by Ruby Loren
“I don’t think you need luck. I’ve seen how you’ve been riding this weekend. You’ll be great,” she promised him, feeling her heart bounce up and down in her chest as she held back on the words she wished she could say but knew were better kept inside. Riley gave her a long look that Hayley imagined saw straight through her. Just like her, she could tell he used his intuition, especially around horses. She wondered just what he’d seen when he looked at her.
“I’ll be watching you from the side,” she promised and he nodded, his expression turning serious.
“I hope everyone’s watching,” he said and she knew what he meant. This competition was probably his only opportunity to save the reputation of the family stud. He had got to prove that Flare was just a tragic blip in an otherwise beautiful line. Hayley prayed he would manage to persuade the crowd.
***
It was late afternoon and Hadrian was on next. Goldie and Riley had ridden a stunning clear round, as had Taylor and Molotov. Mark had been the real surprise of the day. His horse had bolted at the highest jump and he hadn’t been able to bring it back under control, forcing him down the rankings. Hayley had only seen his face from a distance but she could tell he was fuming. It hadn’t seemed like a good time to ask him if he thought the jinx was responsible.
A couple of girls from the riding school had gone up to console him but he’d shaken them off leaving them looking hurt. Hayley figured he was better left licking his wounds. For all Mark’s faults, she was sure he wouldn’t take out his frustration on his horse.
“Hey, are you as nervous as I am?” A voice said from behind her elbow and she turned to see Taylor standing there, his eyes already fixed on the empty ring.
“I have every faith in Chloe and Hadrian, but yes, I’m shaking in my boots,” she told him with a grin. She inclined her head towards Mr and Mrs Hamel-Tory, who were seated in the VIP box across the arena. They nodded back and she tried not to hold her breath as Hadrian and Chloe entered. They’d done so well in the dressage and cross country, there was no reason to think that Hadrian would play up now. She smiled, knowing that she wasn’t nervous about that… she was wondering just how well Hadrian could do.
“Hey, I’ve got my fingers crossed,” Riley said, appearing on her other side. Hayley patted his arm gratefully and they all stood in silence listening to the whispers that went around the arena about the scars on Hadrian’s chest and the story that accompanied them. Hayley hoped that Chloe couldn’t hear them, or if she could, that she knew it was no reflection on her and Hadrian. This was Hadrian’s recovery and they weren’t bound by the events of the past.
They were given the signal to start and the big dappled grey gelding jumped forwards, his movements as smooth as a ghost. It looked like he hardly noticed the first three bar jump when he sailed over it and then the next… and then the next… The triple jump that had foxed so many of the riders who’d mistimed their approach didn’t bother him either and by the time he approached the last jump (a tricky leap over water) Hayley was ready to cheer. They all held their breath as he sailed clear over the crossed and the audience broke into claps and cheers. Hayley wondered why she’d ever been nervous. It was clear that Hadrian was born to this and that Chloe knew exactly how to work with him.
Hayley looked across at the Hamel-Torys and saw that Mrs Hamel-Tory was dabbing her eyes with a tissue and even Mr Hamel-Tory had his hands clenched in his lap, looking as though he was trying very hard to not do the same. She couldn’t imagine what it would feel like for them, watching Hadrian’s perfect clear round but without their daughter present. I’m sure she’d be proud of Hadrian, she silently thought, making eye contact with the pair and smiling and nodding once more.
Hayley, Taylor and Riley rushed over to where Chloe was walking Hadrian back towards the trailer.
“That was amazing!” Riley said and Hayley echoed it. Chloe was all smiles when she turned to Taylor, expecting the same sort of praise. Taylor opened his mouth but no sound came out. Chloe took a step forwards and kissed him on the lips, making his eyes open wide in surprise. Hayley tried not to laugh. Taylor’s affection for Chloe had been obvious to everyone, apparently even Chloe. She hoped that now they’d be able to work something out.
“Won’t be long now until the prize giving,” Riley said as he and Hayley walked back through the crowds, aimlessly wandering as the sun started to dip in the sky.
