Free Secrets by Linda Chapman Page A

was just one of those things!” The steward motioned to Luke to go in and he made his escape by leading Barney into the ring.
    “Damn idiot!” snapped Len, marching away. Luke led Barney out of the ring after the show. Ellie helped him tack up in silence. His parents came over.
    “Well, that wasn’t the greatest performance,” his father commented.
    Luke didn’t say anything.
    “You should have ridden him forward, got him moving more.”
    “Do not give me riding advice!” Luke ground out.
    “Now, Luke. Your father’s only trying to be helpful,” his mother chided.
    “Well, I don’t need his help!” Furious, Luke led Barney away.
    “See? What can you do?” his mother said to his dad, spreading her hands.
    Ellie ran after Luke, but he was vaulting on Barney. Without looking back, he trotted down the path and up towards the stables. Ellie raced after him. She was out of breath by the time she reached the horsebox. Luke had untacked Barney and was letting him graze, talking and laughing with Bea, Liam and Daniel from next door.
    “Are … are you OK?” Ellie panted.
    “Of course I am.” Luke shrugged as if nothing had happened. “Why?”
    She stared at him. “Your parents—”
    “What about them?” he cut in. “I’m fine, Ellie.”
    “Well, apart from just having got a load of faults in the ring!” put in Liam.
    “Yeah, well,” Luke said flippantly, “I have to give the rest of you a chance some of the time.”
    “Very generous of you,” said Bea dryly.
    “You look hot,” said Liam to Ellie.
    “I could cool you down with the hose?” offered Daniel.
    “No, thanks,” Ellie said hastily.
    “Oh, go on. I could spray all of the girls. We could have a wet T-shirt competition,” teased Daniel.
    “A wet T-shirt competition?” purred a voice from behind them. “Now that sounds interesting. But only if it’s the boys.”
    Ellie’s heart sank. Anna Hallett. The dark-haired girl walked up to them. She was wearing denim hot pants with brown boots that showed off her long, tanned legs.
    “Hey, gorgeous,” she greeted Luke, walking over to kiss him on the lips. “Glad to see me?”
    “You bet, babe,” he said, kissing her back lingeringly.
    Ellie looked away sharply.
    “How did your class go then?” Anna said when they finally broke apart.
    “Not so great.” Luke shrugged. “But who cares? Should we go and find a drink?”
    “Sounds good to me,” said Anna.
    “We’ll come along,” chimed in Liam and Bea.
    “Here, Ellie. Take Barney.” Luke threw Barney’s leadrope at her.
    “But, Luke, there’s loads to do!” Ellie protested. “Don’t just go off!”
    “See ya!” he called, setting off down the hill with his arm around Anna’s shoulders.
    Ellie could have stamped her foot in frustration. She hated the act Luke was putting on and there was so much to do with the horses. Barney needed washing down, but she also had to get Picasso out; his class was next. Fizz also needed preparing for the hunter pony lead-rein class that afternoon, and Bill had come second in his class in the morning with Oliver, which meant he was due in the main ring for the overall hunter pony championship at 3 p.m. Thanks for nothing, Luke , she thought as she quickly led Barney to the wash station.
    To Ellie’s relief, Helen arrived back at the trailer and took over with Barney while Ellie tacked up Picasso.
    “What about walking the course? Do you know where Luke is?” Helen asked. “You’ll need him to hold Picasso for you while you walk the course.”
    “I’ll try ringing him,” said Ellie. But Luke’s phone was switched off.
    “Don’t worry. Stay calm,” instructed Helen. “I’ll come with you and then dash back here to get Fizz and Bill ready.”
    “But it’s such a long way from here to the ring!” protested Ellie.
    “I know, but you can’t go there on your own. If Len’s at the ringside, I’ll come straight back.”
    But Len had expected Luke to be helping Ellie and he was