It was a beautiful cool, crisp morning in April when Vronnie and I sped along the straight road towards the town of Sunny Hills. We were going to stalk some famous racing people (or their homes), if we weren't lucky enough to see any in the flesh. I felt that Vronnie was a bit apprehensive, mainly because I am well known as an unrelenting stalker of Jockeys.
We arrived in Sunny Hills, our first stop, a very horsey place. After a quick cafe lunch we drove down the main street heading towards the road where Gary Hickson, Vronnie's fantasy squeeze for the past 25? years lived - we started young.. We crawled slowly along peering at letterboxes, looking for number 47. Vronnie spotted it and I stopped the car, not quite outside the gate.
"Hes sitting on the porch and hes got Corey and Matt with him and they are drinking beer!"
"Wow." I said quickly, thinking of our next move.
I drove down to the end of the road and parked the car. Then we strolled casually down the dead end street! Vronnie was showing rather a lot of tattooed midriff. I should say here that she was more Jockey size, very slim with shoulder length brown hair, blue eyes. I, on the other hand, size 20, short brown hair and have the same blue eyes. We have been best friends since primary school.
We came level with Gary's gate and paused pretending to admire his impressive flower garden.
"Hi ladies, what brings you to Pleasant Road?" called Gary, looking very sultry, bottle of beer in his hand.
We looked at each other and couldn't think of one word to say.
"Would you like a beer?" asked Corey.
"Oh yes." I replied pushing open the gate.
Vronnie was close behind.
"I think we may have met before?' asked Gary staring at us.
"No, we just go to the races sometimes." replied Vronnie unwittingly letting them know!
"What are your names?" asked Gary sounding interested.
"Iris and Veronica. We are just out for a drive looking at some of the lovely horses around here." I gabbled.
"Where are you from?" Matt the very good looking maori Jockey asked.
"Tamatea. Not many horses there so we just decided to get away and have a horsey day." I answered.
"Your'e the two who sent me race books to autograph - Christ you are into racing. You wouldn't be stalking me by any chance would you?" grinned Gary wickedly.
"Well were having a look to see where people lived." Vronnie spoke shyly. She was obviously feeling a bit hot and bothered.
We sat on the edge of the porch and Corey handed us beers. He was about twenty and had olive skin and shoulder length wavy black hair. You could tell he was Gary's son even though Gary was quite pale with light brown wavy hair that was cut short at the moment.
Matt asked Gary, "Are you riding Red Devil at Tauranga on Saturday?"
"I hope so but Stan hasn't rung yet." replied Gary.
"I'm on Music Man, whats he like?" asked Corey.
"He can be good when hes at his peak or he can be a lazy sod. Ricky thinks quite a lot of him." replied Matt.
"Oooh Ricky Randell, I think hes ace!" I squeeked. The beer was starting to make me braver.
"Well hes here in Sunny Hills today trying a horse round at Nigel McGill's. Shall I ring him to come round?" Gary asked wickedly.
"Oh my God, I would love to see him, hes a great rider...."
Corey interrupted me, "Thats debatable. I think hes gay."
"Really gay or just gay like?" I had to ask.
"I dunno, hes so into horses he dosn't have a social life, so I've heard." Corey replied.
"Don't you think you would be a bit big for him Iris?" asked Gary with an evil leer.
"Not at all. I've thought about it a lot and I reckon men must love cushiony women to sink their bony limbs into...oops don't listen to me, one lager and I'm away!" I quickly shut up.
"What about you Vronnie - whose your fave Jockey? Oh thats right its me." chuckled Gary.
"That may have been true once but I'm not into Jocks now." lied Vronnie.
"What are you into?" Corey piped up.
"Oh bikes, metal, tats and racing sometimes." Vronnie carefully replied.
"Sounds a bit like my interests. You and I might just get on rather well." muttered Gary softly rubbing his hand across the nape of Vronnie neck. She didn't move.
Next moment a showy little black and white miniature pony came wandering around the side of the house and started chewing on the garden plants.
"Get that pony off my plants Corey - Christ how did he get out?" yelled Gary.
"I told you he knows how to open the gate sometimes. Fuck why is it my fault?"
"He was your pony boy." laughed Gary.
"Shut it Dad." Corey grabbed the ponies purple halter and ran her around the back.
"We love miniature ponies." I said dreamily.
"Seems you two love a lot of things - here have some more beers." grinned Gary pushing two bottles at us and sitting down beside Vronnie and casually putting his arm around her shoulders.
I pretended not to look. He did look hot in tight jeans, bare feet and a blue singlet which showed off the tribal tattoo on his brown muscuar forearm.
"Bloody barstard bit me." moaned Corey showing off a large red tooth bite on his arm.
He really was cute. Beside him Matt looked old and a little tired but still quite handsome and very muscular too.
"Are you really going to ring Ricky?" I asked trying not to sound desperate.
"Could do but you must promise not to jump him - well not here anyway. I couldn't bear to watch." cackled Gary and the others all roared at the thought.
At that moment Corey's phone rang.
"Sure mate. Where are you now? Sweet. Ok. I'll come down and have a look. Whose all there? Oh ok. See you soon then mate."
