Bretthadleftthekeyintheignition,anothertabooinmybook.Isteppedoverintothefrontcompartmentandremovedthekeyring,checkingthatatleastthebrakeswereonandallb.u.t.thecabinlightswereoff.Finally,switchingoffthoseinteriorlightsalsoIjumpeddownfromthepa.s.sengerdoor,lockingitbehindme.
Thefrontpa.s.sengerdoorandthedriver"sdoorbothlockedwiththesamekeythatstartedtheengine,alargecomplicatedkeysuppliedbythemanufacturers.Ilockedthedriver"sdoor-Bretthadn"t-andwiththesecondmoreordinarykeyontheringlockedthegrooms"door.Athirdkeylockedthesmallcompartmentunderthedashboardthatcontainedthemobiletelephonepowerswitchandvariousdoc.u.ments,whichI"dcheckedandfoundsecure.
Iwalkedagainrightroundthebox,makingalastinspection.Everythingseemedasitshouldbe.Thetworampsforhorseswereupandbolted.Thefivedoorsforhumans,twoforthefrontseats,threefortheattendants,weresimilarlyimmovable.Theflapovertheintaketothedieseltanks,fastenedbythefourthandlastkeyonthekeyring,wasproof.a.gainstsiphoningthieves.
FeelingallthesameuneasyIwentbacktothehouseandlockedthebackdoorbehindme,whichIdidn"tdoalways.Istretchedoutahandtoswitchofftheoutsidelightsandthenchangedmymindandleftthemon.
Thefleetusuallyspentthenightinsidealargebrick-walledconvertedfarmyard,thewidestrongentrancegatespadlocked.Thenine-boxstandingaloneonmytarmacseemedunaccustomedlyvulnerable,eventhoughtrucksofthatsizewereseldomstolen.Thereweretoomanyident.i.tynumbersengravedontoomanyparts,quiteapartfromthenameCROFTRACEWAYSpaintedinaboutsixplaces,thewholethinghardlyinconspicuousforanyonetryingtoavoidnotice.
Ireheatedtheoldstew,sloshedsomeredwineintoitforexcitementandatetheresultwhileleavingthesittingroomcurtainsopensothatIcouldseethehorseboxallthetime.
Absolutelynothinghappened.Myuneaseslowlyabated,andIputdownits.e.xistencesimplytothefactofOgden"sdemise.
Imadeandreceivedafewmoretelephonecalls,checkingparticularlywithmyseniordriverthatalltheotherboxeswerebackatthefarm.Therestoftheday"sjourneys,itseemed,hadforoncegoneuneventfullytoplan:nomix-upsovertime,noenginetroubles,noequipmentorattendantsleftbehind.Allthedrivershadfilledintheirlogsheetsandpoppedthemasrequestedintotheletter-boxoftheoffice.Thepadlockswereonthegates.Nokeyswereanywhereaccessible.Despitethedeadpa.s.senger,theoverallmessageIreceivedwasthatthebosscouldrelaxandgotobed.
Theboss,intheend,didjustthat,thoughfrommybedroom,whichwasoverthesitting-room,Istillhadaclearviewofthehorseboxoutunderthelights.IleftthecurtainswideopenandalthoughIneversleptwiththemfullyclosedIneverthelesswokeseveraltimesbecauseofthecontinuingunusualbrightnessoutside.AtaboutthreeinthemorningIbecamesuddenlyfullyalert,disturbedbymorethanplainlight.Disturbedbyamovingflashacrosstheceiling,indistinct,likesheetlightning,seenthroughmyeyelids.
Theweatherhadbeenmildrecently,thoughitwa.s.stillearlyMarch,but.i.tseemedtomethatthetemperaturehaddroppedtendegreesinthepastfewhours.InbarefeetandsleepingshortsIstoodupandwenttothewindow,shivering.
Atfirstsightnothingseemedchanged.Shrugging,Ihalfturnedtoreturntothewarmbedandthenstoppedstock-stillinseriousalarm.
Thegrooms"door,throughwhichwe"dallclimbed,wa.s.slightlyopen,notsecurelylocked,asI"dleft.i.t.
Open.
