Page 26 of The Other Side

He swallowed hard. “Okay. Let me grab my phone and keys.”

He retreated into the house, shutting the door and leaning his back against the solid wood. He took a slow breath, wondering what the hell he was doing. But he had questions—so many questions—and a few hours alone with Osian might get him some answers. He pocketed his keys, took both his phones, just in case, stepped back out into the morning air and locked the door.

“This is Rogue.” Osian stroked the neck of a striking bay with a rich, reddish-brown coat, a midnight-black mane, and dark stockings. The horse tossed his head as if on cue. “And this is Dream.” Dream was a grey mare. “Dream is for you.”

Drum tentatively stepped closer. Instead of flinching, the mare leaned in, gently rubbing her velvet muzzle against his ribs. A sudden warmth bloomed in Drum’s chest, cutting through his anxiety. His hand rose automatically, his fingers burying themselves in her thick mane.

“Hi, girl,” he whispered.

Drum put on the riding helmet and fastened it up. Did he remember how to mount? Holding onto the reins, he moved round the front of Dream and put his left foot in the stirrup. Yes, that’s correct. He pushed himself up and swung his right leg over. As his weight shifted, a dizzying wave of vertigo hit him. For a split second, the world tilted. He didn’t see the quiet country lane in front of his cottage, he saw flashes of dark woods, heard the frantic thud of hooves on wet earth, then a voice yelling at him to slow down. He didn’t. Oh God.

Then his foot slid into the other stirrup, Dream shifted subtly beneath him to balance his weight, and the vision vanished like smoke. He swallowed hard.

The stirrups were the right length. How do I know that?

“You alright?” Osian asked, already astride Rogue. His green eyes were laced with concern.

“Yes.” Drum gripped the reins a little too tightly.

“Loosen your grip,” Osian said. “Dream will follow Rogue.”

As Dream began a slow, rhythmic walk down the lane, Drum felt his shoulders drop. His spine aligned naturally with the horse’s gait. Osian was right, his body hadn’t forgotten. He managed a smile. I can do this!

They rode in a comfortable silence for the first mile, leaving the village behind as the path climbed into the hills. The air grew crisper, scented with pine and damp earth. When they were in a wide-open flat area, Drum pulled alongside Osian.

“Does it feel familiar?” Osian asked.

“Yes, but Dream hasn’t tested me yet.”

“We’re close to a place where we can canter. Want to give it a go?”

Drum nodded.

“You need an active, forward-moving trot. Sit deep, shift your weight slightly to the inside of your upper thighs and keep your hands soft. As soon as she hits the canter, relax your hips and follow her movement.”

Osian trotted away, sliding quickly into the faster movement. Almost to his astonishment, Drum followed. He didn’t think about what he was doing, he just did it. And it was glorious. The feeling of Dream pounding across the ground so powerfully beneath him, the sun warm on his face, the wind tugging at his T-shirt… It was exhilarating in a way nothing else had been for a long while. For the first time in weeks, his busy mind fell quiet. Dream was flying and Drum laughed, the sound ripped away by the breeze. His body moved instinctively with hers. He wasn’t remembering instructions, or analysing every movement. He was simply riding.

Ahead of him, Osian glanced back over his shoulder. “See?” he called. “Faster? We can gallop on this stretch.”

Drum grinned despite himself. He came up out of the saddle slightly, transferring his balance to his knees, ankles, and heels. Doing that freed up Dream’s back and allowed her to reach full speed. Oh my God.

The track opened up onto a breathtaking view. The valley spread beneath them in a patchwork of green fields divided by ancient stone walls. After a couple of minutes of riding at full tilt, Osian brought Rogue back to a trot, then a walk.

Drum sat deep in the saddle and relaxed his breathing. He pulled in his thighs and released the pressure with his hands when Dream slowed. He laughed as he pulled up next to Osian.

“I can’t believe I did that. She just seemed to know.”

Osian smiled. “You did too. That’s because riding isn’t just your hands. Horses read your balance, your breathing, your posture. Dream knew what you wanted.”

Drum looked down at the mare’s ears, flicking back and forth as she listened. He stroked her neck. “Smart girl.”

Dream snorted as if half-accepting the compliment.

“Beautiful smart girl,” Drum said and Dream nodded. Well, not really, but she moved her head and it made him smile.

They settled into a walk and the silence returned. Drum let it linger for several minutes before finally asking, “What was I like as a boy?”

“Let’s find somewhere to sit and we can talk.”