Riding Holiday Read online

  6

  SURPRISE VISITORS

  Izzy tried as best she could to follow Sally’s advice that afternoon. It wasn’t hard enjoying herself around the horses, but every time she saw Ted she was reminded of how horrible he’d been, and that put a damper on everything. The twins weren’t as friendly as they’d been that first night either, but then she hadn’t seen that much of them as they’d all been so busy. It was only when it was the same the next day and the one after, that Kate and Izzy started to feel a bit more disgruntled. They were supposed to be guests at Graytops, but they were being treated more like hired hands!

  On Wednesday morning, Izzy was having a particularly difficult time trying to groom Fiery Lad when Kate poked her head over the stable door.

  “Need any help?”

  “No, I’m fine,” Izzy said, looking anything but fine. “I could do with a ride, but apart from that...”

  “Me too.” Kate looked at her best friend. “You know, I can’t understand why you were so determined t o look after that horse.” Kate changed the subject. “Sugarfoot’s lovely – a complete dream.”

  “Yes, well you would say that,” Izzy huffed.

  “Look Izzy,” Kate said. “Why don’t you just give in. Tell Sally that Fiery Lad’s acting up and get a nicer horse to look after.”

  “No way,” Izzy said determinedly. “I can handle him.”

  “But you clearly can’t,” Kate said. “Look at you – you’ve been in here for an hour, trying to pick his feet out.”

  “I’ll be all right.” Izzy flared up. “If only they could get some help around here, things would be better. We need someone we can ask advice, but Ted’s so unfriendly. And where do you think all the stable hands are? What do you think Sally does when the girls are at school?”

  “Dunno,” Kate said thoughtfully. “I was thinking about that myself, but it seemed rude to ask. And anyway, everyone else has been working just as hard as us.”

  “I suppose so.” Izzy nodded. “But this is their farm, and Ted’s getting paid for it! Will you just keep still, Fiery Lad?” she cried, giving the horse’s lead-rope a sharp tug.

  “Hey, calm down, Izzy,” Kate said. But it was too late. The whites of Fiery Lad’s eyes flashed and he reared up on his hind legs. Izzy was totally unprepared for the stallion’s reaction. She turned as white as a sheet as the horse reared up again and again, whinnying loudly. She didn’t know what to do, but one thing was for sure – she didn’t want Ted to hear this.

  “Get out of there, Izzy,” Kate said, trying to stay calm.

  “All right, all right.” Izzy didn’t know what to do as the panic-stricken horse thrashed around in the box.

  “Hush, ssshh boy,” she crooned.

  “We should get help,” Kate said.

  “No, wait a moment,” Izzy cried. “He’ll be all right in a second.”

  But Fiery Lad’s frenzy wasn’t abating and in spite of her words, Izzy was starting to feel scared. Then she heard the sound of footsteps at the end of the barn. She turned around, her heart in her mouth.

  There, at the doorway, stood a sleek, blonde-haired girl. Without stopping, the girl came rushing down the aisle, drew back the bolt on Fiery Lad’s door and swooped into his stall.

  Izzy and Kate stood, amazed, as she calmed the panicking horse before their eyes. Gradually his lashings became less frantic until finally the girl stood, cradling his nose in her hand.

  “Take it easy, boy,” the girl murmured gently. “You’ll be all right now.”

  “Wow! That was amazing,” Izzy said, full of awe. “How...how did you manage that?” Izzy opened her mouth like a goldfish and closed it again.

  “Call it tricks of the trade,” the girl smiled.

  Izzy and Kate stood there, looking at the girl. She could only be a few years older than them, but she’d handled that horse like a professional.

  “Paula! Paula! Where did you go?” A voice called out from the end of the aisle.

  “Fiery Lad should be all right now.” The girl smiled as she drew back the bolt to the horse’s stall. “I’ll catch you two later.” And as quickly as the girl had appeared, she disappeared.

  Izzy looked at Kate, and back again at Fiery Lad. “So who do you think she was?”

  “Dunno,” Kate said. “But she calmed him all right.”

  “Yes, she did, didn’t she?” Izzy lifted up Fiery Lad’s foot and scraped a stone out of his shoe. “And you know, she’s the first visitor we’ve seen at the farm since we got here. Where do you think she came from?”

