A new cast of characters, a new situation and a historic challenge? What does the fated Gillan's Challenge have in store for our heroes? What indeed?


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"Well, I don't want you to forget who pays their wages. In fact, I pay your wages too I pay a good rate to keep my horse at your establishment and I do not expect to find that he has been mistreated Again..."

"Jacquline You can hardly say that Benson was mistreated. He was put out in the paddock"

"Benson was put out in the paddock without his rug, he could have caught a chill or worse."

"It was a warm evening, Peter and Tracey decided that it would be best for your horse not to allow him to overheat."

"Are you questioning me? If I tell the grooms to do something, I want it done. I don't want them 'deciding' that they know better. If you would like me to have words with my father"

I gulped. No, I didn't want the venerable Jacqueline Parker-Finch, daughter of Lord Parker-Finch, lord of the manor, landlord for my stables and cottage to be wound up and come around here threatening eviction again. I was pretty sure that he couldn't just throw us off the land what with thirty horses and my home, but his threats had seemed pretty damn real. So, preventing this twenty-two year old, suck up madam from running to daddy was vital.

I should explain, I'm Sarah. Sarah Jackson, a qualified riding instructor who, at age twenty-five had scrimped and saved to get together a small riding school and livery yard. I had two staff, my grooms Peter and Tracey and we worked bloody hard to just about have enough to pay the bills. I would love to say that this was perfection, it was far from it. However, I was living my dream, and that had never included being rich.

However, as gracious as Lord Parker-Finch had been in allowing me to take over the old stable block and grooms cottage of his vast country estate at a reduced fee it had come with one issue, and she was standing before me. Jacqueline was a primped and perfect equestrian who arrived in brilliant white breeches expecting her pampered gelding Benson to be groomed and ready for her at a moments notice. It was clear, we were babysitting his Lordship's terrible daughter and keeping her away from him. I suppose I should be glad. I had a yard I could never have afforded otherwise and she was only a total pain in the arse all of the time.

I looked up. Shit! She had been talking and expected a response. "Yes" I muttered, having been miles away.

"So you agree, they need to be punished."

"What? No, who? What?"

"Sarah Your staff, they are errant. You are not managing them so they need to be corrected. I want to punish them."

"You want them fired?"

"Oh goodness no. You just can't get the staff. No, I have something in mind."

***

"Fuck off!"

"Tracey, please. I need to keep her happy."

Oh, this was not going well. I had sat my team down, plied them with wine and takeaway pizza and then told them what Jacqueline had said. She wanted them both punished, and then she had told me about what she had called 'Gillan's Challenge'.

Gillan had been the head coachman for the estate in the sixteenth century, he had been, by all accounts, hard but fair and had created a challenge for the grooms who failed to meet his exacting standards.

He had created a type of obstacle course, we could today likely call it a mud run, but it was so much worse. I had heard whispers of it in the local pub. The challenge had been famous. Basically, the grooms had to complete the course within a certain time to prevent being let go (which would have led to total poverty) or face an evil forfeit.

Jacqueline had spoken with glee about old traditions and how much fun it would be for the whole village. I had squeaked as she went on about it being a public spectacle. So, I faced my two, invaluable staff pleading. It was not going well.

"Please I am literally begging you."

"I think it could be fun" Peter slugged back his wine.

"What can I offer to make you do this. Anything, please"

A wicked look crossed Tracey's face. "Okay You want us to do this stupid challenge. I will, on one condition."

"Anything."

"You have to do it with us"

Oh her triumphant face, but what could I do. I would never ask them to do something I wouldn't be willing to do myself. I nodded.

"Oh, and one more thing" My heart sunk as Tracy spoke. "If Peter or I do lose, you have to take our forfeit"

I agreed. I didn't like the evil grin she gave me. Tracey was a local girl and no doubt knew what may happen. She raised her glass. "To Gillan's Challenge"

"Gillan's Challenge"

What the hell had I let myself in for?