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“Have you, indeed?”
Once Pippa is walking around the ring, Claire leaves. “What’s going on?” I ask.
Minutes later, she returns with a gorgeous shire-thoroughbred cross. “Maisie’s nephew, Jake,” Charlotte says. “This way you can go riding together.”
“Charlotte—”
“Claire has boots and a helmet you can use. Go on, give him a go.”
Pippa is in the far turn, and the moment she spots the new addition, she pushes Storm into a trot.
As promised, once it’s clear that Storm is the right pony for Pippa, I send a short text to Alex letting her know that it’s a go.
Pippa is practically bouncing the entire drive home. “You realise, Poppet, since you were so pushy about me getting Jake, you’re going to have to help me set up a stall for him.”
“I will, Daddy. I’m so excited. Can we go riding tomorrow. Can we?”
“Absolutely.”
Later that night, when the horses are settled, and Pippa is in bed dreaming all things pony, I ring Alex and tell her about my amazing, crazy, wonderful day.
16
Alex
“What are we doing here?”Rachel whispers in my ear as we pull up in front of Saxby’s Horse and Stable.
“Shopping.”
We meander through the shop, ticking items off the list my father’s stable-manager gave me, and adding more just because they might be fun.
“Do horses really need toys?” Rachel asks.
“They get bored, just like people and other animals.”
“You know, I always wanted to learn to ride, but my parents wouldn’t let me, and now I supposed I’m too old.”
This is something I’d never known about Rachel. And it gets me thinking.
She picks up a riding crop and cocks a questioning eyebrow. I just smile and nod.
Two hours later, we’ve completed our purchases and arranged for delivery first thing in the morning.
I owe my friend so very much for the amount of freedom she has provided for me over the years. And I finally know how to show my appreciation in a way she’ll accept.
The next morning, I’m having my morning tea when Freddy calls.
“Alex, when you said you wanted to get Pippa and her pony some gifts, I didn’t think you meant to have what appears to be the entire inventory of the local tack shop delivered to my door.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I ordered what my father’s stable manager said is necessary for a fully equipped stable. Only the best for Storm and Jake. I’d like to come and meet them sometime soon, but I think this is a special time for you and Pippa. So this was my way of being able to have a little part in it.”
“It’s very sweet of you, and we would love it if you could come.”
“Not today. I will come and meet them soon, thought. Please text me lots of photos.”
“I will. And now I must go, because there is a very excited little girl who wants to go riding.”
And I have riding lessons to arrange. Rachel is about to learn she’s not too old to live her dream.