He looked straight at me.
"Come on. If you want to see Ricky nows your chance."
"Who was that Corey?" asked Gary.
"It was Dan, hes at Nigels with some others and says Ricky's there. Could be his unlucky oops lucky day - are you coming?" he looked down his long nose at me.
"I don't know. Will You come Vronnie or are you staying here?"
My eyes skimmed over Gary and Vronnie who were sitting so close, I had a feeling she wouldn't be coming with us.
"You guys go, we'll stay here." grinned Gary.
"I'd better be off home." said Matt, "See you in the morning."
"Catch ya mate." called Gary.
I followed Matt and Corey down the path which was surrounded on both sides with lavender and other cute plants. I couldn't imagine GH Hickson flower gardening, he looked so rugged. I hopped into Corey's low slung back sports car. He did a wheelie then sped off along the road, racing ahead of Matt.
"Always racing." I thought.
I couldn't believe I was going to meet Ricky in a matter of minutes and that our little road trip had turned out so successful. I stared at the skull that dangled from the mirror and tried not to feel scared as Corey weaved along the road to Nigel McGills stables. I felt like I was in a dream. I wondered what Veronica and Gary were doing left alone but didn't have time to dwell on this as we were soon catapulting up McGills Racing Stables driveway.
A group of guys, some very Jockey looking, although I didn't recognise any, were standing around the yard talking. I didn't see Ricky or Nigel McGill. One of the Jockey like guys yelled out "Hicksy waz up?"
I was startled to see that it was Dan Cash, the purpose of another stalking trip to Sunny Hills last year (although we never found him!) He looked at me in surprise. He was short and stocky with curly brown hair cut in a mullet.
"This is Iris. She just wanted to have a look around here." explained Corey.
I was so grateful he didn't reveal my real reason for being there.
The shadows were lengthening across the yard and it was getting cooler. Several beautiful thoroughbred heads looked intently out at us. There were three other guys with Dan, one could have been a Jock.
"God I should be heading home." I thought but I knew I never wanted to leave this place.
"Do you own a horse?" asked Dan trying to suss me out.
"No but I love horse so I jumped at the chance to come here." I answered.
The stables were one of the best I'd seen. Immaculate brown painted wood with the horses names engraved on gold name plates. The lawns were cut close and the paths were of fine gravel.
The boys were chatting away as I stood a little bit away from them not knowing what to do.
I patted a velvety nose that was looking over the nearest loosebox and stood admiring the rich golden chestnut mare.
We all looked up as the sound of hooves came nearer and there was Ricky walking towards us astride a large bay. The sun dazzled me for a second and made it look like he was coming out of a golden haze. He slid down and started taking the saddle off. He was wearing a maroon jacket with white piping and cream jodphurs with his racing boots. His face looked even more tanned than on TV. He said "Hi" to me and then disapeared into the tack room. One of the boys took the horse and I was left standing alone once again wondering what would happen next.
Corey, Dan and the others were looking at horses and discussing their merits so I hovered behind them and listened. One of the guys looked familiar to me but I couldn't think of his name, when Corey said, "You will probably fall off her Brad." I realised he was Brad Dean another popular young spike haired maori jockey. Ricky came out of a room to the side of the stable and was walking towards us.
Corey motioned him over and asked, "What are you up to now Ricky?"
"I was just going to go home." he answered with his soft English accent.
"Well we are having a bit of a "Do" at home if your'e interested and I think you should be." he gave a strange grin.
"Um I spose I could for a bit." Ricky answered uncertainly, "I've got Lena my cousins dog in my car though.
"Thats ok, I'm sure she will get on with Wilko my Pitbull x." Corey teased, "Who wants to come back to my place for some beers?"
"I will, you comin Brad?" said Dan.
"Ok, I'll pick up some more on the way"
"Choice." replied Corey. "Hey Ricky could you please take Iris back as I just got some business to do on the way."
"Yes." said Ricky staring at me quizically.
"Thanks Ricky." I grinned and walked towards his cool golden brown sports car. Inside a Jack Russell pup was jumping up and down.
"Is she yours?" I asked.
"No I'm babysitting for my cousin Barbara." he answered.
Little did he know that I worked with her! I climbed into the little car. Zena, who was mostly white with golden brown patches, jumped all over us then stood on the back of my seat and licked my neck. Ricky smiled and we were soon off down the long driveway, but not as fast as Corey had driven. It was a very exciting situation but I couldn't think of anything to say. Suddenly the silence was broken.
"So what brings you to Hicksons', are you a friend of theirs?" Ricky glanced at me questioningly.
We, my friend Veronica and I aren't from Sunny Hills. This morning we felt like a drive out in the country so - here we are. We sort of stumbled across the Hicksons' when we got a bit lost." I lied.
"Oh. So where do you live?" he asked.
"In Tamatea." I said quietly. "Oh, my cousin Barbara works there, do you know her?" he asked.
"Yes I do. I think now I should tell you that she got you to autograph a picture of LookatLargo for me last year."
I thought it was better to say the pic was of a horse rather than him at this stage!
