The Palomino Pony Rides Out Read online

  For my Lara,

  such a special summer

  O.T.

  “Are you listening, Alexia?”

  The voice echoing around the yard broke into the girl’s thoughts. She stared blankly at her new home: Seven Birches. An Olympic-sized arena lay just in front of her and, behind that, fields stretched as far as the eye could see. There was even a horse walker to ensure the horses could be exercised in all weather. The yard had been kitted out with the best that money could buy and Alexia should have been excited about living there, but she just wasn’t. She opened her mouth to speak but before she even had a chance to reply, her stepfather’s voice had cut in again.

  “I said, are you listening, Alexia?”

  “Yes, Joe,” she answered meekly.

  Alexia knew that her stepfather had stretched himself to the limit to buy this place and was walking a tightrope to keep his head above water, but did he really need to be so on edge and snappy? Sighing, she wondered what was preoccupying him this time. How to make his next million, no doubt. Money and horses were his absolute obsessions. He had been a famous showjumper in his youth and he was determined that she should follow in his footsteps.

  But how can I? Alexia thought to herself. I’m absolutely terrified of jumping and I don’t even care about winning competitions.

  Alexia thought of the one thing in her life that she did really care about – her pony, River. She longed just to be able to ride him bareback with nothing more than a halter, but Joe would never allow that. Joe liked hard training, and results. Ponies were for winning competitions, not enjoying.

  Alexia had never been in one place long enough to make proper friends, and Joe’s rigorous training schedule left little time for a social life. But perhaps Seven Birches would change all that. She was starting at her new school the following day, and although she felt nervous, she was also excited about the prospect of meeting new people. It was a shame that she had already missed the start of term, thanks to Joe’s hectic schedule, but hopefully that wouldn’t matter. She drew herself tall and smiled brightly at her stepfather; not letting him know how she really felt, as usual. Taking a deep breath, she followed him down the yard, determined to make this new chapter of her life a good one…

  “Lily … I’m over here.”

  The little palomino pony lifted her head from grazing and whinnied when she caught sight of Georgia sitting on the stone wall.

  Georgia smiled. Lily had grown plump. Her golden coat shone with good health and her amber eyes were bright and alert. But there was something else… Lily’s tummy was growing larger by the day, and Georgia had a feeling that it wasn’t just to do with Redgrove Farm’s rich summer grazing.

  “How are you today, my beauty?” Georgia jumped down from the wall and walked across the Haydens’ field. Melanie and Simon Hayden were the owners of the farm where Lily lived and they had helped Georgia rescue the palomino a few weeks’ ago. Georgia sighed, rubbing the back of her arms in the cool afternoon breeze.

  “Hey there!” A cheerful voice called out, rousing Georgia from her thoughts. Georgia spun round. It was Dan Coleman.

  “Hello.” She smiled shyly.

  Dan and Georgia went to school together and had been firm friends ever since Lily had arrived at the yard. Georgia would always be grateful for the part that Dan had played in rescuing the little Welsh pony. As he strolled through the field now, the early autumn sunshine bouncing off his sandy-coloured hair, Georgia felt a buzz flood through her. He was a good-looking boy and his light blue eyes were set off by his cornflower-coloured jumper. Briefly she remembered the romantic moment they’d shared at the end-of-summer dance last month, then she pulled herself together. This was Dan she was talking about. Her friend Dan.

  “So how’s it going?’ he asked, smiling back at Georgia as he came to stand beside her.

  “It’s going good,’ she said shyly. “But Lily’s getting fat.” She chewed on a thumbnail. “I’m wondering if we could have brought back two ponies instead of one.”

  “Two?” Dan looked momentarily confused, before realisation spread crossed his face. “You mean, you think Lily could be pregnant?”

  “I don’t know for sure,” Georgia said, brushing her wavy blonde hair back from her face, and feeling suddenly nervous. “But I know someone who will!”

  A few days later, the local vet pulled up in his blue estate car. Georgia trusted him implicitly – Lily would have died of colic on the very night they’d rescued her if it hadn’t been for him. Georgia knew she owed him Lily’s life.

