Unbridled Beginnings

Chapter 20: Preparation

As I march down our driveway towards the house after deciding not to go to Mayfield Ranch today, I think with excitement about going to the show grounds tomorrow. Even though I am extremely excited, I'm nervous at the same time. What if I don't win and Janet can't save Mayfield Ranch? Will Nova act differently when she is out somewhere other than Mayfield Ranch? 

As I near the front door I notice Jack's ute parked in a different spot to where they left it when they both went to the hospital. That must mean that they finally arrived home. I actually feel pleased that they are home since I won't feel so alone at night and during the weekends, and surprisingly I kind of missed them.

I open the front door, dump my schoolbag beside the staircase and turn towards the fridge to get a drink. But as I'm doing so, I hear Alison's voice whispering to Jack upstairs. I can't understand everything that they're saying, so I step over the two creaky steps at the bottom of the stairs and slowly tip-toe towards my closed bedroom door.

As I get closer their words become clearer. I put my ear against the door and listen to their hushed conversation.

"What do you think this means?" Alison asks suspiciously.

"I don't know but should we ask her about it?" Jack replies.

"Lets keep it to ourselves for now, it might mean nothing."

They both agree and I hear their feet shuffling towards the door.

Oh no I think, my thoughts changing from curious to frantic. I turn and leap back down the stairs, careful not to make any sound. I open the door and jump outside just a second before I hear my bedroom door open. Jack and Alison stride rapidly downstairs and into the kitchen like nothing happened.

I quickly calm my breathing before opening the door again and walking inside.

"Hayley!" Alison says, startled.

"Alison, Jack you're home! How are you?" I say.

"I'm fine now thanks to a few days in hospital," Jack replies, trying to play it cool and cover up the fact that they had just been snooping in my bedroom.

"Hayley we're so sorry we left so suddenly and didn't call to check how you were," Alison adds.

"That's okay," I lie, glancing down at the floor to break the awkward eye contact between us.

I casually walk up the stairs to my bedroom, but when I make it inside I frantically search high and low for anything that could seem misplaced or taken from my room. I give up and collapse on my bed, sighing with frustration. What were they looking at that was so important?

After a while of thinking I decide to start packing a few of my things for tomorrow night. I'm going to the show with Hazel, Janet and Damien. I grab my small black suitcase and pack some shorts and t-shirts for tomorrow, along with my jodhpurs and a plain white long sleeve t-shirt. I'm hoping that my two year old jodhpurs and a makeshift white blouse will do for my personal presentation. I also grab my brown leather boots and chaps from my cupboard and give them a thorough clean with polish.

Coincidently when I finish preparing, I hear Alison call me for dinner.

...... 

"Sorry for such a late dinner Hayley, we just lost track of time since we arrived home," Alison states, as our knives and forks clink against the bowls.

I don't know what to answer so I change the subject.

"Would I be allowed to stay the night tomorrow at my friend Hazel's place?" I ask.

Jack and Alison look at each other before answering me.

"Sure," Jack and Alison reply, almost in unison.

I finish dinner quickly after that so walk back up to my bedroom. I double check my bag of things before zipping the suitcase shut and changing into my pyjamas.

I lie in bed trying to get some sleep for tomorrow's trip but all I can achieve is restless turning. I can't stop thinking about tomorrow when we arrive at the show grounds and the day after during the competition.

Will I be the one to save Mayfield Ranch?