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would have no hesitation to be rid of them as he wasn’t one to care for his animals. As long as they made him money and took travellers where they wanted to go, he was happy for Gustov to care for them.
    Gustov patted the grey gelding. ‘This one is called Tommy,’ he said. ‘And that brown one there is Cal.’ Gustov then pointed to the two black geldings on the far side of the stall. ‘Those two over there are brothers. The one with the white star on his head is called Hank and his brother’s name is Joe.’
    Gerard laughed. ‘Who thought up those names? They’re funny names for horses.’
    ‘Well, I just thought ‘em up, everythin’ has to have a name,’ Gustov said and he laughed as well as they walked over to the carriage. Gustov climbed up onto the driver’s seat and from the box behind the seat he pulled out a piece of canvas and rope. He climbed back down. ‘Ok, Sir, let’s fix ya somethin’ to keep that rain off.’
    He shook out the canvas and laid it on the floor. With his knife he made a slit from the middle to one end. Gustov put the knife away and placed the canvas over Gerard’s shoulders so the slit came up to the back of his neck and the two pieces hung down the front of his chest. The front was as long as the back and he overlapped the two front sections.
    ‘Now, Sir, hold it there while I wrap the rope around you.’ Gerard held the two pieces together while Gustov wrapped the rope around him. He pulled the back edges of the canvas around and tucked the front panels inside. With the rope he tied the garment together and then cut away the excess. ‘Ya always need a good piece of rope, Sir. Comes in handy for all sorts a things.’ Gustov stood back to survey his handy work.
    Gerard climbed up onto the driver’s seat to reach his black bag that was strapped on top of the carriage. He felt around inside to find his old leather cap and pulled it out. He reached back in and found his gloves. He climbed down and put his cap on. He was excited and sped to where Gustov hitched up the team.
    ‘Gustov, is there anything I can help with?’
    ‘Hold on to the reins, Sir, that would be a help,’ Gustov said as he hitched up the last two horses. They walked them over to the carriage and Gustov hitched the two black geldings first, while Gerard held the other two. When they were secure he had Gerard help him position the pair at the front and fastened the harnesses together to bind them as a team.
    ‘Well, Sir, you better get up in the driver’s seat. We should be gettin’ along.’
    Gerard climbed up and took position on the left. Gustov passed him the reins and mounted the carriage on the right.
    ‘Better go pick ya father up now,’ Gustov said as they drove the team out into the rain. As the team made its way towards the inn, birds twittered and darted around, checking the puddles for worms and insects as they fled the sodden ground. Gerard saw his father as he waited under the porch out of the rain. His face broke into a smile and he waved as the horses drew up in front of the inn.
    Devon watched as Gerard appeared before him wrapped in a strange garment, which was held together with a piece of old rope. Sure enough the old leather cap slouched on his head and made his hair stick out to the sides. If his mother could see him now he thought and a smile crept over his face.
    ‘Your carriage, Sir,’ Gerard called out to his father and bowed.
    ‘Thank you, driver,’ Devon said as he continued the game.
    Gerard climbed down and opened the door. ‘Looks like we’re in for a wet one,’ Gerard said as he closed the door. He returned to his seat and with a flick of the reins they were off. Gerard had never experienced such fun. It was different here than back home. He was carefree and happy. The rain continued to fall and small streams of water trickled off Gerard’s cap. A stray runnel managed to find its way down his back and he shivered as the cold water ran down his spine.
    ‘Are ya