“What do you mean?” Alice said in a confused voice.
“We just thought it would be nice if you could lead Secret into the arena at the end, and we’ll use the time to explain some of the work the police do,” Edward continued. “What do you think?”
Alice thought about this. The stable was booked for the night. It was already growing dark and probably icy outside and would make more sense to all get a good night’s sleep and do the journey in the morning. And, she thought, with a little flutter of excitement, they’d get to take part in Olympia after all. Not the jumping as she’d imagined, but at least they could get a nice photo and it would be a good memory after all the bad stuff that had happened. If all she had to do was lead Secret in and stand him still, that would be fine.
“OK,” she said with a smile. “I’ll ask Mum.”
It didn’t take too long to sort out. Alice’s mum, clearly tired from the past twenty-four hours, had been only too happy for Alice and Secret to stay, and Alice could watch another performance of the Rebel Riders as well. With Kite’s future still looking uncertain, he was also staying the night. Alice could tell Leah was devastated by the thought of losing him but was putting on a brave face.
“It’s Secret’s night,” she tried to smile when Alice gently questioned her about it.
“But, Leah,” Alice said. “What’s going to happen now?”
Leah shook her head. “I don’t know,” she said. “The pony sponsorship was Nick’s thing. I imagine Kite will be put up for sale but I hope I get Christmas with him, perhaps work out if I can do anything. But…” And she paused, swallowing hard. “I don’t think I can.”
Alice remembered Leah’s words, how she would have done things so differently if Kite had been her very own pony, and was even more grateful for Secret.
Alice, the mounted police, Leah and Alice’s mum sat on the sidelines and watched Finn’s performance. Everyone was hugely impressed, even Alice’s mum, who didn’t have much time for stunt riding!
“Gosh,” she said, glitter confetti raining down to thunderous applause as Finn made his final gallop across the arena behind Celia. “It’s a step up from the Flying Fillies, isn’t it! I wonder what he’ll do after this?”
Alice glanced at her mum and bit her lip. Her mum had a point. Having tasted the high life with the Rebel Riders, and what with Sasha’s new job in the Middle East, would Finn want to return to his old life? Then she shook the thought from her head. The past day had been stressful enough without adding that to the equation! Instead she joined in the cheering, feeling her tummy flip over as Finn galloped past and smiled right at her.
Alice thought about the days she used to hang out at the ringside, watching Finn ride at shows with his sister, wondering who he was and if he’d ever notice her. They’d all come so far since then: her, Finn and Secret.
Secret. She had about half an hour before the police horse demonstration. The plan was that Edward would explain who Secret was and what had happened, then Alice would lead her pony in to the arena. The little red gelding was already groomed and gleaming, and Alice had quickly polished her bridle in anticipation. Peeling herself away from the arena side she wandered over to his stable, waving at Rosie and Edward as they walked their beautiful big horses around the warm-up area.
A huge applause met the mounted police as they rode down the famous tunnel and into the international arena. Alice knew from the last few days that the demonstration was extremely popular, and the crowd was even bigger tonight. Hearing the now-familiar music start to play, a shiver went down Alice’s spine as she clutched Secret’s reins near the entrance, thinking once again how the police cars had screeched to a halt outside the gates of the industrial estate. As if reading her thoughts, Secret nuzzled against her as they watched the demonstration.
“Good luck, Alice!” Devon appeared next to her in breeches, ready for her evening class. All of a sudden, as the police horses lined up for a final time, there was a burst of applause.
“We wanted to tell you about something that happened here in London, last night…” And Alice heard Edward’s voice start to tell their story to the crowd. Hearing the words spoken out loud made her realise once again just how brave Secret had been.
“So please, put your hands together and thank a very courageous little pony and his very brave owner!” Edward then said, and Alice started to lead Secret down towards the arena where Edward was addressing the audience, the rest of the mounted police standing in a semicircle around him. As the spotlight fell on her and Secret, she was suddenly aware of thousands of pairs of eyes on them.