"Yes. I thought that was a bit unusual." he stared into my eyes trying to work me out.
"I collect autographed racing pics." I answered carefully. "Thats one reason we are in Sunny Hills today. We were longing for some racing contact so we planned to cruise around looking at places but then we stumbled across the Hicksons" I hoped that sounded honest. I was really trying to be.
"Oh ok." he answered.
It was hard to know what he was thinking.
We pulled up in front of Gary's place. It was growing dark and a light shone on the porch and out through a side window, illuminationg his garden. Ricky left Lena in the car which was wise if Corey did have a Pitbull x, although I had seen no sign of one.
I knocked on the door and we walked in. The party had moved inside. Gary and Vronnie were cuddled up on a small couch in the lounge. Heavy rock pounded out from a flash stereo.
"Ricky my man, grab a beer and a beauty and sit down." Gary gestured to another couch.
"Thanks Gary." Ricky shyly picked up a beer and looked at me to see if I wanted one. I took one off him. I needed the courage.
"So how did that horse go Rick?" asked Gary.
"Pretty good really. I think it could be up there on Wednesday." replied Ricky nervously.
"Cool. You could do with a good one mate. Hey are you guys hungry? When Corey gets back we should get KFC - salads of course!" he quickly added.
I tried to make light conversation.
"Does Corey have a Pitbull x called Wilko?" I asked Gary.
"Yep hes out the back in his run, hes a big sook really." answered Gary.
"Ricky has his cousins pup in the car, would it be safe to bring her in?' I asked.
"Sure." said Gary, "As long as she doesn't pee on the carpet."
"Can't guarantee it." laughed Ricky and went out to get the little dog.
"So what are your plans for him?" grinned Gary.
"Nothing at this stage, he is so shy and its getting late. We will have to go soon." I answered feeling sad.
I never wanted to leave! Vronnie looked like she didn't want to either and kept giving me funny looks that I couldn't quite work out. I wondered what they had been up to in the hour we had been away but knew I would hear all about it later - hopefully!
Ricky came in with the little dog dashing ahead of him. He sat down next to me but leaving a few inches between and we watched the pup sniffing around the room. She picked up a sock and started running around with it.
"Hehe thats Corey's - poor little sod." laughed Gary.
"Do you still live here?" I asked Ricky.
"Yes." he answered.
"I love it here with all the racing. Do you ever go to the Trots or Greyhounds?" I asked.
"I have been but not recently." he answered.
A car pulled up outside and Corey came crashing in followed by Dan Cash.
"Brads coming soon," he told his father. "Shall I take Lena out to meet Wilko?"
"Don't you dare!" growled Vronnie who had been really quiet.
I was wondering if Gary had her in a trance. He was now nuzzling her left ear.
I was trying to suss Ricky out. He seemed very shy and even though he was happily drinking his beer, I was aware, and he probably was too, that Gary could start taking the piss at any time. I got the impression that they weren't really that friendly. Gary was a very senior rider and Ricky an English immigrant who hadn't been out here that long.
"Boy, we are just exploring options for dinner. What about KFC? You and Dan could pick it up." Gary called to Corey who was in the kitchen.
"I'm not eating KFC" said Dan, "I'll just stick to beers."
"Ok thats your lookout but we need food. I've burnt a few kgs today." Gary grinned.
Vronnie gave a small embarassed squirm. Surely they hadn't? We had only been gone one hour.
"I'll give Brad a ring and he can bring it." Corey started dialling, "Just salads all round? Any fries?"
"I'm not hungry." said Vronnie.
"I'll have what you guys are having." I was secretly longing for fries, potato and gravy, Ricky...
I didn't quite know what to say to Ricky now and wondered if he suspected an ulterior motive for inviting him here.
"You girls are into horses aye?" asked Gary.
"Sure are" I replied glad of a conversation.
"Well next weekend Corey and I are going down to Paul's in Forest View and hes taking us into the bush on horses and we are going to camp. You should come and you too Ricky."
"That sounds so cool." I replied.
"I don't know. I don't really want to miss a days racing." said Ricky uncertainly.
"We all need a holiday sometime mate, it would do you good, recharge your batteries and all that." encouraged Gary with a twinkle in his eye.
"I'll have to think about it." replied Ricky.
Lena had curled up on my knee and was snoring happily.
"How about you girls, are you starters?" asked Gary giving Vronnie a quick squeeze.
"I will if she will." I replied.
"I suppose I'm out numbered then."
Vronnie was looking as worried as Ricky.
"Count me out." piped up Dan Cash, "I've got four rides already at Ellerslie."
"Well you go ahead and do that son and think of us all going back to nature. I can't wait." chuckled Gary wickedly.
I wondered what the conditions in the bush would be like but felt this was going to be too big an opportunity to pass up.
"Have you got hold of Brad yet Corey - I'm starving here." complained Gary.
Two hours later Vronnie and I were speeding home in the darkness, our day opening more windows of opportunity than we could ever have imagined. She reckoned they didn't do anything...By the time we left Ricky seemed more confident and at ease and had agreed to come to the bush with us!