  “Dunno,” Kate mused, looking up as she heard more footsteps at the end of the barn.

  “Uh oh, I’m going to be in trouble if that girl’s told Sally.” Izzy raised her eyebrows and looked down the aisle towards a group, some distance away.

  “Hi Izzy...Kate,” Sally smiled, coming up to join them. “Let me introduce you to our vet, Dr. Doyle, and his assistant, Paula.” Sally indicated the man and the blonde girl they’d just met. “Dr. Doyle’s also the course veterinarian at Clevedon Park Racetrack, so he’s pretty important. This is Kate and Izzy – they’ve come over from England on vacation.”

  “Well, hi there,” the vet said. “So what do you think about all these horses? He can be quite a handful that one.” He indicated Fiery Lad.

  “Izzy’s doing an amazing job.” Sally stepped in quickly. Izzy breathed a sigh of relief. The girl – Paula – clearly hadn’t told them what had happened. Izzy shot her a grateful look.

  “Izzy seems to have gotten the hang of him completely,” Sally went on.

  “Er, well, I don’t know about that.” Izzy was tongue-tied. It would have been so easy for Paula to have stepped in at that point and told them what had just happened, but she didn’t say a word.

  “Anyway, come on, Eric.” Sally turned back to the vet. “Let’s go and take a look at the yearlings.” And with that, they moved out of the barn, leaving Paula behind.

  “Thanks for not saying anything,” Izzy said.

  “There wasn’t anything to say,” the girl smiled.

  “Well, you were brilliant with Fiery Lad anyway,” Izzy said admiringly. “Where did you learn to be able to manage horses like that?”

  “From my Dad, I guess – he’s been working with racehorses all his life. It must be in my genes,” Paula laughed. “Here, let me help you with that.” She picked up a broom and started to sweep.

  Izzy smiled.

  “So when did you two get here?” Paula went on as she helped them put their stuff away.

  “Saturday,” Izzy answered. “So we’re quite new to the world of racehorses.”

  “And I’m a little new to Graytops,” Paula answered. “I’ve only been working for Dr. Doyle for a few months – my home’s back in New York State.”

  “Oh right,” Izzy nodded. The girl looked really sophisticated, but underneath she seemed as unsure of herself as they were. “So is this a summer job?”

  “Yeah, something like that,” Paula said. “I had planned to go to veterinary college – only my folks couldn’t afford the fees. This is the next best thing.”

  “Oh, I see.” Suddenly Izzy and Kate felt embarrassed – whether it was the talk of money, or the fact that Paula had taken them so easily into her confidence, they didn’t know.

  “Anyway, Dr. Doyle’s been really good to me,” Paula went on. “And you never know what might come of-”

  She seemed about to say more, but voices at the end of the aisle pulled her up short. Izzy and Kate spun around to see Courtney rushing towards them.

  “Are you guys finished in there?” Courtney called breathlessly, then she noticed Paula. “Oh, so you’re here.”

  Izzy looked up, surprised. Was she mistaken? Or was there a very definite change in Courtney’s voice when she spoke to Paula? It was unfriendly...icy even. If there was, Paula didn’t seem to have noticed it.

  “Oh hi, Courtney,” she said. “Dr. Doyle’s with your mom, so I just thought I’d take the time to m
eet your new friends. How’s it going out here, anyway?”

  “Oh you know, not too bad.” Courtney was short and Izzy was relieved when she heard the sound of Megan’s voice at the other end of the barn.

  “Where’s Dr. Doyle?” Megan squealed, rushing in. “Don’t tell me I’ve missed him. I wanted to ask him something.”

  “No, you haven’t missed him,” Courtney sighed and raised her eyebrows. “He’s with Mom in the paddocks. Let’s go out there. You coming?” She turned to Izzy and Kate.

  “We’ll just finish up here and then we’ll be right with you,” Izzy answered.

  Courtney nodded and disappeared off, with Megan following not far behind.

  “Well, they’re certainly a lively pair, aren’t they?” Paula raised her eyebrows.

  “Yes, they are,” Izzy said, feeling slightly awkward at how their friends had behaved. “Do I get the impression you don’t like them much?”

