Microsoft Word - John Francome - Inside Track.doc (9 page)

The journey passed in silence, Ros driving fast, her face lined with concentration. To start with she took a back route and Jamie was unsure quite where they were. She joined the main road skirting the edge of the moor, heading upwards, and sudden dread gripped Jamie. He recognised the route as they crested the ridge and the road dived downhill, making a sharp curve to the right. In the months before the trial Jamie had made every effort to avoid this road - the scene of the accident that had killed Alan Kirkstall and stolen a year and a half of his own liberty.

As the car flashed past the drystone wall and the thin copse of trees overlooking the valley, Jamie caught a glimpse of red and white - a bunch of fading carnations tied to the new fence in front of the trees. Someone must be tending the spot, keeping it as a roadside memorial. Jamie's stomach turned over.

Àre you all right?'

He nodded, unable to speak, surprised that she had registered his unease.

Hard act though she might be, Ros did not appear to miss much.

Toby himself came outside to greet them as the car pulled into the Ridgemoor courtyard. Jamie assumed it was because of his interest in 54

Ros but, after bestowing a polite kiss on her cheek, the trainer focused on his former jockey.

`Good to see you back, young man. We've missed you in this yard.'

`Thanks, Colonel,' said Jamie, a little embarrassed.

`Sorry to hear you're lost to the Flat,' Toby continued. He turned to Ros.

`Best apprentice I ever had. You'll have no trouble making a jump jockey out of him.'

`Not on the basis of what I've seen so far,' she said drily.

Toby laughed but Jamie didn't join in. He knew she wasn't joking. `So where's this horse you want me to look at?' she asked Toby. Ì've put him in one of the back boxes. He's been in a filthy temper ever since he pitched up.'

The trainer turned and headed through the courtyard along a path that led behind the main row of stalls. Ros followed and Jamie hung back, aware that this was not his business.

`Jamie,' Toby shouted as he strode off. `Come and make yourself useful.'

He set off after them. Apparently this was his business after all.

As they approached the rear stables a sound of crashing and banging, as of hooves battering a wall, filled the air.

`He's heard us coming,' said Toby. `He's been trying to kick the place down for the past four days.'

They turned the corner into a cobbled yard, hemmed by black-and-white painted stables. Ten years ago, so Jamie had been told, this had been the hub of Ridgemoor's activities but Toby had expanded his premises since then, building more modern facilities to house his charges.

At first Jamie couldn't make out which box held the rebellious animal, as they all seemed to be empty. Then he caught a flash of movement behind the nearest door and the thump and shudder of a ferocious kick that set the wooden frame quivering. A big black head suddenly thrust itself into vision, the tendons on his neck taut and straining. At the sight of them the horse froze, glaring out of eyes as black as coal and rimmed with red.

Òh Toby, he's magnificent,' said Ros with a passion that took Jamie by surprise. Maybe she wasn't quite such a cool customer after all. `He's a handsome fellow, no question,' replied the trainer. Ì think that's the chief 55

reason Malcolm bought him. The owners don't know much about horses apparently so it's best to have an animal that looks the part.'

`What's he called?'

'Beaufort Bonanza, as in Beaufort the travel company. Malcolm found him in Germany so the girls call him Adolf. Seems to suit his personality. Be careful, Ros, he'll take your arm off given half a chance.'

Ros had closed to within a few feet of the horse and was talking to him in a low, guttural whisper that Jamie couldn't make out. Adolf cocked his head quizzically. He appeared to be listening. Jamie caught a word or two and realised she was speaking to him in German. That was cunning of her

- it was obviously the language he was used to.

The two men watched as Ros, still talking, reached up and patted his great neck. Adolf allowed the contact. Indeed, he appeared to enjoy it. Without turning her head, Ros spoke to Toby. `What's his problem?' `He just won't settle. Every time he jumps a hurdle he takes off as if there's a lion chasing him. Someone must have beaten the poor fellow rotten at some stage.'

`He could do with some exercise to use up some of this destructive energy.

Has he been ridden out?'

`Not today. He's got a cold back. When a lad got on him yesterday the horse fired him across the yard. Nearly broke his shoulder. He'll be off for a few days.'

