Keeping the Peace (16 page)

After deciding against another drink so close to Peace Offering’s race, the pair returned to their table to wait for Jack. Pippa was reading her racecard when she heard Tash give a long low wolf whistle.

‘My, my, my,’ she murmured. ‘I see now why you can’t stop talking about him. He’s better in the flesh than he is on Google Images.’

‘What?’

Pippa swivelled on her stool to see Jack standing at the doorway of the bar. His familiar Clint Eastwood frown creased his forehead as he scanned the sea of heads for her. Their eyes met and he strode towards them, the crowd of people around seeming to part before him like the Red Sea.

For a moment, Pippa allowed herself to see what Tash was seeing. She couldn’t resist admiring his piercing eyes again and she conceded that he did exude an extreme amount of testosterone with his strong jaw framed by the upturned collar of his black Mafia-style trench coat. In one large hand, he grasped a pair of binoculars and the other, he lifted in greeting.

‘Hello, Pippa,’ he nodded as he reached them.

Tash shot out her hand, nearly falling off her stool in the process and Jack transferred his binos to his other hand to shake it.

‘Jack, this is Tash Bradley, my friend. Tash, this is Jack Carmichael, my trainer and boss.’

Jack’s eyes twinkled with mirth.

‘So
you’re
the infamous Tash?’

‘Infamous in a bad way, I hope,’ Tash murmured.

Pippa kicked her none too subtly on the ankle.

‘Let’s say an interesting way,’ Jack replied, a smile playing on his lips.

Pippa could see him re-reading the compliments slip which had accompanied the booklets a few days ago in his head.

‘I believe we owe you a big thank you for your help with our Open Day booklets. I hope it wasn’t too much of –’ He paused, searching for the appropriate word, ‘– an inconvenience for you.’

‘No inconvenience at all,’ Tash smirked. ‘All part of the job.’

‘Job being the operative word,’ Pippa muttered. ‘Shall we go see Peace Offering?’ she suggested. She didn’t know what was worse: Tash flirting with Jack or Jack flirting back.

‘Good idea,’ Jack said. ‘I’ve got to go collect his saddle etcetera, but I’ll meet you in the saddling area.’

They walked to the door and Jack stepped aside, holding the door open for them. He directed them where to go then departed towards the weighing room.

‘My God,’ Tash squeaked once he was out of earshot. ‘How can you concentrate at work with that man – that sex god – next to you?’

Pippa wrapped her coat more firmly around her as a blast of cold wind blew across them.

‘Believe me, his temper is much more distracting. Suggesting we go see Peace Offering is the first
good idea
he’s ever said I’ve had.’

‘Pip, if you can keep your muffs off that hunk until Grand National then you deserve a medal. In fact I will give you my new Jimmy Choos
and
pay for a psychiatric consult.’

Pippa shook her head and laughed.

‘Not going to happen, Tash. Don’t forget Ollie.’

Her friend raised her eyes to the overcast sky and held up her hands in defeat.

‘How could I forget Ollie? Sweet devoted soul that he is.’

‘Careful,’ Pippa warned. She paused as they showed their badges to the paddock attendant and walked towards the boxes where horses were already being saddled for the next race. ‘I know you’re not keen on Ollie. You just don’t understand what he’s been through lately so let’s not go down there.’

‘Okay, okay. My bad. Where is he?’

Pippa puckered her lips before answering.

‘He had to work.’

‘Uh-huh,’ Tash replied, sounding far from convinced.

Pippa stopped and gave her friend a meaningful look. Ollie’s non-appearance was enough of a disappointment without her best friend rubbing it in.

‘Tash, please can we leave it there?’ She looked around the boxes and caught sight of Emmie standing outside one. Inside she could just see a bay head and white blaze. ‘Look, there’s Peace Offering. Come meet him.’

‘Are you scared?’ Tash asked as they shouldered their way through the throngs of spectators. Jack led them up the grandstand steps to a less crowded row.

‘A bit,’ Pippa grinned, her teeth clenched against the bitter wind which was sweeping through the stands. ‘More nervous than anything. I hope he doesn’t fall. How many fences do they have to jump?’ she said, turning to Jack on her right.

‘Thirteen and two circuits. Ascot’s quite a stiff course, but he’s a good jumper and Rhys Bradford’s the best jockey around,’ he replied. He held up his binos to watch the horses canter to the Start.

‘So we might have a chance then?’ Pippa said hopefully.

