Sophie and the Spooky Pony by Olivia Tuffin

Author:Olivia Tuffin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Published: 2021-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

“Steady, Merlin,” Jess said calmly. She was a brilliant rider and Sophie knew she had loads of horse experience. “There’s nothing there.”

“Nutmeg!” Looking a little breathless, Amina pulled up the small pony. Nutmeg’s tiny ears were pricked forward as far as they could go and her eyes were wide as she flung her head up.

“There’s something in that corner she doesn’t like!” Amina said, patting Nutmeg as the pony wheeled round, looking down into the bottom corner of the arena.

“That’s what Merlin was looking at,” Jess said with a little frown. “I really had to work hard to get him past that corner. One minute, fine, then not. So weird.”

Sophie looked too. The bottom corner of the arena bordered the little paddock where Fable lived with the sheep and chickens, the same paddock where she had found the prints. There was an old blue barrel on its side, not particularly spooky, and, anyway, it had been there for ever, so the ponies were used to it.

“It’s probably whatever made those prints!” she said aloud, and Poppy, who had just joined them, went pale.

“Not that again,” she said. “There wasn’t anything there!”

Sophie frowned. “I’m telling, you, there was!”

Just you all wait until later, she thought. She would recount what she’d seen in the big field. Then she could tell them what the lady had told her, about Fable and Rosie. She’d save that story for last, because it was the best.

It was now Sophie’s turn to jump for the final time. Patting Gorse’s sturdy neck, Sophie gathered up the plaited reins and gave him a nudge. Gorse was forward-going and loved jumping. But as Sophie trotted him down the long side of the arena, it was as though a current of electricity had passed through him. Sophie felt his whole body tense as he tucked his head in and slowed right down, blowing out from his nostrils, his eyes bulging.

“Come on, Gorse!” Lainey called. “Not you too?”

Sophie gave the little Exmoor a determined nudge, trying to get him trotting again, but Gorse was backing away from the blue barrel and the bottom corner of the field. It felt as though he might sink back on his haunches and spin around at any second. It was a bit unnerving, Sophie thought, gritting her teeth. Giving Gorse a scratch on his withers, she nudged him again. Uttering an exaggerated snort, Gorse high-stepped past the scary blue barrel, practically curving his body round as he stared at it.

“I don’t know what’s got into you ponies today!” Lainey threw up her hands. “Well done, Sophie – well ridden.”

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