Sunshine, warmth, the smell of horses, the sound of brushing and the laughter of grooms as they mucked out and swept down the yards. Adam Bishop stood at the foot of the yard and paused for a moment looking across the stable blocks, the horses and the staff. It never failed to make him happy, this was all his, even the responsibility for paying the bills in a recession, keeping staff and customers happy and constantly trying to make ends meet was pushed from his mind when he took the time to pause and take it all in.
An outside observer would probably see without Adam's rose tinted glasses and see the ramshackle stables some with peeling paint and rusting hinges, the unremarkable riding school horses and the slightly shabby nature of the whole yard. However the staff were happy, the horses were well looked after and the contingent of clients and liveries kept coming back even if some of them could no longer afford weekly lessons.
Thirty-two years old, well-built and slim, brown haired and admired by the female staff and customers, spending his life working outdoors had left him tightly muscled and tanned, his regular uniform of tight black jodhpurs, long leather riding boots and polo-shirts often drew longing glances and lost moments. But he was obvious to his admirers as he was devoted to his wife Kate who often joked that he missed the effect he had on women around him. There was little jealousy and almost a sense of pride from her when she saw others spending time watching as he walked across the yard, however she was clear with others that he was hers. It was an unspoken understanding on the yard, hands off, look but don't dare touch.
Kate was chief riding instructor and co-owner with her husband. She was thirty with messy blond hair and a similarly toned body borne of many hours each day riding horses and working hard. Although her face was always free from make-up she had a natural tone and warmth that made those that spent considerably more time and money on their appearance green with envy, however they would console themselves by looking at her short, cracked nails and rough hands.
Adam and Kate had met some years before when they had both been instructors at the yard, thrown together by fate before a romance grew between them and fate and circumstance had allowed them to take the reins literally as the owners of the yard. It had been a great moment and both of them could remember it well; they had been married at the local church and had held the reception on this very yard. However, since then the responsibility had hit home, it was like growing up. The fun and simple life of waking, working and playing had been hit with paperwork, accounts, cash flow, health, and safety. Adam took the lions share by mutual arrangement and would spend many hours struggling with regulations and bank statements wishing he had spent less time staring out of school windows and more time learning maths. But for now, that was behind him with this moment of clarity as he took in the sights, his small empire.
His reverie was brought to an abrupt end as he was knocked from behind by a wheelbarrow slamming into the back of his legs. He stumbled as the barrow toppled spilling its stinking contents over him as he lay on the yard.
"Oh shit!" Caroline scrabbled to right the barrow. "Shit! Shit..." She took Adam's hand and helped him up. "Are you okay?" She started to brush him down. "Look. I am so sorry."
Adam smiled pushing her away. "Okay, no harm done." He paused. "Are you okay?" Caroline stepped back turning slightly and looking down. "What's up Caroline?" Adam took her hand and drew her closer. Caroline shivered involuntarily. "If something is wrong, you know you can tell me..."
Caroline glanced down at her boots. "Sorry. I have just been really tired for a few days. I haven't been sleeping too well." She paused. "I have been having nightmares." She shrugged her shoulders. "Sorry, I am just being stupid." She grabbed the handles of the wheel barrow and started to walk away. "I'll sweep that up."
"Caroline wait a moment..." Adam shook her head as she walked away. Caroline had been a member of staff and a good friend for as many years as he could remember. They had worked together as grooms and now she was one of the team of riding instructors. She was a hard working local girl, twenty-six years old with mousey brown hair which she pulled back into a ponytail. She had always been slightly flighty, always a little nervous but she was well respected by the rest of the staff and loved by her customers. Adam always ensured that nervous or unsure riders were taught by Caroline, she had the patience and caring nature to ensure that they built confidence.
"Morning scruffy!" Kate grabbed Adam round his waist and they kissed deeply, he held her in his arms. "You left early this morning, didn't want to wake me up then?" She laughed. "And what have you been doing?" She brushed wood chips and straw from his legs. "Been having an early roll in the hay have we?" She hardly finished her sentence when Adam grabbed her around her waist tipping her up and hefting her onto his shoulder. "Oi!" She laughed.
"Go on say that again..." Adam laughed as he strode across the yard until they were standing beside the muck heap. The heap was steaming and stood in a morass of thick black mud. He teased her pretending to drop her in a particularly deep puddle.
"Okay! You win..." Kate laughed, kicking her legs. "Put me down, I have my best jods on..."
"Put you down?" Adam paused looking innocently towards Kate.
"No..." She shrieked. "Don't you dare!" She struggled as he lowered her until she was just inches from the mud. "Adam!" He laughed and swung her from his shoulder and back onto the yard. She slapped him on the shoulder. "Oh, you would have regretted it if you had dropped me." She laughed.
"Promises, promises!" He laughed and kissed her lightly. "When are you teaching today?"
