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sweeping down to a wood and dropping away towards the Taly valley in the distance.
    â€˜It’s pretty breathtaking, isn’t it?’ Mel says. ‘The estate has belonged to the Saltertons since they made their fortune in shipbuilding a couple of centuries ago. They were loaded back then, but now they’re asset-rich and cash-poor, and muddling along like the rest of us.’
    â€˜I don’t think I’d care if I was lucky enough to live here.’ The house is magnificent, but the cottage would be my dream home if I was given the choice. I’ve always wanted somewhere that’s cute and quirky with oak beams, a wood-burning stove and a paddock for Rafa. One day …
    â€˜Carry on past the house and take the turning immediately beyond it. Neil – that’s Robbie and Dillon’s father – and Sally Ann, his wife, live in the big house.’
    â€˜Slow down a minute. All these names and relationships are a lot to take in.’
    â€˜Robbie’s brother, Dillon, lives in the cider house, one of the converted barns,’ Mel continues. ‘Neil’s tried his hand at keeping deer and ostriches, but the horses won out. The boys were stars in the Pony Club. They moved on from being key players in the mounted games team and tetrathlon to performing tricks and creating their own stunts. The rest is history.
    â€˜Neil keeps beef cattle and rents out some of the land to a local farmer, as well as overseeing the equestrian operation. Sally Ann looks after the holiday accommodation – they have several chalets scattered throughout the park – and she organises the displays and training sessions for the team. She also keeps the diary for the courses they run for anyone who wants to have a go at being a stunt rider.’
    â€˜It’s quite an empire then.’ My fingers tighten on the wheel as I suppress a twinge of regret and envy that Robbie’s family are involved and supportive of each other, while mine has been fractured by the choices I’ve made and my parents’ stubborn refusal to back down on their prejudices. I can hear my mother now, expressing her disappointment when I told her I was giving up my well-paid job in sales and marketing to learn how to shoe horses.
    Don’t come running to us when it all goes pear-shaped, when you’re fed up with working in the mud and freezing rain, and your back’s killing you. After all we’ve done for you, paying for the best education and supporting you through your degree, this is how you show your appreciation.
    â€˜Did you ever ride or have your own horse?’ I ask Mel.
    â€˜No way. I had a go, but it wasn’t for me. I spent my time driving tractors and running Talyton St George’s YFC. The Young Farmers’ Club,’ he adds in explanation. ‘It was a great way of meeting lots of single ladies. I broke a few hearts along the way, but some of them remain good friends of mine, especially the horsey ones who use me as their farrier.’
    I’m uncomfortable listening to Mel brag about being a heartbreaker in his youth when he’s old and married, but I have a feeling that his local knowledge is going to be more of a help than a hindrance. All I have to do now is to forge relationships with his clients and prove that I can shoe horses as well as anyone.

Chapter Three
New Shoes
    I pull into the turning behind the house to find two massive dogs running out towards the Toyota. I brake and toot the horn. The grey rough-coated creatures stand in front of the bonnet with their mouths wide open, as if they’re smiling.
    â€˜What now?’ I look towards Mel for guidance as they wave their long tails.
    â€˜Don’t worry about them. They’ll get out of the way. Drive on.’
    â€˜I don’t want to run them over.’ It wouldn’t exactly be a good start. I open the window and wave at them. ‘Go away. Shoo!’
    One of them walks along the