Chapter 100
ONE HUNDRED
Nancy came out into the courtyard and immediately saw Rosie next to her horse.
Not her horse, she mentally corrected. Someone else’s horse now.
Rosie stepped away when Nancy came out. Lara and Dylan were now also in the courtyard.
The village brass band was gathered near the road, warming up.
A small crowd was watching the start of the procession.
Nancy looked at the horse: Lupin. A woman called Olivia came to introduce herself to Lara and shook Nancy’s hand too.
She helped Lara mount Lupin and showed her how to hold the reins.
She reassured Lara she would have hold of Lupin at all times – even though there was nothing to worry about as he was the calmest pony.
The line-up got into place. The band was at the front, followed by Lara and Lupin. Alongside them were a number of torchbearers, then behind them, it was the turn of the straw bear. Someone came round and lit the torches one by one, the wax bursting into life, lighting up the darkening evening.
Nancy looked up at Lara, sitting on the pony.
Her daughter flashed her an excited smile and Nancy’s heart swelled.
Sam would have loved to have seen this, she thought, Beth too.
She suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of loneliness that was physically painful.
Not tonight, she told herself quickly, don’t go falling apart now. Not on Lara’s special evening.
‘I’ll see you down by the water,’ she said with a smile, and Lara nodded. Nancy was going on ahead to get a good spot right near the yew tree, where Lara would finish this odd, ancient ritual.
The band started up and the procession set off. Nancy gave Lara one last wave as she rode down the high street. The deep orange flames of the torches rippled skywards, dense black smoke reeling off them into the air. The straw bear, from a safe distance, brought up the rear. Soon everyone had left.
Nancy had forgotten all about Rosie and it was a surprise to turn and see her still there. Rosie stared at her, her expression bordering on insolence. Nancy was taken aback. She was about to say something but then Rosie walked off.