Then the clapping started, quiet at first then louder and louder until the whole audience were on their feet and the roar was almost deafening. For the first time all day, Secret pricked up his ears and Alice saw the light coming back into his eyes as he gazed around him. Smiling, Edward approached on horseback, and it was as if Secret recognised the horse Edward was riding from his escape in Hyde Park. Craning his neck forward, Secret reached up to nuzzle the big bay.
“May I?” Edward gestured forward to take Secret’s reins and Alice handed them over. Rosie came to ride beside him and Secret, used to Alice’s mum leading him all over the lanes behind Ella, bounded forward before Alice could stop him.
“I think he wants a lap of honour,” Rosie grinned. “Can we?”
“OK!”
Alice stood back as the rest of the mounted police rode up behind Rosie and Edward, and then to the delight of the crowd they trotted smartly around the huge arena. Secret, so small and slight in between the two huge police horses pushed into his trademark extended trot, meaning the two big bays were having to keep up with him rather than the other way round. The crowd went wild, drumming their feet and clapping with delight as Secret further exaggerated his trot, his red mane flying and his little curved ears pricked forward as far as they could.
To the cheers of the crowd, the police horses and Secret completed another two laps of the arena as Alice stood proudly, blinking back tears. She’d been so caught up in the worry and stress of the past twenty-four hours that it hadn’t really sunk in just how much of a hero Secret was. Thanks to him, three ponies were safe. Secret had been in the wrong place at the wrong time, but he’d managed to save the day.
“What a boy!” Edward grinned as they came to a stop by Alice, and, taking back the reins, she saw the change in her pony. Buoyed up by the excitement of the crowd, Secret looked as though he wanted to do it all again, but instead he nudged Alice hard, and she placed her arms around him, before leading him out to more thunderous applause. As they walked, or rather jogged, back down the tunnel to the stabling and warm-up area, it was as though the tension was draining away.
Finn met her at the end of the tunnel.
“That was amazing,” he grinned. “The crowd loved him!”
“I know.” Alice patted the little red gelding again and again. “And look, he’s almost back to his old self!”
It was true. It was as though Secret had just jumped the most amazing clear round at a big show and was playing up to the audience, but at the same time checking in with Alice as he nudged her over and over, his eyes shining, dancing slightly from hoof to hoof.
“He obviously just needed a bit of adoration from the crowd,” she grinned.
Finn looked thoughtful. “Actually, I think he’s realised he’s OK; he’s back with you,” he said gently.
Alice thought about this, then had an idea. “I cut my warm-up slot earlier,” she said slowly. “I wonder if there’s any way I can have a jump now, while it’s free? Just so I can end things on a good note…”
Finn nodded. “Let’s ask.”
In the end it was Devon who managed to persuade the stewards to allow Alice to finish her warm-up session.
“I’ll make sure she’s OK.” Devon smiled at the man who oversaw the warm-up ring, but his eyes were already twinkling.
“Is this the pony that helped the police?” he said warmly. “How can
I say no! Fifteen minutes then, no more.”
And so Alice was in the surreal position of cantering around as famous showjumpers warmed up around her, a Whitaker here, a Skelton there. It seemed as though word had got round the stables about Secret’s heroics, and everyone wanted to chat to Alice and congratulate the little red pony, who basked in the praise.
“If he hadn’t already got his mojo back with the police,” Finn had chuckled, “I’d say all this attention was definitely helping him!”
Secret’s restored confidence also lifted Alice. The jumps were much smaller than the ones the big showjumpers were soaring over, but to Alice and Secret they were enormous. Alice swallowed hard, reminding herself they were no different to the jumps she flew over in her lessons with Angus.
