A sequel to ‘At the Turning’

Published: 15 Nov 2018

The Nebraska horse float arrived at ten thirty on the Monday as arranged. With it came the correct documentation, the bay filly and Wayne’s choice in the skewbald. Both horses came off the trailer frisky while showing their displeasure from being removed from their mob.

“They haven’t had their oats today.” The float driver advised. He was a lad of late teens with a smudge of blond fluff on his chin and a mop of dirty blond hair crowning his short skinny frame, along with a missing front tooth, which gave him a most noticeable smile. He introduced himself as Sam Taylor.

“We have stored up on their feed.” Ralph said taking the halter of the skewbald, leading her towards the yard.

“They are used to being stabled at night.” The blond kid advised as he looked around for suitable accommodation for the horses.

“We have a stable for them and they should feel privileged, it was built a century ago and still solid.” Wayne added.

“You can gradually leave them out at nights but it’s not good to do so right away, horses don’t like changes.” Sam continued while passing the bay’s halter to Wayne.

While the two horses were being lead away the kid called after them.

“Hey, I have the papers here.” Wayne turned and received a large brown envelope, “also I need you to sign for their arrival and condition, Mister de Coupe is very particular when it comes to paperwork.”

“Thank you is there anything else I should know?”

“I don’t think so; your mate appears to be clued up,” the lad admitted as Wayne offered him a small white envelope.

“What’s this for?”

“Just a little something for delivering the horses,” Wayne offered.

“No need the Nebraska pays me for deliveries,” yet the lad with the missing tooth and catching smile quickly pocketed the envelope.

“I’ll be seeing ya,” Sam Taylor called while climbing back into the cabin of his truck. Once again he called.

“Hey, you look after that bay filly, she means a lot to me. I hand raised her.”

There was a cracking in the delivery lad’s voice bringing Ralph to turn.

“Sam I promise you she will have a charmed life and if you are down this way call in and see her anytime.” The Blond sadly nodded and kicked life into the motor. “See ya then,” He answered and was gone.

The horses appeared to quickly become used to their surroundings although the dark shadows in the stable spooked them on entering and they didn’t have the extended paddocks to gallop. Still there was more than enough room for their wellbeing.

Ralph filled the feeding trough with all the goodies he had read horses like to eat then checked their water supply. All was fine but as for taking their first ride that would have to be another day, firstly they would need to adjust to their new surroundings and different humans fussing over them.

“Maybe we should have taken them for a ride before we bought them.” Wayne said showing apprehension towards his first riding lesson.

“It will be fine.” Ralph assured.

“What happens if they don’t like us?”

“They aren’t your new girlfriend, they will get used to you.” Ralph laughed at Wayne’s nervousness.

“Maybe,” Wayne wasn’t convinced, the thought of having horses and riding was positive when in the planning stage but now at the sharp end of the experience he wasn’t quite as confident and as the two horses pranced around the paddock he became most aware of the power they possessed.

“Trust me.” Ralph assured.

“I don’t know; that skewbald gave me a dirty look as you let her go.”

“A dirty look?”

“Yea she showed the whites of her eyes and kicked up her heels.”

“She will be fine – you just wait and see.” Ralph laughed and felt proud to have something he could teach Wayne.

“You keep saying that.”

“So believe me, I wouldn’t say so if I didn’t think so.”

Late that night a storm developed, confirming its arrival with a showing of electrical power, giving Ralph concern for the horses, as earlier they were reluctant to enter the stable but he found his anxiety unnecessary, on approaching the stable both horses had taken shelter inside and appeared not too unsettled by the storm.

Two days had passed, now the bay came up to the rails when either Wayne or Ralph approached, taking offers of fresh grass or oats from their hands. Slowly, not wishing to miss out on some tasty morsel, the skewbald followed the bay’s lead, even allowing Ralph to brush them without showing any signs of flight or aggression.

On the third day Ralph brought the saddles from the shed and placed them on the top rail of the holding yard. Both horses watched from a good distance and flicked their ears forward at the sight. They obviously knew what was coming.

“Why the delay?” Wayne asked, noticing Ralph was slow in saddling.

“Sam said they hadn’t been ridden for some time, so I want them to get used to the idea.”

“And are they?”

“They know what’s next you can be sure of that.” Ralph said as he took the saddle cloths and bridals, placing them beside the saddles. “This is the tricky part, you have to let them know who’s the boss right away otherwise they will be trying it out on you forever.”

