each hand. A brightly painted sign confirmed I had the right place.
MILLER’S STABLES
HACKS AND LIVERIES, LESSONS ON REQUEST
Several cars were already parked neatly in the busy yard and I gazed out at the buzzing hive of activity. Children clustered in a group around a bale of straw, all giggling and chattering together while one of them divided the bale into sections. Horses tied up to metal rings around the stable blocks, some tacked up ready for riding, others apparently waiting for attention. A collie dog barking a welcome as I climbed out of my car. Noises and smells assaulted my senses. I tried to blend into the background and observe.
Standing next to the stable block was a tall, slim blonde, long hair in a loose style down her back, one arm clutching a baby girl close to her chest. As I watched, she nuzzled the child, blowing raspberries on her neck. The baby squealed in delight. It had to be Anita. To buy myself some time, I pretended to fiddle with my phone, while making a covert recording of the blonde. I used a neat little miniature camcorder that masqueraded as a mobile phone and delivered crystal clear images. Nobody paid me any attention.
Another group of noisy children emerged from a building, babbling loudly to a tall guy dressed in riding gear. Dust streaked breeches tucked into knee-high boots and a grubby polo shirt suggested he’d been working, as did the complicated leather bridle slung across one shoulder. He spoke to the children, paused as they scattered into a nearby barn, and then turned to the blonde. Sidling up beside her, he slipped one arm around her waist, speaking into her ear. With his short, dark curly hair, he was definitely not her husband—I’d studied the photographs Alan had mailed me. Yet he held her in such an intimate fashion, now dropping a kiss onto her nose while he tickled the baby. Even after so many ‘jobs’, I still longed to see a faithful woman and, as always, I looked set to be disappointed again. Oh well, this would be an easy contract to complete.
I heard someone bellowing “Nathaaaan…” from the barn and with a grin the guy peeled himself away and followed the yell. This was my opportunity to make contact. Stuffing the phone into my pocket, I strolled towards her.
“ Hi there,” she greeted me with a smile. “Can I help you?” The baby squawked at that moment, dropping something by her feet—a coloured plastic hoop. “ Mindy ,” she scolded. I bent down and retrieved it, handing it back, our fingers brushing in the process. “Thanks.” She examined the toy, pulled a face and slipped it into her pocket before looking back to me.
Her emotions were so clear and bright, I could practically see them: wistful as she caught a glimpse of the guy again. Why won’t he commit to me? He still doesn’t trust me enough. A hint of loneliness mixed in with longing. I felt embarrassed. According to Alan they’d not been married long, yet she was lusting after this other guy already?
I realised she was waiting for me to speak. “I’m here on holiday, just having a look around. Do you have organised treks across the countryside? It’s been a while since I’ve ridden.”
“ Oh, yes,” her voice was confident. “How long are you staying?” Her eyes flicked to the barn, a smile creeping back into place as the guy emerged from the open doorway. Look at me. Look how good I am with Mindy.
“ I’m not sure yet.” I waited, hoping the guy would come back to her. He did, flashing me a polite smile, while glancing back at her.
“ Nathan, this gentleman is interested in a trek. I was just going to check the diary.”
“ It’s okay, I was just going back to the office anyway.” He stuck a hand out to me. “Nathan Miller. Come with me and I’ll see when we can fit you in.” I felt another wave of longing from her. “You on holiday here? And have you ridden much?”
“ Yeah, taking a break up here. I’ve ridden a few times as a kid, but I
MILLER’S STABLES
HACKS AND LIVERIES, LESSONS ON REQUEST
Several cars were already parked neatly in the busy yard and I gazed out at the buzzing hive of activity. Children clustered in a group around a bale of straw, all giggling and chattering together while one of them divided the bale into sections. Horses tied up to metal rings around the stable blocks, some tacked up ready for riding, others apparently waiting for attention. A collie dog barking a welcome as I climbed out of my car. Noises and smells assaulted my senses. I tried to blend into the background and observe.
Standing next to the stable block was a tall, slim blonde, long hair in a loose style down her back, one arm clutching a baby girl close to her chest. As I watched, she nuzzled the child, blowing raspberries on her neck. The baby squealed in delight. It had to be Anita. To buy myself some time, I pretended to fiddle with my phone, while making a covert recording of the blonde. I used a neat little miniature camcorder that masqueraded as a mobile phone and delivered crystal clear images. Nobody paid me any attention.
Another group of noisy children emerged from a building, babbling loudly to a tall guy dressed in riding gear. Dust streaked breeches tucked into knee-high boots and a grubby polo shirt suggested he’d been working, as did the complicated leather bridle slung across one shoulder. He spoke to the children, paused as they scattered into a nearby barn, and then turned to the blonde. Sidling up beside her, he slipped one arm around her waist, speaking into her ear. With his short, dark curly hair, he was definitely not her husband—I’d studied the photographs Alan had mailed me. Yet he held her in such an intimate fashion, now dropping a kiss onto her nose while he tickled the baby. Even after so many ‘jobs’, I still longed to see a faithful woman and, as always, I looked set to be disappointed again. Oh well, this would be an easy contract to complete.
I heard someone bellowing “Nathaaaan…” from the barn and with a grin the guy peeled himself away and followed the yell. This was my opportunity to make contact. Stuffing the phone into my pocket, I strolled towards her.
“ Hi there,” she greeted me with a smile. “Can I help you?” The baby squawked at that moment, dropping something by her feet—a coloured plastic hoop. “ Mindy ,” she scolded. I bent down and retrieved it, handing it back, our fingers brushing in the process. “Thanks.” She examined the toy, pulled a face and slipped it into her pocket before looking back to me.
Her emotions were so clear and bright, I could practically see them: wistful as she caught a glimpse of the guy again. Why won’t he commit to me? He still doesn’t trust me enough. A hint of loneliness mixed in with longing. I felt embarrassed. According to Alan they’d not been married long, yet she was lusting after this other guy already?
I realised she was waiting for me to speak. “I’m here on holiday, just having a look around. Do you have organised treks across the countryside? It’s been a while since I’ve ridden.”
“ Oh, yes,” her voice was confident. “How long are you staying?” Her eyes flicked to the barn, a smile creeping back into place as the guy emerged from the open doorway. Look at me. Look how good I am with Mindy.
“ I’m not sure yet.” I waited, hoping the guy would come back to her. He did, flashing me a polite smile, while glancing back at her.
“ Nathan, this gentleman is interested in a trek. I was just going to check the diary.”
“ It’s okay, I was just going back to the office anyway.” He stuck a hand out to me. “Nathan Miller. Come with me and I’ll see when we can fit you in.” I felt another wave of longing from her. “You on holiday here? And have you ridden much?”
“ Yeah, taking a break up here. I’ve ridden a few times as a kid, but I
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