Nudging him into a canter she could immediately feel the difference in her pony. He wanted to jump, and so did Alice. Together they were strong; they were a team. Alice couldn’t help but laugh with delight, feeling Secret lift and soar over the coloured poles, his neat hooves tucked into his body, no danger of any poles being touched. It was effortless. Landing softly in the sand, Secret gave a small buck of joy, and when Alice brought him to a halt, he turned round, gently mouthing her boots. It was a habit he’d had since he was very young, and Alice had never tried to deter him. It was Secret, and he was back. All of a sudden she was starting to regret her decision of withdrawing from the class.
“It’s almost a shame I pulled out,” she said, thinking out loud, but knowing the decision had been right at the time for Secret. “He’s never felt better!”
But Alice’s mum cleared her throat. “Actually,” she said, and everyone turned to look at her. “I never officially withdrew you from the class. I was on my way over to do so, but then got distracted by the mounted police.”
“So … I can still jump tomorrow?” Alice felt as if she’d been thrown a lifeline, and her mum nodded, a smile breaking.
“Yes, it would seem so.”
Alice looked at Finn, who gave her the thumbs-up, and then placed her arms around Secret’s neck. It didn’t matter if they won or lost. Secret was happiest with her, jumping courses, and she was happiest with him. And tomorrow afternoon, whatever the result, she’d get to load Secret into their lorry and take him home. Her mind was made up.
“Let’s do it!”
Despite her exhaustion, Alice tossed and turned that night in her hotel bed, unable to sleep. She still hadn’t got used to the sounds of traffic and the lights, which whirled around on her ceiling every now and again as another ambulance whizzed past. She felt as though she’d experienced every emotion under the sun recently, from fear, to anger, to sadness, to pride and determination.
Earlier that evening she hadn’t wanted to leave Secret in his stable, the horror of finding him gone still too fresh in her mind, but after a chat with the security guards on site, she’d felt a little better. They had the likes of Valegro, the world-famous Olympic dressage horse to look after, and Secret would be just as carefully guarded. But even so, she’d kept running back to the little gelding for one last hug.
Alice had been painfully aware of Leah in the stable opposite her, her arms around Kite, tears streaming down her face as she buried her head in Kite’s conker-and-white mane. Alice’s heart went out to the other girl. She wished there was something she could do. Inviting Leah down to ride at her house occasionally seemed pointless. Leah was an incredibly talented rider and now her future had been ripped away. All Alice knew was that when she trotted into that huge international arena tomorrow, she was going to jump for both herself and Leah.
There had been little point in setting an alarm. Alice had been awake long before it had been due to go off, thinking about the day ahead. It had been too early for breakfast at the hotel, but Alice knew she wouldn’t have been able to eat it anyway.
As they strolled towards Olympia and the huge signs for the show loomed into view, she pulled her coat up around her face and gave a shiver, partly from cold and partly from nerves, and tried to quell a wave of nausea. For a second she wondered if she was doing the right thing. They could be loading up and heading home. Then she shook herself, thinking of the pure joy in Secret’s expression as he completed a lap of honour with the mounted police, and the way he’d soared over the practice jumps during their second warm-up.
There was already a buzz of activity in the stables as Alice arrived. Grooms mucked out the top showjumpers’ horses and smiled at Alice, wishing her good luck as she grabbed her fork and set to work on her own stable. It was the biggest relief to see Secret happily munching hay.
“Hey.” A familiar voice made Alice look up and smile. It was Finn, wearing a grey hooded top, his black hair tousled and unkempt. Alice was so used to seeing Finn in his elaborate costumes for his displays that when he dressed like a normal teenager it took her by surprise.
“Breakfast?” Finn continued, stifling a huge yawn.
Alice shook her head. “Nope,” she grimaced. “I’ll be sick.”
“After your class then.” Finn grinned and then looked up and waved. “Dad!” he called. “Over here.”
And with Angus present, and Alice’s mum starting to fuss around Secret, combing out his mane for the hundredth time, Alice tried to pretend they were just at Hilltops, ready for a local showjumping class. She was a bundle of nerves, but full of excitement too. Then, looking over the aisle at Kite, who stood calmly resting a leg, letting the atmosphere wash over him, she felt a wave of sadness.
