Reaching the ranch was such a relief, everyone was tired out with the journey, although the horses seemed remarkably fresh, Jack told us they had slept most of the way home and after Sea Biscuit’s performance I don’t blame him.
After a wonderful celebration meal ,organised by the chef, the party we had been waiting for swung into action. The boss Mr. Howard lay on a full country and western band; in fact it was Christmas come early as he came round with envelopes with a large bonus for the whole staff, us included. Tom came and sat with me and talked about keeping us on as staff, I declined gracefully and told him that we would be leaving in the morning and that our adventure here was over. He could not understand, but I said all would be revealed in the morning when we had said goodbye to Sea Biscuit.
I was first up again, except for George who was saying his farewells to Sea Biscuit, he gave me a hug and told me to take Sea Biscuit for a run and that he had been told by Tom it was ok. In fact it had all been arranged last night when Tom knew we were going and he had organised this as a special thank you treat for all the help that I had given with Sea Biscuit.
This time it was different when I mounted Sea Biscuit, he made me feel so wanted in his own horsey way, I could tell the bond between us was so much greater, this was going to be so hard to leave for home. I tried to forget that we were going to leave, I was riding the most powerful little horse in racing history and I was going to savour every second of this ride. Sea Biscuit lengthened his stride as we came towards the practice track, I realised then he was taking me for a once in a lifetime race around this famous half-mile circuit.
As we entered the track I felt a power I had not witnessed while riding any other horse, this was some powerful beast. For the first circuit Sea Biscuit held back for me to get used to the pace he had generated, on reaching the finish line his ears pricked up and he was in racing mode, it was as if I was in a powerful car and went back into the seat. For a second I noticed we had an audience Tom, George, Jack, John and Chanel they were all there, I heard George shout, “Go girl” and go I certainly did, Sea Biscuit accelerated into top speed, my hair flowed in the wind, this was amazing. Me, little Vicky riding the wonderful Sea Biscuit at full pace how ever could this be bettered. I was low in the saddle, bottom in the air and I felt like a jockey, Sea Biscuit felt it too and accelerated again and went like the wind around the small track. It was over far too quickly for me as he slowed down after reaching the finishing line; I gave a whoop and held my arm in the air saluting my audience as though I had won a race, they all applauded and fell about laughing. If I could have bottled the feeling I had at this moment and sold the contents, I would be a multi-millionaire.
It was crunch time and I decided to tell my great friends our story I could not just leave and not explain why we were going to leave them so suddenly. I told them everything right down to naming Biscuit after their wonderful horse Sea Biscuit and that was the reason behind our visit. George looked at Tom as though we were mental and he said, “You can certainly tell a good story my dear, but we have no proof of your story and it is a bit farfetched”. I countered by saying, “Please don’t be scared at what you are going to see, sit down on the bench because it is a bit of a shock when you see the transformation for the first time”. Tom shrugged his shoulders and made a gesture to George to sit down, “Are you both ready?” They nodded yes, so Jack transformed into Red, Tom went as white as a sheet and George hid his eyes at what he saw, I asked, “Are you alright? Are you ready for John to change into Biscuit?” “I suppose so Vicky but this is so unreal”. I nodded to John and the splendid Biscuit stood there looking a million dollars.
Both were so shocked but not as bad as when Red had done his party piece, George rose to his feet and walked over to the two horses looking like he was in a trance, Sea Biscuit had not flinched this told me both horses had shown themselves to him before. A minute later when both George and Tom had composed themselves, Red and Biscuit were the centre of attention, both were handsome stallions and towered over Sea Biscuit and both men adored them, giving them treats they had in their pockets.
Now Tom knew we had to go back to our era but not before we had two hours of wonderful company, George was so excited that he rode both horses and said, “They are very good horses”, I replied, “No George they are magic”, everyone laughed. We got on so well and all loved each other’s company it was going to be very hard leaving this adventure.
George and Tom gave Chanel a signed jockey’s hat that George had worn in the race and I had my signed horseshoes, but the time had come to go home, we gave Sea Biscuit a kiss and a cuddle, mounted Red and Biscuit, waved to Tom and George and in a instant we were by our favourite tree back home in the meadow.
Chanel was all smiles with her first adventure behind her and it won’t be long before she goes alone on her travels, but Biscuit will have to learn a bit more before that happens. In the meantime it’s back to the computer to work out our next journeys and as two heads are better than one, we can all look forward to exciting times in the very near future.