Istaredhard,b.u.t.therewasnomistake.Therewasablacklineofshadowwherethedoornolongerfittedflatandsnuglyintoposition.TheflashoflightI"dseenmusthavebeenareflectionfromitswindowasthedoorhadbeenopened.
Withoutconsideringclothes,Isprintedheadlongdownstairsandalongtothebackdoor,unlockingit,throwingmyfeetintogumbootsands.n.a.t.c.hinganoldraincoatfromapeg.TryingtofitmyarmsintoitssleevesIranacrossthetarmacandpulledthedoorwide.
Therewasafigureinsidethere,inblack,a.s.surprisedtoseemeasItoseehim.Atfirsthehadhisbacktowardsme,thenwhenhewhirledroundwithafierceexclamation,moreanexplosionofescapingbreaththananactualword,Isawthathisheadwascoveredwithablackhood,hiseyesalivethroughholes,theclichedisguiseofrobbersandterrorists.
"Whattheh.e.l.lareyoudoing?"Iyelledathim,tryingmyselfcrazilytoclimbupafterhim.Stupidthingtodoingumboots:thestepholesweren"tdesignedfortheirclumsywidth.
Black-masks.n.a.t.c.heduptherolledhorserug,gaveitafastshaketoopenitsfoldsandthrewitovermewhileIwa.s.stillhalfwayup.Islidoffthetoe-holds,steppedbackunbalancedintoavoidandlandedinaheaponthetarmac.Theblackfigure,dimlyseen,jumpedoverontothedriver"sseat,unlatchedthedooronthatside,leapedathleticallytothegroundandranfortheshadows,litheandscudding.
PerhapsintrainersIcouldhavemadeitacontest.Ingumbootsandanunbeltedraincoatstillonlyhalfon,itwashopeless.Istoodupdisgustedly,disentanglingmyselffromthehorserug,fasteningtheraincoatbelatedlyandlisteninginvainforanysoundofdepartingfootsteps.
Noneofitmadesense,nordidstandingaroundshiveringininappropriateclothesinthemiddleofthenight.Therewasnothingworthstealinginthehorseboxsaveperhapstheradioorphone,b.u.t.theblackfigurehadn"tseemedtobeattackingeither.Hehadn"tinfactseemedtobedoinganythinginparticular,whenIlookedbacktomyfirstsightofhim,butsimplystandinginthecabwithhisbacktome.Therehadbeendustandstreaksofdirtonhisclothes.AsfarasIcouldrememberhehadn"tbeencarryinganything.Notools,notevenatorch.Ifhe"dopenedthegrooms"doorwitheitherakeyoralock-pick,hemusthaveput.i.tinapocket.
Thekeyholeofthegrooms"doorwasinthehandleitself.Therewasnokeyinthelock,nor,whenIlooked,anyobviousscratchesorsignsofforceortampering.
Coldandcross,Ithrewthehorserugbackintothecab,shutthegrooms"doorandthedriver"ssidedoorandwentbacktothehousetofetchthekeysagaintorelockthem.
OutofrespectformycarpetsIslidmyfeetoutofthegumbootsandpaddedthroughthehallandacrossthesitting-roomtothedesk,notbotheringtoswitchonanylightsinthereowingtobeingabletoseeperfectlywellbecauseoftheglowoutside.Iretrievedthekeysfromthedeskdrawer,retracedmysteps,resumedthegumbootsandclompedbacktowardsthewheels.
Comingclose,Isawwithoutbeliefthattherewasablackmovingshadowagaininsidethecab.Monstrous,Ithought,andwhatinG.o.d"snamecouldhewant?Hewa.s.standingbehindthedriver"sseat,feelingforwardintothestorageshelfthatspreadacrossthewholewidthofthecabhighandabovethefrontseats,projectingoutoverthewindscreen.Thes.p.a.ciousshelf,commontoallofmyfleet,wasusedbythedriversandattendantstostowtheirpersonalbelongings,oftenchangesofclothingandoccasionallyasleeping-bagandpillow.Therewasafull-lengthmattressinstalledfortheuseofseveralofthedriverswhoslepttherehabituallyonovernightstops,preferringittocheaplodgings.Bretthadtoldmeheexpectedbetter.Yourownchoice,Ia.s.suredhim.
