Nicky stood next to Shane who was busy patting the beautiful black horse Nicky had just bought. He really hoped to have a racing winner on his hands. He had asked Shane’s advice before buying the three year old who he had named Dublin Demand. Shane thought it was a bit stupid but hey it wasn’t his horse, he was just the one with the experience to help out. So they both stood in the courtyard at the centre of the stables waiting for the trainer Shane had recommended.
“Are ya dead sure she knows what she’s doin’ Shay?”
Shane rolled his eyes, if he had a euro for every time Nicky had asked that question this morning then Nicky would be broke.
“No Nix, She’s a novice and doesn’t have the first idea on training race horses, ya stupid arse! My Dad has known her Dad for years now and she’s good, trust me.”
Nicky was about to shout at Shane when a top of the range red convertible BMW pulled up. Nicky was impressed by the car he just hoped she had the money from training. He watched as he saw a haired woman step out of the car. She wore dangerously high black heels, a black fitted suit with a knee length pencil skirt and a white blouse. Once she had shut the door she leaned over the door to collect her mobile phone.
“Oh Shane I am so sorry. Damned meeting ran on so long.”
Shane laughed as he pointed to her suit.
“Ohhhhhh get you all girly. Ya gonna do a fine job of persuading Nix you’re any good looking like that.”
Ignoring Shane she walked towards the blond haired man and extended her hand.
“Mr. Byrne forgive my lateness and my choice of clothing.”
Nicky opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out, Shane had to turn away to prevent himself laughing at him. tried again as she frowned at the good looking blue-eyed blond before her.
“ ……………. The trainer?”
Nicky felt a complete idiot now, like a teenager seeing a beautiful girl at school.
“Erm, yeah, no, er, sorry, yeah Byrne, Nicky Byrne.”
Shane could not contain himself any longer and he erupted into rich laughter that filled the courtyard making it seem louder. Nicky glared at him.
“What the fooks with ya Filan?”
Shane composed himself and then spoke in a fabulous posh accent.
“The name is Bond, James Bond.”
Now it was ’s turn to want to laugh but she coughed and walked toward the horse. “So this is our new girl is it?”
looked around the horse, running her hands along its body, checking it out properly, while Nicky was checking her out. She bent forwards in front of Nicky to lift one of the horse’s legs up.
“Hmm, good set of legs.”
“Tell me about it.”
Nicky murmured, stood up and turned round.
“Sorry Nicky?”
Nicky thought quickly.
“Can you tell me all about it…… You know what our chances are with her?”
nodded.
“Yeah I’ll take her on; I think she has something about her.”
She shook hands with Nicky and arranged for her to be collected the following week so could train her. As got back in the car Shane moved to Nicky’s side as they both waved off.
“She does have something about her you know, I thought that.”
Nicky was in a total daze.
“Yeah she sure does and god her legs…………”
Shane nodded as he looked at the horse.
“………. They go all the way up to her armpits.”
It was then Shane turned to look at Nicky.
“Erm Nix, I was kinda talking about Dubs here, not .”
“Oh yeah of course, me too.”
Shane could see a lot of promise here and not just with Dublin Demand!

As time went on did a lot of training with Dublin Demand and she had grown to like her very much and also her owner. Not only was Nicky good looking and incredibly sexy but he was great fun to be with and she had started to count the days till his next visit.
Nicky was the same, he was dying to ask out on a date and Shane tried so hard to persuade him to, he knew how felt, he could see it and if this horse brought them together then why not. He loved the idea of seeing Nicky happy and he knew , he knew the type of person she was, kind, hard working, very grounded and beautiful. If his two friends became an item it would be great, he only hoped the horse performed well and kept them together as long as possible.

Dublin Demand was entered in the hunt race at Sligo Racecourse, Cleveragh in Sligo. Both Shane and wanted her first ‘real’ race to be local. She had competed in quite a few trials and done well. This they all hoped would be the one that shot them onto bigger and more famous races.

The three of them stood in the display enclosure watching Dublin Demand being led around the arena.
Nicky wore a smart black suit with a white shirt and thin black tie; Shane was dressed casually wearing jeans, a green t-shirt and a khaki jacket. He didn’t need to be smart; he was along for the moral support and nothing else.
was dressed in a lilac suit, her skirt was longer than the first time Nicky saw her and she had a matching lilac hat. Nicky thought she looked like a true lady, again Shane couldn’t miss Nicky stealing glimpses of her when she wasn’t looking but he also noticed doing the same. Once had her chat with the Jockey she led the way to the owners, trainers and V.I.P enclosure.
“She’s looking fine today Nicky.”
Nicky nodded absentmindedly.
“Yeah let’s hope she can perform.”
Shane smiled his bright smile that lit his eyes up.
“Actually, this time I was talking about .”
Nicky looked at him, Shane knew this was time to spill the beans.
“Nicky, you look at her; she looks at you and neither of you do a damned thing about it. Just put us all out of our misery and ask her out.”
Nicky pondered on the thought as they took their place to watch the race. He had never been so excited in his whole life and couldn’t stop himself from shouting and cheering her on.
Shane stood back and watched the two, never got excited about one of her horses racing, she was always professional but somehow Nicky’s excitement was brushing off on her and she was holding onto her hat with one hand on top of it as she jumped and shouted with Nicky. Shane thought this was more exciting than the race itself!

As the horses came along the final straight Dublin Demand and Apollonian were neck and neck, Nicky felt the sweat on his skin where his collar rubbed his neck, this was more exhilarating than anything he had ever done in his entire life.
Dublin Demand and Apollonian were still neck and neck, all the way to the finish line and Nicky and were silent as they listened to the announcer. It was to be a photo finish.
“Come on let’s go see her while we wait.”
Shane guided Nicky and to the winner’s enclosure as the two remained silent waiting for the news.
As the horse came towards them Nicky patted her neck.
“Well done girl, what ever happens you did me proud.”
was touched by the fact although he wanted to win he was proud no matter what. As they waited nervously for the result the tension could be cut with a knife, even Shane started to feel it.
Then they heard the click of the loud speaker as the announcer was about to speak.
“And the result of the photo finish is………..”
“Come on, come on!”
Nicky chanted as he started to nervously tap his foot.
“………. Dublin Demand first followed by Apollonian.”
Nicky shouted as he turned and picked up off her feet. He swung her around in his arms.
“You did it; you did it, my beautiful girl.”
smiled as she wrapped her arms around Nicky’s neck.
“She is she’s a clever girl.”
Nicky smiled at her and just looked into his dazzling blue eyes.
“Erm, I was talking about you not the horse.”
Their eyes locked now as blushed slightly. Nicky knew it was now or never as he moved his face towards her and planted a tender kiss on her lips, he then pulled back still keeping eye contact, waiting for a response, some kind of sign if he had done the right thing or not.
“Definitely well worth the hard work and the wait Nicky.”
Nicky’s heart sank into his boots as he lowered to the ground and released her from his arms, he turned away feeling embarrassed and let down. tapped his shoulder and he turned to look at her. She was smiling warmly at him.
“Actually I was talking about the owner not the horse.”
moved forwards now and kissed him lightly as Nicky wrapped his arms around her tightly.
Shane smiled as he walked away. Okay maybe it was worth the wait but by God it was the longest race he’s ever known!


THE END



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