The Perfect Pony by Michelle Bates

Author:Michelle Bates [Bates, Michelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781409555124
Publisher: Usborne Publishing

7

TURNING POINT

As Alex turned up the driveway to the stables a week later, he felt tired and fed up. He propped his bike up by the barn and started to walk across the yard. Before he even had a chance to get to Puzzle’s stable, she lifted her head over her stable door, and whinnied loudly.

Alex stood quite still. He looked around him to see who she was calling to, but the yard was empty. As he made his way over to her, she whinnied again. Tentatively Alex drew back the door and held out a peppermint for her.

“All right in there?” he grunted begrudgingly. Alex laid a hand on her nose and spoke in a quiet voice as he patted her neck. “Come on then.”

Puzzle sniffed at the offering. But just at that moment, a loud voice came from behind him...

“Hey there!” And Puzzle’s head shot back up.

Alex looked out over the box to see Tom striding over towards him.

“Are you coming to the jumping practice again today?” Tom asked cheerily.

“Nah – don’t think I’ll bother,” Alex said, stepping out of Puzzle’s box and bolting the door.

“Why not? You did pretty well last time,” Tom said.

“Oh, I don’t know.” Alex looked behind him and saw that the yard was filling up – all the regular riders were gathering with their mounts. And if he wasn’t mistaken, Charlie Marshall was striding up the drive too.

Charlie used to be a regular rider at Sandy Lane, but he’d started at racing school last September, and it wasn’t often that he found the time to get back to see them. Alex was pleased to see him.

“Charlie,” he called over. “How are you doing?”

“Great, just great,” Charlie answered, walking over to Tom and Alex and clapping them on the back.

“What are you doing here?” Tom asked. “Bored of the racehorses already?”

“Oh you know – I just thought I’d call in and see what the amateurs were up to,” Charlie swaggered.

Tom gave him a joking thump on the back.

“No, actually, I’m home for the weekend,” Charlie went on. “So I gave Nick a ring to see if I could book a ride with my old Sandy Lane mates, only it appears you’re all practising for the Benbridge Show. I thought I’d come along and show you how it’s done.”

“Ha ha, I suppose that’s meant to be a joke,” Tom laughed.

“No, I’m being perfectly serious,” Charlie grinned.

“Well, I’m afraid I’m not going to be joining you,” Alex joined in. “I’ve got to get Puzzle some vitamin supplements from the fodder merchant’s.”

“Puzzle? Who’s Puzzle?” Charlie butted in. “Is there a new pony at the yard?” Suddenly he looked interested as he leaned into the box beside him. “Oh yikes.” He turned his nose up disdainfully. “Where did that mangy old thing come from?”

Alex looked into the box. He’d thought Puzzle had been looking a lot better lately, but after what Charlie had said, he didn’t want to admit that she was his pony.

“You should have seen her a few weeks ago,” Alex said.

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