Part 33 (1/2)

Finally, Russell said, 'OK, open your eyes.

It was a birthday cake. It was THE birthday cake. It was fabulous. Two storeys high or whatever you call a cake with two floors, covered in green and purple iced stripes and spots. The two levels were deliberately crooked, giving it a wonderful lop-sided look. Big purple cellophane bows decorated the sides and funky green sparklers were carefully embedded in the top. It was the most exuberant, joyful cake Id ever seen in my entire life.

Russell lit the sparklers and they all sang, 'Happy Birthday. They all looked so pleased and excited and I thought suddenly how lucky I was and that maybe the future could take care of itself after all.

'Dont try and blow the sparklers out, said Russell helpfully. 'But dont forget to make a wish.

So I did and it came true.

We all had a slice, there and then. The bottom layer was orange and lemon and the top layer was chocolate, so some of us, Russell, had two slices.

I said to Sharon, 'Did you make this?

She nodded, proud and happy, and I made up my mind there and then that she would have her own cake shop one day. Genius like this deserved world-wide appreciation.

Eggs, bacon, mushrooms, toast, marmalade, birthday cake, and two gla.s.ses of Bucks Fizz. I was feeling more cheerful than I had in weeks. I tied the scarf round my neck and carefully put the mouse and book to one side.

There was an odd pause and in the silence, I heard the sound of an engine.

'Goodness, said Russell. 'I wonder what this could be.

'Oh. Perhaps I should open the gate, said Kevin.

'Yes, said Sharon. 'I will help.

'I will come too, said Mrs Crisp and I stared at them, wondering if I wasnt the only one whod had too much to drink at breakfast.

Russell stopped and for some reason shoved a couple of carrots in his pocket, but Id been married to him for nearly six months now and it took a lot more than that to amaze me these days.

A horsebox was backing in through the gate. There were lots of shouted instructions which Martin Braithwaite had the sense to ignore. At last, he switched off the engine and jumped down.

'Morning all. Happy Birthday, Jenny. He began to let down the back. Kevin went to help.

'Stand here, Jenny, said Russell and disappeared inside the box. Everything went very quiet. Suddenly, I was breathless. Something was going to happen. He re-appeared, and following him down the ramp, picking his way carefully, came a neat, dapple-grey horse, st.u.r.dily built and with an iron grey mane and tail.

He arrived at the bottom, lifted his head, p.r.i.c.ked his ears, looked straight at me at me! and uttered a soft, low sound.

I was transfixed; rooted to the spot. Huge, liquid, dark eyes surveyed me placidly and apparently I wasnt found wanting because he stretched his head towards me.

I stepped forward. He lowered his head and I felt his warm breath through my T-s.h.i.+rt. I gently stroked his cheek. He was beautiful.

'Happy birthday, Jenny, said Russell, softly, and put the leading rein into my hand.

Chapter Twelve.

I felt exactly the same disbelief Id experienced when he asked me to marry him that this was something too good ever to happen to me.

'Here, said Russell, handing me a carrot. 'Show him youre his friend.

He took the carrot very gently, his soft lips tickling my palm. I gently stroked his velvet nose.

'That was good, Jenny. Youre very confident, said Russell. This was probably not the moment to tell him Id spent the last fifteen years with an invisible horse.

'May I hope that, just for once, I have rendered my wife speechless for all the right reasons?

I nodded, still unable to drag my eyes away. Hed finished his carrot and was now calmly surveying the yard around him, apparently quite at home.

Russell was rattling on. 'You never asked where I was going, did you, so thank you for making it so easy for me. I have to say Ive been all over the county this last month. You very nearly got a beautiful little mare, the colour of polished mahogany, named Firefly, but something held me back and as soon as I clapped eyes on this fellow, I knew he was the one for you. Hes absolutely bombproof. Hes loving and affectionate and a complete gentleman. In fact, his previous owner says that if ever she felt herself falling off, he would stop of his own accord and wait for her to pull herself back together again. He loves attention and being handled. I think the two of you were made for each other.

I could hardly get it out. 'Whats his name?

'Thomas.

I caught my breath. Thomas hadnt stayed but hed sent. I should have known. I should have trusted him. He would never leave me completely alone. Warm joy flooded through me.

'Hes really for me?

'Hes really for you.

I tidied his forelock neatly and stroked his face, almost too full to speak. 'Thank you.

'Youre welcome.

'No, really, thank you.

'No really, youre welcome.

A thought occurred to me. I said quietly, 'But ...what about ... you know ... next year?

'Well talk about that later. Shall we take him inside to meet the resident loonies? Now, just keep a firm hold, look as if you know what youre doing, and lead him in. Kevin, can you open his box, please?

The first one was still empty, but I led him into the second. Marilyn was next door and Boxer in the big one at the end. Both of them nearly fell over themselves, craning their necks to look.

'Yes, its easy to see whos going to be the brains of this outfit, said Russell, following on behind. 'Mind you, in this place you could stand a brick on the table and it would still be the most intelligent thing for miles around.

I proudly led Thomas into his box. Kevin had it all ready for him. I unclipped the rein, gave him a final pat, and joined Russell.

'Thats it, he said. 'Lets just give him a little peace and quiet. They can all get acquainted and then, if Marilyn hasnt eaten him, well turn them out together. Anyone fancy another slice of cake?

But I couldnt be dragged away. I watched Thomas my Thomas investigate his box, pull at his hay net, peer through the part.i.tion at Marilyn, who peered back, rather in the manner of the abyss, and then, apparently, he went to sleep.

'Told you, said Russell, turning up with a plate and a mug. 'Nothing rattles him. A bit of much-needed sanity around the place. By the way, tell that cat of yours if I find him on my bed again, Ill make mittens out of him.

'Russell ...

'Yes, love? Do you want that cake?