Present Day
Kate paused, she could hear the happy chatter of the staff in the tack room, she had called them together to have a discussion and she was not looking forward to the reaction. She pushed open the door and stepped into the muggy warmth. “Hi guys!” The staff shared greetings, smiling and laughing. “I need to talk to you about Caroline.”
It was as if a switch had been thrown, the room became quiet, Kate was aware of the number of people staring at her. Jacqui cleared her throat. “No...”
“What? Sorry?”
“No Kate.” Jacqui paused, looking around the room to the nods of agreement. “We don’t want Caroline back. It is nothing personal but...” She stopped. “Kate she is not well, to be honest we are worried for you.”
“Jacqui...” Kate frowned. “She is our friend.”
“Kate, she was...” She paused. “She almost killed Adam. Please, take her back to the hospital.”
“She has been discharged.”
“I speak for all of us Kate. I am so sorry, we love Caroline dearly, but we don’t feel we can have her back at the yard. It is her or us.”
Kate sat down heavily. “Okay, I hear what you are saying, I am sorry but I can totally understand.” She looked up. “Will you at least visit her; she is terribly lonely when we are not there.”
Jacqui nodded. “Yes, of course.” She smiled. “We are not trying to be difficult. Of course, we will go and see her. She is still one of us, just not well at the moment. We know it is not her fault.”
“Thank you...” Kate stood up and left the room. As she closed the door, she heard the happy hubbub start again.
***
“Hello...” Kate pushed open the front door. “I’ve been shopping; do you think you could help me bring it in?”
“Of course.” Caroline stood up and started to help Kate with the shopping bags. “Would you like me to cook tonight?”
“Oh that would be lovely.” Kate smiled, loading bags onto the kitchen worktop.
“To be honest, anything to keep me busy.” Caroline stopped. “Did you ask them?” Kate sighed. “Ah... That doesn’t sound good.”
“Caroline, they are just not ready yet.” She took her hand. “After what happened...” Kate paused. “Sorry, they were frightened, it will take some time. They have promised to come and see you. Let them build up the trust again.”
“Okay.” Caroline frowned.
“I know it is hard for you.”
***
Dinner had been uneventful and soon afterwards, both Adam and Kate were stifling yawns. Adam glanced at his watch and announced that it was time for them to go to bed. “We will see you in the morning Caroline. Sleep well.”
Unlike Adam and Kate, Caroline had done nothing all day, she could understand their exhaustion from rising early and working long hard hours in the open air. Caroline had sat on the sofa, bored gazing out of the window and wishing she could be back at the yard. She sighed.
Slumped on the sofa she was dulled by the soporific television programme, yawning and her eyelids heavy she dropped off to sleep.
It was pitch-black when she woke with a start, Susan smiled looking around the front room, this was not where she wanted to be, it was time to be proactive, it was time to go home and finish what she had started.
Moving carefully around the room Susan opened the front door quietly smirking, Adam and Kate could not stop her, Caroline was a weakling and had stepped aside easily.
It was only ten minutes later that Susan was standing silently on the main yard.
***
The yard was waking up with grooms starting to feed the horses and muck out. Susan had kept herself out of sight but now felt the time was right to return. The back yard was quiet the horses had been fed but the staff had started mucking out on the main yard as was usual.
Susan walked across the silent yard towards the last stable in the block; she leant over the stable door and saw Magpie standing eating his feed. “Hello Magpie.” The horse flung his head up, snorting wildly. “Oh you recognise me now do you?” Susan smiled. The horse dashed to the back of his stable.
“Oh now, now...” Susan reached for the stable door.
“Caroline? I wondered where you had ...” Adam stopped dead as he approached Susan. “What? Who are you?” The girl was wearing the clothes Caroline had been wearing and at a distance looked similar but this was clearly not Caroline.
“Hello Adam...” Susan sneered, pulling the stable door open.
“What are you doing?”
“I thought I would see an old friend.” Adam grabbed her arm, Susan snarled and pulled away walking towards Magpie. “Piss off Adam.” She reached out towards the scared horse. Magpie rolled his eyes and snorted. “Come here you stupid beast.” Susan grabbed a handful of Magpie’s mane. The horse suddenly felt nothing but fear of this woman and span running towards the exit. Susan was knocked to the floor by Magpie’s shoulder as he charged for freedom.
