Riding Holiday Read online

  13

  TROUBLE

  “All right, all right,” Sally held her hands in the air. “I’ve heard enough explaining for one day.” It was early on Thursday morning, and Sally looked tired as she ran a hand through her hair. “Okay, so you lost track of the time, but you did have us very worried.” Izzy and Kate sat at the kitchen table, looking shamefaced.

  “I don’t have any more time to discuss it,” Sally said wearily. “I’ve got more important things to think about – like Seattle’s race on Tuesday. So, let’s put it behind us and go join Courtney and Megan at the barn,” she said, getting up as the ring of the telephone sounded across the room.

  Kate and Izzy looked relieved as they watched her reach for the receiver.

  “Hello Doug, yes darling, everything’s fine...” Sally waved Kate and Izzy away and gratefully, they bolted for the back door. Quickly, they turned into the woods and made for the yard.

  “Courtney...Megan,” Izzy cried.

  “Oh, it’s you,” Courtney huffed.

  “Don’t be like that, Courtney,” Izzy said.

  “Yes, well, you put Mom in a really bad mood and she’s taking it out on us-”

  Thud! Splash!

  Courtney’s attention was quickly deflected away from the conversation as Garnet gave one kick of his foreleg and his water bucket went flying. Water seeped across the ground.

  “Oh man!” Courtney cried, rushing over as the horse went on to put his foot in the bucket. “You stupid old nag,” she cried affectionately, slowly lifting his hoof out before he could get into a panic. Then she turned back to Izzy and Kate. “Can you go and start mucking out?” she said. “Ted’s already out on the oval. We’ll meet him there.”

  Izzy was happy that Courtney’s bad mood had passed so quickly, but as for seeing Ted, it made Izzy shiver to even hear his name. They hadn’t caught sight of the stable manager since their discovery last night – and Izzy wasn’t entirely sure that she wanted to...

  Izzy and Kate kept as close a watch on Ted as possible over the next few days and in fact, he surprised them – surprised them by the fact that he didn’t so much as go anywhere near Seattle Surprise. He pretty much left Sally to look after her. On Saturday morning, there was a treat waiting for Izzy and Kate in the shape of the ride they’d been dreaming of. Sally said they could join the exercise string – riding Sugarfoot and Lark’s Song. Izzy and Kate were very excited and were making an extra good job of grooming the two horses.

  “I’m going to go and get Lark’s Song’s saddle,” Izzy said.

  “Okay, I’ll see you in a minute then,” Kate responded, continuing to brush the beautiful coat of the horse in front of her.

  As Izzy came out of the barn, the brightness of the day hit her, and she held up her hand to shield her eyes from the sun.

  Quickly, she made her way across the yard, humming gently to herself as she went to enter the tack room. Then she stopped still for a moment. She thought she could hear a voice, but Kate was back at the barn and everyone else had already left for the training oval. She listened again but there was nothing. She must have just been imagining it and, thinking no more of it, she disappeared into the tack room. Her eyes ran over the different name plates, looking for the right saddle – Seattle Surprise, Sugarfoot, Tobago Bay...she read the names aloud. There it was – Lark’s Song. Izzy reached up and took down the saddle. Then, she hurried back outside. She was just about to walk into the barn when she heard a voice again...and suddenly, she realized that she hadn’t been imagining it. There was definitely a voice – and it was coming from the office. It sounded like someone was on the telephone. The door was closed, but the window was open and whoever was talking was doing so in low tones.

  Izzy stopped still. Just who could be in there? She crept across the yard until she was just a little way away from the door of the office. Could she chance it and get any closer? Izzy moved forward until she was just inches away from the glass. And then she took a deep breath. On the count of three...one, two, three. She twisted her neck and looked into the office...

  Ted! He had his back turned to her and his voice was muffled. She tried to hear what he was saying. He sounded angry. Suddenly he turned to face the window, and Izzy ducked. Now that he had turned around, she could hear everything.

  “I’ll fight you every step of the way...

  I can’t get you that kind of money...

  But that would kill her.”

