In the doghouse #3
Kendrick struggled not to laugh out loud.
The ongoing feud between the Fraser patriarch and the young mayor had turned into a running gag among Kirkby’s residents.
It seemed to be less a matter of ideological differences and more a good-natured competition, given that the two often championed the same cause.
“Completely different, of course,” Shona giggled and winked at Kendrick behind her da’s back. This little gesture released a flood of joy in him, and he winked back.
“I’m no’ blind. I can see when yous gang up on me,” Marlin grumbled, but the corners of his mouth twitched.
“Nobody is ganging up on you. Let’s get Orla and Higgins home so the poor pups can finally tuck in to some food.” Shona gave her father a peck on the cheek and then turned to Kendrick once more. “Thank you so much. I hope you have a good evening.”
“You too, and to your new wee pals. As I said, if anything happens ... with the two of them ...”
“She’s got your number!” Rupert cut the banter short and shooed his brother, niece and the two dogs out of the stable.
Together with the seasoned horseman, Kendrick calmly and routinely took care of the three alpacas, who patiently put up with everything.
Even trimming their teeth went without a hitch.
With a large stack of hay, the trio was set for the night.
Kendrick had another quick look at Azzedine.
The swelling on his right front leg had finally gone down.
It was still there, and the spot was warmer than the rest of his leg, but the improvement from three days ago was considerable, and that alone was excellent news.
“I hope I’ll have the time to look him over outdoors tomorrow. I was thinking of stopping by around lunchtime,” he said to Rupert. “Maybe we can lunge him for a few minutes so I can see him move. But I’m pretty sure he’s out of the woods.”
“I think so too,” Rupert confirmed with a smile. “He’s a brave wee fellow.”
“He will be so excited when he is finally allowed out to pasture,” Kendrick added. “I’m so glad he pulled through.”
“Me too. That was good work. Have you decided yet what to do with him?”
“I haven’t the faintest idea,” Kendrick admitted and stroked his horse’s soft nostrils once more before closing the sliding door to the box.
“But I don’t have to decide just yet, do I?
As soon as he’s back in shape, I’d like him to board with you.
If you’ve got room, that is? Preferably with the riding horses. ”
Rupert Fraser’s extensive stables were divided into three areas: the mares’ stable, the large stable for the riding and driving horses, where Rupert’s own Clydesdales had their boxes alongside some warmbloods belonging to local riders, and the guest stable, which was reserved for temporary charges.
He also had a large open stable that housed a number of more robust ponies and leisure horses, which wouldn’t be the right environment for a delicate racehorse like Azzedine with his thin coat.
“I have three boxes open right now. You’d be more than welcome to one,” replied Rupert kindly. “Do you want to train him properly? He would make a good riding horse.”
Kendrick shrugged. He really didn’t know.
Whenever he looked at Azzedine, he inevitably thought of Shona.
The two would be perfect for one another!
She was exactly the size and stature of rider Azzedine could carry, and visually they were a dream team anyway.
But he didn’t have the first idea if Shona was even interested in having her own horse.
He had never seen her ride, although being part of this family of equestrians, she most likely could.
He himself was not much of a rider, but he felt more and more drawn to giving it another try.
Perhaps on one of Rupert’s impressive Clydesdales, which were supposedly friendly and easy to ride even for relative beginners like him.
In his mind’s eye, he could see himself out riding with Shona – flanked by her two dogs ...
Enough of that! He had to curb his overactive imagination!
“I can see the cogs in your brain turning,” Rupert said amused and put a hand on Kendrick’s shoulder. “How about dinner at the pub? Alice is at choir practice today and I dinnae fancy making myself a sandwich.”
That sounded great, thought Kendrick. Especially given that his own fridge was once again empty. Then again, there were certainly plenty of people in the pub who were keen to hear the real story behind his departure from the harvest festival.
“Earth to Kendrick. Are even the simplest of questions proving tricky now, lad?” Rupert’s laughter rang in Kendrick’s ears, and he felt caught.
“Aye. But no matter. Let’s go to the pub,” he decided.
“People will talk whether you’re there or no’,” Rupert remarked, as if he had read his thoughts.
“Aye, but if I don’t see it, I can pretend nothing happened.”
“If nothing had happened, you wouldnae be afraid of the gossip. And since something is going on, you’re better off spending an evening in good company than alone at home with your thoughts, no?”
That was sound logic, and Kendrick could only agree. “Aye,” he said with a small sigh. “To the pub we go!”