“I hope you do well,” she said to him, praying it didn’t sound insincere. “With the performance you put in, I doubt anyone will be questioning the stud.”
“Yes, but getting a prize would make it just that little bit sweeter,” he told her with a grin. “It might also mean that my father will see that riding in competitions is good for business.” He shrugged a little sadly. “Just between us, it probably won’t be long before I have to take over anyway. He’s not in the greatest shape anymore.”
Hayley nodded silently, not knowing what to say to that. Fortunately she was saved when Mark walked by, throwing them both a dirty look. He opened his mouth to say something (undoubtedly rude) but didn’t get the words out as someone was yelling his name. “Mark? You’re Mark right? Your horse bolted at that big fence?” A girl with red hair and a bright smile approached them.
Mark’s expression darkened like thunder. “What’s it to you?” He spat, but the implied ‘go away’ had no effect on the redhead.
“My horse Cinna did the same thing. Well, he didn’t bolt, he just didn’t jump. We crashed straight through it. It was so mortifying. I’m not sure if you were around the arena, but I think the laughter could be heard everywhere,” she bumbled on, the smile not disappearing from her face. “I love Cinna but that’s exactly the sort of stunt he loves to pull. He’s stubborn, like his owner I guess,” she laughed. “If he doesn’t want to jump he won’t. He’s usually brilliant though, but hey, I guess your horse is the same?” She said, finally pausing for breath.
Mark opened his mouth and then shut it again. Hayley carefully watched his facial expressions and realised he was stumped. The redhead just went on smiling at him.
“My name’s Milly, by the way. I already know your name as I looked you up as soon as I saw it happen. We owners of unpredictable horses should stick together,” she nudged him and a look of pure outrage passed over Mark’s face that made Hayley want to laugh. His mouth did the goldfish thing again as he took in Milly’s fire-engine hair that stuck out like a haystack, her freckles and twinkling blue eyes. She was a far cry from the usual primped and proper girls who trailed around after him and he had no idea how to react.
“Come on, let’s go get a beer and talk about our mighty steeds,” Milly said, grabbing Mark’s arm and pulling him after her. To Hayley’s surprise, Mark didn’t resist but that might have just been because his brain hadn’t processed what was happening to him.
The loud speaker suddenly blared, announcing that the results had been posted.
“Come on! Let’s go see,” Hayley grabbed Riley’s hand without thinking and ran towards the main marquee, joining the stampede.
CHAPTER NINE
Gold
“I don’t believe it,” Riley said, his jaw slack. Hayley realised she was still holding his hand and let it go.
“Well, what did you expect? You rode brilliantly through all three events,” she said with a smile.
“Yes but, I never thought…”
Someone patted Riley on the back and congratulated him. Soon he was surrounded by well wishers, a great many of whom made enquiries about his family’s stud. Hayley let him get washed away from her in a tide of people, thrilled for his victory. She’d known he had it in him to win the whole competition and he’d proved her right.
“Wow, I’m second,” Taylor said, looking over Hayley’s shoulder with a big grin on his face. “Chloe, you’re fourth! That’s amazing,” he said and the pair hugged each other, their eyes full of stars.
They broke off their embrace as the crowd thinned and the Hamel-Torys ma
de their way through, pausing only to look at the score sheets. Their faces showed no surprise when they discovered how high Hadrian and Chloe had placed but Hayley could understand that. They’d all witnessed his amazing clear round.
"Thank you for letting me ride Hadrian in this competition. It’s the best thing that's ever happened to me. I hope now people will see he's an amazing horse and you'll find the perfect rider who wants him,” Chloe said, unable to keep a little bit of disappointment from her voice. The Hamel-Torys exchanged a look and Mrs Hamel-Tory smiled at her husband.
“We've already found the right rider,” she said. Chloe tried to brighten her expression.
“Oh that’s great. May I ask who?” Chloe said, filling her voice with false enthusiasm. “I just, might want to visit,” she concluded lamely.
