Hopes (16 page)

He halted Gabriel beside her and she instinctively checked the bay horse's girth.

“Thanks.” Luke looked supremely cool. Whereas most people were anxious before a class, Luke never seemed affected by nerves. He was in his element when competing, perfectly focused and with an innate understanding of how best to show a horse off, whether it was jumping or working on the flat.

Ellie wiped his long leather boots. “Good luck.”

“Thanks. Can you check the bridle too?” When Luke was about to enter the ring, his usual flippancy dropped and he became serious and attentive to every detail—every speck of dust had to be removed, every bit of leather secured neatly and tidily. Ellie preferred him when he was like this, when he seemed to really care and not mind about showing it.

The steward released the rope to let him in.

Luke moved Gabriel forward, his body perfectly balanced in the saddle. Ellie couldn't help thinking of the contrast with Lexi. Whereas the mare had fought her rider, Gabriel had his ears pricked and was striding out.

“Go, Luke!” Ellie breathed as the starting horn went and Luke turned into the first jump. She needn't have worried. Luke maintained perfect control and Gabriel flew around the course at a steady gallop.

“Good riding,” Len said, nodding his head appreciatively as Luke and Gabriel cleared the fourth jump. Ellie knew he saw a lot of himself in Luke—his focus, determination and winning attitude. It was why he had taken an interest in him right from the start, when Luke was a young boy.

Luke was certainly riding a foot-perfect round. Gabriel was acting like the perfect hunter, eager but in control, his stride adjusting perfectly to meet the different fences. As they landed after the final fence with a clear round, Luke grinned and thumped Gabriel on the neck.

“Yes!” Ellie gave him a thumbs-up and he winked at her as he rode Gabriel into the next ring, where the second judge was waiting to watch Gabriel's individual show. Walk, trot, canter, gallop—Luke made Gabriel look as if he was an effortless ride. After that, Len helped him strip off the saddle and brush Gabriel down, then Luke completed the final phase of the class, walking and trotting Gabriel in hand. He led him out of the ring, patting him.

“Nice work, lad,” Len said approvingly.

“You did brilliantly!” Ellie said. Luke looked pleased.

Len and Luke quickly saddled up the bay. Luke had been the last to ride in the class and the results were soon announced. The loudspeaker crackled into life: “First: 135, Luke Black riding Len Carrington's Highcross Gabriel.”

Len nodded in satisfaction. “Right, I'd better get back to the others,” he said. “But I'll be here when you take Barney in. Don't let him stand around too long.” He strode away. Ellie watched in delight as Luke was presented with the winner's rosette. Another qualification for HOYS. It was turning into an

excellent day for the yard!

Luke led the lap of honor and galloped out. He brought Gabriel to a halt and jumped off, sweeping Ellie into a hug.

“Well done!” She hugged him back, sharing his elation. As he released her, his eyes caught hers. For a moment, Ellie felt a click, a connection, almost like when she communicated with a horse, and she was suddenly very aware of the feel of his arms around her. Feeling disconcerted, she stepped quickly away.

“Uncle Len's bought that mare. We'll be taking it home with us,” she gabbled.

“Excellent. Will you be able to do your—” Luke grinned—“
thing
with her?”

Ellie took a breath, trying to feel normal. Luke didn't seem to have felt anything out of the ordinary just now, but for some reason she was finding it hard to focus, still feeling the imprint of his arms around her.
Stop being stupid
, she told herself.
You can't like Luke in
that
way. You mustn't.
Not only was he already going out with someone and incapable of being faithful, but he had the ability to really irritate her a lot of the time.

“I'll try,” she answered.

“Cool.” Luke stretched. “Well, I'd better take Gabe back to the trailer.” But just then a pretty girl with red hair and a tight chocolate-brown T-shirt walked past him on her way to the nearby coffee stall. Luke looked her up and down. “On second thoughts maybe I could do with a coffee first,” he said, setting off after her.

“Luke!” Ellie exclaimed.

He looked around in surprise. “What?”

Ellie felt a stab of irritation. “I thought you were supposed to be going out with Anna.”

