her job back too.” His lips twitch. “She’s a menace at times but there’s far too much bucket scrubbing for me.”

  “Not man enough to do my chores?” I ask.

  Drake laughs. “You’ve got me! But seriously, Amber. Will you accept my offer? Can you forgive me for letting you down and give me a chance to make up for it?”

  “Of course she can,” says Kate.

  “Amber?” Drake says softly. “Will you let me make things up to you and Chances?”

  We stare at each other. Everything else, from Harry’s loathing of Drake to my hurt feelings, suddenly feel very far away. Besides, none of this matters compared to being able to keep Chances and do the best for my horse.

  My horse. Oh wow.

  I hold out my hand.

  “Yes. Of course I will.”

  We shake hands on it and I know I should feel happy but I can feel Harry’s gaze burning into the back of my hoody. Any hotter and I’ll be in flames.

  I may have made it up with Drake, have my job back and a trainer on side to help but it’s abundantly clear my foster brother’s far from thrilled. And strangely this doesn’t make me feel very happy at all.

  Chapter 15

  “My goodness! Look at you!” Dogood’s watery blue eyes nearly pop out of her head. “I hardly recognize you, Amber! You look wonderful!”

  Charming. I must have looked shocking before because I’ve had about four hours sleep and have bags under my eyes Lidl could use. I rode for an hour this morning, mucked out seven stables and cleaned a holiday cottage too. My hair’s wild because I then walked home in the pouring rain and I’m still wearing jodhpurs because Alan was already waiting for me, tapping his watch and grumbling, when I reached the farm. Schooling and paying for Chances is taking every second that isn’t spent on school work and sleeping.

  And I love it.

  “I always knew your hair would look beautiful if you let it grow and stopped dying it,” my social worker continues. “And you’ve taken your piercings out too. You look really pretty.”

  I’d almost forgotten about my piercings. The earrings kept getting tangled in the strap of my jockey skull and the nose stud fell out one day when I was mucking out and I never saw it again. The tongue stud I got rid of too – it was really annoying, bashing against my teeth when I’m riding.

  I open my mouth to give her a snide comment but something really weird happens: I can’t think of one.

  “Thanks,” I say instead and Dogood nearly falls over with shock, which is even more satisfying than being rude.

  “Amber’s really busy with her horse riding,” Alan tells her. He’s parked his car (a Prius, surprise surprise) and has joined us in the hospital foyer. “She’s got a horse.”

  “A horse?” Dogood echoes. “What’s she going to do with a horse when she comes home?”

  A knot tightens in the pit of my stomach because this is a complication I hadn’t counted on. There’s no way I can afford to keep a horse in Bristol.

  “It’s Harry’s Crewe’s horse,” I snap. “Can we stop wasting time? Am I seeing Mum or not?”

  My social workers exchange a glance and Dogood looks relieved to see me back to my usual stroppy self. She and Alan have finally managed to arrange for me to see Mum and since it’s half term they can’t make the usual protests about my school attendance suffering. Anyway, it’s been over five weeks since I left and they’re run
ning out of excuses. I’ve spoken to Mum a couple of times and she sounds weary and a bit spaced out but that’s effect of her medication. She said she missed me and I do miss her, of course I do, even if there’s a nasty part of me that sometimes likes not having to worry about bills being paid or what she’s up to when I’m at school.

  “Of course you’re seeing her,” Dogood says. “I spoke to Sara’s doctor yesterday and he said she was looking forward to it. Your mum’s been having a good few days and she’s making great progress.”

  I take this with a massive fistful of salt. Mum didn’t sound so great to me and I know her better than anyone. I hope they haven’t been meddling with her medicine again. I suppose I could ask but they’ll only dismiss my concerns because I’m a teenager. Still, Dogood seems confident so I’m probably just being paranoid.

  The type of hospital Mum is in isn’t the kind you see on Holby City or Casualty. There don’t tend to be lots of visitors with flowers and grapes and at times it’s hard to tell the doctors from the patients. Alan tactfully says he’ll meet us in an hour and leaves Dogood to sign me in. Then we’re buzzed through a set of doors and shown into a day room where half-finished jigsaws languish on tables, spider plants tumble from dusty shelves and This Morning blares from the television.

  “OK?” Dogood asks me once a nurse has gone to find Mum

  I nod. I’ve been inside enough hospitals to know that this one’s pretty nice. I wander to the window and look out. Maybe I’ve got used to the wide spaces and glittering sea in Cornwall because these terraces of grey houses seem very cramped and everything’s so dull, as though the colours have been muted. The sky seems low too and hangs heavy with cloud. I feel really lost, which unnerves me because this was home.

  Was home? Is home, I mean.

  Dogood sits down at the jigsaw table and pretends to be interested in piecing together a picture of the Mona Lisa but I’m not fooled. She’s actually observing me for some report or other.