"Press harder with your seat." Anna advised in a commanding tone as Mary rode Jellybean across the enclosure behind Downton Stables. "Drive your horse forward while holding a steady contact." Anna demonstrated. Mary nodded and followed. They had set up several vertical jumps, oxers, and one hogsback three rail fence as a kind of makeshift course to put herself and Jellybean through their paces.
"At the same time lift your seat, get light in the saddle, close your legs." Anna was following along as Mary trotted past. She walked quickly around the gate to see how Jellybean landed.
"Are you looking at the top rail of the obstacle until it goes out of sight between the horse's ears?" Anna scrutinized Mary's style.
Mary stopped. "I look above the obstacle and let the horse determine when to jump."
"That's one way to do it of course." Anna was clipped. "But if you want to cut your time you need to count each delay. And letting the horse determine is a delay."
Mary pursed her lips but said nothing. Anna created winners. And that was what she wanted.
"Continue…" Anna waved her hand towards the next jump.
Mary led Jellybean around and pushed her towards the hogsback.
They cleared.
"Good …Good." Anna encouraged. "I think we'll be ready for Gloucestershire. But I think she brushed that last rail. Have to watch that."
Mary eased Jellybean to a stop. "She's a bit tight. I'm wondering if we need to call in the vet?"
"Let's give her once over when you rub her down." Anna walked over, stepping across some puddles. The weather had been rainy for several days cooping the horse up and restricting their training schedule. "It could be just the weather. We're all feeling a bit stiff."
Mary dismounted and took the horse by the reins. She talking soothing words as they walked back to her stall. "Good girl… you're such a good girl…"
"Did you watch those videos?" Anna came around the side of the stall. "The dressage? We really need to get you up to speed. If you hope to compete in the three day eventings this summer we need to put you and Jellybean through all the gaits. And choreograph a freestyle."
Mary knew quite well. She had received the email with recommendations to watch several you tube videos very closely as well as refresh her memory as to the required pre-choreographed tests which would be marked on a scale of 0 to 10.
But George had been fussy for the past several nights. And Mary had not finished watching. "I meant to …"
Anna's upward flick of her eyebrow was all Mary needed. Her coach was expensive and busy. She was one of the best and she was taking more time with Mary than her other riders because she believed Mary had the potential to go all the way.
"I'll do it tonight."
Anna nodded briskly. "See you do. I thought you said your husband was on board with all this. Can't he take care of the home front while you see this through?"
Mary said, "He's got his own responsibilities."
"But none more important at the moment, right?" Anna pointed out. "You are in prime condition. Jellybean's at her peak physical prowess. Everything else can wait."
Mary felt a thrill run up her spine. Anna really thought she had the potential to make it to the Olympics in 2020. Much sooner than she initially thought.
If her drive was enough.
Her training dedicated and thorough.
Matthew had promised to help. She would just have to remind him of it.
"I'll talk to him." She told her. "I'm sure he'll understand."
"Fine." Anna was already on to the next task. "Let's go into your office and map out our progress so far. I'll take you through what I want you to do while I'm away. And when I get back we can begin the dressage."
Mary followed Anna inside, her head spinning with all that was before her.
XX
"Did you end up going with Barnwell and Smith?" Matthew gazed over his mother in law's shoulder.
Cora sat at the laptop, opening up the Excel spreadsheet to input the latest unexpected cost overruns. The weather had played havoc with her schedule of refitting the back storage rooms to a professional office space for her staff of three. The furnishings had arrived to put in the saloon much to Robert's umbrage. He had huffed and puffed about it. And the pipe fitter and plumbers creating toilets and sinks for tourist use caused him to frown. The design team Cora hired had mapped out a tour route that allowed for maximum viewing of all the castle's high points but saved the old carpeting on wear and tear. Velvet ropes would keep everyone out of private areas of the Abbey but Robert disliked having to move them every time he wanted to get into the small library.
He grumbled under his breath, but said nothing.
At least Cora was living back at Downton now. Albeit in another wing entirely from their old shared bedroom. She rationalized she wanted to spend as much time as possible getting everything organized for the grand opening and so staying was the best course of action.