***
Caroline was dazed, she was lying on a floor of wood shavings; it was one of the stables. She had no idea what she was doing her; she had been in Adam and Kate’s front room. There were shouts in the distance, she was groggy and not clear what had happened. A shadow passed across the open stable door, she looked up and was about to greet Sarah when she started screaming. Caroline looked confused, Sarah had crouched down in the doorway and was sobbing and screaming for help.
Caroline struggled to pull herself to her feet, her shoulder and ribs were sore and she was dizzy. She eventually got up and walked towards the door.
She stopped dead, Sarah looked up at her. “You!” She growled. “What have you done? What the hell have you done?” She sobbed.
***
Kate was finishing up in the feed shed when she heard the thunder of hooves on concrete; she stepped out and saw Magpie galloping towards the driveway. She was about to run after him when she heard screams. A chill ran through her as she followed the sound to the back yard. There was a cluster of staff around Magpie’s stable.
“What is going on?” Kate tried to push her way to the front of cluster but was held back by Tracy, she was crying.
“No Kate... Wait for a moment.”
“Please Tracy what has happened.” She pushed her aside and suddenly saw what had happened. She gasped and found herself buckling at her knees. Tracy grabbed and supported her. “Oh God!” She knelt down.
Lying in the stable doorway was Adam. It was clear that he was badly injured, his head was covered in blood and there was a clear bloody hoof-print on the front of his shirt. Kate cradled his head. “Adam... Can you hear me?” She looked up. “For God’s sake call an ambulance!” One of the staff ran back to the office.
Kate was struggling to remember her first aid and was fighting to find a pulse; she didn’t know if she should be attempting CPR, she grabbed hold of Adam's still body desperately willing him to breath.
***
Tracy heard the ambulance approaching and ran to the main yard to direct the paramedics. “This way!" The paramedics leapt from the ambulance and dashed onto the back yard.
“Hello madam, can you let us get in please.” The first paramedic gently ushered Kate aside, she muttered and stood watching helplessly as they worked on Adam. The staff were consoling each other, sobbing and staring at Adam’s still form, which lay on the concrete.
It was minutes later that the two paramedics looked at each other; the first stood slowly and approached Kate. “Miss?” Kate turned towards the paramedic. “I am so very sorry...”
It was if her world had collapsed, a sudden pain flooded Kate’s body, she screamed and fought to grasp Adam, clutching at his body desperately willing him to open his eyes and recognise her again.
“Kate...” Tracy gently took Kate’s shoulders. “Please, let them do what they have to do.” She helped her to her feet as the paramedics gently lifted Adam’s body onto a trolley.
Kate watched in silence as the ambulance pulled away.
***
Tracy had asked the staff to take Kate back to the flat, to keep her comfortable. Kate had fought against them but soon realised that Adam had been taken away. The paramedics had made it clear that she should wait; there was nothing she could do at the hospital.
Tracy watched as Kate was led away. “I know you are there.” Tracy stepped into the stable. Caroline walked slowly out of the shadows, head down her body visibly shaking.
Tracy lunged towards her smashing her fist into her face, Caroline crumpled, bleeding heavily from her nose. Tracy reached back and kicked her hard in the ribs, before falling to her knees and sobbing. “You killed him...”
“Tracy, no...” Caroline gasped. “I don’t know what happened.” She was cut short by another firm kick to her chest as Tracy lunged towards her again, she cried out in agony.
“I am calling the police. You won’t get away with this bitch!” She turned on her heel and walked from the stable. Caroline remained on the floor, desperately trying to breath.
***
Adam woke with a start, the pain in his chest took his breath away, and he staggered to his feet. Looking around he saw the back yard was silent and cast in half-light. Despite it being a warm summers evening he was chilled to the bone and shivered uncontrollably. He looked around, it was unnaturally quiet, it was then he noticed that the stables were empty. He shook his head, trying to clear his mind, which was fogged with confusion.