  “I think it’s more a case of them not liking me.” Paula shrugged. “They’ve been really strange with me since I got here – well, ever since the incident with Seattle really.”

  “What incident with Seattle?” Izzy looked puzzled.

  “Oh, it was nothing,” Paula said. “But – oh you might as well know the truth. It was one afternoon – well, it looked to me as though Seattle was colicking so I called Sally over to take a look.” Paula looked nonchalant, but Izzy was full of admiration. It wasn’t so long ago that her own horse had nearly died of colic because she hadn’t been quick enough to recognize the symptoms.

  “Anyway,” Paula shrugged, “Courtney and Megan didn’t like it at all, and they sure didn’t like the praise I got after it. You’d have thought they’d be happy that I’d saved their horse, but I think they thought I was interfering.”

  “How silly,” Izzy said. “Surely it doesn’t matter who saved the horse – the important thing is that she was saved.”

  “Well, that’s what I thought,” Paula went on. “Anyway, don’t let it affect your stay here – I’m sure Courtney and Megan are really nice underneath it all.” She looked about to say more, but then seemed to change her mind. “Hey, would you two be interested in going to the movies sometime? It would be nice to make a couple of friends around here.”

  “Well, uh, yes, that would be great.” Izzy looked uncertain. They were here at Graytops as Megan and Courtney’s guests – it wouldn’t look very good if they made friends with someone the twins didn’t like. And then Izzy felt bad. Paula had been so nice, so she smiled warmly at her.

  “Great, so I take it that’s a ‘yes’ then?” Paula looked grateful.

  “Definitely.” Kate stepped in.

  “Okay, well, I guess I’d better be off to find Dr. Doyle. I’ll catch you two later.” And with that, she was gone.

  “See you,” Kate called out after Paula’s departing figure.

  “Yes, bye.” Izzy turned round to look at Kate. “So what do you make of all that?”

  “Dunno,” Kate shrugged. “But she did seem really nice.”

  “Hmm, she did, didn’t she?” Izzy said. “So do you think we should go out with her?”

  “I don’t see why not,” Kate said. “We might want a change of scene from the farm some time and she’s certainly right about Courtney and Megan acting strangely – perhaps they’d like a break from us too.”

  “You could be right.” Izzy frowned as she thought about it. It hadn’t really crossed her mind until that point, but Courtney and Megan were supposed to be their new friends, yet they hadn’t really made much of an effort at all.

  7

  OLD FRIENDS

  “Phew, I’m shattered.” Kate stood upright, leaning on her broom. She was feeling tired and fed up.

  “You can say that again.” Izzy looked out of the barn door, across the yard.

  Another day had passed – another day of running around, wheeling barrows of straw, filling water-buckets, sweeping up...in fact, it was all that they’d done for the five days they’d been at Graytops! At that moment, Izzy would have given almost anything to be a horse, standing outside in the shade of the trees.

  “I’d love a swim,” Kate said. “I thought they’d have a pool here.”

  “Yes, so did I.” Izzy nodded. “It’s certainly hot enough for one. Do you think we’ll get to go out for a ride this afternoon?”

  “I don’t know.” Kate shrugged. “They haven’t asked us yet.”

  “I know, it’s annoying, isn’t it?” Izzy said, working herself up. “Anyone would think we were being paid to work the amount of time we’re putting in.”

  “You don’t think we could have misunderstood about it being a holiday, do you?” Kate said.

  “No,” Izzy said. “Definitely not. It was a prize, and you wouldn’t expect a prize to be just work, would you? And besides, think of all the riding that Megan and Courtney talked about in their letters. No, something doesn’t add up here,” Izzy mused. “And you know, I think we should say something.” As Izzy stood there, with a determined look on her face, the twins approached from the aisle.

  “Hi Izzy, hi Kate.” Courtney smiled and, almost immediately, Izzy softened. “Phew, it’s been hard work today, hasn’t it?”

  “You can say that again,” Kate laughed.

  “Look,” Megan started. “We’re sorry you haven’t had a chance to go out for a ride yet. We thought we might go for a long trail ride tomorrow. How about it? We could leave in the morning, take a picnic lunch and ride up into the hills.”