  Izzy’s heart began to beat faster and suddenly everything started swimming in front of her. Ted was talking about killing Seattle! Izzy’s legs felt like jelly and her stomach was churning as she crouched there, leaning against the wall for support. She had to get away before he caught her listening. One foot in front of the other – that was all it took. One step, two steps...and then there was a call that chilled her bones.

  “Who’s that...who’s there?”

  Izzy froze to the spot. Before she even had a chance to make her move, the office door was flung open and Ted stood there, looking at her.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” he said, an angry look flashing over his face.

  “Um, I came to get Lark’s Song’s saddle and tripped...” Izzy stumbled around for the words, not knowing what else to say.

  A dawning realization crossed Ted’s face. “You’ve been eavesdropping, haven’t you? Listening in to my phone call?” And suddenly he looked very angry...menacing even.

  “No, I wasn’t, I mean...I was just coming to look for you. Kate’s been having problems tacking up Sugarfoot. I didn’t hear anything, I mean...” Izzy felt herself getting hysterical.

  “All right, all right, calm down,” Ted said. “It’s not the end of the world.” And then he broke into a crooked smile and the falseness of it all almost made Izzy choke. “I’ll come and give you a hand. Here, let me carry that.” He went to take the saddle out of Izzy’s arms but Izzy shrank back.

  “What’s up? I’m not going to hurt you.” He looked puzzled. “Come on, let’s go and get Sugarfoot tacked up.”

  “No, I mean, that’s fine,” Izzy stammered. “We’ll be all right, I mean...”

  “Look, either you want my help or you don’t,” Ted said firmly, leading the way.

  It was too late to stop him and all that Izzy could do was turn and follow after him.

  “Cat got your tongue?” Ted said as they walked into the barn.

  “No, I...I...”

  “Well anyway, here we are,” Ted said. “So what seems to be the problem?”

  “Problem?” Kate stood up straight at Sugarfoot’s shoulder. “What problem?”

  “I told Ted how you were having problems tacking up Sugarfoot.” Izzy widened her eyes, willing her friend to go along with it.

  “I’m not having any problems,” Kate frowned. “Sugarfoot’s fine. What are you going on about, Izzy?” And then, seeing Izzy’s pale face, she blustered on. “I mean...I was having problems...well, for a few minutes anyway, but I’m all right now. Sugarfoot’s calmed down and-”

  “So you don’t need any help after all?” Ted interrupted. “I don’t know – you two girls.”

  He shrugged his shoulders and just stood there.

  “I must have made a mistake, yes that’s it – a mistake,” Izzy laughed falsely, the relief flooding through her as she realized that Ted had momentarily forgotten about her overhearing his phone call.

  “Well, if you don’t need me, I’ll see you both out on the oval then,” Ted shrugged.

  “Yes, all right, on the oval,” Izzy said.

  Ted looked at her curiously and then turned quickly and walked off down the aisle. As he disappeared, Izzy leaned back against the partition wall.

  “What is it? What’s going on, Izzy? What’s this stuff about me having problems tacking up?”

  “You’re not going to believe this, Kate...”

  And suddenly Izzy let everything flood out – everything that she’d heard Ted say – until finally she finished on the
part about killing Seattle Surprise.

  “Kill her!” Kate gasped. “But...but he can’t do that...”

  “But he’s going to,” Izzy said, trying to gather her cool.

  “Look, are you sure you heard all this right, Izzy?” Kate questioned her. “What exactly did he say?”

  “Just what I told you,” Izzy said crossly. “If you don’t believe me...”

  “Of course I believe you,” Kate said firmly. “But just what are we going to do?”

  14

  DRASTIC MEASURES

  That evening, Courtney walked into the den where the other three girls were sitting in front of the TV. Izzy and Kate hadn’t said a word since they’d got in. They’d still been dwelling on the events of the afternoon and wondering what to do.

  “Phone call for you, Izzy,” Courtney said.

  “For me?” Izzy looked startled.

  “Yes, I think it’s Paula,” she frowned. “Don’t let Mom know she’s calling here – she’s still pretty mad about the other night.”