“I am, but …” He hesitated and then headed after the girl again. “It's a shame to deprive all the other girls in the world!” He grinned. “I'm just going to offer to buy her a coffee, Ellie. Loosen up.”

She watched as he led Gabriel after the girl. “Hey there.”

The girl turned in irritation, but as she took in Luke and clocked his handsome face, the annoyance turned to a smile. “Hi. Can I help you?”

“My horse saw you passing and wanted to say hello.” Luke turned to Gabriel and spoke to him. “See, I told you she'd be too busy to stop. Now you've embarrassed me.”

The girl looked amused. “He's lovely.” She patted Gabriel, slanting Luke a look through her eyelashes. “Really lovely.”

“He's not the only one,” said Luke. The girl raised her eyebrows at the corniness. Luke grinned and nodded to a gray horse behind the girl. “Look behind you—that hunter over there is just gorgeous.”

The girl giggled. “Are you getting a coffee?”

“Oh, yes,” said Luke, his smile matching hers. “Can I buy you one too?”

“OK. Thanks.”

Ellie rolled her eyes. Honestly! Luke was useless at being faithful. She'd thought he might manage it with Anna Hallett. Anna was very beautiful—the daughter of one of Len's main sponsors and clients. So far she'd seemed to be keeping Luke on his toes.

Hang on, what's it to you what Luke does?
she thought.
It's none of your business.

But despite her sensible words, she couldn't stop herself feeling irritated and angry as she rode Barney away.

 

ELLIE LAY ON THE SOFA
in the trailer, stroking Pip and listening to her iPod as her uncle drove home after the show. Barney had gone well in his class and been placed second, but Ellie's joy had been slightly dimmed by the fact that, straight afterwards, a man had approached Len to discuss buying Barney for his daughter.

A deal hadn't been finalized, but the man had made a generous offer and had arranged to visit the yard to try Barney out in a few days' time. Ellie knew that buying and selling was part of her uncle's business, but it was the first time that a pony she'd grown attached to at the yard might be sold.

She tried not to think about it, reminding herself of the new mare who was now in the back with the others. If horses and ponies weren't sold, then new horses like Lexi couldn't be bought. And maybe it would be best for Barney anyway—she knew he was the type of pony that needed to feel he had one special person who loved him, and she was so busy she didn't have time to give him all the attention he needed now Joe had gone. He might be happier in a new home.

She glanced at the other end of the sofa where Sasha was giggling and teasing as she chatted to her boyfriend, Rob, on her cell phone. Luke had gone ahead of them on his motorcycle. Sasha shrieked with laughter and Ellie shut her eyes and lay back, turning the volume up, her thoughts turning to Joe. It was at times like this that she missed him most. If he'd been there they would have been chatting about the show or the music they were listening to, or talking about the ponies and what he'd been reading about horses in his books. Ellie thought of his smiling greeny-gray eyes and tousled sandy-brown hair. He was her best friend. For a while she had wanted them to be more than friends, but Joe had felt there were too many problems because they were cousins. Ellie realized now that it had probably been the right choice, but she did miss having Joe there as a friend to share things with.
I'll email him when I get back
, she thought wistfully.
See how he's doing.

At least she still had Spirit. She smiled as she pictured the gray horse, his ears pricked, his dark eyes full of love. She would see him soon. Happiness rose up inside her at the thought.

It was early evening when they returned. The tops of the mountains rose up behind High Peak Stables, their green slopes dotted with black-faced sheep, the sun sinking down towards them. Creamy heads of cow parsley edged the grass verges at the side of the car park, nodding in the gentle breeze. Ellie stretched after the drive. It had been a long day, but thankfully the show hadn't been too far from home. Inside the horsebox one of the horses stamped a hoof impatiently. Stuart and Helen, the two other grooms, came down from the yard to help as Len lowered the ramp. The new horse was nearest the exit. She saw Ellie and whinnied.

“So this is the new one?” said Stuart. He was an ex-jockey and had been working as Len's yard manager for the last ten years. Helen was his girlfriend. Len had rung him from the show to tell him to prepare a stable for the mare.

Len nodded. “Should be a good working hunter if we can get her sorted out. She's a looker all right.”

