Jess let it fall from her hand and kept hold of the mare’s head while the saddle tumbled to the ground. She bent over, picked it up with one hand and somehow shuffled it back onto her arm. ‘Whoa, Marnie,’ she said quietly, walking after her. Lawson leaned smirking against the ute, arms folded over his chest. ‘She’s a cold-backed mare; fine once you get her going, just doesn’t like the girth.’ Stan, Ryan, Lindy, Mrs Arnold and Luke all stood alongside him watching. Jess glanced over to the trailer. Shara, Grace and Rosie were looking on as well. ‘What, am I today’s entertainment or something?’ She looked over to the horse break and saw Bob leaning on a tree, observing from a distance. ‘Yes, I think I am.’ ‘Got a good-quality helmet?’ Stan called out. ‘Why? Am I gonna need it or something?’ Stan just grinned and shrugged, making Jess feel even more suspicious. She looked anxiously to Luke. He winked at her, which didn’t do much to reassure her. Jess decided to ignore them.
