The Promise Horse by Jackie Merchant

Author:Jackie Merchant [Merchant, Jackie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781760650629
Publisher: Walker Books Australia
Published: 2018-03-14T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 13

Candlelight flickered from old glass jars in the corners of the kitchen. The storm had knocked out the power, and Gran and Pa had turned up for dinner cooked on the barbecue. Bellies full, everyone sat around the kitchen table and chatted quietly.

Harry had waited all evening for the opportunity to bring up the gymkhana. All the talk had been of farm stuff, water levels and hay prices. For once everyone seemed half-happy and relaxed, even her mum, and Harry knew bringing up the gymkhana would break that. Slumped into the side of Pa, snug and comfortable, she was too tired to even get up for bed, and it was too late an hour to mention the gymkhana.

Her mum, catching her with her eyes drooping, said, “Harry, bedtime for you. Brush your teeth first.”

Making her way around the table, Harry said her goodnights. As she reached the kitchen door, Grandma sang out, “Oh, Harry I meant to ask. Are you going to the gymkhana? The signs are up in town.”

Harry didn’t dare look at her mother. At least this meant she didn’t have to bring it up. “Lizzie says we’re ready, but I need permission from Mum and Dad,” she replied.

“If Lizzie says you’re ready, of course you can go,” said her dad, who looked genuinely pleased for her. “It sounds like fun. I will try to get someone else to be on call that day so I can come too.”

Harry looked across to her mum. If she would just say yes, it could be done as simple as that. Instead, she said, “It’s late. We’ll talk about it in the morning,” and waved her hand. Harry knew better than to get too excited. As she turned to go, she saw her mum shoot her dad a hard look. It said clearly that she didn’t agree with him.

That look let her know that they were a long way from the gymkhana yet.

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