Matthew had worked closely with Cora along with English Heritage and National Trust officials to work out all the governmental paperwork required to open Downton as a stately home attraction. It had taken months but now they were in the last stages and could concentrate on the renovations to accommodate busses and tourists.
Working with Darby Ferndale from the National Trust in particular enabled Matthew to navigate the bureaucratic channels making it easier for Cora. Though technically just a financial partner in Downton Abbey Foundation he liked being a part of making this happen. Similar to Mary's Stables, he found himself eager to put his money and skills to good purpose. He had fronted the money for the makeover into a tourist attraction as part of the investment projects program he had started with the help of the Downton Community Council and the Downton Village Bank. Cora and Robert also shelled out a percentage on their own; though even that money came from the sale of the acreage around Mary's business to the younger Crawleys. The land had been sold on the promise that it would never be used for any other commercial enterprises other than horse training facilities or other environmentally friendly and sustaining ventures. Indeed all of the businesses he was funding were local and would be useful to the community where he now resided and raised his family.
Matthew knew that was most probably the estate would eventually be sold to a private individual or government agency upon Robert's demise if he not agree to run it. Mary was the inheritor of the estate, Robert had told them so. The title was Peter's but the land and the house were Mary's. But she had her own business, her own career to consider first. And depending upon when such an unfortunate event would occur, Robert's death would mean that Matthew would step in to run Downton's farms and business interests. He realized the longer he stayed here, the more attached he was becoming to it, and the less daunting the concept of inheriting and running Downton became in his mind.
Downton was secure one way or the other.
And Matthew took pride in being a small part of that success.
He leaned down to scan the figures.
Cora answered him, "Yes. Mr. Barnwell's son now runs the business alone. He just keeps the old name. But he's an excellent craftsman. I told him I didn't want some garish front counter that would stand out like a sore thumb amidst all the period furnishings in the saloon and look what he's produced."
She turned the laptop so Matthew could see the beautiful oak reception center that Sam Barnwell built to Cora's specifications. "I wanted it to blend in and wind around the corner from the entrance hall with room for one or two employees to easily move around from behind the counter. He's delivering it in pieces tomorrow and will set it all up by the end of the week."
Matthew nodded approvingly. "When do you think you will open?"
"We're setting a date for early June."
Matthew was silent.
"Not too close to the boy's birthday of course." Cora hastened to add. "I do want to have a picnic party for them if you and Mary will let me. Unless you've got plans at Crawley House?"
Matthew shook his head. "No. No plans." He left it at that. "I'd plan for a mid-June opening. I can meet with Darby and see where the Trust stands."
"I couldn't have done it without her help. I know she wants to get her hands on the estate eventually but that's far in the future. If it happens at all." Cora looked at her son in law carefully. She knew his life was a current juggling act of his own businesses, the two babies, and Mary's career. Would he really want to take on the running of such a large estate?
"One step at a time Cora." Matthew replied with only a slight hesitation to his voice. "It's all I can do right now."
His tense mouth showed the strain he was under, but was unwilling to divulge any more. Cora let it go.
"If you've got it under control here, I'll let you at it." He stood up, making ready to go. He reached for his key fob in his jacket pocket.
"Thank you, Matthew. I know you'll be happy when Mary returns home. When is she expected?"
He shrugged perfunctorily. "She's not sure. A day or two. But she'll be off again to go with Anna to compete ...uh" He struggled to remember "somewhere in the Lake District and then with Maggie down to Stamford for a junior show."
"And the birthday?" Cora asked warily. "She'll be here right?"
He nodded swiftly to assuage that fear. "Yes. Yes. Of course. We're both looking forward to spending a few days together just as a family. I hardly know where she is these days. Anna wants her to either ride or watch in practically every horse competition from here to Scotland. She's even talking about a trip to Canada later this summer. Just the two of them. Work related Anna says." He tried not to sound petulant. Or bitter. He wanted Mary to succeed as much as her trainer.
Matthew left by the front door, groaning as he saw who was texting, and shoved the mobile back in his pocket. David was a master at the craft of brewing beer but was also inclined to believe the universe was at his beck and call. He texted and voice mailed Matthew ten or twelve times a day asking about the availability of funds for more and more ideas that would enhance his restaurant but was nowhere on the originally agreed to model.