ThebusyfigureinthecabsawmecomingandwasoutandawayagainbeforeIcouldreachhim.Iraninhiswakesluggishly,asifthroughtreacle,mybarefeethalf-slidingoutofthebootsateverystride.Heheadeddownthedriveandseemedtomeltintotheshadowsofthetreesbytheexittotheroad.
Uselessly,Ifollowedhimtotheroaditself,buthewasnowheretobeseen.Itwasacountryroad,unfenced,withopengatewaystootherhouses.Treesandbushesbythehundred,hidingplacesunlimited.Itwouldhavetakenhalfanarmytofindhim.
PuzzledanddispiritedIretracedmywaybacktothebox.Thedriver"sdoorstoodwideopen,ashe"dleft.i.t.Iclimbedupclumsilyandstoodbehindtheseat,ashehad,lookingintothestorageshelf,switchingonthecabinlightforabetterview.
Th.e.s.h.elfwasemptyexceptforthemattressandaplasticcarrier-bagwhichprovedoninspectiontocontainremainsofBrett-typesustenance;screwedupwrappersfromchocolatebars,anemptysandwich-shapedcasingbearingalabelannouncing"BeefandTomato",withthepriceunderneath,andtwoemptyc.o.kecans.
Iputthebagbackwhereithadbeen.Itwaseachdriver"sbusinesstokeephisownboxcleanandIdidn"tfeellikepickingupafterBrett.WhateverheandDavehadbeendoingthatday,givingliftstomoribundbusinessmenseemedjustthestartofit.Thosetwowouldhavealotofexplainingtodointhemorning.
Icarefullylockedthedoorsagain,andagainwalkedbacktothehouse,butonceinsidefeltfarfromrea.s.sured.Theagilevisitorhadgotintotheboxthefirsttimewithoutbreakingawindoworotherobservableforceandpresumablycouldgetinagainthesameway.
Withoutknowingintheleastwhathewanted,Istilldidn"tliketheideaofhisreturningathirdtime.Italsooccurredtomedisturbinglythatperhapsheintendedtoleavesomething,ordestroysomething,ordisabletheboxaltogether.InalarmanddoubtIshedthegumbootsandraincoatandranupstairsforsubst.i.tutesintheshapeoftwosweaters,jeans,socks,andshoesIcouldrunin.Ipulledmyownoldsleeping-bagfromacupboardandwithalastcheckthroughthewindowtoseeifathirdvisitationwasinprogress-nosignofit-Iwentdownstairsforapaddedjacketandgloves.
Withalltheseaidstowarmth,Icrossedyetagaintotheboxandsettledmyselfinthefrontpa.s.sengerseats,moderatelycomfortableinbodyifnotinmind.
Timeslidby.
Idozed.
Noonecame.
CHAPTER2.
Predictably,Iwokestiffandcolda.s.soonasnature"slightingsystembegancreepingintotheelectricstuff,andItrailedyawningacrosstothekitchenforwarmthandcoffee.Thenewspapersandthepostarrived.Isortedthroughthebills,readtheheadlinesandturnedtotheracingpages,atesomecornflakesandansweredthefirstphonecallsofthenewday.
Myroutineworkinghoursstartedatsixorsevenandnormallyendedatmidnight,Sundaysincluded,but.i.twasawayoflife,notahardship.Itwasthesamefortrainers,allofwhomseemedtobelievethatiftheywereupandcaringfortheirhorsesbyorbeforedawn,everyonewhoworkedforthemshouldbeavailablelikewise.
Planstendedtochangeovernight.Thefirstcallonthatday,aFriday,wasfromthetrainerofahorsethathadgotcastinitsstableandinjuredhimselfbythrashingaboutonthefloor,tryingtogethimselfbackontohisfeet.
"Theb.u.g.g.e.r"stwistedhisoff-hind.Myheadladfoundhim,hoppinglame."Thebighealthyvoicereverberatedintomyear."Hecan"trunatSouthwell,sodit.Strikehimoffyourlist,w.i.l.l.you?"
IsaidIwould."Thanksforlettingmeknow."
