“Come on!” Si leaned out of the cab of the horse box.
“Sorry Si!” Kathy pulled open the door and slid into the cab.
He glanced at his watch. “Have we got everything.” He laughed. “What am I saying, you have been checking things for days!”
“I am out of practice and I don’t want anything to go wrong!” She smiled, reaching for a packet of sweets on the dashboard.
“Come on then, let’s go...”
***
The journey passed quickly, Si and Kathy chatted and laughed talking about the horses and racing, the exploits of the other staff and even opinions of Reg. Soon enough they were pulling off the A3 and heading towards Esher. Just minutes later they were pulling into the horsebox park. “Okay, go and have a check on the horses and I will find out where we are stabled.”
Si leapt down from the cab and walked towards the stables office. Kathy released her seat belt and stepped out of the box. She walked back to the side of the box and reached up to open the grooms door. Stepping up she entered the horse area, the three thoroughbreds were clearly excited and were snorting and stamping ready for a day’s racing. She walked down the line of horses making sure they were all well.
Kathy had been there a few minutes when she heard the engine start and the box lurch forward, she stumbled and fell onto the rubber coated floor. A curious horse leaned down snorting at her as she sat at his feet. “I don’t know what you are looking at!” She playfully punched the horse’s nose.
The box stopped and the main loading door opened. “What are you doing? Sitting down on the job already?” Si laughed.
“Oh thanks, I have to thank your driving for that.” Kathy laughed. Si stepped towards her and grabbed hold of her arms ready to pull her to her feet. “Careful Si!” Kathy grabbed her false arm “You don’t know your own strength. You don’t want to pull my hand off now do you!”
“Oh, I am sorry, I had forgotten.” Si blushed.
“Really?” Kathy got to her feet. “Thank you Si...” She gave him a peck on the cheek. “Now come on, where are we taking these horses?”
Si smiled and shrugged his shoulders.
***
“Come on, if you are quick we can get lunch before we have to take the first horse out.” Si leaned over the stable door. Kathy had removed the horses bandages and rug and had groomed it to perfection. “Oh is someone going for the best turned out prize?” He laughed.
“I am just doing my job!” Kathy threw a balled up leg bandage at him before opening the door . “I am all done now. Let’s eat!”
The stable staff canteen was noisy, filled with grooms from across the country catching up on old times, sharing jokes and scoffing huge quantities of food. Kathy queued with a tray in hand.
“Kathy?” Kathy turned around to see an old friend standing behind her.
“Sue?” She put her tray down and hugged her. “Wow how long has it been?”
“Oh too long!” She paused looking down. “I heard you had an accident?” Kathy unbuttoned her blouse cuff and slid the fabric across the smooth plastic. “Oh God!” Sue gasped. “Oh I am sorry...”
“It’s okay...” Kathy smiled. “How are you?”
“I am at Lambourn now.” Sue relaxed and they started chatting about old times. “Come and sit with our lot.” Sue ushered her over to a table.