“I can tell you right now who the boss is.” Wayne answered nervously, ‘and it ain’t me.” He added almost in whisper.

“You’ll be alright.” Ralph again assured while entering the yard approaching the bay carrying a bridle with him, holding it high for the mare to see. The ease to which she accepted the bit surprised even Ralph. He led her to the rail and secured the reins. Showing the horse the saddle cloth he gently placed it on her back, followed by the saddle. She stamped one hoof but accepted the action without further complaint.

Ralph repeated the transaction with the skewbald she pulled back a little but followed the bay’s lead. Soon both mounts were saddled and waiting for the first lesson. Now it was Wayne who wasn’t ready and most reluctant.

Ralph firstly mounted the bay and walked her around the yard, then brought her to a trot and a canter and back to a walk. As he left the rail the skewbald showed signs of desertion but as long as she could see the other she appeared satisfied.

Dismounting the bay, Ralph mounted the skewbald, which backed away as he placed a foot in the stirrup. “Woo girl.” He whispered gently while throwing himself into the saddle. It snorted and nodded its head up and down yet it soon reluctantly respected his presence. Ralph put the skewbald through the same routine as he had the bay then brought her back to where Wayne was waiting.

“She’s a little head strong for you to learn on, I thing you should use the bay for lessons and we can swap once you have mastered the art.”

“Art!” Wayne growled, “More like the art of falling off!”

“Can you ride a push bike?” Ralph asked.

“Yes.”

“Then as I said before it’s the same principle, except more horse power,” but Ralph’s anecdote didn’t convince his friend.

“Further to fall as well.” Wayne added, while still outside the yard and in two minds weather he would bother to learn at all.

“You remember the car incident. You made me drive.” Ralph declared.

“Yes but you could drive – I can’t ride,” Wayne answered.

“That my friend will soon be remedied, come on in and meet your new friend.”

Wayne gingerly climbed through the rail fence cautiously standing directly behind Ralph. “I hear they kick.” He said softly.

“They can so always stay to the front; it can’t get you there and always mount from left of the saddle, with your arse facing the horses head. Hold the right rein a little shorter so if the mount is inclined, it can’t nip you on the arse as you swing into the saddle.”

“Do they do that?”

“Some.”

Ralph put his left foot in the stirrup and hoisted himself up upon the skewbald’s back. “See.” Once in the saddle he dismounted with equal ease and from the same side as if the action was in reverse. Tethering the skewbald to the rail he took control of the bay. “Now it’s your turn.”

“This is going to be interesting.” Wayne hissed through gritted teeth, while attempting to mimic what Ralph had shown him. Everything that was, except how to swing into the saddle, finding himself stranded half way up the horses back, with Ralph manhandling his backside to place him in the saddle.

“There you go so how does that feel?”

“Strange.”

“Both feet in the stirrups?”

“Right,” Wayne obeyed placing his newly purchased William’s stock boots where he was told.

“How’s your balance?” Ralph asked without receiving an answer, Wayne was much too busy worrying what would happen next. “Right, I am about to hold the reins and lead her out into the paddock.” Ralph did so and although Wayne almost toppled he managed to remain upright in the saddle. Ralph released the reins and mounted the skewbald and led the way into the paddock.

“What are we going to name them?” Ralph asked on their second passage of the yard with Wayne still upright in the saddle but making strange throaty noises.

“You know Ralph; you are a totally different person around horses, oddly so I believe was your great uncle.” Wayne declared feeling proud of his friend.

“You have been reading the journal again?”

“Not of late, I have been so busy I almost forgot about it but Lachlan told me a lot about Stephen.”

“Lachlan told you?”

“Through his writing,” Wayne corrected, realising his slip of the tongue.

“That is the second time you spoke as if you were talking to Lachlan.” Ralph curiously interposed.

“I consider reading his account comes as if he was there talking to you.”

“So what are you going to name them?” Ralph again asked allowing Wayne’s tongue slip to pass.

“Well, because of its colouring I thought I’d call the skewbald Patchy.”

“What about the bay?” Ralph asked.

“She is your horse, so what do you want to call her?”

“My horse?” Ralph quizzically replied.

“Yes she’s yours, hoof tail and fetlock.”

“Another present, you are spoiling me, I’m embarrassed again.”

“Don’t be, so what are you going to call her?”

“Roany.” Ralph quickly suggested.