“I'll take her in,” offered Ellie. “She's called Lexi,” she said to Stuart and Helen, knowing her uncle wouldn't be bothered with things like the horse's name.

“Stick her in the barn next to Solo,” instructed Len.

Ellie nodded. Even just leading Lexi down the ramp she could feel an unhappy, anxious energy around the mare and she was longing for a chance to work with her. As she put her into the stall in the barn, the mare pushed against her as if asking her to help. “I'll come back as soon as it's quiet,” Ellie promised. It would mean putting off seeing Spirit, but she knew that he'd want her to help Lexi.

Hurrying back to the car park, she helped unload the rest of the horses and ponies. As she led Gem into the pony barn, with Pip dancing around her feet, there was a shrill whinny and a tiny chestnut nose poked up over the stall door next to Gem's. Ellie smiled as Gem reached over the door and touched noses with the chestnut filly inside.

Hope, the little filly, had been orphaned a month ago. For a while it seemed that she wouldn't survive—she had refused to eat or drink after her mother had died, but Spirit had urged Ellie to talk to her and help heal her. He had also told her to let Gem and the foal go out in the field together. The two horses had instantly bonded and now hated being separated. Ellie watched Gem, whickering like an anxious mother as he snuffled Hope's pale, sticking-up mane and touched noses with her. Ellie let them have their reunion and then put Gem in the stall next door. “You can go out in the field together tomorrow,” she said as she put on his lightweight stable sheet for the night.

Fastening the bolt on his stable door, she let herself into the filly's stall. The little foal was capricious and demanding but utterly cute. Ellie adored her. Hope pushed her tiny muzzle against her, eager for attention and love. Ellie rubbed her neck and felt a connection instantly open between them. It was strange with Hope. Whereas most horses had layers of memories and emotions and she often felt overwhelmed by them, the foal had only a few memories and when Ellie connected with her she just felt very intense simple emotions—love, excitement, anger …

Happiness radiated from the foal. Ellie could feel how much she liked being stroked and fussed. She wished she could stay in the stall, but she knew she should go and help with the other horses. Ellie sighed and reluctantly went to the door.

The filly put her ears back and nipped angrily at Ellie's arm.

“No, Hope!” Ellie chided.

The foal turned her back on her and sulked as if she felt she was being deserted.

Going back on to the yard Ellie found that Carey Moss had just returned from the show with the three intermediates in her horsebox, so there was more unloading and sorting out to be done. At last all the horses were settled for the night. The grooms had left and Len had gone into the house. Luke had apparently been home but had changed and gone straight out again for the evening. Ellie had never met anyone with such energy. He worked hard all day and then went out in the evening, often not returning until after midnight, but he never seemed tired or bad-tempered in the morning and was always on the yard at 7 a.m., joking and striding about, letting Len's ill humor slide off him.

Ellie headed to Lexi's stall. There were two barns at High Peak Stables, one for the ponies and one for the youngsters and liveries, as well as a courtyard with ten stables around it, a wash-stall, tackroom, rug store and feedroom. Len demanded neatness and everything was perfectly ordered and tidy. Leather headcollars hung outside each stable, leadropes clipped on and neatly coiled. Brooms and shovels were stacked against walls. Rugs were folded. Flower baskets hung from metal hooks, the bright summer blooms pruned and watered.

Lexi was pacing around in her stall, looking agitated. Catching sight of Ellie, she snorted.

“Shh. It's OK,” Ellie said soothingly as she let herself into the stable. Lexi came to her and pushed her head against her.

Ellie breathed in and out, focusing on the mare. She felt the connection open between them, like a door swinging back and she saw the same memory she'd seen before—the mare taking a cross-country jump, catching her front legs, somersaulting over, crashing down, the rider thrown clear. She felt a stabbing pain around her ears, the mare's pain becoming her own just as it had done earlier.

I tried to tell them how much it hurt
, Lexi's thoughts came to her. Ellie saw images of her shaking her head and felt the longing for understanding, the desire for someone to listen. She saw the bridle being put on, yanked down when Lexi threw her head up.
Help me.