"Iknowyouruntightschedules,"heboomed."ThefourforSandownareOK.Don"tsendthatBrettforthem,he"sawhiner,heupsetsmylads."
Ia.s.suredhimhewouldn"tgetBrett.
"Right,Freddie.Seeyouatthesports."
Withoutwastingtime,IbuzzedmyheaddriverandaskediftheboxesforSouthwellhadalreadyleft.
"Warmingup,"hea.s.suredme.
"MissoutLarryDell.Theirhorsegotcast."
"Gotyou."
Iputdownthekitchenreceiverandwentthroughtothesittingroomwheremostofthedesk-topwastakenupbytheweek"scomprehensivechartindicatingwhichboxwasgoingwherewithwhosehorses.Iwroteitalwaysinpencilbecauseoftheconstantchanges.
Onanadjacenttable,easilyreachedbyswivellingthegreenleatherchair,stoodacomputer,monitorandkeyboard.Theoretically,itwaseasiertocalleachboxtothescreentoenterorrearrangeitsjourneys,andactuallyIdidkeepthedetailsofthejourneysrecordedtherepermanentlyoncethey"dbeencompleted,butforanadvanceoverviewIstillclungtomypencilandrubber.
Alongatthefarm,inthemainoffice,mytwobrightsecretaries,IsobelandRose,keptthecomputercompetentlyaccurateanduptotheminute,anddespairedofmyold-fashionedmethods.Theterminalinmysitting-roomwasasortofsub-stationuponwhichappearedallthechangesthey"dmadeonthemaincomputer,andthatwaswhatIchieflyuseditfor:checkingwhathadbeenorganisedinmyabsence.
Inreturn,Itypedinanychangeswhichcameinbeforeoraftertheirofficehoursand,onewayoranother,wehadnotsofarleftanyexpectantrunnerwaitinginvainforthecoachtotakeittotheball.
IcheckeddownthelistonwhatlookedlikeatypicalFridayforthefirstweekofMarch.TwoboxesgoingnorthtoSouthwell,wheretheall-weathertrackheldbothflatandjumpingracesallwinter.Fourboxescollectingrunnersforthatafternoon"sprogrammeofsteeplechasingatSandown,southofLondon.Onenine-horseboxtakingbroodmarestoIreland.Onesix-boxtakingbroodmarestoNewmarket,onetakingbroodmarestoGloucestershire,anothertakingmarestoastuddowninSurrey:thethoroughbredbreedingseasoninfullflood.
Oneboxwasoutofaction,scheduledformaintenance.Onewas"goingtoFrance.OnewouldbetakingJerichoRich"sfilliestoNewmarket.Brettandhisnine-horser,standingoutsidemywindowinthestrengtheningdawn,wereduetospendthedayshuttlingawholestringforatrainermovingtoPixhillfromoutonSalisburyPlain:notlongjourneysbutmultipleand,frommypointofview,goodprofit.
ThefollowingweekwouldseetheCheltenhamFestival,peakofthesteeplechasingyear,withtheFlatseasonpropergettingintogeartheweekafter,itscrowdedprogrammebringingmesixmonthsofgoodbusiness.Marchwa.s.sigh-of-relieftime,thefogsandfreezesofwinterrelaxingtheirparalysingmenace:therewasnoincometobemadefromarowofboxesstandingsilentinthesnow,b.u.t.thedrivershadtobepaidallthesame.
Myheaddriverphonedback.Harvebyname,shortforHarvey.
"Pat"sgotflu,"hesaid."She"sinbed."
"s.h.i.t."
"It"sab.u.g.g.e.r,thefluthisyear.Knocksyouout.It"snotherfault."
"No,"Isaid."How"sGerry?"
"Stillbad.WecouldputthosebroodmaresofftillMonday."
"No,they"reneartofoaling.Ipromisedthey"dgotoSurreytoday.I"llsortsomethingout."
PatandGerrywerereliabledrivers:iftheysaidtheyweretooilltowork,thentheywere.Reshufflerequired.
"DavecandotheGloucestershirebroodmares,insteadofPat,"Isaid.Davewasaslowdriver,andIdidn"tsendhimoutbehindthewheelunlessIhadto."Thosemareshavenodeadline."
