wrist.
“I want to ride in the ambulance with her,” Debbie said. “Can you follow us?”
“There’s room for one other,” the paramedic said, and Rick looked at me.
“Go,” I said. “I’ll meet you there.”
Katie tried to move, tried to lift her head to me, but Rick and Debbie held her firm. “Don’t leave Samson!” she cried. “Please don’t leave him, Carl! Don’t leave my boy!”
“I won’t,” I promised, dipping my face to hers, and she relaxed, her eyes fluttering as they took her away.
I watched the ambulance pull away, sirens blaring, and my heart dropped through the floor.
“I’ll go with Samson,” I said to David. “Wherever they’re taking him.”
He looked across at an ashen Verity, a shocked-looking Olivia at her side. Seb and Dommie looked sullen, and I realised we were all feeling it, every one of us. Olivia took a step towards David, beckoned him over, but he didn’t move. He held up a hand, indicated she should stay put, that they should all stay put, and then he turned to me, his eyes on Samson as they tried to load him into the truck.
“I’ll come with you,” he said.
We followed the horse truck, thoughts heavy as I kept the Range close behind. My legs were shaky and my nerves were shot, my mind veering between the poor brute in front of us and my poor sweet Katie on her way to the hospital. I hoped they’d stabilised her, hoped to God she wasn’t in too much pain.
“I’m having Samson directed to our vets,” David said. “They’re the best, Carl, we use them for Verity’s show breeds. They’ll do their very best for him.”
I nodded. “I’ll take your guidance. I know fuck all about horses.”
He sighed. “Poor girl. Poor, poor girl.”
“Just so long as the horse lives, David. She’ll be ok as long as Samson’s ok. She’s tough.”
“Like her mother.”
“And her father,” I said.
I could feel his eyes on me. “You were right there beside her. You looked as damn well rotten as we did, Debbie and me.”
“We love her, David. As I said.”
His hand landed on my arm. “I can’t say it’s the situation I’d have opted for my daughter, being with two men. I can’t say the revelation filled me with joy, Carl. But despite my initial reservations, having thought things through, having known both you and Rick long enough to know the kind of men you are, you have my blessing.” He laughed gently. “For all that’s bloody worth.”
“It’s worth a lot,” I said.
“I’ve never been much of a fan for the path well-trodden, Carl. You know me. I make my own route, go my own way.” He sighed. “I should have expected Katie would share my lack of respect for mindless convention.”
“We work well, the three of us. You’ll get to see that. Hopefully.”
“Hopefully,” he said. “I’d like that.” He shifted in his seat, exhaled a long breath. “I’d love to get to know my daughter, Carl, that’s what I’ve always wanted.”
“You’ll be impressed. She’s really something.”
“So many years to make up for.”
“Better late than never, David. Tomorrow is a brand new day.”
We followed the truck to Cirencester, parked up alongside as they pulled to a stop at an equine facility. It looked the business. I felt the tension ease just a little.
He was in safe hands, efficient hands. A team of vets and assistants got to work, unloading him with care and supporting him through to their treatment suite.
We took a seat in the waiting area, grabbed a coffee, just like we were at a regular hospital.
“Thanks for this,” I said. “I wouldn’t have had a fucking clue.”
David sighed, took a sip of coffee. “I knew she loved the horse, Carl. Even I knew that. But seeing her on him, the way they rode, before the fall. She was incredible.”
“She loves him.” I smiled. “And he loves her.”
“So much I don’t know,” he said. “So much I need to know. Need to learn.”
“You won’t go far wrong by starting with Samson. He’s her greatest joy. Her dreams revolve around riding, revolve around him.”
“Harrison Gables was a chance call, because of Verity. I figured Katie would enjoy the same trip.”
“You got that right.”
“We’ll be here a while,” he said. “Before we get the prognosis. You could go, I’ll stay.”
“I’ll go as soon as I can, but not until I know the situation with Samson. She’d never forgive me for turning up without answers.”
“Who’d have ever thought it, Carl. What a twist of fate, you ending up