Silverstone: Perfection is Not Enough

Epilogue

We're all in the outdoor arena, and suddenly, Rose screams, and comes crashing down from Leapfrog's back. Clouds of dust rise as she falls, hitting the sand with a sigh. 

Bertie proceeds to laugh hysterically as Rose slowly sits up, turns, and glares at me. 

"This is all your fault, Jess!"

I try to keep a straight face. "What do you mean?" 

"It was you who suggested we tried to ride bareback." She stands, brushes herself off, and goes off in pursuit of Leapfrog. "And you know how bad I am at riding bareback!"

"I mean, it was pretty funny to watch you fall off," Nat contributes, desperately clutching at his horse's mane to stop him sliding off. Liam laughs.

"I don't think you can criticise, Nat."

Nat scoffs. "I'm great at this. You don't have to do it cause your girlfriend is teaching us, so shut up."

He's right. Currently, I'm riding bareback, and instructing them on how to not do a Rose, and he suggested that he remain with his saddle on in case of emergencies.

I mean, at the time it sounded like a good idea. But now...

"Tabitha! Stop grabbing onto Leona's neck! Keep your weight in your heels!"

Tabitha grimaces. "Liam, either shut up, or take off Scheherazade's saddle." 

Umm... yep. 

Eventually, I decide to pack it in, due to that fact that Rose can't feel her right arm, and Tabitha seems seriously close to throttling Liam. Just as we approach the barn, Lucy exits, and grins at us. 

"Hey, just the people I was looking for!" 

"What is it?" I ask, unbuckling Arrow's throatlash and threading his reins through. "Is everything okay?"

She holds up both hands. "No more arsenic, and no more slashed tack. Don't panic."

"So, what's happening?" Bertie questions.

Lucy's grin grows. "Well, I wanted to start taking a team of Year Eight students out to some competitions, maybe once a month or so. Miss Hill asked me to pick ten students who I think would do well, and I thought of you guys." She pulls a face. "Maybe it's a bit biased, as you're all from my form, but I think you'd be best, if I find four more people. What do you think?" 

"That sounds great!" Bertie jumps in the air. "Let's go competitions!"

"I'm in," Rose grins. 

Tabitha nods. "Sure." 

"Yep," Nat nods." Liam looks at me.

"Jess?" 

They all look over at me, and momentarily, I pretend to look uncertain. 

Then, I start to laugh. 

And, pretty soon, they're all giggling and laughing too. 

I look over to Lucy. "Obviously! Thank you!" 

She exhales, pretending to wipe her brow. "Phew. I'll see you soon to give you more details!"

This term is starting to look up.

•  •  • 

"I'll miss you," Rose sobs, hugging Nat tightly. "Do you have to go?"

Nat wipes his eyes, wrapping his arms around Rose. "I'm sorry, my darling. I'll be back, I promise." 

As Nat pulls away,  I wrap an arm around Rose's shoulders. Liam gives us both a stern nod, and walks away, holding Nat's arm tightly.

"I'm scared, Mary," Rose cries, her face buried in my shoulder. "What if he doesn't come home?"