He staggered for a step before having to grab hold of an open stable door; he was feeling sick and dizzy. There was a sound and he looked up to see Jacqui walking down the yard. Her head down, she seemed to be crying. “Jac’s what’s up?” Jacqui ignored him, walking past as if he was not there. “Jac’s what’s wrong?” He watched as she turned the corner and disappeared out of sight. Adam shrugged, whatever had happened the staff were ignoring him. He sighed, the argument with Kate, his mind ran back to the morning, no doubt he would have to eat some major humble pie as his row with his wife had put everyone against him.
Adam followed Jacqui onto the main yard. He was confused; it seemed to be early evening. He was sure it had been morning, he grabbed his forehead, perhaps he had hit his head, and it would explain his headache. In the distance, he saw Kate looking across the yard.
“Kate...” Adam called across the yard. Kate looked up for a moment, looking confused. “Kate?” She was in conversation with Jacqui and seemed to be ignoring him. He sighed, he should face the situation and apologise. He walked across the yard, strangely limping, as he approached, he was surprised that Kate didn’t look up. “Kate. Look, I am sorry. I was stupid.” He stopped; Kate had not looked at him and was still talking to Jacqui about the horses. “Kate!” Adam reached out to grab her hand.
Adam fell back. He had reached for Kate but his hand had passed through hers as if it was not there. She had stopped speaking and was looking around looking nervous. “Kate?” Adam spoke but it was clear that Kate could not hear him she suddenly burst into tears, Jacqui hugged her. Adam tried to approach but found that he could not get close to her, as he tried to touch her he found that he could not. He gasped, looking down at his hands.
“You can’t touch them...”
Adam span around, there was a young woman standing behind him. “What? Who are you?”
“Oh so many questions and you don’t even know the answer to the obvious one.” Susan sneered.
“What?” Adam paused, trying to stop Kate and Jacqui who had started to walk away. “Kate, Jacqui!”
“Oh and they can’t hear you either.”
“What?” Adam turned to face the girl. “What are you talking about?”
“You will find out, but let me save you some effort.” She smiled. “You cannot speak Kate again, and she can’t see you.”
“What?”
“Is that all you say?” Susan sneered. “What... What?” She aped Adam’s voice.
“Why can’t she see me?”
“How stupid are you?” She shook her head. “Duur! You’re dead.”
Adam felt the blood rush from his head, he blacked out and fell heavily to the floor.
***
Kate woke from a sleeping tablet induced disturbed sleep, she reached over but Adam’s side of the bed was empty, the realisation crept back, she had hoped for just one moment that she had been having a terrible nightmare, she sighed and pushed back the duvet. She had to move, there were things to do, she blinked back tears as she realised that all she would do now would be without Adam.
She dressed and drove to the yard; Jacqui stepped out of the office as she arrived. “Hi, how are you coping?” She paused. “You know you don’t need to be here.”
“What would I do Jacqui? Sit at home? No, I would rather be busy today try to keep my mind off things.”
“Okay, well we are all here for you.”
“Thanks Jacqui.” Kate watched as she walked away across the yard. This was home but now the stables felt alien to her, she did not want to give up but she could not see a way to carry on working at a place which had been as much Adam's business as hers. Everything would be a memory of him, she sighed. What should she do? There was time to decide but her mind was pretty much made up, she looked over what had once been hers, soon she would look to speak with an estate agent and look to move on.
***
Caroline looked up as the cell door opened. "Get up!" She dragged herself to her feet and followed the police officer back to the tiny interview room. She had been in here for many hours, going over and over again what had happened both in the kitchen at the stables flat and when Magpie had killed Adam.
"Tell me again what happened again with the horse?" The detective sipped at the bitter coffee before stirring in another sugar. "What were you doing in the stable?"
"I...” Caroline stuttered. She knew if she told them again that she didn't know they would just shout at her once more. "I wanted to see Magpie. I worked at the stables."
"Okay. You wanted to see the horse?" The officer shrugged. "And the next thing is Mr Bishop us dead, is this a coincidence after you tried to stab him just a few days before?"
"Sarge!" A woman poked her head around the interview room door.
