Secrets (5 page)

“Yeah!” Luke grinned at her, seeming to have forgotten all the earlier tension. “Go for it, girl!”

“OK, I will!” Ellie declared. “ I’ll ask Uncle Len when we get back!”

The yard was bustling when Ellie and Luke returned. Sasha and Helen were grooming while Stuart swept the yard. Horses looked over the loose-box doors around the courtyard, their coats gleaming, ears pricked. Carey and Melissa were riding their horses in the schooling ring.

Ellie washed Picasso down, then put him in his stable to dry off. She went to the office to see if her uncle was there. As she approached, she hesitated. If she planned to ask about buying the foal, she wanted to catch him in a good mood and he certainly hadn’t been in one that morning. But just then the office door opened and Len came out, smiling.

“Hey, Stu,” he called across the yard. “I’ve just had a phone call from Jeff Hallett. Get the box next to Starlight ready. A new horse is coming this afternoon.”

“What horse?” Stuart asked.

“Jeff’s bought a new hack for his daughter. It’s a youngster. Anna wanted a baby to bring on next season. It’s just been backed apparently. A gelding, 15.1 hands high. Sired by Golden Glory.”

Stuart gave an appreciative nod. Golden Glory had been a champion hack who had won at the Horse of the Year show. “Sounds interesting.”

“It’s arriving later and Anna’s coming for a lesson on Lucifer beforehand. Will you get him ready?”

“I’ll do it,” Ellie offered.

Lucifer was a beautiful but difficult horse that Luke rode in the hack classes when Anna Hallett couldn’t. The horse had a troubled past, but he trusted Ellie. It was very important he did well in shows. Jeff Hallett owned the horse-food company that sponsored Len, providing free food for all the horses on the yard.

Len nodded. “Make sure he’s groomed up really well, lass.”

“Sure. Uncle Len, can I ask you something first?” Ellie looked at her uncle’s face. For once he looked almost jovial. “You know Hope—the foal. What are you planning to do with her?” She held her breath.

“I’ll sell her on. Why?”

“Well …” Ellie looked at him hopefully. “If Gran will let me, could I buy her from you?”

“You?”

Ellie nodded.

“Why would
you
want a foal?”

To love, to care for, to be mine …
Ellie knew she couldn’t say that to him. “To bring on. I’ll work with her. Back her when she’s old enough. Sell her on in the end.” She had no intention of selling the foal, but she knew she needed to speak a language her uncle understood.

“So you want to see if you can make some money from her?”

Ellie nodded.

“All right.” Len nodded approvingly. “It’s a good attitude. You can buy her. See what you can do with her. We’ll do the same deal as we had with that gray you picked up at the sale. You can have her feed and stabling for free in return for the work you do for me.”

He walked back into the office. Ellie stood, rooted to the spot for a moment as it slowly dawned on her that this wasn’t just a mad plan any more—she was actually buying Hope if her grandma agreed. She couldn’t wait to tell Spirit! It would be just like having him on the yard all over again. Her own horse there to love, who would love her back.

“Well?” Luke came over, Pip trotting at his heels. “What did he say?”

“He said yes!” Ellie grinned and bent down to ruffle Pip’s ears in delight.

“Awesome!” Luke said, pleased.

“I want to go and see her.”

Ellie and Luke went to the field where Hope and Gem were turned out together. They were grazing, nose by nose.

“She is a beauty,” said Luke appreciatively.

Ellie nodded, taking in the filly’s pretty head, her intelligent, slightly stubborn eyes, her clean long limbs and strong back.

“Better move on,” said Luke, hearing a shout from the yard. He nudged her. “I’ll leave you with
your
horse.” Giving a whistle to Pip who was nosing in the hedgerow, he walked away.

My horse.
Ellie climbed over the gate. Gem and Hope came over. Touching Hope’s neck, Ellie was struck again at how simple the energy around the foal felt. There was no hidden pain, no deep anguish or difficult memories. Ellie felt suddenly awed. It was up to her to make sure Hope stayed happy, that the filly never had any bad memories that Ellie could possibly prevent.

“I will look after you,” she promised the filly. “For always.”

Remembering she’d made that promise once before, her excitement faded a few notches. Owning Hope would be great, but Spirit was still with her and would always be her real horse—the one she loved most. She mustn’t forget that.

