Zailey (Sequel) ✔️

Part Forty Four

Nervous was an understatement.
It was 3:52AM and I'd been told the boss wanted to see Me.
John Kersbrook.
Swallowing thickly, I lifted my left hand, my fist loosely clenched and I rapped on the closed door of the Office.
"Come in."
A masculine voice said from the inside.
Releasing my baited breath, I grabbed the door's handle, twisted it and the door eased open with a squeak.
I cringed at the sound which seemed way too loud.
"Bailey..."
My heart kick started at the sound of my name.
The chair behind the cluttered Office desk gave a squeak as Mr. John Kersbrook rolled it back to give himself room to stand.
"H-hi S-Sir."
I stammered.
God damn it...
Why do I have to be so awkward just because the bloke is my boss?!
Though that was probably exactly why.
The Racing Stable had been surprisingly generous in giving me time off when I was in Hospital and recovering.
I'd fully expected I'd come back only to be told I no longer had a job.
Except, I'd worked Tuesday to Saturday last week, had yesterday off and was back again today even though I was bone tired.
John's eyes sparkled in the quirky Office lighting.
"No need to look so nervous Bailey."
He told me and gestured with his hands for Me to enter the office.
Biting into my lower lip, I stepped through the doorway and closed the door behind Me.
It was probably better to get blasted by the Boss in private...
"I was told you wanted to talk to Me..."
I explained, linking my slightly shaking hands together behind my back.
If John Kersbrook knew I was actually Bailey Evans he probably would think differently about whatever it was he was about to say to Me.
But I'd told a mild lie upon employment and put myself down as 'Bailey Harley'.
Mum's maiden name.
Even John no doubt knew about the reputation of the Evans name.
"There is a slight issue."
John explained, propping himself on the corner of the desk filled with scattered paperwork.
Issue?
Great...
"Noah's is off sick for the week, on Doctor's order."
I blinked at my Boss.
Noah?
What's he got to do with the price of eggs?
"Did you hear what I just said?"
John queried.
I gave myself a mental slap.
Focus Bailey!
"I'm sorry..."
I apologised.
"I missed that."
"Your skills come highly recommended from Jodie."
John told Me.
"Today's Trot's so it'll essentially be an easier day to see how you would go."
"Go with... what...?"
I asked, albeit wearily.
What was he getting at?
"Riding."
My Boss explained.
Riding?
"Riding What?"
I questioned.
Smiling, John shook his head and pushed off from the desk.
"I've been told you're a funny one."
He declared.
"So lets go show you to your first Horse!"
First-?
I felt my eyes widen.
Holy shit!
He wants me to ride some Racehorses?!
"Uhh... John... I'm not a Jockey."
I pointed out.
My heart had found a new pace.
A flat stick gallop!
"I realise that."
The Boss agreed, grabbing onto the Office door handle.
"But we don't exactly have fill in Jockey's for if they're sick or injured."
Holy crap...
He seriously wants me to do this?!
"Isn't there somebody else who should probably do if?"
I queried, following the Man out of the Office and into the Stables.
"Not according to what Jodie's told Me about your balance and reflexes."
John denied.
"And Lane can't be expected to ride 'em all."
Well wasn't this wonderful...
Biting into my lower lip, I followed John outside.

My knees trembled like a plate of jelly by the time I dropped down from the back of Horse Number Six.
As an equestrian, you wouldn't think Trotting could be so thrilling, yet terrifying and exhausting.
But those Racehorses held so much power and energy in them, that it took every ounce of my concentration and muscle to be able to keep each one moving straight and in pace.
My veins thrummed with adrenaline as the last Horse, a Brown three year old Colt with the race name Powerhouse Kid, but known as Joe around the stables, was led away by Yvonne to be cooled out and unsaddled.
"Now that wasn't so bad was it?"
I couldn't help but laugh as John approached Me, bending over to place my hands on my knees.
"I'm knackered!"
I declared.
"Well you'd better head home and get some rest, coz we'll need ya back to do it again tomorrow!"
Tomorrow?
I gulped.
I really wasn't sure that I was cut out for it.
But contrary to John's thoughts, I wouldn't be going home to get rest.
I bit into my lower lip.
Today I wouldn't be going to School, because it was Court Day for Hunter.
Social Services wanted to determine who the eleven year old should live with.
Kylie was allowing Keegan and I to take the day off School and go to court to support Hunter.
"You did well out there."
It felt like somebody dumped a bucket of ice over my head.
I pushed myself into a straight standing position and glared at Lane.
"Don't talk to Me!"
I spat and turned on my heel to head inside.
I was hired as a Stable Hand, so I probably should have made my way over to the feed shed and the stalls to help with the feeding, but I was knackered after acting as Nate, so i headed for the showers instead.
"Bailey wait!"
Lane's voice followed Me.
Zander's fists weren't enough for this idiot?!
I clenched my jaw and my fists and put extra energy into my walk, attempting to get away from Lane.
I yelped in sideline when a vice tight grip went around my wrist and pulled me to a stop.
I whirled around and pulled against Lane's grip, but it wouldn't budge.
"Let me go!"
I growled, glaring up at him.
He wasn't tall, because he was a licensed Jockey, but he was at least still taller than Me.
"Just hear Me out!"
He insisted, his grip tightening on my wrist.
Pain lanced in that area and I began to feel worried.
Would Lane actually try and hurt Me?
Why was he doing this after Zander gave him a beating?
"It's the least you owe Me."
Lane reasoned.
Me owing him?!
I felt my eyes widen.
"Are you kidding Me?!"
I exclaimed, yanking against his grip on my arm.
"Let me go! You almost put my boyfriend in jail!"
"People can't get away with doing what he did Bailey!"
Lane insisted, tugging me forward by my arm.
"Let me go!"
I insisted, trying extremely hard to not let him pull me around.
What the hell did he even want from Me?!
"I was off work for two weeks and I'm a fit person Bailey!"
Lane stressed.
"You need to get away from that guy. If he can do that to Me then what the hell could he do to You?"
Oh my god he did not just go there?!
I shoved at his chest and he thankfully released his grip on my wrist, his eyes widening in surprise.
I glared at him, hoping my eyes portrayed exactly how utterly furious I was feeling.
"Zander only touched you because of what you did to Me!"
I growled.
"He's not a girl basher and he never fucking will be so I suggest you get your god damn facts straight before you go opening your mouth in future!"
Lane opened his mouth, but he appeared to be lost for words, his jaw hanging slack.
"Is everything okay over here?"
John was back.
"Lane was just leaving me alone."
I gritted through my teeth and turned on my heel to head to the shower's.
Now, thanks to Lane, I was about to run late.