Kate glanced at her watch. "Oh shit! About five minutes ago! That's your fault!" She ran across the yard where there were five horses being mounted by customers, Caroline was holding a piebald gelding for Kate to mount. "I am so sorry!" The women laughed, they had been kept amused by Adam's antics. Caroline gave Kate a leg-up and they walked their horses across the yard and towards a bridle path onto the moor.
Adam waved as Kate rode off and walked towards the office, there was work to be done. How he wished he could just spend his day riding and mucking out but there were important things to attend to.
***
'Mr Bishop - I feel we need to have a conversation'
Adam shuddered as the machine stopped and informed him that this was the end of messages. The voice was so familiar to him and it chilled him to the bone, it needed no number or further information he knew that he was being summoned and that he dare not refuse. He hit the delete button and slumped down into the chair.
At that moment the door swung open, Adam nervously looked up but it was just Jacqui, one of the younger grooms. She had left school last summer after having spend many years working as a helper during the weekends it was a natural progression to become a member of the team full-time. "Kate forgot her phone!" She grabbed the mobile from the desk. "Are you okay?" Adam looked up.
"Yes..." He paused. "Sorry, I'm fine Jac's, just a bit distracted that's all." He smiled and watched as she stepped from the room and dashed across the yard where Kate was waiting. Adam smiled she he watched the other riders laugh and joke with Kate, she was blushing as they rode out onto the moor. It seemed to be a day for distraction.
Adam sat back down at the desk, he felt it was best to immerse himself in work. He grabbed a box file and started to sort through receipts and invoices.
***
Caroline turned the corner, she glanced up at the woman who was standing beside one of the stables, pausing, there was a moment of recognition but Caroline could not think where she had seen the woman before. She shook her head and stepped towards her. “Hello, can I help you?”
The woman turned round slowly. Caroline felt a sudden urge to run away, a chill running down her body. “Hello... Caroline.”
“Do I know you?” Caroline stuttered.
“Not yet...” The woman smiled. “Oh but you will...”
“I’m sorry?”
“Don’t be...” The woman reached forward and touched Caroline’s cheek. Caroline pulled away, stepping back quickly as if from an electric shock. The woman laughed. “Oh Caroline... We are going to have such fun!” The woman turned and started to walk away.
“Are you okay?” Caroline jumped as she was touched on the shoulder, she span around and saw Sarah standing on the yard beside her. “Sorry, you were just standing there, you seemed to be lost in your own world.”
“Do you know who that woman was?”
“What woman?” Sarah frowned. “There was nobody here?”
“She was just here...” Caroline’s voice faded.
“I have been here for a minute or so, there was no one here Caroline.”
Caroline shrugged. “Sorry Sarah, just me being daft.”
***
Kate turned around in the saddle and saw that her riders were all keeping up. She enjoyed this group, they came once a week for a hack across the moor, supposedly an hour but over time Kate had ensured that they would stay out riding for at least a couple of hours. They were good company and there was always laughter and good conversation between them as they rode. The path in front of them opened out into a vast expanse of moorland. Kate took a deep breath, she had lived and worked around this part of Dartmoor all of her life but it still impressed her. She felt free when she was out here in the open with miles of open country before her. Of course it could be dangerous out here, the weather could change at a moment’s notice and there were cliffs, mine workings and bogs which presented hazards to the unwary but that was part of the attraction. There was laughter from behind her, Kate pulled her horse across and rode beside the rest of the riders.
"Go on..." She laughed.
"Oh we were just laughing about you and Adam this morning..." Sue smiled putting her hand on Kate's thigh. "You are so lucky to have him."
"He has his moments you know..." Kate smirked. "He snores terribly you know..."
"Yeah! Well if you decide to push him out of your bed, just send him to me!" Sue winked, there was loud laughter from the other riders. Kate blushed.
"No chance ladies!" She laughed. "I've told you before. Hands off!" She pushed her horse on into a canter. "Come on girls, race you to the top of the ridge!"
The five women cantered and then galloped towards the top of the hill pulling up their horses at the ridge. They were all laughing and joking as the conversation moved on to a terrible blind date from one of the other women and deeply descriptive discussions of the date's failings in bed.
***
Caroline splashed cold water on her face, the meeting with the woman had left her shaken. She stared into the cracked mirror, she was looking gaunt and gray, she looked at her bloodshot blue eyes, there were bags beneath them showing her lack of sleep. She sighed, turning ready to face the world when she froze. She span back towards the mirror, blue eyes? Surely she was not going totally mad? She leaned forward staring into her eyes which had been brown. She suddenly felt a wave of fear flooding her body, she felt as if she was watching the world as if it was a film, her reality slipping away.
“Hello Caroline...” She spoke, watching her lips move and her voice filling the small bathroom but aware that this was not her. “It’s time for me to play now...” She laughed manically.
***
The postman pushed the office door open and dropped a pile of post onto the desk. Adam looked through it, at the bottom of the pile was a grey plastic mailing bag addressed to Sarah. “Caroline...?” Adam stood up pulling open the office door. “Could you do me a favour please and give this to Sarah?” He handed Caroline the bag.