‘A thirty-three-to-one chance, yes,’ he replied, quashing her optimism. ‘The favourite is Freewheeler and he’s only carrying three pounds more than Peace Offering. He should be carrying more, but his jockey is claiming five.’

‘Okay,’ Pippa said slowly. ‘Explain what that means, please?’

‘Conditional jockeys are given a weight allowance because they’re supposed to be less skilled than professionals. Rhys is a professional so he can’t claim anything.’

‘Oh. That’s a pity,’ she said, pulling a face.

‘On the other hand,’ Jack carried on, seeing her woebegone expression, ‘he’s still got the third lightest weight in the field and the ground is heavy. There’ll be some tired horses by the end of this.’

‘They’re lining up,’ Tash said, grasping Pippa’s arm.

Pippa bit her lip and dug her fingernails into her palms as the thirteen horses grouped together and began to jog towards the starting tape.

‘And away they go in this three-mile handicap chase,’ the commentator announced, his voice echoing around the grandstand. ‘Night Owl is first to show and leads them through the first furlong, to Raven’s Way in second alongside Freewheeler, the four-to-one favourite.’

Pippa swayed back forth in time with the horses striding away from the stands to the far corner of the course. She could just make out Peace Offering and Rhys in his green and red-striped silks racing towards the rear of the bunched field.

‘…They take the first…’

Pippa closed her eyes and clutched Tash’s hand still holding her arm.

‘…and they’re all over safely…’

She opened her eyes again to see Rhys still riding high in his stirrups.

‘…They approach the next plain fence. A big leap there from Raven’s Way and he jumps into the lead. A mistake midfield from outsider, Blue Barney, who drops back to last…’

She darted a swift glance at the big screen opposite for a closer look and was relieved to see Peace Offering still travelling sweetly, his ears pricked and his reins flapping loosely in Rhys’ easy grasp.

‘…Now for the first open ditch. Another big jump for Raven’s Way! Night Owl was a bit clumsy and forfeits second…’

‘How are we doing?’ Pippa hissed in Jack’s ear.

‘Okay,’ he replied, not taking his eyes off the galloping horses. ‘Early days yet. The next fence is the water.’

‘Oh, God,’ she moaned. ‘I can’t watch.’

Despite herself though, she leaned forward as Rhys gathered his mount for an almighty leap across the water and nearly fell over the chairs in front of her.

Jack and Tash hauled her upright.

‘…So now, as they reach the top turn and start making their way back towards the stands, Raven’s Way leads narrowly over Freewheeler. Two lengths back is Henchman on the outside of Night Owl with Spanish Hawk and Peace Offering racing just behind…’

Pippa squeaked at the mention of her horse’s name and watched in breathless excitement as the strung-out field of horses thundered towards the next row of fences.

‘…And Night Owl is a faller!’ the commentator cried, making Pippa’s knees give way. ‘He’s hampered American Smooth who has been making progress up the inside, but his jockey seems to have him back in a rhythm now. They round the turn into the home straight for the first time. Still two miles to travel…’

‘Two miles?’ Pippa quailed. ‘Half of them already look knackered.’

‘As long as Peace Offering isn’t one of them, we don’t mind,’ Jack muttered. ‘Shit!’

Pippa gasped as her horse put in an awkward stride and brushed through the thick of the next fence, sending the birch flying. To compensate, Peace Offering took off a stride early at the jump closest to the stands, stretching out his head and forelegs to clear it.

Pippa grabbed Jack’s arm, unable to stand by herself. Unaware of the tight hold she had on him and Jack’s tense glance at her, she watched, terrified and thrilled in equal measure, as the horses galloped away for the final circuit of the track.

‘…Raven’s Way is coming under pressure now as Freewheeler ranges up alongside. Back in third, Henchman still travels on the bridle with American Smooth on his inside. Blue Barney is being pulled up. Here’s the next…’

Pippa squeezed her eyes shut.

‘He’s over safe,’ Jack said.

‘This is agony!’ Pippa said. ‘How many more?’

‘Five. This is when weight comes into play.’

‘Oh, God. Where is he? Come on, Peace Offering! Come on, Rhys!’ she cried, seeing Rhys lower his posture in his saddle. With mounting excitement, she watched the bay stick his neck out and begin to move ahead of Spanish Hawk.

‘…Now for the last open ditch. Freewheeler spring-heels it! Raven’s Pass less fluent in second. American Smooth takes it in third. Henchman veers left and blunders badly, upsetting Peace Offering!’