"Interview suspended at thirteen twenty one hours." The police office stood and left the room leaving Caroline alone. She glanced up at the CCTV camera in the corner of the room. She sighed, she had no idea what would happen to her, and they had spent hours interviewing her, going around in circles asking the same questions. Why had she stabbed Adam, what had she done to Magpie to make him act in the way he did. She couldn't answer those questions or any of the others and she could feel the increasing frustration from the officers. She looked up as the door opened; the officer stepped back into the room. "Well you are very lucky."
"I'm sorry?" Caroline looked up.
"I think you had something to do with that horse, they don't just go mad and kill people normally. And I know you stabbed Adam Bishop but it seems there were no witnesses. Well nobody who would say that you did anything but slip while carrying a knife." He paused. "I know you are guilty as hell but we just cannot get a case that will stick with the criminal prosecution service."
"What does that mean?"
"It means that you will get away with it." He slammed his fist on the desk. "But I will be watching you; if you get as much as a parking ticket I will drag you in and find something to arrest you for."
"I'm sorry." Caroline sobbed.
"Oh shut up and stop the waterworks." He snarled. "It doesn't impress me." He stood up quickly knocking his chair to the floor. "Get out of here, before I change my mind."
Caroline stood up slowly; the officer opened the interview room door and led her through the police station. "So I am free to go?"
"Yes, for now you are. Now get out!"
***
Adam stared across the yard. He could see the staff were working, but there was none of the usual energy or laughter. The radio was silent and the grooms walked around slowly, some with tears in their eyes as they mucked out and swept the yard, even the horses seemed subdued obviously sensing the mood of the humans. He sighed, he had spent time trying to make contact with the staff, shouting and trying to get their attention but they clearly could not see him. He was trapped, invisible and silent He turned and faced the woman who was standing behind him. Susan was sitting on a bale beside one of the stables.
"I wish you wouldn't waste your time, you are wearing me out with all you’re running around." She picked her nails. "I told you, they can't see you."
"But why?" Adam stepped towards her.
"Oh, I have to get left with a stupid one!" She stood up grasping Adam's shoulders and walking him onto the back yard. She pointed down to some dark stains on the concrete. "That." She gestured. "Is your blood. You were hit by Magpie and, well how can I put this." She paused. "You are dead."
"I can't be dead?"
"Why not?" Susan shrugged. "Are you someone special? Superhuman powers, invincible?"
"No, I need to be there for Kate."
"Oh boo hoo..." Susan laughed. "You need to be there for Kate!" Adam lunged at Susan grabbing her around the neck. "Oh what a big man!" She struggled free. "You can't strangle me."
"Why don't you just piss off and leave me alone?"
"Because I like seeing you suffer. I have been here for almost forty years and you are about the only entertainment I have had."
***
Kate shrugged. "I am sorry; I have not been able to take this all in."
The funeral director smiled. "I can understand madam. This is a very difficult time for you. We can look after everything for you. I just need a few details."
"Okay." Kate took the form the man was proffering. "I just want it to be good for him. He deserves the very best." She grabbed for the tissues balled in her lap and dabbed her eyes.
***
Jacqui looked up as Kate opened the car door. "Sorted?" Kate nodded. "Okay."
There were so few words she could say, she had offered to help Kate, and she could only imagine the pain she was going through. She started the engine and they headed slowly back towards Redbridge. They drove in silence until Jacqui pulled up outside Kate's cottage.
"Thank you Jacqui." She slipped out of the car, turning to walk to the cottage. She paused before she opened the door and stepped back to the car. "Jacqui." She paused, taking a deep breath. "I will come to the yard and tell everyone, but I need you to know. I can't carry on. After the funeral, I will be closing the stables and selling up. I can't face going back there again."
"I understand." Jacqui nodded.
"I will pay you and the staff right up to the end, but..." She stopped. "I just felt it was fair that you knew. I am so sorry."
"Please don't be sorry." Jacqui took Kate's hand. "I understand and I know the girls will."
***
"So, who are you?" Adam walked towards Susan. It was the end of the third day; Susan had taunted him as he had continued to try to make contact with anyone on the yard. He soon realised that he could not leave the confines of the stables, any attempt to do so left him so sick that he could not go any further so it became clear he was trapped in this single place. The only person he could communicate with was the sullen woman who was standing before him so he felt he had better at least know something about her.