“Why Roany?”

“It was the name of my roan mare that my step father sent to the pet food factory.” Ralph explained within an air of sadness which he soon lost as Patchy commenced to trot. Immediately the bay followed sending Wayne into panic as his arse slapped up and down in the saddle.

“Shit I’ve sat on my balls.” Wayne shouted in pain, “How do you stop this bloody thing; where’s the brake pedal?”

“Pull in on the reins and use your legs and knees to time the bounce.” Ralph suggested.

“I can’t my bloody knees are dug into the saddle to prevent falling off.” Wayne did pull on the reins but with little result.

“Keep your arms down close to the saddle, where you’ve got them at head height only confuses the animal.” Ralph commenced to laugh.

“Stop laughing, it isn’t funny.” Wayne panicked but found once he lowered his arms and pulled on the reins the animal stopped, “it works!” he acknowledged as the animal slowed to a walk.

“Of course it works.”

Day by day Wayne persevered with his riding lessons, he had a good teacher and although his legs ached and his bum hurt he continued. Slowly the pain dissipated and his balance improved as did his skill, through to a trot then a canter and on to a gallop. His ability became sound but his style as decided by Ralph was more akin to a sack of spuds balanced on top of the horse. Still it mattered not to Wayne he was enjoying his new experience and found himself more often in the saddle than in his car, even suggesting they could ride into town for their shopping, an idea Ralph was most supportive of.

“So you reckon you’re an experienced horseman now?” Ralph asked after that morning’s breakfast. His eyes fixed through the kitchen window as a lone youth casually walked along the stones of the driveway.

“I wouldn’t say that.” Wayne admitted.

“We have a visitor.”

“Who?”

“Don’t rightly know, some kid.”

Wayne came to the window, “do you know him?”

“No but he appears to have purpose.”

Moments later the lad was at the door and confidently applying knuckles to the woodwork. Wayne answered.

“G’day,”

“Hi, is Grace around?” The youth smiled while anticipating a positive answer.

“No she isn’t,” Wayne answered while assessing the stranger’s intention. He was a tall lad, maybe nineteen, even early twenties it is often hard to discern late teens with early twenties. He was a beanpole in a large hat, Wayne estimated close on six foot, possibly more, the imperial description often preferred with pride, rather than one eighty plus centimetres once one reached that magical height. His dark brown hair was badly cropped and his dirty work clothes shabby as of one used to living rough but he had a happy disposition.

“Oh,” The lad expressed disappointedly and placed his backpack beside him on the verandah. He shrugged the ache from his shoulders, “that’s better,” he commented.

“Grace passed away some time back.” Wayne informed.

“Oh,” the lad repeated, “that is upsetting, I liked the woman.”

“You knew Grace?” Wayne asked.

“She always let me bunk down in one of the sheds when I passed this way.”

“Where are you from?” Wayne asked.

“Nowhere really, I like to wander.”

“Where are you going?” Wayne continued his assessment of the lad.

“Again I like to wander; I have heard out west is worth seeing.”

“Maybe worth seeing but a bloody long way.” Wayne suggested.

“I have all my life to get there.” The lad gave a smile capable of melting any resistance, “by the way they call me Tim.”

“Tim who?”

“Tim Clayfield I guess, would it be possible to bunk down in one of the sheds for a day or so?”

“It would but you would have to ask my mate, it is now his farm.” Wayne turned and called into the house, “Ralph someone for you,” Ralph came to the door, “Tim wants’ to bunk down in the shed for a day or so, Grace allowed him to do so.”

“Tim, I’ve heard of you from Grace,” Ralph admitted, “Grace was drawn towards strays.” The lad appeared confused with Ralph’s answer. Ralph continued, “I was also one of her strays I guess you can stay.”

The lad once again shouldered his pack and nodded towards the sheds, “would it be alright to use the same shed as last time?”

“No there is plenty of room in the house,” Ralph turned towards Wayne for approval and received neither approval nor disapproval. Taking his friend’s silence as yes he continued, “you can use the bunk on the front verandah.”

“Are you sure that will be alright, I don’t mind the shed?” Tim asked noticing Wayne’s noncommittal attitude.

“It’s alright by me,” Wayne answered. I’ll leave it to Ralph to show you the way.”

Back in the kitchen Wayne quietly approached Ralph. “Do you think we can trust him?”

