Endurance

NINE

I was cantering around the round pen, working on Galaxy's stamina. It was going great as he was being responsive and alert. "Come on boy, let's take it up a notch" I quietly told him. I nudged him forward with my leg forcing his stride to lengthen. For the first few strides I felt amazing until Galaxy spooked and tried to bolt.

I looked over to see what had startled him finding Renee piled on the floor in a heap. She sat upright with an embarrassed look on her face. "What happened" I asked her laughing.

"Well if this stupid wash bucket wasn't in the way I wouldn't have tripped over it. And if this pile of horse dung wasn't dumped here right beside the round pen that wouldn't have been my landing spot either" she looked at me annoyed.

I cracked up laughing "well at least you had a soft landing".

"Haha, very funny" she made a face at me as she talked sarcastically. Renee pushed herself up out of the muck pile, brushing the sprinkles of horse poo off herself. 

"What are you still doing here anyway. I thought you were going into town" I asked her curiously.

She sighed "I was but Sophie has had to go to hospital".

"What!" I exploded "first of all why aren't you at the hospital with her, she is your best friend remember, and second of all WHAT HAPPENED!!!".

Renee turned to look at me fully "Mum is out of town looking at a pony and dad is at work in town so I can't get a ride in and Sophie was at the ODE today on the 3 * cross country course and they were galloping into a big ditch and Mocha lost her footing just at the takeoff and landed almost on top of Sophie in the ditch" She explained, I gasped in horror.

"Is she ok?" I asked hopefully.

"I sure hope so, none of my texts have been able to go through to her". Tears started streaming down her cheeks.

I slowly dismounted Galaxy and walked him back to the stables, Renee by my side.

"We are going to that hospital no matter what Renee, you have to see Sophie!" I ordered.

"And how exactly are we going to do that" she said to me as she helped me untack Galaxy.

"We are going to drive! The Land Rover is still here and your 16, almost about to get your license" she just looked at me as if I was crazy.

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Vrrrmmmmmm the car engine jumped into life as Renee pressed the accelerator with her foot. We sped down the driveway and drive to the hospital, desperately hoping that we wouldn't get caught.

As Renee made the Land Rover stop to a halt I was already halfway out the car door.

"Come on Renee, QUICK!" I yelled as we sprinted to the hospital door.

"I'm coming" She yelled back at me.

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"Could we please see Sophie Sanders?" Renee asked the hospital receptionist. 

"I'm not sure that that will be possible sorry ladies" She pushed up her glasses.

"You don't understand, we need to see her. She is my best friend" Renee attempted to persuade the lady.

"No, you don't understand. Sophie is not available at the moment, she is being checked out in the emergency department" She stayed stubborn.

"Argghhhhh, fine" Renee whined and we walked away.

One we were out of earshot I looked at Renee annoyingly.

"Your just gonna give up" I chucked my arms up.

"No, we are going to go anyway" she smirked.

"What!" I shrieked but before I could say anything else Renee grabbed me by the arm and whisked me away to the Emergency Department.