  “There you are, Edward.” Melanie Hayden strode out of the house with a tray laden with tea and chocolate biscuits. She was in her late forties, tall and slim.

  “Melanie, the best tea maker on my rounds!” The vet grinned, accepting a steaming mug and a couple of biscuits. “So, where’s the patient?”

  “Over here,” said Georgia, leading him to the far corner of the yard where Lily had been stabled for the night.

  The palomino pony was standing quietly inside, her molten eyes calmly taking in her surroundings.

  “Hello, girl.” The vet rubbed his hand over her glossy flanks. “Well, she’s certainly looking great,” he said. “So, pregnant, huh? You really think she could be?”

  “Well, she has been getting larger by the minute.” Melanie leaned in over the stable door.

  “Let’s take a look, then,” said the vet. “See what we can find.”

  He was soon setting up the scanning equipment next to Lily while she observed him calmly. He listened to her heartbeat and took her temperature before running the monitor over the little mare’s bulging stomach.

  Georgia held her breath and Lily shifted her weight from her hindquarters as the vet examined the fuzzy picture on the screen carefully. Then he put a finger to his lips and beckoned Georgia over. She knelt down, gazing at the image. All she could see was a confusing blur, and she couldn’t make out exactly what she was looking at.

  “Can you see that?” The vet pointed to a gently moving mass in the centre of the picture. “You were right, Georgia,” he said. “Your little lady is in foal, and at a guess, I would say she’s almost nine months.”

  “Nine months!” Georgia gave a gasp, which turned into a squeal. “So she’s going to have a foal any second!”

  The vet grinned. “Not quite any second. A horse’s gestation period is longer than a human’s. I’ll do some further tests, but at a good guess I’d say that Lily will have a winter foal. Maybe early November.”

  Georgia exhaled slowly. It wasn’t often that she was speechless but it took her a few minutes before she was able to regain her composure. Emotion welled up inside her. Lily … her very own Lily was carrying a precious bundle. Then a horrible thought struck her. “But, but I RODE her,” she gasped, guilt crashing down on her. “She even jumped a fence when she saved me!”

  The vet patted Lily’s golden neck. “It’s not ideal,” he agreed. “But it doesn’t look as though it’s done her any damage. You weren’t to know she was pregnant, Georgia. She was so thin when she came here. Now that she’s being properly fed and looked after, well … she’s blooming. I wouldn’t worry – just don’t ride her any more. You can take her out in hand instead, like you were doing when your wrist was fractured. She’d enjoy that.”

  He gave Georgia a warm, reassuring smile. She’d actually only ridden Lily a few times as she’d had a fall that had left her wrist in plaster for three weeks, and then she’d had to wait until the physio allowed her to start riding again. If the vet said that Lily and her foal were fine then she would take his word for it.

  “Lily’s going to have a foal!” Georgia repeated the words, a wide grin breaking out on her fac
e. “Just wait till I tell Mum!”

  “I wonder who the father could be,” Melanie mused. “She was out in that mountainside paddock for quite some time.”

  “Well, let’s just hope it was a nice Welsh stallion,” the vet said. “The most important thing is that she’s here now. And she and her foal are in excellent hands!”

  Later that day, once Lily had been turned out into her field and Georgia had tidied the yard, she sprinted the half mile or so down the road to Dan’s farm. He lived with his dad and brother, Ben. Knocking on the door, she hopped excitedly from foot to foot.

  “Hey, Georgia. Come on in.” Dan finally pulled back the door, running a hand wearily through his hair. He looked pale and was wearing an old jumper and jeans. “I’ve just got in from the milking. Do you want something to drink? Juice?”

  “I’m fine, thanks,” said Georgia, stepping inside.

  “Have you just come from the yard?”

  “Yes!” Georgia couldn’t contain herself any longer. “And you’ll never guess what. I was right! Lily’s in foal!” Georgia’s words spilled out, one after the other.

