Summer with Horses by Trudy Nicholson

Author:Trudy Nicholson
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780994116437
Publisher: Horsecrest Press
Published: 2015-02-01T00:00:00+00:00

13

A Special Gift

The sun put on an impressive display, turning the sky different tones of pink as it fell behind the hills, ending the day on a perfect note. As darkness fell Grandma Phillips got up, bidding them all good night, and asked Mike to escort her to her room.

When he returned to the veranda a little later he told Suzy, ‘Grandma would like you to go and say goodnight.’ He gave her directions to his grandmother’s room, and Suzy made her way up the stairs. On the landing a beautiful painting of a young woman caught her eye. She stopped and stared in awe, noticing the detail of the tapered riding jacket the woman was wearing. She also noticed how the woman’s eyes matched the colour of the stunning turquoise necklace that hung around her neck and rested softly on her hunting stock. As she leant forward for a closer look she saw that the necklace was engraved with the letters ‘WC’.

‘That was a long time ago, my darling,’ a voice behind her said quietly. ‘Yes, a long time ago. I was only 17 when my parents had that painted - not much older than you, Suzy.’

Suzy jumped. ‘You’re wearing a riding habit, Grandma.’

‘Yes,’ replied the old lady. ‘I sometimes chose to ride side-saddle. I used to go to a lot of shows, and like you I loved my jumping. I had some nice hunters and used them for stock work as well.

‘Now come with me, dear; I’m tired and I need to rest.’

Suzy followed her down the long hallway, passing a number of rooms before they reached Grandma’s door. Grandma reached out and turned the shiny brass handle, opening the large wooden door to her bedroom. Suzy noticed the ‘WC’ again, this time carved on the door.

‘Come in and sit down over here, Suzy,’ Grandma said, leading the way to a small, ornately carved table with match­ing chairs.

‘Do you ever miss riding, Grandma?’ Suzy asked as she sat down.

‘Indeed I do, Suzy,’ the old lady replied, pouring herself a small glass of sherry from a crystal decanter. ‘Oh yes, those were the days; long rides up into the hills - Koru Falls, the eastern plateau, the wild horses - I do miss going up there.’

‘I haven’t heard about Koru Falls, Grandma,’ Suzy said enquiringly as she sat down opposite her. She felt unusually elegant in her dress and heels, and she sat up straight, neatly crossing her ankles.

‘Yes dear, it’s near Musterer’s Hut,’ Grandma replied closing her eyes.

‘Koru Falls,’ Grandma said dreamily, and as though travel­ling back in time she continued, ‘That was certainly one very special day.’

‘How so?’

‘Grandad and I had ridden up to the falls, and while the horses rested and picked at the grass we swam in the cool, clear water. So refreshing - we ducked and dived like a couple of teenagers, even though we were in our seventies!’

Suzy laughed. ‘That’s so cute, Grandma!’

Grandma laughed with her, then she continued, ‘It’s beautiful, Suzy; you can swim behind the waterfall and there’s a hidden cave - one day you’ll see it.

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