She turned and looked up the slope to the field where his grave was.
Always and ever
, she thought.

Chapter Five

ANNA HALLETT ARRIVED IN
her silver sports car. Shaking back her mane of dark brown hair, she waved at Luke as she walked up the yard, her tight cream breeches and short-sleeved T-shirt showing off her perfect figure. Ellie looked down at her own blue jodhpurs, dusty from her falls that morning, and T-shirt covered with slobber where Picasso had rubbed his mouth against her when she had taken off his bridle. Her long ponytail had shavings in it and she could tell she had a spot coming on her chin. She couldn’t ever imagine looking so effortlessly glamorous and beautiful.

Luke went to meet Anna, Pip trotting beside him. Even in his work clothes he looked gorgeous too. They looked as if they should be in an advert together. Anna smiled up at Luke through her long eyelashes. “Been missing me?”

“You bet,” he murmured.

Pip went over to greet Anna, putting her front paws up on Anna’s breeches. “Get down!” Anna snapped, frowning.

Ellie went to the tackroom and fetched Lucifer’s saddle and bridle. She knew Anna wouldn’t want to tack him up herself but would expect him warmed up, ready and waiting in the school for her lesson with Len.

When Lucifer saw her coming, he pricked his ears and whinnied. Ellie smiled. Lucifer’s dark eyes fixed on her.

“Hey, boy,” she said, letting herself into his stable. He nuzzled her. She pictured him when he’d arrived at the yard, attacking other horses, refusing human contact, threatening people who came into his stable with his teeth and hooves until Ellie had helped him. Feeling his lips hopefully exploring the outside of her pockets for treats, Ellie rubbed his neck.

She took Lucifer up to the schooling ring and rode him around, warming him up and enjoying the way he responded to the lightest of pressure on the reins. Lucifer liked to be trusted and the softer his rider was with their aids, the better he went.

When Anna came to the gate with Luke, Ellie halted. Most of Len’s clients would smile and say thanks if Ellie had been working their horse in, but Anna didn’t say a word to her.

“He’s looking well,” Anna said to Luke.

“Ellie’s in charge of grooming him and we ride him between us when you’re not here,” Luke replied.

Anna’s eyes barely flickered in Ellie’s direction. “Have you heard about my new horse?” she asked Luke as she went into the school.

“Yeah.”

Anna nodded. “I want a youngster I can really work with. You know, one that I can feel I’ve brought on.”

Ellie stared. Anna didn’t have a clue what it meant to bring a horse on. There was so much more to it than turning up and riding them occasionally. “So are you going to come down every day then?” she said, dismounting.

Anna looked as startled as if the fence post had just talked. “Sorry?”

“Well, that’s what people do when they’re bringing a young horse on. They work closely with them—every day.”

Anna gave a high laugh. “I won’t exactly be doing
that
!”

“Well then, you can’t say you’re—”

“Hey, Ellie,” Luke interrupted. “Wasn’t that Stu calling for you?”

She frowned. “No.”

“I think it was,” he said firmly. “Why don’t you work Lucifer in, Anna? Len will be up in a moment and I’ll just go with Ellie to see what Stu wants.”

Anna smiled at him. “Come back soon, though.”

“’Course,” he replied and winked at her. Then, grabbing Ellie’s shoulder, he steered her out of the school.

“What are you doing?” she said, shaking him off as they walked through the gate.

“El-
liee
!” Luke stared at her. “You can’t go around offending one of Len’s most important clients. You have to be nice to Anna.”

“So is that why you’re going out with her?” retorted Ellie, unable to resist.

“No!”

“So how would she feel about you flirting with other girls like that girl at the show!”

“Don’t you dare tell her about that!” Luke said warningly.

Ellie put her hands on her hips. “Oh, you’re
daring
me are you?”

“No! Look, OK, you’re right.” Luke took a deep breath, appearing to force himself to calm down. “I shouldn’t have chatted up that girl. But you shouldn’t tell Anna that she doesn’t know how to bring a young horse on. Agreed?”

Staring into his blue eyes, Ellie felt her anger fade slightly. It was a fair point, even she had to admit it. “OK,” she muttered.

“Luke! What are you doing?” Anna called, a slight edge to her voice.

They looked around and saw she had halted and was watching them. “Just coming. Stu doesn’t need me after all.” Luke jumped back over the gate. “So, come on then. Let me see how well he goes for you.”