  “Oh, well yes, that sounds great.” Izzy was instantly placated. A day’s ride in the hills would compensate for all the hard work – well, nearly...

  As Friday morning dawned, Izzy was rudely jolted awake by the sound of the alarm clock ringing around the room. She thumped the button down with a thwack and leaped out of bed. As the sun streamed under the bedroom curtains, she stretched out her arms. At first she couldn’t think why she had such a good feeling about today, and then she remembered. Of course!

  Izzy drew back the curtains. “Come on, Kate,” she cried. “We’re riding this morning!”

  “I can’t wait!” Kate sat up, leaning on her elbows.

  The two girls dressed in double-quick time and hurried down the stairs.

  “I guess Courtney and Megan must have gone across to the stables ahead of us,” she said, looking around her at the empty kitchen. “Do you reckon they’re getting Prince and Garnet tacked up?”

  “Fat chance of that,” Kate giggled, picking up her mug of hot chocolate and sitting down at the breakfast table. “I’ve made one for you.” She pointed back to the cup on the kitchen counter.

  Izzy sipped her drink and put it down. Then she turned back to her friend. “Come on then, let’s go.”

  Izzy and Kate were in so much of a hurry to get across to the yard that they didn’t even notice that Sally’s car wasn’t in its usual spot that morning. As they turned the corner to the stables, it was all very quiet.

  “They’re probably in one of the barns,” Izzy said. “Courtney! Megan! We’re here.”

  “Strange,” Kate said, looking up and down the aisle. “There doesn’t seem to be anyone around.”

  As they came out into the yard, the bright sunlight dazzled them.

  “Oh, it’s you.” Ted’s voice called across to them. “I wondered when you two might make it out here.”

  Izzy didn’t know whether it was the sight of the stable manager, or just his tone of voice, but something started to make her feel very cross.

  “Are we late for something?” she asked indignantly.

  “Well no, not exactly late, but the horses do need to be taken out to the paddocks,” Ted replied.

  “So where are Courtney and Megan then?” Kate asked. “We’re supposed to be going out for a ride with them.”

  “Yes, well you’ll have to wait for that,” Ted said. “The girls have had to go out with Sally.”

  “Go out?” Izzy looked furious. “Where have they had to
go out to?”

  “That’s nothing to do with you,” Ted answered gruffly. “I’m supposed to let you know that they’ll be back by three.”

  “Three!” Kate gasped. “So what do we do until then?”

  Ted shrugged. “Well, as I said – those horses need to be taken out and then there’s the mucking out and all of the water buckets need to be filled.” And with that, he was gone.

  “Of all the-” Izzy was fuming. “They haven’t even had the decency to leave us a note, and to top it all, they’ve left us with all the work! Well, I’m simply not doing it!”

  “Oh come on, Izzy,” Kate said. “Ted’s obviously under a huge amount of pressure and there’s no one else about.”

  “Well, he can do it himself,” Izzy said, standing with her hands on her hips.

  “The horses will be the ones to suffer,” Kate reminded her.

  “I don’t care,” Izzy frowned. But she did care, and as she stood there, her face set in a frown, she knew she would give in. She took a deep breath. “I suppose you’re right – we have to help. It’s just that everything’s so awful out here.”

  “I know. I feel exactly the same as you,” Kate’s voice caught. “I can’t help comparing everything to how it would be at Sandy Lane – all of the riding we’d be doing if we were back there.”

  “Yes, I know.” Izzy rubbed her eyes to fight back the tears. And then she turned to Kate. “You know, I’ve got an idea – something we could do that might cheer us up. What time is it?”

  “8 o’clock,” Kate said, looking puzzled.

  “That’s 2 o’clock in England,” Izzy said slowly. “Everyone will be at Sandy Lane. Let’s call them – give them a surprise. We can find out how they did at Colcott last weekend. What do you say?”

  “Well, I don’t know.” Kate was hesitant. “It’s expensive to call England, and the horses do need our help.”

  “Five minutes won’t hurt,” Izzy pleaded. “That’ll be all it’ll take, and then we can come back and start mucking out. And as for the cost – well, we can always pay Sally back. Mum gave me some money, and we haven’t even had a chance to spend anything yet.”