Chapter 202: Guardians, Part 7, Nine Years Ago, The Farm

“Jennifer, are you alright?”

“I’m a bit stiff, Mrs Collier. Nathaniel was teaching me to trot this morning.”

“Ah-ha? I’ll run you a hot bath, then. That’ll help to ease the muscles a bit.”

Ten minutes later, as Jennifer steps into foaming water, the bathroom door bangs open and Mrs Collier marches in with an armful of towels, then halts, “Oh, sorry Jennifer. I didn’t realise…. Heavens, girl!” She raises a hand to her mouth in shock. “What have you done to yourself?”

From thigh to belly, Jennifer’s normally pale skin is blue and purple with bruising. “You gave yourself a real pounding, didn’t you? You’re supposed to rise and fall with the movement of the horse. Not bounce on its back like a sack of potatoes….”

*****

Monday arrives, and Jennifer sets out at a smart pace down the track, eager to get to school and change the books she finished over the weekend.