“The rider is you,” Mr Hamel-Tory said and Chloe looked up, stunned. “We want to sponsor you to keep riding Hadrian. We’ll keep him at the stables and you can ride him for as long as you like. We’ve seen the way you work together and it’s wonderful. I know Madison would have approved and would have wanted the right person to ride Hadrian so that he can become the great horse we both know he was meant to be. We have no doubt that with you as his rider, he’ll be competing in national competitions in no time.”
“Probably winning them too,” Mrs Hamel-Tory added. They both looked expectantly at Chloe, who seemed to have forgotten how to speak. Fortunately, Taylor was there for her.
“She’s thrilled, trust me,” he said with a smile, wrapping an arm around Chloe’s shoulders.
“Thank you,” Chloe managed before the pair moved away, presumably to join the congratulations and prepare for the prize giving.
“I’ll see you later,” Riley said, having finally managing to free himself from the crowd of people. He shot Hayley a fond look and she returned the smile, wondering for the hundredth time… what if?
She shook her head as he walked away. They were both professionals who were dedicated to their horses. He had his job and she had hers and they both knew that neither would give up their career for the other. Perhaps in several years’ time Hayley would want to settle down but she knew it wasn’t time for that. She could feel in her bones that she wasn’t meant to stay in one place. Her purpose in life was to help as many horses, and the people who worked with them, as she could and her work was far from finished.
She smiled until her cheeks ached as the prizes were presented and Hadrian was given a ribbon for coming fourth. It was only as the crush started to die down and the orange and pink light of the setting sun streamed across the meadow that Hayley managed to reflect on all that had happened. She smiled silently. They’d had their share of tragedy along the way but as endings went, this was as good as it got.
“Hayley? May I have a word?” She turned to see Mr Hamel-Tory walking towards her. They shared the silence for a moment longer, both watching the sun sink further before Mr Hamel-Tory spoke again.
“Thank you for all you’ve done for us. It would have broken my heart if we’d had to get rid of Hadrian and now you’ve proved without a doubt that he is the horse we always thought he could be. I know Madison would be so grateful if she were here,” he paused a moment and Hayley let him gather himself together. “I thought… as you did such a wonderful job for us, I know there’s another place that might need your assistance. I’m not sure if they can afford it, and the situation is complex to say the least, but something awful happened recently and I’m just not sure if the stables are going to survive it.” Hayley tilted her head at him, encouraging him to go on. Mr Hamel-Tory didn’t know it, but she only took what people could afford. As long as she made enough to live off, she didn’t mind. She would always help horses in need first and worry about money second.
“The stables is called the Hawley-Jones Riding Stables and while they’ve fallen on hard times in the past, things have just got even more difficult. The owner has just had her star horse stolen and I can’t help but feel as though someone is out to get her.” He looked imploringly at Hayley. “Romani and Madison used to ride together. I was just wondering if there was anything you could do to help them.” He shot her a look that made Hayley feel like she’d just been x-rayed. “The police are looking for the missing horse, but I think if anyone could find the stolen horse, it would be you.”
Hayley bit her lip, knowing that horses could be made to disappear very easily. It was likely that the horse in question would never be seen again but still… what if there was something she could do?
“I’ll pay them a visit,” she promised, wondering if she was about to get wrapped up in another mystery.
***
The evening air was cool and the sun had almost vanished completely when Hayley sensed Riley by her side.
“It’s been an amazing weekend,” he said and she nodded, unable to stop herself from feeling sorry that it was all over. They both turned their heads as they heard laughter from over by a big oak tree. Mark and Milly were lying beneath it, looking up through the leaves. She wondered what Milly had said to make Mark laugh but was pleased that someone had finally managed to get beneath that frosty veneer.
“I think I might be going to a new stables. A horse has been stolen and… I don’t know… I’m just hoping there’s something I might be able to do to help, even if I can’t find the horse,” she said to Riley, knowing that this was goodbye.
“I know you’ll help them and I bet you find that horse too.” He hesitated for a moment. “You’ll be back around here one day though, right? We’ll see each other again,” he said, firmly so there was no argument.