“I think so as Grace often spoke of Tim with kindness, besides I do remember a certain young fellow you trusted without question not so long ago.” Ralph appended to Wayne’s concern.

“That was different.”

“I don’t see how.’

“Well it was but if you’re happy with him staying so am I, besides it’s your house so you don’t have to ask me for permission.” As Wayne spoke Tim entered into the room.

“Are you sure it will be alright?” Tim again questioned while noting Wayne’s concern and received a positive response in unison.

“Would you like some breakfast?” Ralph offered.

“I would like that, Grace usually allowed me to work my stay.”

“There’s not a lot to offer these days, so think it as a holiday from your travels.” Ralph answered.

After the lad finished his breakfast he followed down to the stables and the horses, where without hesitation he approached and befriended the skewbald.

“You know horses?” Wayne asked as Ralph place a halter on the bay and led her around the yard.

“I often take seasonal work on cattle stations but there’s not much of it about these days, they mainly use motor bikes and helicopters and where there was once a dozen stockmen there would now be two or three doing the same work.” Tim turned to Ralph; “are you related to Grace?”

“Wayne was,”

“Then how come you now have the property?”

“That is a long story.”

“Are you two -” As quickly as he spoke Tim fell silent.

“Are we what?” Wayne demanded from his distance beyond the stockyard fence, realising once more a stranger had mistaken them to be a gay couple.

“It doesn’t matter, I shouldn’t have spoken.” Tim was in decline yet Ralph appeared amused.

“I guess travelling alone for so long has taken the edge from decorum. I apologise.” Tim sheepishly answered.

“If you are insinuating we are gay, no.” Wayne snapped without consideration.

“I’m sorry I didn’t mean – I meet all kinds while travelling and it wouldn’t have worried me if you were. Again I’m sorry I didn’t mean to be rude.” Tim continued to back away from his indiscretion.

“Well I guess it’s an easy conclusion to reach.” Ralph added with a gentle smile, bringing a measure of displeasure from Wayne, “I suppose two girls living under the same roof are considered to be economising, two fellows have to be gay.”

“Huh,” Wayne grunted, “I have to go into town, do you want anything?”

“Nothing I can think off.”

“What about you Tim, how long will you be staying? I’ll need to get groceries.”

“If you can put up with me, I guess until the day after tomorrow or maybe the following.”

“I guess we can, so I’ll be on my way Ralph can entertain you.” Wayne collected his car keys and without further conversation departed.

With Wayne gone Tim remained with Ralph as he attended to the horses but it was obvious something was troubling Tim as he continually cast his gaze towards the gate and the road.

“Would you like to go for a ride?” Ralph asked as he led the bay mare to check on its gait. It appeared fine.

“No not today thank you, did I upset your friend?”

“I don’t think so but he is a little touchy on his masculinity.” Ralph explained.

“I didn’t mean to suggest anything.” Tim continued to back away from his words.

“Don’t worry, he will have forgotten about it all by the time he returns from town, he is actually an easy going bloke.”

“I do appreciate letting me stay a couple of day.” Tim expressed.

“No worries, what will you do out west, cattle work?” Ralph asked.

“For a while, I have been offered some work on a station near Georgetown, Forest Home, have you heard of it?”

“Na, I’ve never been over the mountains,” Ralph admitted, “don’t you get lonely out there away from everything?” It was a valid question although loneliness was not an emotion common to Ralph, or if it had been, necessity soon placed it aside.

“I suppose it gets at you after a while and does affect some of the men being away from women for extended periods.” Tim admitted while releasing a sheepish smile.

“I don’t think I want to know.” Ralph noted.

“I guess it happens on the occasion.” Tim freely admitted but the suggestion, although unquantified went no further.

After feeding and watering the horses, it was egg collecting time and then the garden needed watering.

“You have enough growing here to feed half the town.” Tim supposed.

“It is a little like that, I can’t help myself I keep finding more things that will grow here. I think I can hear Wayne’s vehicle returning, I better do the breakfast dishes, would you like a coffee?”

Sure, I’ll give you a hand.”

Wayne returned with a number of large bags of shopping and dumped them on the kitchen table, “should be more than enough.” He admitted as he placed a dozen cans of beer into the refrigerator, “what have you two been up to?”

“We did the dishes,” Ralph flippantly answered.

“I collected the eggs.” Tim admitted, not wishing to appear completely useless towards his stay.

“And that’s about the strength of it all.” Ralph added.