"Me?" Susan looked around theatrically. "Oh you are finally speaking to me? Oh I am honoured."
"Oh forget it!" Adam turned away.
"No... Please." Susan pleaded. "Okay, it's been a long time but I am Susan Thompson, I worked here a long time ago."
"And?"
"And what?"
"How did you die?"
"Oh wow! Straight in with the tough questions. You don't leave much time for niceties do you?" She laughed at Adam's obvious discomfort. "Look you asked." She snarled.
"I am sorry."
"Well get over it. I am not a nice person, but that is hardly my fault."
"Sorry?"
"People hated me, they deserved what they got."
"Why did they hate you?" Adam spoke softly.
"Why do you care? Piss off!" She turned and quickly walked away from him.
***
"Ashes to ashes, dust to dust." The priest looked up briefly glancing around the congregation. He was pleased to see that the pews were comparatively full, although Adam had not been a churchgoer it was clear that he has been respected in his own community.
Kate sat silently in the front pew, she wanted to scream and cry out but felt she had to be strong for the rest of the staff, strange how she felt such responsibility for her colleagues even though, in just a few days it would be all over. All too quickly, the service reached a conclusion, Adam's coffin rolled silently towards the hatch in the wall and the curtains slowly closed. So this was it, this was the silent ending as Adam's favourite music played in the background. Kate faced the inevitability; he would never be coming back. Kate's mother put her arm around her shoulder and embraced her, soon she would be returning to her childhood home tonight, no doubt sleeping in the bed she has spent so many years in before she had left home.
Everyone was charming and polite, with lovely things to say about Adam but it was an uncomfortable occasion it was generally agreed that no one should die that young. Kate looked up and saw Dr Newton approaching her. "Doctor." Kate smiled faintly.
"Kate. I am so very sorry for your loss." He sighed. "He was a good man." He paused. "Are you coping?"
"I'm having to." She looked up. "I am closing the stables."
"I had been told, I can understand that. Your mum told me you will be moving back home."
"In a couple of weeks, yes." She blinked. "I will miss the place." Sobs racked her body. Dr Netwon embraced her tightly.
"Be strong lassie."
***
Kate looked around the quiet yard, Now, a week after the funeral most of the horses had been sold and a for sale sign stood at the end of the driveway, she turned as she heard a vehicle approaching, it was a black Range Rover. The car pulled up beside Kate and a young woman stepped out. "Can I help you?"
"I am Jemma Thompson."
"Yes and?" Kate shrugged and started to walk away from the woman.
"Your husband owes me money and I want payment." Kate stopped dead in her tracks; she took a deep breath before turning around slowly. "Your husband took out a loan with me."
"My husband is dead."
"What a shame." Jemma spoke without emotion. "So now you own me money."
"As you will see." Kate gestured around the yard. "Most of the horses, tack and equipment has been sold. I am in the process of closing down this establishment."
"Well it seems I came at the right time for payment then."
Kate shrugged. "You know, there is one thing we have not sold as yet." She invited Jemma to walk with her; they stopped at a low wall. As Jemma glanced over the wall, Kate pushed her hard. Jemma squealed as she fell, landing heavily in the sea of black mud that surrounded the muckheap. "Miss Thompson you may have as much shit as you like. Now piss off!"
Jemma slowly stood up, her body covered in stinking muck which dripped from her body. "You have not heard the last of me!"
"Oh, I really don't care. I have lost everything; you can have anything that is left." Kate paused for a moment. She looked around seeing a movement in the distance. "Adam?" She shook her head, mistaken before walking away.
***
Adam smiled. "Well done Kate!"
***
Adam watched the woman from across the yard. This had been what he had been doing most of the time since the yard had fallen silent. The horses were gone and he had watched, with tears in his eyes, the staff leaving for the last time.
Susan had tried to goad him, telling him how it was all over, how he had failed and how Kate would leave him soon. Adam had done something he had never done before; he spun around and punched the frustrating girl with a powerful right hook. She crashed to the concrete of the yard yelping and moaning that he had hurt her. He had not seen her for some days after that, but eventually she reappeared from out of the shadows from where she had been hiding.
