“Yes, at first. But while you’re getting used to the job, you’ll stick with me and watch and listen. I’ll introduce you to the owners as the racing manager, and they’ll come to accept you. You’ll have all the contact with them, phone them, send them emails about what’s happening, and after a while it’ll be you they want to talk to.”

  I guess it will be all about keeping up with what’s going on. “So, you and Fred make the decisions and I make sure the owners know about them?”

  Tom nods. “At first, but you’re already part of the decision making. It’ll be your job to do the race nominations and deal with the acceptances and tell the owners what’s happening there too. Then you’ll let them know our pre-race thoughts about the horses and do the post-race commentary.”

  That’s way outside my comfort zone. “I’m not sure I’d even know where to start.”

  But Milly smiles encouragingly. “You’ll be great. Fake it until you make it.”

  “Funny.” I don’t think Tom will want me to fake anything.

  He pours himself another cup of coffee. “You’ll catch on. You’re good with horses, you’ve been part of what goes on for years. You’ll find you know more than you think you do.”

  But there could be a problem. “Stadium has been offered the pub gig every Saturday night now. Will that still work with this new job?” I don’t want to give up either thing.

  He leans against the bench, holding his mug with both hands and thinks for a while.

  “We’ll see how it goes,” he says eventually. “Midnight’s first few outings will be during the week. We can work around the weekends in Hamilton for a while, but eventually you’re going to have to choose what you want.”

  Choose between Stadium and this new job. That’s a big call.

  Tom looks over at Milly. “What’s the plan for tomorrow, Princess?”

  “Dressage training.”

  Tom nods. “You’ll need to be finished by 9.00. I need Cole at the track tomorrow.”

  “Why?” Milly looks at her phone to check the time. I check too, 10.30. Tomorrow, we might have to cut out the ride by the river, or the extras, or do less in the arena, or I could leave Milly to finish on her own.

  Tom sips at the coffee then straightens up. “I thought we’d give Midnight Shadow a run next week at Te Aroha. The owners are coming tomorrow to watch him run. I want Cole there too, looking and sounding like the racing manager.”

  “Okay,” I say slowly. Jesus, talk about being thrown in the deep end. Still, I know all about Midnight Shadow and how his training has gone. I’ve been working with him for a good two years, so I can probably sound like I know what I’m talking about. But a bit of warning would have been good.

  “Have you met Amelia and Charles, Cole?” Milly asks.

  “Yeah.” I’ve met Midnight Shadow’s owners. “They seemed all right.” But I don’t know what they’re going to think when they find out, the stable hand who unloaded their horse from their horse truck has been suddenly promoted to racing manager. But then, nobody notices stable hands, so they probably won’t even remember me.

  “They’re really nice,” says Milly.

  Tom nods. “Yes, and they’re completely supportive of what we do with their horses, they’re a pleasure to deal with. This afternoon we’ll go over what you need to know and need to do. I’ll guide you through the paperwork and what information to send the owners. Te Aroha’s a small meeting. It’s a good place to start. For the rest of the morning work, with Fred and talk to him. He said he’d put Midnight Shadow on the treadmill to check his gait and give him a bit a run without the weight of a jockey. He’ll give you some pointers on what to tell Amelia and Charles.”

  “Okay.”

  “It’ll be fun watching Midnight Shadow race,” says Milly

  I’m not too sure about that. I’ve seen all the owners and trainers in the enclosure during the race meetings, all dressed to the nines. Milly might fit in, but I’m not sure I will.

  Still, it sounds like Tom has confidence in me.

  I find Fred in the treadmill room.

  “Just in time, I’ve checked his shoes. You can put the boots on him.”

  I go over to the shelf where the boots are lined up. If horses have worked on the treadmill, it’s safe, but making sure their shoes are on properly, and using boots to protect their legs is an extra precaution.

  “Tom said he’s running at Te Aroha next week.” I fit the boots on Midnight Shadow.

  “Yeah, we’ve nominated him for a few meetings, and he’s been accepted. It’s sensible to start him near home, so he doesn’t have the extra strain of a long ride in the truck for his first time.”