Shaking her head, Ellie walked away down the

yard.

Later that day, after Anna had left, John, the vet, arrived to examine Lexi. He diagnosed the mare as having a vertebra knocked out of place at the top of her spine, with muscle pain, advising a course of anti-inflammatories and visits from the equine physiotherapist. “She’ll be in pain until this injury is sorted out, so no exercise until the swelling and pain has gone,” he told Stuart and Ellie. “Be very careful even putting a headcollar on. She looks like she’ll be a really nice horse when she’s better though.”

Ellie stroked the mare’s cheek. “We’ll help you get well,” she promised as she took her headcollar off.

She wondered when the Halletts’ new horse was arriving. Len had said it would be that afternoon.

She’d left the stable and found Luke pacing around the yard, talking angrily on his cell phone. “What? But why? Look, there’s no need. I’m sure you’re busy as always. Well, so what if Dad wants to come?” He broke off with a muttered exclamation. “Whatever. Come if you must.” Clicking the
END CALL
button, he raised his eyes to the sky.

“What’s up?” said Ellie, surprised at seeing Luke so tense. Usually, nothing ever fazed him.

“It’s my parents. For some reason they’ve decided they’re coming to Hickstead to watch me on the hunter pony day.”

“So?” Ellie frowned, not understanding. “They probably just want to see you in the show. It’s a big thing—the Royal International.”

“They haven’t seen me since Christmas and now they want to turn up just ’cause there’s something happening where they can play the proud parents.” He swore. “Well, I don’t want them there.”

Ellie couldn’t imagine feeling like that about her parents. She’d have given anything to have them still alive and able to come and watch. But she knew Luke’s childhood had been totally different from hers. His dad had often been away working, and his mother had travelled with him, so Luke was sent to boarding school at seven and spent most of his breaks at Len’s house. Luke once told Ellie that Len had been more of a father to him than his dad ever was.

Luke folded his arms angrily. For a moment Ellie had the unfamiliar urge to comfort him. “Hey, don’t worry,” she said, her voice softening. “There’ll be so much to do at the show. I bet you can avoid them and I’ll help you get away from them if you need.”

He managed a smile. “Thanks.”

Just then there was the sound of a horsebox drawing into the car park. “I bet that’s the new horse. Let’s go and see,” Ellie said.

They walked curiously to the car park. Len was there before them.

“Got here at last,” said the groom driving the trailer. He jumped out and handed Len some papers. As Len checked through them, the groom let down the ramp and winked at Ellie. “This baby for you?”

“Oh no, I’m not Anna Hallett,” Ellie said quickly, biting back a smile at the thought. She watched as the groom brought a dark bay horse out. He walked quietly down the ramp. Ellie frowned. Usually, as soon as she saw a new horse, she had a feeling about it, sensing whether it was happy or stressed, anxious or laid-back, but with this one she felt nothing. She looked at the horse, reaching out with her mind, but all she found was a blank.

Whistling, the groom stripped off the horse’s travelling boots, rug and tail guard. “Where do you want him then?” he asked Len.

“I’ll take him,” Ellie offered. Len nodded.

“He’s a stunner,” said Luke, walking around and taking in the horse’s delicate head, his perfect conformation.

“Looks quiet too,” commented Len.

“Oh, Rocky’s a lamb in the stable,” said the groom quickly. “We’ve had him six months. Never had a moment’s problem with him.”

“And he’s already been backed?” said Len.

“Yeah. Quiet as a donkey to ride. Right.” The groom handed the leadrope to Ellie. “I’d best be off.”

Ellie clicked her tongue. She felt a moment’s tension run through the horse, but then he turned and followed her, his head low. She looked at him curiously as she led him to his new stable. His eyes seemed strange. Usually, horses’ eyes were so full of expression—they might be cheerful, wise, scared. Whatever a horse was feeling, she could always read something in its gaze. But this horse’s eyes seemed completely dead of emotion. Unease prickled through her. She shut the door. The horse stood still, his head turned away from her. Something was definitely not right.

Ellie touched his neck and focused her mind, wondering what feelings she would pick up. She frowned. There was simply nothing there. She’d never felt anything like it. It was like a complete blank. She shut her eyes to concentrate harder.

You can talk to me if you want
, she thought to the horse.
I can hear you.