"No handicap," said H.
Jack laughed and nodded. "Both fillies the same weight. One race each. Do you fancy fifty on the decider?"
H agreed and the money was handed to Bingo to hold. Both girls were brought level once more, Cora once more on the inside as H had won the toss for the shorter lane. It did of course mean he had the tighter corners but firm use of the whip would see him through to a victorious finish.
The race was off and both girls were neck and neck going into the last lap. At the final bend Cora opened up a head lead but then disaster. Her bare foot struck a pebble and she stumbled and fell allowing Tania to race past to victory.
Jack was ecstatic and laughed loudly as he took the winnings out of Bingo's hand. H took the defeat with grace and to Cora's surprise as well as Susan's he restrained from using the whip on his fallen filly.
"Here," laughed Jack. "Have a beer." He threw a tin to Bingo, H and whoever was behind the camera. Then, still harnessed to the chariots, the girls were lead across to a stone trough to drink. They dipped their heads in the cool, crisp water that ran straight into the trough from off the moors. Their thirst satisfied the girls threw back their sodden hair to send an arc of crystal water to cool their perspiring bodies.
"Keep them warm," H shouted across to Bingo. "We don't want them getting stiff."
Jack added. "That's for us to be."
The girls remained near the water while Bingo rubbed them down with a soft chamois leather, massaging their skin to a healthy shine. With a bridle lead in each hand he lead the two back to the race track.
"It's not over yet." He told them with great amusement. "It's the time trials next. One filly, one jockey."
"Let Cora ride first," said H.
The bridle and harness were removed from Cora and she took her place in the seat. Gripping Tania's reigns firmly she eased her friend up to the starting line.
"Two laps," said Jack. "The quickest time wins." He set his stopwatch and signalled ready.
"Go!"
Tania stumbled right at the start but regained her footing and clawed back the lost time. After much cheering from the men and encouragement from Cora, Tania came home in a time of one minute forty. She remained in her harness while Bingo made a note of her time, then H announced a second chance for her to improve her score. Panting heavily Tania was again led to the start line where go was announced with a hard slap on her flanks. Despite her efforts she took almost two minutes to complete the circuits.
H was not pleased.
"The worst time ever." He pulled Cora from the chariot and got her into the bridle and harness ready to take her turn. Out of her harnessing Tania took her turn in the chariot. As she was easing Cora up to the start line H shouted to her that the loser was in for a hard time. Tania registered his warning and took a firm hold of the reigns.
"Go!"
Cora was slow away and even slower around the track. No matter how much Tania shook the reigns her friend hardly broke out of a trot. Tania was in no doubt as to the reason. If she failed to beat Cora's time it would be she who felt the sting of the aerial. She couldn't allow that. She brought Cora up to a halt at the finish line.
"Two minutes ten!" shouted H. "Even worse than the last one."
Tania was fully aware of what would happen to her if Cora's time did not improve. She rose from the chariot."Pass me the nozzle," she said to Bingo. "I think Cora's low on fuel."
The men looked at each other surprised and pleased. Bingo handed her the pump handle and took hold of the reigns while Tania applied the nozzle to her friends rear end, ensuring the metal pipe was good and deep.
"Fill her up!"
Bingo did as the girl said and when the pipe was removed the water spurted out as if it had come from a hose. Tania took the aerial whip from its holder and gave Cora's right flank a taste of what to expect should her efforts not improve.
"Ready?" asked H, excited at the turn of events.
"Ready," answered Tania through gritted teeth.
"Go."
Another stroke from the whip hit Cora's bottom as the words entered her ears, sending the girl out at a fair pace. It wasn't fast enough for Tania. Crack! the whip fell again, and when Cora failed to respond it fell again and then twice more before she broke into a run. It was becoming a battle of the wills. Cora needed to go slow enough to make her own time the fastest while Tania obviously required the opposite.
The only way Tania could achieve her goal was to show her one time friend that the beating she was getting now would be less than that given by the men. Emphasising her point she landed the whip twice more before the first lap was finished. Then she really got into her swing. As she entered the second lap her single strokes became doubles and then trebles and then one continuous lashing.
The only way Cora could possibly stop the beating was to get to the finishing line as quick as possible.
"One minute twenty five!"
Cora slumped to the floor her chest heaving and her legs so wobbly they failed to keep her up. On the chariot Tania let out a whoop of victory as she realised she had escaped the whip.
"Get her up!" ordered H.
Tania jumped from her chariot and went to Cora who was still panting on the ground. Taking hold of the bridle she yanked the girl up on to her feet.
"Take her to the fence post."
Still gripping the reigns like a stable girl guiding the horse to the winners enclosure she led Cora across to the post.
"You bitch," Cora whispered. "Why?"
"Simple. It was you or me."
"I'll get you for this. Just wait for the next races."
Tania tied the bridle to the post and unhitched the chariot.
"Here," said H, throwing across a fully extended aerial. "You can do the honours. Twenty strokes."
The men all took another beer and sat on the chariots to watch.
"And don't hold back," Jack warned. "Or you'll find yourself at the post instead of her."
Susan grimaced almost as much as poor Cora as each venomous stroke landed on the poor girl's flesh. Unable to ease up on the power of each stroke Tania did her best to land the whip on a different spot each time. Unfortunately with so many strokes ordered it became more difficult as the beating continued. By the time it was over Cora's bottom looked like she'd sat on a grill and for good measure Bingo added the imprint of his hand as well.
Chapter 9
The old market square in Wettle teemed with people intent on enjoying the early May sunshine.
The weather had been kind again this year, villagers and like minded tourists coming out in numbers, perusing the stalls and taking in the various amusements. For those with a more athletic disposition a stroll outward along Market Street took you to Broughtons Fields and the horse fair where all kinds of equestrian events were followed by a general sale of horses.
It was this walk that Peter took, unable as he was to appreciate the leaping Morris dancers celebrating the seasonal cycle or to sample the many fruit preserves, compliments of the WI. His mind today as always was filled with thoughts of Susan.
Despairing of help from the police, his journey had taken him the length of Britain and to the very depths of the seedier side of human nature. While the memories of Melanie's rope-burnt wrists played in his mind he left the main part of the village and entered the country lane that would take him to Broughtons, past lines of cars with yapping Yorkies panting on the back seat, and groups of families arguing over the cheese and onion sandwiches.
The hand painted sign for Broughtons Fields and the Wettle Horse Fair came into view. Peter paid his entrance fee and made his way across to the attractions.