  A slow smile spread across Dan’s face, lighting it up. “Hey Georgia, that’s brilliant! Lily will be an excellent mum.”

  “I know,” Georgia chattered on, excitement bubbling over. “I can’t quite believe it! I’ve never seen a foal up close before. I wonder if I can watch it being born!”

  Dan laughed. “Well, I’ve seen plenty of calves being born, and let me tell you, it’s not a pretty sight. Still, there’s something special about a new birth, and Lily will want you there, for sure.”

  “Thanks, Dan.” Georgia smiled. “Now, maybe I will have that juice…”

  School had come around far too quickly, after the best summer holidays ever, and although they were now a few weeks into term. Georgia still felt glum on Monday mornings. She and her best friend, Emma, were in Year Nine now, which meant even more coursework. Georgia hated every second of it, but she was trying to keep up. There was no way she wanted to end up on another crammer course, even if the last one had led her to Wales and to Lily!

  At last, the school week came to an end and Georgia packed her things away before heading for the bus. When she walked up the drive to Redgrove and pushed open the door, Melanie was already sitting at the kitchen table, tapping away at her laptop.

  “Just emailing Sophie, G,” she said, looking up. “She seems to be settling well into university life.”

  “That’s great,” grinned Georgia, thinking about Melanie’s daughter. Tall and slim with long blonde hair, Sophie was a brilliant rider. She’d only just gone to uni and Georgia missed her. They had grown closer recently. The night before Sophie had left she had even made a tearful plea to Georgia to look after her horse, Wilson, for her. Georgia had been as good as her word and had texted her every day, often sending a funny photo of Wilson to cheer her up. Which reminded her…

  “Is it all right if I go out on to the yard?” she asked.

  “Sure,” Melanie answered. “I’ll come and join you in a minute. Lily could do with a groom before we bring the others in for their evening feed.”

  “OK,” Georgia answered.

  When Georgia stepped out, she saw Lily waiting by her gate for her. The palomino gave a small whicker.

  “Lily, my angel…” Georgia ran a hand over the pony’s small neat head before burying her face in her neck and breathing in her wonderful scent. The night air was cool and overcast. Slipping Lily’s headcollar on over her nose, she led her into the yard where she was going to groom her.

  “I’m going to give you the best make-over ever,” she crooned.

  This was Georgia’s favourite part of horse care and tonight was no exception. She curry-combed, body-brushed and polished until Lily’s golden coat was positively gleaming.

  “There,” she said finally as she stood back to admire her handiwork. “Now – time for your supper.”

  As Lily buried her head in the bucket of feed, Georgia sat quietly, watching her eat. Georgia still couldn’t quite believe Lily was hers – on loan to her from Melanie, but otherwise her very own pony. And every moment with the palomino was turning out to be so precious…

  Later that evening, after supper with Mum, Georgia curled up in bed with her foaling book, rereading the chapters over and over again. There was so much to take in and so much to learn! Closing her eyes and turning on to her side, Georgia clutched the book to her chest. In no time at all, Lily would be having a baby! It was terrifying but exciting too.

  Georgia sighed, and with her head filled with dreams of ponies and foals, she fell fast asleep.

  The next morning, when Georgia woke, she couldn’t get up to Redgrove quickly enough. Weekends were special as she got to spend the whole day at the yard. She was sitting in the kitchen having a cup of tea and cleaning tack with Melanie when the phone rang.

  “Georgia, it’s Janey,” Melanie said, holding out the phone to her. “She wants a word with you. Something about the Round Barrow team.”

  Georgia jumped up, puzzled. Janey was Sophie’s riding instructor and the head of the local Pony Club team. She didn’t usually call to speak to her. Georgia rubbed a streak of saddle soap from her forehead, her dark blonde hair falling across her face, and took the phone.

  “Hello, Janey,” she said politely.

  “Georgia, great, I thought I would find you at Mel’s.” Janey spoke fast, in a clipped, no-nonsense tone. “Now listen, I wanted to talk to you about something. I need another rider for the Show Pony Autumn Championships – in the Working Hunter Team Challenge – what with Tory, um, not available any more.”