  I fit the last boot and stand up. The treadmill is a big inground one with heavy pipe bars each side. Midnight Shadow just has to be led onto it.

  The horse picks up his feet as soon as he feels the rubber under his hooves.

  I fit the harness around his body. “All set, boy.” I stand back and give Fred the signal. The curved bars each side of the treadmill and the chest plate at the front keep the horse in line. Fred stands in front of the control panel, and I shut the gate at the back of the treadmill. It has a quick release mechanism in case anything goes wrong.

  “What are we looking for?”

  Fred programmes in ten minutes of exercise. “To find nothing. We need him perfect tomorrow. This is just to make sure he’s right. We don’t want Amelia and Charles turning up to watch him, and we suddenly find a problem and have to pull him out of his first outing.”

  We watch the horse step forward as the rubber belt starts moving and then move seamlessly from a walk to a canter to a gallop as the treadmill speeds up. It’s amazing how quickly a horse can be trained to use one, and it means we can see exactly what he’s doing and monitor his breathing and heartrate in the way that isn’t possible on the track.

  “Who have you got riding him?” I raise my voice over the sound of the motor and the horse’s hooves on the rubber.

  “Gary. If he does a good job tomorrow, he can have the ride at Te Aroha.”

  I shove my hands into my pockets. Pity. Maybe I should suggest one of the other riders. No, Gary might be an arsehole, but he can ride.

  “Are there other horses from here running?”

  Fred concentrates on watching Midnight Shadow and nods. “We’ll take four of them. Midnight Shadow is the only novice. Tom and I’ll manage the others, and you just concentrate on this one.”

  The treadmill slowly lowers its gradient and powers down. Ten minutes never seems very long, but the machine gives the horse a good workout.

  “See anything we should be worried about?” asks Fred.

  “No.” Midnight Shadow looked as good as he always did. I undo the harness and then the chest plate and lead him off the rubber.

  “Me neither. He’s ready. Now let’s get you ready. Go and get one of the grooms to warm him down and hose him off. Then we’ll talk about what Charles and Amelia have been told, and what they’ll need to know prerace.”

  “Okay, where do you want to do that?” I thought I’d be the one looking after the horse like I usually did. It seems my duties have changed with this new job.

  Fred turns off the power to the machine. “In my office. I’ve got the training schedules there. We’ll go over them.”

  I lead the horse out into the yard and find one of the young grooms who looks like she needs more to do.

  “Can you take over here, Sally?”

  Sally nods and takes the lead rope from me. I guess I’ve been relaying Fred’s orders to the grooms for a while, so they’ll accept this new role, but I’m not too sure about some of the riders. There might be some resistance from them. I’ll deal with it if there’s any. I’ll find a way to make sure they respect me.

  Chapter 23

  Milly

  I WAKE EARLY because I think I hear Cole’s ute pull up in the car park.

  I check my phone. It’s still dark, and the phone says 5:30. Why’s Cole here now? I thought we’d arranged to go for a ride at 7:00.

  I get out of bed reluctantly and look out my bedroom window. Yes, Cole is already at work.

  I brush my hair and teeth and pull on my riding clothes. I find my old ankle boots at the back door and push my feet into them. Probably look a wreck.

  Then go over to the buildings and find Cole in the racing stables, talking to Gary. They’re standing near Midnight Shadow’s box, and Cole’s giving Gary his riding orders. Gary looks puzzled.

  Cole sees me. “Hey,” he says and smiles ‘good morning’, looking lovely even this early. “Be with you in a moment.”

  But he’s more interested in what he’s talking to Gary about, than in me. I should have made a bit more effort. He turns back to Gary. “You know what you’re doing?”

  Gary nods. Then eyeing Cole suspiciously and still looking puzzled, carries his training saddle out into the yards.

  Cole comes over. “You’re up early,” he says.

  “You are too. I thought we were going for a ride first thing.”