  “Oh right...thanks.” Quickly, Izzy hurried out into the kitchen and picked up the receiver. She took a deep breath. “Hello?”

  “Izzy? It’s me, Paula...”

  “Thank goodness you’ve called,” Izzy breathed.

  “Why? What’s happened?” Paula’s voice came quickly.

  “I can’t explain now,” Izzy said. “But it’s Ted – it’s definitely Ted who’s doping the horses. I heard him on the phone. He’s said he’s going to kill Seattle. What on earth do we do?”

  Paula was quiet.

  “Are you still there, Paula?” Izzy whispered.

  “Yes, yes, I’m here,” she breathed. “All you can do is tell Sally. Tell her everything.”

  “Yes, I suppose we should,” Izzy said, trying to summon up courage. “Yes, of course you’re right.”

  “Do you want me to come over and see you at the farm?” Paula said.

  “No, I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Izzy said quickly, thinking about what Courtney had said about Sally still being mad at Paula. She didn’t want to make everything so much worse. “Paula...Paula, are you there?”

  “Yes, I’m here,” Paula said.

  “You do understand, don’t you?”

  “Yeah, yeah, I suppose so,” Paula said.

  “Look, I’d better go,” Izzy said. “But don’t worry, I’ll make sure that Sally’s told.”

  As Izzy put down the phone, she stopped for a moment. Paula had sounded really hurt and Izzy felt bad. Paula had been the first real friend they’d made out here. Still, there wasn’t anything she could do about that now. Chewing on her bottom lip, Izzy made her way back into the den to join the others.

  “Now? You think I should tell her now?” Izzy called across the jumping paddock from where she was sitting on the back of Prince.

  “Well, you chickened out of it last night, and now seems as good a time as any,” Kate answered breathlessly, cantering Garnet in a neat circle around the jumping paddock.

  “One more time around and then I’m done.” Izzy gritted her teeth as she turned Prince for the course laid out in front of her. Kicking him hard, she turned him for the brush hurdle. They went flying over the first jump and Izzy switched her attention to the parallel bars. Gracefully she soared around the course, jumping over fence after fence in easy succession.

  “Wow, Izzy, that was really fast,” Kate laughed.

  “Call it tension,” Izzy said, jumping to the ground and leading Prince off by the reins. “Wish me luck.”

  “Fingers crossed...” Kate called across, biting on her bottom lip. They’d decided it would be better if just one person told Sally what they knew – one person would be able to explain everything so much more clearly than two. Kate had won the toss of the coin, and had elected to stay in the background. Now she felt bad – she didn’t envy Izzy this task. They should really be doing this together.

  “Look, I’m going to come with you, Izzy,” she called.

  “What?” Izzy answered.

  ‘I’m going to come with you,” Kate repeated herself.

  “Great,” Izzy grinned. “I thought you’d never offer. Come on then.”

  The two girls turned from the paddock and led the ponies back into the yard.

  “Hi there,” Sally waved, from where she was hosing down Tobago Bay. “How did you do out there?”

  “Oh, really good, thanks,” Izzy said, feeling the butterflies in the pit of her stomach. She tied Garnet to a ring in the wall. Kate did the same with Prince. Izzy gritted her teeth. It was now or never.

  “Sally, do you think we could talk to you?” Izzy walked over, her hands thrust deep into her pockets.

  “Um, look, can it wait until later, Izzy?” Sally said. “I’m in kind of a rush right now – especially with Ted going away for a few days.”

  “Ted’s going away?” Izzy glanced at Kate, looking shocked. This changed everything. How could he dope Seattle if he wasn’t even going to be around?

  “Why the surprise?” Sally raised her eyebrows quizzically.

  “Um, well, no real reason, but why isn’t he going to be around? It seems a strange time to take a break with Seattle’s race just around the corner.”

  “Yeah, well that’s his business,” Sally said firmly.

  Izzy didn’t know what to say; thoughts ran through her mind.

  “Have you just left Garnet and Prince over there?” Sally wrinkled up her brow.

  “Um, well, yes,” Izzy nodded. “We were going to rub them down in a minute.”

