The Palomino Pony Comes Home (8 page)

C
HAPTER
S
IXTEEN

“T
here you are, my angel,” Georgia called as she got out of the horse lorry and ran across the yard at Redgrove. It had seemed a much longer journey back from the show and it was such a relief to see the little pony again, safe and sound, standing at the gate with Callie.

Lily gave a shrill whinny as Melanie unboxed Wilson. She was clearly delighted to see the
handsome bay pony. Georgia placed both arms around the mare’s neck, breathing in her scent and the warmth of the early evening sunshine on her golden coat.

“Boy, am I glad to see you!” she murmured. The little pony stood stock still, responding to Georgia’s touch. It was amazing to think that just a few weeks ago no one could go near her.

Melanie came over and patted Lily softly on her muzzle. “You know, I’ve been thinking. Maybe it’s time you had a go at riding her.”

“Me? Really?” Georgia cried, delighted. “You think she’s ready? You think she might let me?”

“I don’t see why not,” said Melanie. “She trusts you. You can see that. And that’s a good starting point.”

Georgia knew that Melanie was probably bringing this up now to make her feel better about everything that had happened at the show, but she
wasn’t about to complain.

“What do you say? Shall we give it a go tomorrow?” Melanie said. “After that, Sophie and I are away for a few days, visiting universities. So you should definitely try her out before then. What do you think?”

“I think it sounds great!” Georgia grinned.

The next morning, Georgia bounded out of bed. Melanie’s promise from the day before was still ringing in her ears. Today was the day she was going to try out Lily! What would she be like? Would she be easy to ride? Would her stride be as fluid from above as it looked from below? Dressing quickly in jodhs and her favourite purple T-shirt, Georgia pulled a comb through her tangle of hair and, grabbing a piece of toast, she quickly headed for the door.

“Bye, Mum!”

“Bye, Georgia!” her mum called back as the door swung shut behind her.

Georgia cycled quickly down the quiet lanes and as she made her way up the drive to Redgrove she was pleased to see all three ponies in the paddock grazing quietly together. They made a beautiful trio – the dark, elegant Wilson; Lily, the pretty palomino; and the small Exmoor, Callie, her dun coat gleaming in the early morning light. Georgia sighed. She was so lucky to be allowed to care for these ponies as if they were her own.

To her surprise, Sophie was out in the yard cleaning Wilson’s tack, which was hanging over the gate. She looked up when she saw Georgia.

“Hey,” she called in a friendly voice. “You’re going to ride Lily today, aren’t you?”

“I think so!” Georgia replied, pleased at Sophie’s sudden interest.

“I think she’s lovely,” Sophie continued.

The two girls smiled at one other before Georgia went into the tack room to fetch Lily’s head collar.

As Georgia let herself into the field, the little pony whickered and slowly approached, flanked by Callie, who was bossily protective of her now. Carefully, Georgia placed a head collar on the palomino and then led her into the yard.

“She’s looking lovely,” Melanie called, appearing from the house clutching a cup of tea. “So are you ready to give it a go?”

“Yes, I think so!” Georgia replied, feeling terrified and elated at the same time. She really hoped Lily was going to be OK with being ridden.

“Great!” Melanie said. “Well, I’ve made up a little bridle for her, and the old show saddle should fit her too – at least for now. So let’s try her at a walk to start with, and see how she goes.”

Very carefully, not wanting to startle her, Georgia tacked Lily up, admiring the way the brown
leather looked against her pale coat. She put on her navy riding hat and fastened the chinstrap, and then, very gently, she untied Lily’s lead rope and led her over to the mounting block.

Melanie held Lily’s head while Georgia carefully eased herself into the saddle. She sat quietly for a moment, hardly daring to breathe, feeling the pony tremble beneath her. “You’re safe now, girl,” she murmured, reaching down and running her hand through the palomino’s cream mane.

Melanie watched intently, ready to act if Lily panicked. But she didn’t.

Slowly, sitting as still as a statue, her hands making feather-light contact, Georgia nudged the palomino and she obediently walked forwards. They rode through the gate and then up the path alongside the stables, which was cool and shaded by heavily laden elderflower bushes.

“Easy, girl,” Georgia soothed. Breathing in the
summer scents and enjoying the easy rhythm of the Welsh pony, she started to relax.

Melanie walked next to them, never taking her eyes off the pair as they walked past the house and into the open meadow. Lily was walking out now, her stride fluid, as if she was floating.

“You little star!” Melanie praised the pony, whose ears were now pricked forward. “Why don’t you try a lap?” she encouraged Georgia.

Feeling as if she might burst with happiness, Georgia nudged Lily forward. Then, once they had circled the meadow a couple more times, she steered Lily back to the yard.

There she dismounted and flung her arms round the little mare, covering her with kisses. “I love you so much!” she said as she buried her face into the pony’s golden neck, almost crying with joy. Jemma’s alarming words forgotten now, Georgia felt as though she and Lily could do anything.
Nothing could spoil their happiness!