“I thought the two of you may have taken the horses for some exercise.” Wayne inferred.

“I offered but Tim wasn’t interested, said he’ll see enough of horses when he goes west.”

“I’ll be back this way around Christmas, would you mind if I visited for a short while?” Tim put forward while being careful not to sound presumptuous.

“I don’t mind.” Ralph confessed.

“What about you Wayne, do you mind.”

“No not at all, besides who knows where I’ll be by then.” Wayne’s admission brought Ralph to turn but remained tranquil on the matter of his friend’s intentions.

Thoughts of his future returned to Wayne during that afternoon, true he didn’t know where his life was leading. He still had to approach Louise’s pregnancy as with the arrival of the horses and Tim’s visit their meeting had been postponed for a second time, while his belief it wasn’t his child was strengthening, also there was his deepening attachment to the farm and Ralph. Would a future hold Ralph within it? He hoped so but lacked ability to appreciate in what capacity that would be.

Now while studying the happy playful antics of both Ralph and Tim as they shared their past experiences brought about a previously unknown quality to Wayne’s emotions. He was jealous of Tim’s attention towards Ralph and wished him gone but knew he would not act upon this new experience. ‘Why,’ he thought, ‘why do I feel this way?’

Late that evening while alone under the weak verandah light, fighting off the bugs and flying ants Wayne’s thoughts returned to his bout of jealousy and with the thought came an answer he did not expect.

“Is it possible you are in love with Ralph?” The deep sincere voice came from the shadows at the far end of the verandah. Wayne quickly turned in that direction.

“Who’s there?”

The image of Lachlan stepped out from the shadows.

“Oh it’s you Lachlan.”

“I once asked myself the same question about Stephen.” Lachlan admitted.

“But I didn’t ask it was only a thought.”

“A spoken question a thought is much the same but have you asked yourself that very question.”

“No I’m straight and not like that.” Wayne became incensed towards Lachlan’s slant on his sexuality.

“That be as it may but you are acting like a jealous lover.”

“I don’t know about that, besides it was easy for you.” Wayne complained.

“No it was the most difficult decision I had ever made but one I never regretted.” Lachlan appeared convincing but Wayne wasn’t ready to admit even a brotherly love for his friend.

“My advice is to look deeply into your soul before it’s too late.” With his counsel given Lachlan’s image once again melted into the haze of light and was gone.

“I’m awake.”

“I didn’t imagine that.”

“It couldn’t have occurred unless I’m schizo.”

Wayne settled back into the night and his thoughts. “What if Lachlan is right and maybe I’m a little bisexual.,” an ironic chortle, “Can a fella’ be a little bisexual, that is like being a little drunk or a little dead,” thinking of Louise, “or a little pregnant,” – nah can’t be I like girls?”

Wayne shrugged the idea away but a spark remained and it would build, he knew that and the smoulder came from that meddling voice deep inside his head, the very voice that had been with him since he could remember, while for the first time he was having difficulty in fighting it away. It was gaining strength and he now knew he would at least listen to what it had to say, even if he didn’t accept its verdict on his perception of self.

Noise upon the loose stones towards the drive.

“Where back,” The voice of Ralph arrived out of the half darkness long before his silhouetted form came into view.

“Where did you go?”

“Tim and I went up to the native camp.”

“You should have taken a torch.” Wayne suggested.

“What’s this?” Ralph flashed a light towards Wayne.

“Still you should watch yourself in the dark; there are a lot of holes in that top field.”

“Yes dad.”

“Would you like a beer Tim?” Wayne offered.

“I’ll get it,” Ralph suggested and was half way along the hall before Tim agreed. Returning he passed Tim the beer.

“Thanks,”

“Tim was asking if it would be alright if he stayed a couple of more days.” Ralph expressed on his return.

“It’s up to you Ralph.” Wayne answered.

“No it is also your decision Wayne.” Ralph cut across his friend’s indifference.

Of course it’s alright by me, Tim you can stay as long as you wish.”

“I appreciate that Wayne, who knows when I’ll be able to enjoy the comfort of a proper bed again and good conversation.” Tim expressed gratitude.

“That’s fine, I’ll leave you to it then,” Wayne concluded and departed company.

Once in his room Wayne released a long breath, “yes I am jealous but why?”

Let Gary Know that you are reading and what you think of his story. Drop an email to him: Gary dot Conder at CastleRoland dot Net.

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