Backstage

Chapter 31

Belle was on the train going to birmingham, whilst Esme was looking at some jobs away from Norwich. I however was working at the yard for the morning, before hopefully going for a quiet hack. Eddie was away at a stag weekend for his best friend, so everything was peaceful. Lori was coming up later as a early christmas type thing, but I didnt know what time, so told her to text me before she left. If she got here early enough I would see if there was anyone from the riding school so we could go out together.

My phone vibrated on the side, with a text saying just left should be with you in about an hour. It was only 11:30 which meant I would still be working but she will be able to give me a hand to finish up feeding. I banked up the sides of the last bed, when I remembered I hadnt looked at the board. Most of the ponies were'nt used during the day as most children were at school so there schould be someone I would just have to go and get them in.

Lori arrived and I ran over to greet her, she had guessed I might have planned a hack of some sort, so had everything with her. She gave sugar and teddy a groom as I finished of. At 12:30 I grabbed two cups of tea and some shortbreads, from the staff room. We spent half hour chatting and then began to tack up, whilst she told me about everything I had been missing in the town were I had grown up in. Although she was no longer in the racing industry, which was how I had met her she still worked locally at the travel agent, after she realised that the flight attendent job she stated in meant a lot of long hours away from home, and her and jamie were begging to settle down a bit.

I took her down to the stream, and we had a trot alongside it, before crossing over into the forest were there were a few cross counrty style jumps. It had been too long since we had ridden together and it was always so funny. One thing I missed was riding with friends, especially Belle, Esme and Lori. We jumped a couple of jumps and then crossed back over the little stream further down to a small all weather track which we had a race along before pulling up lettting them cool of. The ride back was so pretty and by the time we arrived back it was almost dark. We put thick rugs on the ponies as the nights were cold now and let them have a quick pick of grass.

Back at the apartment I pulled out the tack away menus and we choose to have a chinese, which arrived suprisingly quickly. After eating and discussing christmas plans, we went out to go bowling and to the local pub. The evening went so quickly, even though I had to awkwardly avoid the alcohol.

We went back at 12 and I warmeed the cookies in the microwave, and then we both put on our pjamas and sat with lattes and cookies. It had been a perfect day and tomorrow we were going on a wintery trip to the beach. Lowerstoft was about 30 minutes away and it was tradition for us to go on a crazy trip to the sea near christmas and because my family were coing here for christmas it meant I wouldnt see Lori till after new year.

Whilst we were in Lowerstoft we also had a spa trip planned, as our presents to each other, we never knew what to get and it was the perfect way to get away from everyday life and relax. I set a alarm clock in my room and put the fold out bed up, I just hoped the others remembered she was coming else she may be woken up by the lights pinging on.

Crash Esme and Dan came through the door, Lori shot up and ran to my room thinking someone was about to kidnap her. I thought she had realised Belle and Esme werent back yet, well they would have said hello and most likely joined us if they had been here. Laughing I went to put the kettle on for them and text belle to see whether she was staying in birmingham. The funeral had been so hard especially for her, and I dont blame her from wanting to avoid everyone, at least she had found something she was enjoying and this course seemed perfect for her, as well as that Tom was trying to help her, okay they arent together but he is turning out to be a better friend than any of us. Somehow we have become to wound up in our own lives.

Belle was coming back early in the morning so all 4 of us soon went to bed. Thats when the stupid fool i am remembered I was meant to be looking at puppies with Eddie in 2 days, and had forgotten to ask him. The other problem was he was not coming back till the day after. Lori would come so it would be fine, as finding peoples homes never ended well if I was alone, unless I want to be 2 hours late, however I would have to restrain her from coming back with one herself, thats what hppened last time I looked at buying a dog.

My alarm went of and I got up, it was half 6 when we were both ready so we left after I checked Belle was back. The train was suprisingly quiet considering it was the commuting train, and when we arrived in Lowerstfot we were surrounded by the fresh sea air. After walking along the sea front we found a quiet cafe for some breakfast, were we sat down and talked about more stuff that would not be of any interest to anyone else but us and maybe a few others. The weather was lovely for a winters day and we had a bit planned so we headed of at 9:30.

- M <3 thanks for reading x