From now on, she would ride Lily every day until she had restored the palomino’s natural confidence. After that, there would be the prospect of shows and Pony Club camps, long summer rides and winter hacks. It was going to be amazing!

Later that afternoon, as Georgia helped Melanie in the garden, she spotted Sophie and Tory sunbathing by the pool. Tory was tapping away at her mobile and ignoring Sophie’s attempts at conversation.

It was odd, really. Tory seemed to be popping in a lot at the moment but never staying for very long. And she was always glammed up nowadays, as if she was ready for a night out. Today was no exception. She was wearing a short denim miniskirt and a yellow vest, her make-up applied thickly, which made her look
much older than seventeen.

Sophie sighed and turned over on to her stomach just as Tory suddenly leapt up, grabbed her bag and left, as if she had just received an urgent text. Barely bothering to say goodbye, she stalked out of the garden, her phone glued to her ear.

Melanie watched, a frown on her face. “She’s a strange girl, that Tory,” she said confidentially to Georgia. “When Sophie starts university I’m hoping their friendship might fizzle out.”

Georgia watched Tory as she left the yard. She’d never liked her but what could she say? It was interesting to know that Melanie felt the same though. Georgia couldn’t help thinking that there was something a bit suspicious about Tory’s behaviour lately and there was always the worry that the older girl was going to say something mean to her. Still, with Melanie and Sophie away for the next few days, Tory wouldn’t be around at
Redgrove. Georgia sighed happily. She wouldn’t have to think about a single thing apart from her beloved ponies.

C
HAPTER
S
EVENTEEN

“B
ye, Georgia! See you in three days!” Melanie got into the driver’s seat of the four-by-four, Sophie by her side. Then, as an afterthought, she rolled down her window. “Are you sure you’ll be all right, looking after the horses by yourself? Simon will only be here in the evenings, remember.”

“I’ll be just fine,” Georgia assured her. “Now, off you go!”

“OK.” Melanie nodded. “Well, thank you. Just text me if there are any problems, won’t you?”

“I will.” Georgia smiled. “Although there won’t be,” she added. “Em and Dan are going to come and visit and help me out.”

Georgia waved as the four-by-four disappeared down the drive. She couldn’t believe that Melanie trusted her enough to leave her in charge of the ponies. It was brilliant!

Pip, who had run alongside her bike as she cycled over to Redgrove that morning, was at her heel as she turned back to the yard. “Come on, girl. Let’s go and check on the ponies,” she said happily, rubbing her between the ears.

The three of them were standing in their shelter, eyes closed, heads hanging as they lazily swatted flies away with their tails. There was a faint hum of bees in the distance, and the sickly-sweet perfume from the nearby oilseed rape fields, now a vibrant
yellow, hung heavily in the air.

Georgia gave each pony a pat and then counted the chickens to ensure they were all present and correct, scratching around in the dusty earth beside the stable yard. Happy that all the animals were content and peaceful, Georgia made her way into the cool of the house. She had a couple of hours to spare until it was time to give the ponies their supper, and with Emma and Dan both busy for the afternoon she thought she’d read for a while.

Settling herself on the kitchen sofa, she took out her book, shading her eyes against the afternoon sun. Pip stayed in the cool by the back door, idly thumping her tail at Georgia. It was warm in the kitchen and gradually Georgia felt herself growing sleepy.

She could only have been asleep an hour at most, when all of a sudden she was woken by ferocious barking. Pip was on her feet, hackles rising and
teeth bared, flanked by the terriers, who were growling at her side. Feeling a chill run through her, Georgia raced out of the back door and, seeing nothing unusual, quickly made her way round the side of the house to the front door.

A boy was standing there, seemingly just about to ring the doorbell. She didn’t know him from the village and he didn’t look like he was delivering anything. He was wiry and medium height, with dark hair. For some reason he kept glancing around, as if on the lookout for something. Georgia instantly felt uneasy, but politely asked him what he wanted.

“I’m looking for Mrs Hayden,” the boy answered. Georgia noticed that he smirked as he said these words. He was definitely behaving strangely.

She thought fast. “Mrs Hayden’s out at the moment. But she’ll be back later,” she added confidently. “Can I give her a message?”

The boy stared at Georgia for a long moment, before looking past her at the paddock beyond the house where Wilson, Lily and Callie were watching the visitor with interest. “Nice horses, those,” he said. “Especially the palomino – bet she’s worth a bob or two.”

Georgia opened her mouth to reply but no words came out.

The boy laughed quietly to himself as he turned back down the drive and walked off.

What was all that about?
Georgia thought.
Don’t be silly
, she told herself firmly.
It was probably nothing
. Even so, she felt quite shaken as she walked quickly towards the ponies. She checked her watch. It was half past five. She’d call Dan.