***
Adam picked up the telephone and dialled a number without looking. There was a click and it started to ring, he hesitated and started to put the handset down when he heard a voice.
'Hello...'
The voice was harsh and spoke with an unseen authority. Adam shuddered. "You called me..."
"Mr Bishop?" There was a pause. "Now why do you think that I would need to talk with you?" Adam stuttered. "Oh come on, I am sure that you know. But I don't like to do these things over the telephone. It has been sometime since we met, I think it would be good to see you again."
"Please..." Adam sobbed.
"The usual place. Eight o'clock." A pause. "Please don't be late Mr Bishop. I cannot abide lateness. It makes me, angry." The conversation ended with a click and Adam replaced the handset. He slumped onto the desk tears pricking his eyes.
***
“Hello Sarah, Adam gave me this for you.”
Sarah took the bag excitedly. “Oh great it’s here.” She ripped open the plastic bag, taking out a pair of blue jodhpurs. “I have been waiting for these. They have a sticky bum... It’s supposed to improve your riding position.” She smiled. “I can’t wait to try them on.”
Caroline stood smiling for a moment. “Sticky bum?” She laughed.
***
Sarah checked the list and saw that she was riding Major. She grabbed her riding hat and crop and stepped out onto the yard. Caroline was leading Major from his stable. “What do you think?” Sarah twirled around showing off her new jodhpurs.
“Very nice, they suit you!” Caroline laughed. She held onto the far stirrup as Sarah mounted up. “I hope the sticky bum works well.” Sarah laughed as she led her riders out of the yard.
Caroline watched as they left, she could not help herself giggling and had to stop herself before anyone saw her.
Sarah felt that there was something wrong but put it down to her new jodhpurs. She was certainly sticking in the saddle, in fact she was stuck to the saddle, the description for the sticky bum jods has said that they helped you stay in place in the saddle but this was pretty full on. She pushed her horse into a trot and was worried to find that she couldn’t even do rising trot.
She was clearly distracted, Penny, one of her riders called out to her. “Are you okay?”
Sarah shook her head. “Look this will sound weird but I am stuck in the saddle.”
“I know you have a really deep seat, and those new jodhpurs must be helping.”
“No Penny.” Sarah tried to stand up in her stirrups. “I can’t move at all...” She struggled. “I am completely stuck.”
Penny laughed. “Come on! Don’t pull my leg!” She stopped as she saw the panicked look in Sarah’s eyes. “You aren’t joking are you?”
“Sorry guys!” Sarah frowned. “We will have to go back to the yard. I have a problem...” She sheepishly turned her horse around and led them back to the yard.
Adam glanced at his watch as he saw Sarah leading the ride back, he walked out of the office and went over to her. “You’re early, is there something wrong?”
Sarah leaned down and whispered to Adam. “I’m stuck...”
“Stuck?” Adam shook his head. “What do you mean?”
“I can’t move.” She tried to move in the saddle. “Adam I am completely stuck. Help me please.”
Adam grabbed one of Sarah’s boots and tried to pull it away from the saddle and then did the same with her left knee, but both were stuck firm. “Ah...” He paused. “You are stuck.”
“Thanks. Now could you do something to help me?” She shook her head.
“I am not sure what to do?” He paused. “Let me have a think...”
***
Adam and Kate had tried everything from brute force to large quantities of washing-up liquid but Sarah was still firmly attached to Major’s saddle. They had lifted her off the horse and placed the saddle on one of the fences surrounding the yard when Major had become too fidgety. Sarah was blushing with embarrassment as a small group of staff and customers gathered watching what was happening to her.
“Look I am sorry, we have tried everything.” Kate sighed. “I think we had better take you to casualty.” She paused. “Sorry Sarah.”
Kate and Adam lifted Sarah with her attached saddle from the fence and laid her down in the back on the Land Rover. “I am sorry this is not the best way to travel, but at least it should be reasonable comfortable with the rugs in there.” He shut the back door and sat behind the wheel. “Okay back there?” He paused. “Sorry I know it’s a stupid question.”
It was clear from the shocked and amused faces of the nurses in accident and emergency that Sarah’s predicament was unusual. They were sympathetic and tried a number of options before eventually having to cut away the leather of the saddle. “It seems to be some form of epoxy glue.” The doctor frowned. “We have tried all of the solvents we have and have removed all we can.” He paused. “It’s just that the glue seems to have seeped through your jodhpurs and stuck to your flesh. I am very sorry.”
“So what happens to me now?”
“Well the skin will wear away over the next few days.”
“A few days?” Sarah shrieked. “I have to stay like this for a few days?”
“We will remove as much of the glue as we can, then you can go home. Have lots of hot baths.”
***
It was dark when Sarah returned to the stable flat. Kate had brought her spare clothes but she was massively uncomfortable in her old jeans with the remains of Major’s saddle and her new jodhpurs still stuck to her legs. She dashed past the staff sitting on the sofas and bolted herself in the bathroom, starting to run a bath, she swore as she realised that the meagre supply of hot water had run out. She sat on the toilet and cried.