He spent the rest of the day meeting with David and the bank manager trying to find an accommodation to David's needs without indulging his extravagances. Then back home to relieve Emily of twin responsibility. Mary had checked in that she and Anna had made it to Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire for the British Dressage Championships. She was not competing but getting ideas for her own choreography and sizing up the competition. As such they would be working all week end.
Of course.
Matthew pulled into the drive at Crawley House. Once inside the house he heard the boys playing in the downstairs nursery. He texted Mary back that they all loved and missed her very much along with a selfie taken with the twins, George's mouth bright red from consuming all the strawberries left out as a snack.
XX
Mary received the text and picture as she was in the viewing stands at the Hartpury Arena watching the freestyle Gold championship competition. She smiled but closed the smartphone to concentrate on the talented rider in the arena. She was not going to freestyle herself for a year out two but wanted to gather step sequence ideas she'd later incorporate into a routine she was putting together for Jellybean.
They were to attend the after party and mingle with some of the riders. Anna knew several of the coaches and wanted to introduce Mary around to some of the newer competitors in the field. It was a working week end and so Matthew decided not to accompany her. Anna had given off a distinctive vibe that he would not be welcome.
Mary did not necessarily agree that he'd be in the way but she went along with Anna. She wanted Anna to realize she meant business. Time was money and Anna was money and time well spent. Mary already felt more confident than ever in her technique and finesse. Seconds counted and every week Mary was shaving time off of her show jumping. It was her favorite event. She loved the speed of the cross country. Jellybean going full out and the wind in her face. It was the most dangerous and the rush of adrenalin engaged all her senses. But the show jumping's precision combined with the confined setting of the arena allowed her to show off just her close relationship with Jellybean. They moved as one.
The dressage was the last piece to the puzzle. If Mary was ever to compete in the three-day event she needed to get a choreography together. She needed to show Jellybean could compete at this level. So she meant business this week end. Matthew said he could take care of everything at home. And from the looks of the selfie with the boys he was doing just that.
She wanted to be with the twins. Every day away was another potential milestone missed. But this was her life now. And they made the best of it. Matthew skyped every evening with her so that she could say good night to George and Jeremy. He took movies on his phone when Jeremy ate cut up carrots with his chubby fingers rather than being fed or George sat up and smiled, waving broadly at the camera's viewfinder.
They were growing up so fast. Their first birthday less than a month away. She choked back the gut wrenching pain she felt whenever she left them. It was hard. Matthew tried to make it easy for her but she could sense a growing tenseness in his body language.
Many of her fellow competitors also had families as it was a sport that had people of all ages. So that was neither an advantage or disadvantage that she was juggling home and work as well as an athletic career. She loved that both genders competed equally. So fathers and mothers, 20somethings and grandparents all on the field.
Her life was full. Why then did she feel such a sense of emptiness at times?
This reverie was self-indulgent and a time waster Anna would say. And she was talking about a competitor so Mary focused back onto the task at hand.
"I don't think his seat at all where it should be." Anna pointed to where the rider was low in the saddle.
"He doesn't look like he's connected to his horse." Mary observed.
"That could be because he's using a second horse or he's forcing the horse." Anna leaned forward. "But that turn step was perfect. So he's compensating."
They continued to watch, each competitor given Anna's critical eye. Later they mingled at the party where Mary spoke with a couple of riders she had last seen at the 2012 UK Trials as well as a few from other countries around the globe.
"I do hope we'll see you in London next month." Ashley Tisdale spoke in that unmistakable condescending Southern twang designed to put Mary off her game. They had been rivals since they were junior riders. "I just couldn't believe it when I heard you were back? Again!" A short nervous snicker accompanying that comment. "For good this time?"
Mary knew at that moment that she was scared of her. She'd never admit it. But she was. Ashley had not left the competitive field, but neither was she top in the rankings. Mary had kept up with her sport when she had left to join her father's firm and even as she was up to her eyeballs in nappies and spit up. So she threw her head back and responded in a cool tone of voice, "I will be at Royal Windsor. As I recall you showed poorly there last year? Maybe you'll do better." And she gave a slightly pitiful tut tut click of her tongue.
