Terry Mitchell heard her and looked hopeful. ‘We have a deal then? Good on yer. You’ll never find a finer string at the price. Just promise me they’ll get a good home.’
‘Of course,’ Sam reassured him. ‘Will you take a cheque?’ She was half-afraid Mary’s reputation had preceded her, but Terry just nodded and smiled expansively. She wrote out the cheque, then took possession of the sheaf of transfer papers and service certificates. Sam signed her name as Samantha Carmichael, but Terry didn’t bat an eyelid, and continued to happily call her Charlie.
One of the friendly ponies laid its head on Terry’s arm. He hugged its neck, burying his face in its bushy mane. Was this tough-looking man crying? ‘You be good then, Topsy.’ He turned to go, his face crumpled and red.
‘Wait,’ said Sam. She cou