  “There were a few things I wanted to get done first.” We’re walking across to the looseboxes where Karim and Tobias are.

  It’s almost like Cole’s ushering me in that direction. He’s behaving oddly.

  “Are you ready to meet Amelia and Charles?” I ask him.

  Cole hesitates, then opens the stable door for me. “I think so. I spent most of yesterday morning with Fred going over Midnight Shadow’s training. Then in the afternoon with Tom, looking at the application for the race meeting and all the other paperwork I need to get through.” He runs his hand through his hair. He’s so lovely. “It was a different way to spend a day.”

  We go into the smaller stable, and he shuts the door behind us. That’s not usual. We’re about to take a couple of horses out through that door.

  I go over to the box Tobias is in. He looks ready to go for a nice quiet walk with Karim and Cole, and then spend a while in the arena.

  Cole comes over and leans against the rail beside me. Karim stretches his head across the corner of his stall and nuzzles up to Cole, saying ‘good morning’ too, and Cole strokes Karim’s nose.

  I smile at up him. He’s so gorgeous. “Did you enjoy it?”

  Cole tucks my hair back and kisses me. Finally. And as usual, hidden away on our own, in the stable.

  Then he nods. “Yeah. I didn’t realise how much work Tom puts in behind the scenes to run this place.” He strokes my cheek absentmindedly. It’s nice he’s affectionate, but we don’t have all morning if we’re going to be finished by the time Amelia and Charles arrive.

  The horses don’t seem to mind waiting. But it’s not like Cole to get distracted. Usually he’s all energy, getting out the saddles and helping me get the horses ready. Instead, this morning he seems reluctant to get started.

  I twist enough to pull Cole closer so we can kiss properly. But it doesn’t happen.

  My hand trails down his shirt. “What’s wrong?” I ask.

  He checks his phone for the time. “6:00 already,” he says. “The time is flying by. And If I help you this morning, trying to get ready for Amelia and Charles will be rushed. It’ll take us a while to get the horses saddled up. Then by the time we ride out and back, it’ll be pretty close to when Amelia and Charles are due to arrive.” He checks his phone again. Like more time might have gotten past him, just while he was talking.

  “I thought you were all prepared.”

  Cole runs his hand over his hair again. “I am, but I want to be sure.”

  And I realise what’s wrong with him. He’s nervous.

  “Are you worried about how Midnight’s run will go?’’ I’ve watched Dad talk to owners about their horses for years, and he’s relaxed about it. But the owners love him, and this is Cole’s first time.

  He nods. “A bit. I need to be at the track and looking on top of things by nine.” He looks down at me and grins a wry sort of apologetic smile. “I need a rain check.”

  I laugh. “A rain check? For a ride by the river? That’s romantic.”

  “I know. But what if we ride after work. I’ll help you in the arena after Amelia and Charles are gone. I can’t risk riding now and being late back.” He shifts away from me a little. “I don’t want to let Tom down.”

  I’m a bit disappointed, but this is a big day for Cole. He’s right. We could probably fit in a ride now, but it’d be rushed, and it’s not necessary. I can work one horse and then the other. It’s nice when he’s helping me, but not essential.

  I kiss his cheek. “Pity, but I guess you’re right. Don’t worry about helping me with Karim and Tobias today. You’re busy, and I can manage.”

  “Good. I want to have time to check everything’s right before anyone arrives.” Karim nuzzles Cole again. “You’ll have to wait until tonight too,” he says to the horse.

  “He gets a rain check too?”

  Cole laughs. “Tonight?”

  I nod. It never occurred to me Cole would be anxious about this job. He always seems confident.

  Tobias nuzzles up to me in a, let’s get going way.

  “Looks like we’re on our own this morning,” I say to him, then look at Cole. “After we’ve been for a ride this afternoon, we should go somewhere to celebrate. We’ve never gone out somewhere just you and me.” Most of the time we’re here at the stables or over in Hamilton in the weekends with Stadium.

  “Like a date? I can do that,” he says. But he’s still looking impatient to get on with whatever he has to do. “There must be somewhere around here I can take you.”