"Yeah.OK."
"Iwanthimherefirstthough.Whenheturnsupatthefarm,sendhimalonghere.Bretttoo."
"Willdo,"hesaid."Isitaboutthedeadman?"
"Itis."
"Sillysods."
"AndtellJoggerIneedhimp.d.q.Tellhimtobringhisslider."
"Hewon"tbeinforhalfanhour."
"Thatwilldo."
"Anythingelse?"
"Suretobe,infiveminutes."
Helaughedandwentaway,leavingmethinking,asIoftendid,thatIwasluckytohavehim.WhenI"dbeenajockeyHarvehadbeenmyweighing-roomvalet,bringingmycleanedsaddlesandfreshbreechestotheraceseveryday.Valetswereabitliketheatricaldressers,althoughonevaletwould"do"tenorsojockeysregularly.Itwasaclosepersonalservice:onecouldkeepfewphysicalsecretsfromone"svalet.
WhenI"dhungupmybootsandboughtthetransportbusiness,he"dappearedtomysurpriseonmydoorstep.
"I"mheretoseeifyou"llgivemeajob,"hesaidforopeners,comingstraighttothepoint.
"ButIdon"tneedavaletanymore."
"Notthat.Idon"twanttokeeponwiththat.Myolddad"sdiedandtheweighing-room"snotthesameaswhenhewasthere,andIwantachange.I"msickofthewash-tub.Howabout.i.tifIdriveforyou?Idrivehundredsofmileseveryweekanyway;haveforyears."
"But,"Isaidslowly,"you"dneedaHeavyGoodsVehiclelicence."
I"llgetone."
"Theboxesaren"tlikecars.You"dhavetotakeacourse."
"IfIgetthelicence,w.i.l.l.yougivemeajob?"
I"dsaidIwouldbecausewe"dalwaysgotoneasilytogether,andinthatcasualwayI"dacquiredthebestlieutenantonecouldimagine.
Hewa.s.sandy-haired,strong-armed,aboutmyownage,aninchortwotaller.Drylydisillusioned,hewasquicktodenigratebutinawaythatmadeonesmile.Brett,hehadremarkedtomeonce,shiftedtheblamebeforeyouevenrealisedtherewasafault."Hecarriesabagfulofalibisaroundwithhim,readytopulloneout."
Iwentupstairs,showered,shaved,tweakedtheduvetstraightonmybedandreturnedinshorttimetomydeskandtheuninterruptedviewofthehorsebox.
Jogger,thecompanymechanic,sweptupthedriveinhisvanandsqueakedtoahaltnosetonosewiththehorsebox.Spry,bow-legged,baldandc.o.c.kney,heeeledoutofthevanandstoodlookingatthehorseboxwhilescratchinghishead.Thenhecameovertothehouseinthepeculiargaitthathadearnedhimhisnickname,arollingmotionlikethatofspeedwalkers,almostrunningbutwithonefootonthegroundallthetime,elbowstuckedin.
Iwenttothedoortomeethimandwewalkedbacktotheboxtogether,heimpatientlyslowinghisscuttlingprogresstomatchmine.
"What"stheboil,then?"hesaid.
Hespokehisownsortofc.o.c.kneyrhymingslang,andindeedIoftenthoughthemademostofituphimself,butIwasusedtoitbythattime.Forboil,readboilandbubble,trouble.
"Justcheckitallover,w.i.l.l.you?"Ianswered."Takeagoodlookattheengine.Thenslideunder,makesurewe"renotleakingorcarryingadditions."
"Gor,"hesaid.
Iwatchedhimchecktheengine,hiseyesswift,fingersdelicate,headnoddingwithcertainties.
"Allhunky-dory,"hesaid.
"Good.Goovertherest."
Hewentalongtohistruckandbroughtouttheflexiblestick,withmirrorattached,thatcouldbeangledtorevealinvisibilitiesroundcorners,andalsothelowplatformoncastors,onwhichhelayonhisbacktoslideundertheboxesforquickundergutsinspections.
"Whenyou"redone,I"llbeinthehouse,"Isaid.