“It’s a small horsey world after all. I hope so,” she said, feeling her heart lift just a little. Riley gave her a knowing look.
“Well, until then,” he said, leaning in and kissing her lightly on the cheek.
Hayley kept smiling long after he’d disappeared into the twilight.
END
The Starling’s Summer
Ruby Loren
Copyright © 2017 Ruby Loren
INTRO
Rain ran off Hayley’s raincoat in rivulets and soaked through her pyjama bottoms. Her usually buoyant blonde hair hung down from her scalp in a sorry sheet. A shiver ran down her spine that had nothing to do with the drenching she’d received. Her worst suspicions had just been confirmed. The barn door was slightly ajar.
Someone had broken in.
She felt her initial bravado melt away and she wondered what she was doing out in the rain, well past midnight. The intelligent thing to do would have been to sit tight back at the cottage and call the police. Of course, they’d have never arrived in time, but what did she think she was going to do? She was soaked to the skin and completely alone. She didn’t even have a weapon and yet she was probably only seconds away from coming face to face with a gang of professional horse thieves.
“Not smart, Hayley,” she muttered, her eyes squinting through the rain as she looked around the flooded yard for something - anything - to arm herself with. There was not so much as a pitchfork in sight. There’s no lorry either, she suddenly realised. Wouldn’t professional thieves have some kind of transport ready to load their stolen bounty onto? Surely they didn’t just ride them away into the night? She snorted and clamped a hand over her mouth and nose, waiting for a long moment.
No sound came from inside the barn. The rain must have been loud enough to cover the noise.
What’s more… why would thieves choose the worst night of the summer to rob the stables? Also, what are the chances of them robbing the same stables twice, unless they knew about the new horses? She silently thought, a frown creasing her forehead.
Hayley discovered her hand was resting on the door of the barn. Her feet had carried her there without her noticing. She hesitated for a moment longer before curiosity got the better of her and she slipped silently through the barn doorway.
She couldn’t see a thing.
It was pitch black inside the barn and everything was
quiet.
Too quiet for such a stormy night.
There was an angry squeal and Hayley’s eyes adjusted to the barn’s dark interior just in time to see the huge, black horse galloping straight towards her. She felt her limbs lock in their sockets as she froze in place, unable to move away from her approaching death. The monstrous horse’s eyes flashed white as he reared up, kicking his forelegs out, before they would inevitably crash down on top of her.
Hayley shut her eyes and waited for it to all be over.
CHAPTER ONE
It’s All Falling Apart
The sun was still on the rise in the sky when Hayley pulled up outside the Hawley-Jones Riding Stables. She stepped out of her silver car onto the heat-cracked ground. A few loose stones shifted beneath her feet, hinting that this area had once been covered in gravel. It had clearly been a long time since anyone had thought about redoing it.
She looked up at the solitary barn - the sole building that made up the riding school and stables. She could hear the quiet sounds of the horses moving inside their stalls as she dragged open the heavy door and peered inside.
Light streamed through several rusted holes in the corrugated iron roof and Hayley observed that numerous buckets had been strategically placed to catch water. The roof was probably the least of the owner’s worries, she realised, as she took in the brick work with mortar crumbling from it and the rotten panels of wood that lined the outer wall. Hayley had come to see if there was anything she could do to help save the stables from sinking without a trace, but it looked like she may have arrived too late. The Hawley-Jones Riding Stables was in the process of falling down.
Hayley spent a few more moments in the barn, walking past a few unremarkable riding school ponies. One liver coloured mare flicked her ears forwards when Hayley passed and she paused to note that this horse had a thoroughbred look to it. It was the only horse in the stables that did and Hayley found she was struggling to imagine that the owner had once believed she had a shot at competing in the regional show jumping trials. She hesitated by an empty stall, one away from the barn door. A dusty plaque of golden oak looked incongruent with the rest of the stables and Hayley dusted it off, reading the name ‘Summer’ and somehow she knew.