“Georgia?” Dan answered his phone straight away. “I was just on my way up.”

Quickly Georgia told Dan all about the boy and their weird conversation.

“Look, don’t panic,” he said reassuringly. “I’m sure it’s nothing. But I’ll be with you in five minutes.”

When Dan appeared through the yard gates that afternoon, Georgia didn’t think she had ever felt so pleased to see anyone. She ran over to him and greeted him exuberantly, much to his amusement.

“There’s really nothing to worry about,” he said confidently. “We get unexpected visitors all the time on the farm. They usually turn out to be sales reps.”

“But this wasn’t a sales rep!” Georgia exclaimed. “I’m sure of it. He was far too young, for a start.”

“All right, all right,” said Dan. “Listen, I’ve been thinking about what Jemma said. If you’re still worried, well…” He indicated a large canvas bag that he’d left by the gates.

“What’s that?” said Georgia, puzzled.

“Tents,” Dan replied. “I borrowed them from my brother. I thought we could keep watch over the ponies tonight. If your mum agrees, of course. And we’d need to check it out with Simon, but I can’t see why he’d mind, can you?”

“That is a brilliant plan!” Georgia smiled warmly at Dan. He was so thoughtful!

“And not only that, but I’ve brought sleeping bags and food too.” He tapped the rucksack that he had slung over his shoulder.

“You’ve thought of everything!” said Georgia enthusiastically. “I’ll see if Em wants to join us,” she added, not wanting to leave her best friend out. “I’ll go and call her now, after I’ve spoken to Mum and Simon.”

“Good idea,” said Dan. “So where shall we put them?” he called after Georgia as she headed for the house.

“Maybe over there,” she replied, pointing to the
lawn that was nearest the ponies.

“OK, I’ll get started.” Dan grinned, striding over to pick up the tent bag.

By the time Georgia got back from speaking to her mum and Simon, Dan had finished putting the two tents up. She’d also rung Emma, who’d jumped at the chance to join them camping and whose mum had agreed straight away, so Dan suggested the two girls share the larger tent.

“This is going to be fun!” he said, standing back to admire his handiwork. “It’s not often I get a night away from the farm. I might even get a lie-in!”

Georgia smiled, but she still couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that she’d had ever since that strange boy had turned up. It would be fun to camp with her friends but she also felt a strong sense of foreboding…

Still, she knew she’d feel a lot better that night if
she were actually here with the ponies rather than fretting about them in her bed at home.

Georgia began to feel better as the quiet afternoon wore on. Once the ponies had been fed and the picnic devoured, the three friends sat down on the grass with the dogs. Dan had a terrier on his lap and was stroking its tan ears, gently pulling them through his fingers.

Feeling content, Georgia glanced at the ponies, who had just ambled over to them and were now vying for attention over the fence.

Lily hung back shyly, but came forward when Georgia got to her feet and beckoned her gently.

“You know, Georgia, even I can see how much that pony likes you,” Emma said, watching her friend gently stroke the pony’s curved ears.

“I know,” Georgia replied, feeling a little emotional. “I’m so lucky. She’s the best thing that’s
happened to me for a long time!” She cleared her throat and smiled at her friends brightly. “Now, do either of you fancy a game of tennis?”

The evening passed quickly. Emma and Dan played tennis on the Haydens’ court while Georgia stayed near the ponies, lying on her stomach and keeping one eye on the game and the other on Lily, who hadn’t left the fence.

Later, as the sun set and the evening grew chillier, they all wrapped themselves in blankets, lying on their backs to admire the cloudless night sky and the thousands of stars twinkling overhead.

“This is so magical, isn’t it?” said Em, gazing up.

“It really is,” said Georgia.

The ponies were all asleep by now, Callie lying down, and Wilson and Lily resting their back legs, their heads hanging low and their bottom lips drooping.

Watching the ponies sleeping suddenly made Georgia feel tired and she announced she was going to bed. She crawled into the tent and wriggled into her sleeping bag, followed by Emma and Pip, who curled up on his dog blanket.

“Night, all!” Dan called cheerfully from his tent. “Sleep well!”

But Georgia didn’t sleep well at all. She woke several times, thinking she could hear something. But when she strained her ears, there was nothing. Each time she lay still for a few minutes, before dropping off to sleep again. Pip was dozing beside her, twitching as she dreamed. Emma was also fast asleep, her breathing deep and even.

When Georgia next woke, she glanced at her watch. Ten past three. Suddenly she knew what had woken her – there was a rustling sound outside. Georgia sat up. She could hear the ponies
stamping their feet and recognised Wilson’s snort.

Creeping out of her tent, she could just about make out the pale form of Lily, who was standing in between Wilson and Callie. All three ponies had their heads high, staring at something in the distance. Just then a fox barked, an eerie sound that carried clearly across the still night sky. The ponies started, shying sideways and snorting. At this, Dan appeared from his tent as well.