At the stables, the scene was nothing short of a comedy waiting to happen. The moment Clemmie laid eyes on her designated horse, a towering steed named Shadow, she froze. The animal was jet black with a glossy coat, standing at leastsixteen hands high, and its deep brown eyes seemed to size her up immediately.
‘You’ve got to be joking,’ she muttered.
Oliver patted Shadow’s neck affectionately. ‘He’s a gentle giant. Aren’t you, boy?’
The horse snorted loudly, making Clemmie jump back. ‘Gentle? He looks like he eats people for breakfast.’
It didn’t go unnoticed by either of them that the stable hand looked Clemmie up and down in disbelief as he handed her a pair of boots in her size and a riding helmet, which was comically oversized. She slipped it on and it immediately fell over her eyes.
‘Perfect,’ Oliver said, biting back a laugh. ‘You look like a serious equestrian now.’
‘Don’t start,’ she warned, handing the helmet back and swapping it for one that fitted. ‘I really can’t get on that thing.’
‘You’ll be fine,’ Oliver said reassuringly. He patted the horse’s neck. ‘Shadow is a sweetheart.’
Clemmie wasn’t convinced. ‘Sweetheart? He looks like he’s plotting my demise.’
After much coaxing from Oliver, Clemmie approached the horse cautiously. ‘How am I supposed to get on this thing?’
‘Easy,’ Oliver said, grabbing the reins. ‘Just put your left foot in the stirrup and swing yourself up and over.’
Clemmie gave him a look. ‘Swing myself up? That high? I’m not a gymnast.’
Despite her protests, she attempted to follow his instructions. Her first try involved a lot of awkward hopping, but her foot missed the stirrup entirely. Oliver tried to hold the stirrup steady from the other side while she jumped again, but she couldn’t get high enough and fell backwards. They both collapsed into laughter.
‘This isn’t working,’ she gasped, clutching her stomach.
Oliver wiped tears of laughter from his eyes. ‘Wait here.’
He returned moments later with a small set of wooden steps. ‘Your throne awaits, my lady.’
With the help of the steps, Clemmie finally managed to mount Shadow, though she squealed as the horse shifted under her. ‘It’s moving! Why is it moving?’
‘It’s just adjusting,’ Oliver said, mounting his own horse, a chestnut beauty named Blaze, with practised ease. He looked entirely too comfortable in the saddle.
Once they were both ready, the stable hands led them out onto the estate grounds and waved them off. Clemmie clutched the reins tightly, her knuckles turning white.
Oliver looked over his shoulder at her. ‘See? You’re a natural.’
As they began to walk gently along the gravel path, finally Clemmie started to relax.
‘What a beautiful place,’ she said as she looked out over the estate.
But her peace was short-lived. As she adjusted her position, her foot accidentally nudged Shadow’s side andthe horse broke into a brisk trot. Clemmie panicked and without thinking she kicked the horse again. ‘Oliver!’ she screamed, gripping the reins for dear life. ‘Make it stop!’
‘Pull back on the reins!’ he shouted.
‘I’m trying!’ she shrieked, bouncing wildly in the saddle. Shadow seemed entirely unfazed by her panic, trotting gracefully across the grass while Clemmie flailed. Her body was bouncing up and down as she let out a string of incoherent cries. Suddenly, Shadow veered towards a small lake and history repeated itself as he waded straight in and came to an abrupt halt in the middle. Clemmie found herself perched precariously on the saddle, her boots now submerged as the horse stood motionless.
‘You’ve got to be kidding me,’ she groaned.
Oliver had dismounted and tied Blaze to a nearby post. He stood there, doubled over, struggling to contain his laughter. ‘It’s like the donkey story all over again!’ hemanaged between gasps. ‘Count yourself lucky that he hasn’t lain down!’
‘It’s not funny!’ Clemmie’s voice was full of panic. ‘How am I going to get out of here?’
‘Stay put. I’m coming to get you.’
Like a knight in shining armour, he stepped straight into the water, wading towards her as if it were the most natural thing in the world. The water swirled around his thighs, darkening his breeches, but he didn’t seem remotely bothered.
