Chapter 25
Clare scaled the stockyard rails and scrambled onto Fleur’s broad back. This was the first time she’d been in the saddle since childhood, and she was a little unsure. Fleur seemed impossibly high. ‘Give it some time, Clare Bear,’ her grandfather told her, rubbing the mare’s cheek. ‘You were always a terrific little rider. Gutsy as well. It’ll come back to you.’ She leaned down to stroke Fleur’s broad neck. Tom strapped on a saddlebag, then hopped around on one leg trying to mount Goliath, who refused to stand by the fence. He was a mountain of a horse, rich bay in colour, with a wide blaze, magnificent feather and four tall white socks. It looked like Tom was trying to mount an elephant.
Grandad disappeared into the cart shed and emerged with an old wooden mounting frame. Tom