Ashley's face froze for a fraction of a second as she took in Mary's caustic but ever so polite rejoinder, a muscle in her jaw twitched in consternation. She could up with no response to that. So she just turned on her heels and strode away.
Mary noticed however a defeated droop to Ashley's shoulders. It was a rather small and petty exchange Mary realized. But it did feel rather good at the same time to emerge victorious.
But then she noticed she had missed Matthew's call about putting the children to bed. The next text said they were already asleep and he didn't want to wake them.
Her lower lip trembled and she bit the side of her mouth. She had not even heard the chirp signaling an incoming call. No longer as interested in mingling in the noisy party, she put the mobile back in her bag and slowly walked back to her hotel room.
XX
"Mr. Crawley," Emily called out as she knocked on his office door. Matthew was working from home that day and she usually did not disturb him but this was a bit of an emergency.
"Come in…" Matthew's voice was distracted. He was hunched over his lap top scrutinizing some investment numbers just coming in from the London Exchange. He looked up as the nanny walked through the door.
"I'm afraid I need to leave. My brother's in the A and E for being an idiot at rugby practice. My mother wants me to check up on him." She took a few steps inside the room. Matthew stopped what he was doing. "I know you wanted to work today but this is kind of an emergency."
Mary was expected back from Stamford tomorrow and in time for the twins first birthday party at Downton. She said she'd try to get in earlier but wasn't clear on a time as Maggie's competition was one of the last events on that Saturday and she still had all the gear to pack up with Jerry to make sure Mr. Banks got back to Yorkshire safely."
Go. I'll be fine. I can wrangle the boys down for dinner and naps. I need to take a break anyway." He rubbed his eyes. "I hope your brother is not too severely injured."
"Just his pride most probably." Emily joked. "But mum wants me to make sure."
Matthew saw her off at the front door and then turned just in time to hear George's scream for attention. Matthew lifted his son up into his arms. "What are we going to do? Maybe we could go to the park and feed the ducks?" Jeremy was still asleep in the cot upstairs. He walked up the steps to the nursery. George's mouth opened and vocalized some soft sounds. Nothing recognizable, though Matthew liked to think the "dadadada" meant himself, he knew better. Both twins would point at virtually anything and vocalize the syllables.
He put George down on the carpeted floor of the nursery as he noticed Jeremy was stirring in the cot. He leaned over to clasp his other son. Turning and gasped in surprise as George pulled himself up to stand while holding onto the chair Mary had used for nursing them. He didn't know how to get back down again by bending his knees. Instead he took a wobbly first step towards his father.
One step.
Then another.
An almost third step…
And then George collapsed onto the floor in a heap. And started to cry.
Matthew, stunned that George had accomplished such a milestone, sat down next to him, still carrying Jeremy in his arms.
"Georgie boy. Look at what you did. You walked. You walked a whole two steps." He set Jeremy down, keeping a close eye on the brother in case he wanted to imitate George, and lifted George into his arms. "How about that. Two whole steps."
He was crying for reasons he didn't quite understand. Life as he knew it was over once the two boys began to walk. They'd get into everything. He'd have to guard them with his life.
It would change his whole routine. Everyone would now have their lives controlled by two demons on foot.
And yet it was amazing. Wonderful. The milestone to mark the end of one part of their lives and the beginning of another.
Tears streamed down Matthew's face.
He was alone. No one to share it with. Even if he took pictures of it now, only he saw it for the first time.
He ached for Mary's presence. She wanted to be there. Of course she'd see it tomorrow. Should he not say anything? Let her think it happened first at their birthday party? Or would that be too dishonest?
Matthew's quandary kept him awake most of the night. It wasn't just George walking though. He knew he needed to have a conversation with Mary very soon about just how much he missed her.
Physically, mentally missed her. Her smile. Her body. Her wit.
Her.
XX
Thanks for waiting with this story. I don't have as much time to write as I used to but I wanted to get something down on paper.
I'm not sure Matthew knows what the best course of action is… we'll pick it up next time at the birthday party.