For the first time in their short acquaintance, Ros smiled at Jamie. `Lucky you're here then, isn't it?'

`You want me to ride him?' His voice came out strained and thin. A finely plucked eyebrow rose quizzically. `Why not? You wanted a bit more action as I recall.' She appeared to be enjoying his discomfort. ÒK,' he agreed. Ì'll go and fetch my helmet.'

When he returned a stable girl was tacking up Adolf in the yard. The horse seemed much calmer now he was out in the open.

Toby gave Jamie a leg up into the saddle and he felt the animal shift uneasily beneath him as it took his weight.

`What are you going to do with him?' said the trainer, turning to Ros. Àre the poles with the rubber tyres still out in the paddock alongside the hay-barn?

`Yes.'

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`Let's take him out there.' Ros looked up at Jamie. `Just warm him up for ten minutes. Not that he looks as if he needs it. Do a few circles on either rein.'

The stable lass led the way and Jamie took a firm grip on the horse as he walked him into a field with a big black barn at one end. He'd rarely ventured down here when he'd worked at Ridgemoor. It was kept as a schooling yard for jumpers which, in those days, had been of little interest to him. Funny how times changed. He began the exercise Ros had prescribed, determined to follow her instructions to the letter - particularly after the Colonel's earlier endorsement of his skill. He couldn't let his former employer down.

Ros called out, Ì'm now going to show you how to stop a horse from running away at his fences in one easy lesson. Toby, would you give me a hand?'

With Jamie and Adolf at one end of the paddock, Ros stood with her back to the barn and paced out six good strides towards the centre. Then, with Toby's assistance, she set about building an obstacle out of poles and fence wings. When she had finished she stood back and admired her work. It wasn't big, standing at just a little over three feet, but it was solid.

`There, that should settle him,' she said, looking beyond the fence to the corrugated wall of the barn, just six strides off. Ìf he takes on the barn you might end up short of a jockey but I guarantee you'll have a bloody good jumper on your hands.'

By now Jamie, watching from the other end of the paddock, had an idea of what she was up to. According to Toby, once Adolf jumped an obstacle he'd run off, defying his rider. By making the horse jump directly in front of the barn wall, Ros was cutting off his escape route and forcing him to remain under control. That was the theory anyway.

Ros turned and motioned to Jamie to bring the horse up to them. Adolf began to get jittery the moment he spotted the fence. Jamie patted his neck and spoke to him quietly, much as Ros had done. It didn't seem to have the same effect. He could feel the horse shiver with pent-up energy beneath him.

`Right, Jamie,' Ros said, `just bring him straight in and over the fence.

Don't try and slow him down and, when he lands, don't let him turn. Keep 57

him facing the barn. Even he must realise he can't jump it, so call his bluff.'

Jamie noticed Toby exchange a glance with the stable girl and shake his head. He guessed that the Colonel had reservations about what Ros was asking him to do but had decided not to interfere. Since Toby was not slow in laying down the law, obviously he must trust her. Of course, he wasn't the one sitting on top of Adolf.

Two hours ago Jamie had never left the ground on a horse. Now he was being asked to jump an animal he doubted he could hold, a few yards in front of a solid wall. If it hadn't been for his pride he'd have told Ros what she could do. She wasn't being fair on him.

It crossed his mind that if anything went wrong he might get a cheap holiday from the horse's owner. The only trouble was that it would probably follow a spell in hospital!

He turned Adolf towards the fence. He'd hardly got him straight when the horse took off like a rocket. Jamie had no time to think about holding handkerchiefs in place but it was as if his knees were nailed to the animal's side.

Jamie had ridden long enough to know when a horse had spotted something it couldn't negotiate. But Adolf showed none of the signs as he took off over the fence and landed with his nose a few feet from the metal cladding of the barn wall.

There was a split second when Jamie thought Adolf was going to take off again then, just as quickly, the horse ducked out to his left. Jamie grabbed a piece of mane as he felt himself shooting out of the side-door. For an instant both of his legs were on the same side of the horse as his shoulder clattered into the wall. The force knocked him back into the saddle and he grabbed at the reins before the horse regained his stride and took off again.

Ì told you not to let him turn.'

Jamie could hear Ros yelling at him as he struggled to get the horse back under control.