  Georgia listened intently. Tory was Sophie’s ex-best friend. Since they’d found out that she’d been partly responsible for the attempted theft of Lily, she and Sophie hadn’t been so close. Still, Georgia didn’t want to think about that now. She tried to tune into what Janey was saying instead.

  “So,” the riding instructor continued smoothly, “I was wondering if you wanted to try out? Melanie tells me you’re making great progress.”

  “Me?” Georgia squeaked, hardly able to contain her excitement. She – Georgia Black – was being invited to try out for the Round Barrow team! She wanted to pinch herself to check that she wasn’t dreaming. Janey was still talking. “There will be a few people trying out, of course, but lots of the girls have got other stuff going on and we need commitment. I know you work hard at Mel’s and she’s always telling me what a naturally gifted rider you are.”

  Georgia blushed. She turned to stare at Melanie who was busy peeling carrots, smiling to herself. “Go on,” Melanie mouthed.

  “So what do you think?” the voice came from the other end of the phone. “Are you still there?”

  “Er … yes, I mean … er…” Quickly pulling herself together, Georgia cleared her throat. “Oh my goodness, really?” she said, kicking herself for sounding so nervous.

  “Yes, of course,” said Janey. “I’m not promising anything, though,” she finished, rather more matter-of-factly.

  “Yes, yes of course,” said Georgia. “So what day should I be there?” She paused. “OK, yes, next Saturday should be just fine. Ten o’clock sharp at yours. Oh but…” Suddenly something struck Georgia. She couldn’t take part. How could she when Lily was in foal? She didn’t have a pony to ride.

  As if reading her thoughts, Janey continued. “Mel’s said you can ride Wilson – now that Sophie’s away.”

  “Wilson!” Georgia drew her breath in sharply, turning to look at Mel who laughed.

  “Can’t have a perfectly good horse out in the field while he could be jumping on the team,” Janey continued. “And congratulations on Lily, always liked that mare. Did she come to you in foal?”

  “Yes!” Georgia squeaked excitedly, her face lighting up as it did every time she remembered Lily’s baby. And before she could stop herself, she was chatting nineteen-to-the-dozen about the foal’s progress and Lily’s future as a mum. After ne
arly ten minutes, Janey interrupted with a chuckle. “Sorry, Georgia,” she said, “normally I would love to hear all about it but I’ve got to go…”

  “Sure…” As Georgia put down the phone, she saw the look on Mel’s face. “You knew!” she cried.

  “Of course I knew!” said Mel.

  “And you’re sure it’s all right?” said Georgia. “For me to borrow Wilson, I mean. Sophie won’t mind?”

  “Of course she doesn’t mind,” said Mel. “I’ve already asked her and she’s delighted. The poor old boy’s been missing his competitions while she’s been away. She’s pleased that someone’s going to be exercising him. Besides, you’ll be trying out for the junior team, not the seniors, so it won’t conflict with Sophie…” She smiled at Georgia. “So, what do you think?”

  It took all of Georgia’s willpower not to jump up and down and squeal. “I can’t thank you enough!” she cried, her stomach already churning with nerves and excitement.

  “OK then!” said Melanie. “We’d better put in some practice this week!”

  Georgia couldn’t stop grinning from ear to ear as she assembled the bridle she’d just finished cleaning. She was so lucky to have Redgrove!

  For once, Georgia couldn’t wait to climb aboard the school bus on Monday. She was bursting to share the news of the trials with her best friend, Emma. She had resisted the urge to text her as she’d wanted to tell her in person. But, as she got on, her friend’s usual seat was empty. That was strange. Em always got in touch if she was ill or if her mum was dropping her off at school. Still, she’d probably just forgotten.

  Settling into her seat, Georgia stared out of the window and soon she was lost in thought – imagining jumping every hedge and fence in sight as the countryside rolled past. It was only when Dan boarded a few stops later and took the empty seat next to her that she looked up.

  “Hey!” she grinned, noticing a piece of straw still in his hair and carefully removing it.