  “Yeah, well don’t leave them out too long. Now, I’ve got to finish up here, Izzy,” Sally said as she turned back to Tobago Bay.

  Izzy looked at Kate. It seemed pointless just to stand there and so they walked across the yard, back to the ponies.

  “I didn’t feel I could say anything after all that.” Izzy shot Kate a gloomy look.

  “No, I mean we could hardly tell her that we think Ted’s going to dope Seattle when he’s not even going to be around.” Kate looked gloomy as she leaned forward to undo Garnet’s girth. “So, where do you think Ted’s going? What do you think he’s up to?”

  “I dunno,” Izzy said. “But there’s one thing I can be sure of – we haven’t heard the end of this. Just because Ted’s not going to be around it doesn’t mean Seattle’s any safer.”

  “You don’t think so?” Kate said.

  “No, I don’t. It just gives him the perfect alibi. Ted won’t go far. In fact, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he didn’t try to sneak back into the stable yard when there’s no one around.”

  “Yes, but there’s always someone around,” Kate said thoughtfully.

  “Not at night there isn’t,” Izzy raised her eyebrows. “Why can’t Sally smell a rat?” she cried out in frustration. “Look, there’s only one thing we can do – we’re going to have to guard Seattle all day, and the night before her race too. The security guard can’t be everywhere at once.”

  “What? But Sally would never let us do that,” Kate said.

  “No, I don’t think she would,” Izzy said. “So we’re not going to tell her.” Izzy raised her eyebrows. “We’ll stay in Seattle’s stable without her knowing. That’s the only way we can be sure that Seattle will be safe.”

  “Well maybe, but don’t you think we should get Megan and Courtney involved?” Kate said uncertainly.

  “No, definitely not – we know how they feel about Ted,” Izzy said.

  Kate opened her mouth to say something, and closed it again. Izzy was right. If they told Courtney and Megan it would mean explaining everything – all they’d found out about Ted, where they’d been that night – and that might ruin everything. Besides, the fewer people that got involved right now, the better.

  “Yes Izzy.” Kate took a deep breath. “Yes, I guess you’re right.”

  15

  NIGHT-WATCH

  “Ssshh,” Izzy called across to Kate. “If we get caught, we’ll be in big
trouble.”

  The days had passed quickly – guarding Seattle had been a full-time job. But so far so good – nothing had happened to her, and now the night before Seattle’s race lay ahead of them. Quietly Izzy and Kate tiptoed down the stairs from their bedroom, making their way to the front door, stopping only to put their trainers on.

  “Come on,” Izzy murmured.

  It was 10 o’clock and the moon was high in the sky as they made their way through the trees that evening. They waited until the security guard had passed the arched entrance to the yard, and then they walked forward. Quickly, they avoided the sensory floodlights and walked across to the barn where Seattle was stabled, drawing back the door and closing it behind them before tiptoeing down the aisle. The little grey mare seemed surprised to see them when they looked in over her stall door. She was lying in the straw, but was not yet asleep. She gave a little nicker and got to her feet.

  “Ssshh, hush now, settle down, Seattle.” Izzy turned to Kate. “Perhaps this isn’t such a good idea after all – we don’t want to unsettle her the night before her big race.”

  “She’ll be all right,” Kate said. “She’ll settle back down and go to sleep in a minute, and then we can slip in there and bed down for the night.”

  “Yes, you’re right,” Izzy said thoughtfully. “And surely if anything was going to happen to Seattle, it would have happened by now.”

  “Well, you just don’t know, do you?” Kate said.

  Izzy nodded and looked back over Seattle’s stall door.

  No one would believe that the gentle, grey creature lying asleep in the straw was such a powerful racehorse.

  “Come on,” Izzy yawned.

  Kate nodded. Seattle’s stall was lit by the little window at the back, and the moonlight flooded in across the floor as they stepped inside.

  “Perfect.” Izzy fluffed up the straw. “Who could ask for a more comfortable watch post?”

  “We’re going to be exhausted by the morning though.” Kate gave a wry smile. “Still, I guess it’ll be worth it.”

  “Ssshh...” Izzy put her finger to her lip. “Did you hear something?”