She placed her hands on the table, lifted herself slightly off her chair, leaned across and … head-butted the tray of cakes and sodas being carried by the waitress who was bringing over the rest of their order.
It didn’t hurt, but everything went flying with an embarrassing clatter and smash. Jackson was doused with soda and Olivia had cake splattered all over her white-and-yellow sweater.
‘Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry,’ she said to Jackson and to the waitress.
The waitress grabbed them some napkins and Olivia wished she could disappear into the palm fronds behind her. ‘Hey – aren’t you Jackson Caulfield?’
Covered in sticky soda, poor Jackson gave a weak smile. ‘Yup, that’s me!’ Then he had to sign one of the napkins for the waitress.
‘I’d better head home and take a shower,’ Jackson said, after the waitress had skipped off to show her friends.
‘Yes, yes, of course,’ Olivia stuttered, her cheeks colouring. All she really wanted to say was, Kiss me, you fool!
He gave her an awkward hug goodbye and left.
‘That could not have gone any worse,’ Olivia said to no one, burying her head in her hands.
‘Horse-riding is much more glamorous than I realised,’ Ivy decided, looking at herself from all angles in the mirror. Rebecca had given her a pair of tight-fitting black ‘jodhpurs’, along with calf-high leather boots. ‘I could definitely rock this look, as long as the horse is not a required accessory.’
‘Don’t worry, Ivy,’ Olivia said. She was wearing a similar outfit in beige and white, and had been bouncing on the bed with excitement while Ivy was getting dressed. ‘It’s going to be great!’
It was Saturday and they were back at Rebecca’s ranch in Beldrake, bright and early in the morning, for Ivy’s first-ever riding lesson. She’d reluctantly left her mom’s diary up in the bedroom, getting Olivia to promise that they would have a look at it as soon as they got back.
Rebecca poked her head in the room. ‘You girls ready?’ she asked in her soft drawl. ‘We need to be done by eleven.’
She had told them when they arrived that the ranch had taken a last-minute booking for a group trail ride – one of the many ways she supported all the horses – and the guests would be here at noon. ‘There’ll be tons of beginners, so once we show Ivy the basics, you girls can come on the trail ride, too,’ Rebecca had said.
Ivy wasn’t convinced. But here she was, dressed exactly like she’d been horse-riding forever. She took a deep breath. ‘I’ll try anything once.’
The three of them clattered down the stairs and into the stable.
Ivy tried not to be scared, or scary, but the horses started shuffling away from her and snorting.
‘Maybe I should wait outside?’ she asked hopefully.
Rebecca gave her a sympathetic look. ‘OK. I’ll tack up for you. Let’s just find you a good helmet.’
Ivy tried on several in the tackroom until Rebecca was satisfied, then she went to wait outside the stable. When Rebecca and Olivia came out, they were leading Coco, Honey and a horse that Ivy hadn’t met before named Topic. She was light brown with a black mane, tail and legs, and she had a white patch on her forehead.
‘She’s gentle and very tolerant,’ Rebecca said.
You mean huge, Ivy thought.
Rebecca showed her how to hold the reins, to lead her.
‘Hold them right here, under her chin and keep your arm extended, so she has room to walk beside you.’
Ivy gulped and grasped the leather reins. She looked into Topic’s huge eyes and thought, Please don’t freak out!
Topic snorted and walked on, practically leading Ivy instead of the other way around. Ivy walked across the dirt and gravel towards the ring, feeling a little short of breath to be so close to such a strong creature.
So far, so good, Ivy thought.
Ivy stepped into the riding ring that was encircled by a white-painted fence. Despite the sunny day and clear blue sky, all she could think about was the headless horseman, thundering through the dark after his victims on his terrifying horse.
‘Great job!’ Rebecca said, with a big smile. ‘How did that feel?’
‘Uh … not as bad as I thought,’ Ivy said. But walking next to a horse was one thing. She was dreading what was coming next.
‘Oh, good,’ Rebecca said. ‘Time to mount up!’
Ivy gave a weak smile.
‘You’ll be fine,’ said Olivia. ‘Just think of her like a motorcycle.’
Ivy had always wanted to ride a big black motorcycle, dressed all in leathers. Maybe this wouldn’t be so different. She would just be higher up, on a living creature that might choose to throw her to the ground.
‘Olivia will hold Topic’s head to keep her straight and I’ll be right here to help you,’ Rebecca said. Olivia spoke steadily to Topic as Ivy tried to build up courage. ‘First, take the reins in your left hand and, with the same hand, grab a lock of mane.’
‘Really?’ Ivy said, cautiously following her instructions. ‘Won’t it hurt her?’
‘No, no,’ Rebecca said. ‘You won’t be putting your weight on it. Now, put your left foot in this stirrup. Grab the saddle here with your right hand.’ Rebecca patted the back of it. ‘Ready?’
No, no, no! Ivy wanted to scream, but she forced herself to nod.
‘On the count of three, swing your right leg over. Try to land gently and not hit the horse with your leg.’ Rebecca smiled, and the thought flashed in Ivy’s mind that this would be just the moment to have her mom here. ‘You can do it.’