Pippa sucked in her breath and hid her face against Jack’s arm. She looked up in time to see Rhys pull his horse clear of their floundering rival. He pushed him forward in earnest.

‘…They’ve only two more to jump!’ the commentator said, his voice rising an octave.

Pippa began to jibber, hopping up and down in constrained excitement.

‘…Freewheeler has extended his lead to three lengths. American Smooth joins Raven’s Way in the air! That bump from Henchman has knocked the stuffing out of Peace Offering and Rhys Bradford is working hard to build up the momentum again. He might be too late though…’

‘No!’ screamed Pippa in reply. ‘Don’t say that! Come on, Peace Offering! You can do it!’

Jack was silent beside her, in contrast to Tash who was swiping the air with her fist and yelling like a football yob.

‘…They’re over the last and head up to the line!’ shouted the commentator. ‘Freewheeler still leads, but he looks all in! American Smooth can do no more two lengths back. Raven’s Way is plugging on. Peace Offering is gaining in fourth! Rhys Bradford has found an extra gear and the horse is staying on well!’

Pippa whimpered, hugging Jack’s arm to her like a life-buoy.

‘Come on, Rhys! Come on, Peace Offering!’

Peace Offering, his head stretched low and his reins dangling, took giant strides, eating up the gap between him and the three in front. The finishing post seemed to stretch further and further away from Freewheeler as he cantered wearily towards it. Peace Offering closed in on Raven’s Way’s quarters just as the tired horse veered away from his jockey’s driving whip. Rhys snatched up his reins to avoid going into the back of him.

‘…And the line comes just in time for Freewheeler!’ the commentator cried in triumph.

Pippa sagged.

‘…Second is American Smooth. Half a length back to Raven’s Way and an unlucky Peace Offering in fourth…’

‘That was a good run, don’t worry,’ Jack said, giving Pippa’s hand an awkward pat.

For the first time, she realised she was holding on to him. She disentangled herself, brushing the creases out of his jacketed arm, embarrassed. She cleared her throat.

‘Sorry,’ she mumbled. She turned away to be enfolded by Tash giving her a consolatory hug.

‘Never mind, sweets. Maybe next time. He was unlucky, wasn’t he, Jack?’

‘He wouldn’t have won. But yes, he was unlucky not to get third,’ he conceded under Tash’s reproachful look.

Pippa stepped out of Tash’s embrace and straightened her coat. She threaded her hair behind her ears, squared her shoulders.

‘Oh, well. Onwards and upwards, I guess,’ she said with a brave smile. ‘Let’s go say well done to him. He tried so hard.’

T
he next morning, Pippa lay on her side in her and Ollie’s bed, her fingers caressing Ollie’s abdomen in silky circles. She smiled when his eyes flickered open and he raised his arm to rub the sleep from them.

‘Morning,’ she murmured.

‘Hmm,’ Ollie grunted in response.

‘Did you sleep well?’

He lifted his arm from over his eyes to look at her, heavy-lidded.

‘Like a baby.’ He gave her a wry smile. ‘I don’t know about absence making the heart grow fonder, but it sure as hell makes other things fonder. Last night, you were –’ He paused to find the perfect word to describe the previous night’s lovemaking, but shook his head in defeat. ‘Did you sleep okay?’

Pippa nodded, unwilling to admit the ceaseless traffic outside and the adrenalin-filled memories of her day at the races had kept her awake until the early hours.

Ollie arched against Pippa’s gentle stroking like a cat.

‘Do you have to go back today? Can’t you tell your boss that you’re sick or something and can’t come in tomorrow?’

‘I couldn’t do that to Jack, Ollie,’ Pippa smiled. ‘Besides, I’ve got loads to do at the cottage.’

Ollie rolled onto his side and raised himself on one elbow.

‘Do you like living out there in the middle of nowhere?’ he asked.

‘It’s very peaceful.’

‘No. I mean do you prefer it to living here in the city?’

Pippa frowned.

‘What do you mean?’

Ollie collapsed onto his back with a sigh.

‘It’s just that all you ever seem to talk about these days is your job, your horse and your cottage.’

‘It pretty much sums up my existence at the moment.’

‘When are you going to come back?’

Pippa chewed her lip.

‘Well, when the cottage is finished, I’ll be able to sell it. Then I’ll be able to afford Peace Offering’s training fees without having to work for Jack. The sooner that gets done, the sooner I’ll be back.’ She waited, hopeful that Ollie might volunteer his services.