Adam slowly walked towards her, his body leaving no shadow in the early afternoon sun. The woman looked up as he approached. "Okay, tell me, who are you?"
"Sorry?" She frowned. "Am I talking to you?" She reached up and rubbed her cheek, the bruising still visible.
"Just answer the question?"
"Forceful...” She smiled. "My name is Susan Thompson; I worked at this God-awful place until I had to leave."
"You had to leave?" Adam shook his head. "Well you are still here."
"Oh smarty pants." She smiled. "I killed the owner’s horse and accidently killed myself. They thought it was suicide but it was just an accident." Susan paused. "Doesn't that shock you?"
"I think death has put me past being shocked. I am just ever so tired." Adam sighed. "So why did you kill her horse?"
"I didn't like her."
"And that's it? You didn't like her so you killed her horse and yourself?"
"It's not like that!"
"So what is it like?"
"Well..." Susan frowned. "Look she was nasty to me."
"In what way? Go on, how was she nasty to you?"
"She..." Susan stuttered. "Look she just wasn't very nice. She threatened to sack me."
"Why did she do that?"
"She just didn't like me!" Susan snapped.
"Really? And what did you do?"
"Me?" Susan looked shocked. "I may have played a few little pranks, but they were harmless."
"So she told you off for playing pranks on people and you killed her horse and committed suicide." Adam shook his head. "That sounds perfectly reasonable to me."
"It wasn't like that... You weren’t there..." Susan whined.
"No... Thank goodness for that." Adam walked away.
"Wait... No... You don't understand!" Susan stamped her foot, shouting after him.
***
Linda shuddered as she stepped out of the Land Rover; she had offered to come back to the stables one last time with Kate. It was to be the last time for both of them as the land had been sold and would soon become a housing estate and all memories of the yard would be lost forever. Kate had called Linda to tell her the fate of what had once been her life, it meant closure for them both but there was sadness also. Linda looked across the main yard, the stables were empty but it still brought back painful memories even forty years on.
"Are you okay?" Kate stepped beside Linda.
"I could ask you the same. We both lost people here." She gulped. "I have not seen this place in so many years but I can still feel it as if it was yesterday."
Kate nodded, she knew exactly what she meant, she could still see the ambulance leaving the yard carrying away her husband, the many happy years and so many memories were pushed back but she still felt that some part of Adam was still here, she felt some guilt for selling up and allowing the stables to be demolished but there was nothing for her here now, this visit was as much to confirm that as anything else. She walked across the yard and leaned on one of the stable doors.
"Tell me about her." Kate paused. "What was her name again?"
"Susan." Linda sighed. "She was a troubled girl, her father owned this land and so had a hold over me. He was a bullyboy and she was not much better, it was clear that she was here to get out from under his feet and she had to be looked after. I was just her baby-sitter. She was a good rider and, when she wanted to she could be a nice person but so much of the time, she was just a bitch. I never knew what was wrong with her; she was destructive, rude, abusive and just nasty. The fights I had with the rest of my staff, they hated her and I spent my time defending her first because of the stables but more and more it was for her. I just felt sorry for her, it was clear that she didn't know how to act, she had obviously been bullied all her life and didn't know how else to act. I tried to calm my staff, I defended her and tried everything I could to save her, but she threw everything I did back in my face."
"So what happened?"
"It just kept getting worse. I had tried everything." Linda looked up. "I cried myself to sleep almost every night; I didn't know what I could do. Some of my staff took matters into their own hands and attacked her." Linda gulped. "They hurt her, that was terrible but what happened next was worse. I went to see her father, trying to apologise and he threatened me. Then the girl who had led the attack on Susan had an accident."
"An accident?" Kate shrugged. "Do I guess by how you said that you don't believe it was an accident?"
"Her horse’s girth was cut and she was seriously injured, she could hardly walk afterwards, it ruined her life. I had to get rid of Susan."
"You think she had done it?"
"I knew she had, she told me she had done it. Of course, the police said it was just an accident, but the Thompson family had that sort of control over them. I sacked her, I just had to and so that night she went out and poisoned my horse. I went into the stable the next morning and found them both dead."
"What?" Kate gasped