  “Maybe.” It’s a small town. The options are limited.

  “Out to dinner somewhere?” he suggests. “I’ll think about it and surprise you. Right now, I want to make sure I get the next couple of hours right.”

  Cole looks ready to leave me to it, I follow him over to the door, and as he opens it, I say, “Go and be the racing manager.”

  “Thanks,” he says.

  “Don’t be worried. They’ll love you.” I lean closer, come up on tiptoes and kiss him.

  Cole checks to see who would have noticed. People everywhere.

  “That wouldn’t have gone under the radar,” he mutters.

  “You’re the racing manager now. No one would dare say anything.”

  He ruffles up his hair. I didn’t realise he did that when he was nervous. The things you learn about people.

  “I don’t think I’m that important.” He looks gorgeous, all rumpled and nervous. “Are you coming over to the track to watch Midnight run when it happens?”

  I nod. “When I see their car arrive, I’ll come over. There’s always a lot of talking first so that’ll work. I’ll be there when he runs.”

  Dad comes out of the house, sees us and heads over.

  “Okay,” says Cole. “Better get moving, see you soon.”

  I watch him go over to Dad and ask something, probably about Midnight Shadow, or Charles and Amelia.

  It’s good Cole’s acting responsibly, but he was a lot more fun when he was just a stable hand.

  I’m looking forward to tonight and that rain check.

  Chapter 24

  Cole

  ABOUT TWO HOURS after I leave Milly to look after her horses. I stand with Tom, Fred, Charles and Amelia watching Midnight Shadow gallop around the track.

  The horse is brilliant. His coat gleams, and the muscles on his chest look well defined. And Gary is riding him well. It doesn’t look like he’ll be replaced before we hit the Te Aroha Races on Friday. Body forward, loose rein, balance good. I’ll have to put up with him after all. Still, if Midnight Shadow goes well, fine.

  “He’s looking good,” says Tom.

  Amelia nods. She seems to be the one who is the most into horses. “We choose the right horse when we bought him. Strong back, good shoulders, solid hind-quarters and his legs go in a straight line.”

  “And he’s fit,” I say. “He’ll go well on Friday.” He’s ready for this. And as far as I can tell, Midnight Shadow seems to have the right temperament to race. Doesn’t get nervous, and when he runs with other horses, he likes to be in front not run with the pack. That’s always a good sign.

  Amelia looks over at me. “So, Cole, you’ll be doing the prerace analysis?”

  I nod. “And after the race I’ll email you the assessment and any changes we think we need to make to his training schedule.” When Tom introduced me as the one managing this outing for Midnight Shadow Amelia and Charles just accepted it and now, they’re treating me like the person they’d go to for information. Tom was right.

  “Good.” Amelia leans her elbows on the rail and watches the horse gallop past and slow to a trot. Gary continues on another hundred metres or so then turns the horse to come back.

  Charles pushes himself away from the rails. “We’ve seen what we came to see.” He puts his hand out to shake mine. “It was good to meet you, Cole. We’ll see you at Te Aroha on Friday next week.”

  “We’ll be there.”

  Tom, Charles and Amelia wander off, leaving me and Fred to wait for Gary.

  I’ve got the lead-rope and go through the gate just before Midnight Shadow stops.

  “Good run.” I attach the rope to the halter and Gary hooks his leg over the saddle and slides to the ground.

  “What’s going on?” Gary nods at the retreating backs of Tom, and Midnight’s owners.

  “They’ve got something they had to get to.” I start leading the horse to the gate.

  “No,” said Gary. “What ‘s up with you?”

  “Me?”

  “Yeah, since when do you brief me about a ride, then hobnob with the owners?”

  “I’m the new racing manager.” Tom plans to tell the staff at the regular weekly staff meeting this afternoon, so Gary is just finding out a few hours early. It’ll give him time to get used to the idea.

  “Since when?”

  “Since a couple of days ago.”

  Before Gary has a chance to say anything, Tom comes back from waving Amelia and Charles off.

 

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