`Bring him back and do it again.'

Jamie could feel himself beginning to sweat under his helmet, a combination of effort and nerves. His shoulder was numb from the impact with the barn and muscles he'd not used for years were beginning to 58

protest in his legs and back. But the blood was singing in his veins. Aches and pains could wait. This was the kind of thrill he used to live for.

He brought the horse in again, concentrating on keeping him on line. This time the manoeuvre went better. The horse still ducked away, but at a much slower pace. Twenty minutes later, with sweat pouring from every part of his body, Jamie had the animal completely under control, popping over the fence and pulling up on landing just a yard from the barn wall.

Ros then sent him over another jump, placed in the middle of the field. At once the horse began to pull, but nowhere near as badly as before. Ros called Jamie back to the fence facing the barn. Once more the horse reverted to his previous behaviour but Jamie was ready for him. He was determined to take him round until he had fully imposed his will on the animal.

At last, after another half an hour, the horse stayed settled no matter what was in front of him. Only then did Ros call them in. Jamie felt he'd learned more about riding in the past hour than he had in all his career. He was exhausted.

Jamie was surprised when Ros offered to drop him at Shelley Farm. At first he declined but there was no sign of Malcolm and it didn't seem fair to summon his sister when there was a lift on offer.

He almost fell asleep on the way back. He'd tried to keep fit in prison but there had been no way he could keep himself in shape for riding an animal like Adolf. He felt as if he'd gone a couple of rounds with Mike Tyson.

`Same time tomorrow then,' said Ros as she stopped the car in the drive.

Ì'll meet you in the yard, no need to come to the house.' Jamie nodded.

He'd half expected her to suggest he found someone else to teach him and he wouldn't have cared. She looked at him as if he were a bad smell -

maybe the Garstone stink still clung to him. However, if she was still game then he wasn't going to back off. He'd promised Pippa.

There was one matter, however.

Ìf you don't mind my asking, Ros - what do you charge?' That bad-smell look again flickered across her elegant features. Ì mean,' he continued,

`what's this going to cost me?'

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À broken neck, I should think, until you learn how to handle awkward customers like Adolf.'

Jamie wasn't in the mood. Ì just want everything straight. Give me a bill at the end of the week, OK?'

`Jamie,' her voice was unexpectedly soft. `There's no need. I owe Toby a favour or two and your lessons have been taken care o£' Suddenly he didn't feel tired any more. He felt angry.

`What favours? Whatever goes on between you two's got nothing to do with me. You give me a bill and I'll pay it like anybody else.' He threw open the car door and jumped out. `You think because I've just got out of prison I'm some kind of charity?'

Ìt's not that, Jamie.'

He paid no attention but spoke bitterly through the car window. `You've got a nerve, Lady Bloody Bountiful. I don't care what kind of favours you give Toby or anyone else, with you and me it's proper business. All right?'

She looked at him calmly. Ìf that's what you want. I charge thirty pounds a lesson plus VAT. I'll raise an invoice whenever you like.' `Good.' For someone who'd been earning less than ten quid a week in the prison metal shop it seemed pretty pricy. But at least he now knew where he stood. And he had Malcolm's loan to tide him over. His fury vanished as quickly as it had arrived. `Sorry, Ros, I didn't mean to get shirty.'

She nodded curtly and started the engine.

He trudged towards the house. Suddenly all his tiredness was back. After a bath he was going straight to bed.

Richard didn't want to make this phone call but he had no choice. Malcolm had been on at him, which was par for the course, then Toby had chipped in. For all Richard's recent success on the racecourse, he'd not yet learned how to say no to his father.

Toby had buttonholed him that morning on the gallops. `Malcolm tells me you're keeping a friendly eye on Jamie now he's back.' Richard reacted irritably. At least, out here alone with his father, he didn't have to keep up the pretence. `But why is he back? In his position I'd find a job as far away as possible.'

Toby sighed. It was old ground. All three of them would have preferred Jamie to crawl into a hole in the ground so they could roll a boulder over 60

the top. But Pippa had wanted her baby brother back under her wing and there was no way round that. Malcolm had termed their strategy `damage limitation'. Richard knew it was just making the best of a very bad job.