Her earlier excitement was quickly replaced by only nerves when Alice walked the course later. It wasn’t just that the jumps were higher and more technical than anything she had jumped before. It was everything else!
The atmosphere in the huge arena was electric as the grand doors opened and the crowds began to spill in. Very soon the stands would be completely full and Secret would have to contend with the lights and the cheers and the distraction of people getting up and down, and the camera crews. Alice knew from riding her mum’s ponies on show days that the atmosphere could unsettle even the quietest of ponies.
As Alice planned her course with Angus, discussing where Secret’s strengths would come into play, the excitement slowly started to creep back. Even more so when she started to tack up Secret, smoothing down his new saddle cloth and tightening the noseband on his simple snaffle, which had been oiled and polished the night before in her hotel room. Secret seemed to mirror her happiness, his eyes bright and shiny as he reached over to every passing person, hoping for a pat. However, Alice’s excitement faded with the sight of Leah’s tear-stained face as she fled the stable area.
“Leah!” Alice frowned, giving Secret a pat as she slipped his head collar over his bridle. She had to be warming up in less than two minutes but she needed to check her friend was OK.
“Leah, what’s up?”
Catching up with the other girl, Alice pulled her hand gently back as Leah spun round, her face anguished.
“Oh, Alice.” Leah collapsed in her arms, her voice heavy with pain. “I didn’t want to see you before the class. I didn’t want to put you off.”
“What is it?” Alice steered her friend out of the way of a big horse approaching the warm-up.
“It’s Kite,” Leah managed between sobs. “He’s been sold. I’ll never see him again!”
“Oh, Leah, I’m sorry.”
Alice gave her a friend a hug. But as hard as it was, she needed to push Leah’s pain out of her mind for the next hour. She had to concentrate on the class ahead, the class she’d been practising for since summer. But now she had a renewed determination to jump for both herself and Leah, to show Nick that he hadn’t completely won. Even though he was in a police cell, he’d still managed to crush poor Leah’s dreams. Nudging Secret towards the practice fence a short while later, she felt her heart lift with his feet as he sailed over. They could do this, she thought. They had to do this.
It was almost an out-of-body experience as Alice trotted Secret down the fa
mous tunnel towards the international arena. As it opened up in front of them, it seemed to grow in size, stretching out for miles and miles, the jumps looming above Alice like tower blocks. There was a round of applause as Alice rode in, and, glancing up, her eyes were drawn to a huge banner where her friends from Hilltops were sitting. Go Alice and Secret! the words read, and she smiled, briefly reminiscing about how far they’d come since the first few lessons at Hilltops when she thought she’d never be able to control her red gelding! As the electronic bell sounded, the vast stands fell silent. Alice’s heart was beating so loudly, she was convinced everyone could hear it.
Dry-mouthed, she steadied Secret into a springy trot, before nudging him back into his trademark rocking horse canter. It had been something Angus had taught her, to make use of every second before they had to cross the electronic line instead of rushing to start. She had to get Secret listening to her, to focus his energy and enthusiasm. Circling once, she felt a surge of adrenalin as Secret locked on to the first fence. Then the enormous crowds melted away, and it was just Alice and her red pony.
For the next minute and a half it was as though the past week had never happened and she was back in the arena at Hilltops, Angus smiling encouragement as she and Secret cleared fence after fence.
A big oxer to start, and on to the double, painted like brightly coloured candy canes. A perfect stride between the two fences and over the second, turning like a minnow in mid-air as Alice used Secret’s excellent agility to his advantage, cutting precious seconds off their time as he cut the corners like a barrel racer, never losing his rhythm, each jump taken with precision timing. Over the upright, the one with the Christmas tree fillers that had caused problems for earlier competitors as their ponies spooked at the decorations, but not Secret. Flicking one red ear back and forth, listening to Alice all the time, he leapt over the fence, joy radiating through his body as he cantered on to the next.
A Dream Come True Page 9
