A Friend in Need Read online

  For my wonderful parents, who have

  always believed in my stories.

  PROLOGUE

  Alice pushed open the door to the spare room and headed straight to the bookshelves. There were so many pony books that she felt sure there must be one about training tricky ponies!

  As she touched each book spine in turn, Alice’s eyes were drawn to a scrapbook stuffed in behind the other books. Pulling it out, she smiled as she spotted a photo of her mum as a teenager. Josephine was sailing over a jump with a determined look on her face. It was strange for Alice to see her mum on a horse as she hadn’t ridden in years.

  The pony in all the photos was a gorgeous grey. Alice recognised him as Master Blue, her mum’s beloved pony who had died when Alice was just a baby. Alice traced the words with her fingers as she read about success after success. Flicking to the last few pages, Alice felt a lump rise in her throat.

  Here was Blue in a veterinary hospital, her mum lying next to her pony as they slept side by side. A vet’s notes had been stuck in next to the photo. One part stood out to Alice. ‘Severe damage to the deep digital flexor tendon. Prognosis poor.’

  Alice turned the page. Here the words were scrawled on the page with such force the ink had splattered.

  Alice could feel her mum’s anger radiating from the page. She quickly closed the scrapbook. What had happened to Master Blue? Was Angus, Finn’s dad, really to blame? And what did all this mean for Alice and Finn…?

  Chapter 1

  “Well, that wasn’t our best.” Alice reached down and patted Secret, her roan pony, as she walked him back up to the yard on a loose rein. “I’m sorry if I let you down, boy.”

  It was late afternoon on a freezing cold New Year’s Eve and Alice had just returned from a jumping session in the outdoor school. Fergus, the head groom, had helped her set up a small course. Secret had almost cleared the lot in one leap, his scope incredible for a small pony. With his ears pricked and a merry spring in his canter, it had taken all of Alice’s strength to stop him jumping straight out over the arena fence. And the more she held him back, the more erratic his jumping style became, taking off several strides early and then charging on to the next fence.

  “What do I do?” Alice had said helplessly to Fergus.

  Fergus had smiled kindly. “Well, he’s definitely keen. Let’s just hope they have a decent jumping instructor at the pony club!”

  Alice untacked Secret with numb fingers and put his rug back on before leading him into his stable, the shelter a relief from the icy wind. Secret immediately started to tuck into his hay net, and Alice smiled, leaning against him for a few moments. Although Secret was a purebred Section B, and perfectly capable of living out in the cold, Alice was glad he was in his cosy stable.

  Fergus chuckled. “You’d have that pony living in your bedroom if you could. If he was on a Welsh mountain, he’d have to survive outside!”

  Alice grinned. “I know, but he’s so used to his creature comforts now I can’t make him go outside in this.” Then she laughed as Secret butted her gently as if in agreement before turning back to his hay.

  “Pfft. Spoilt boy.”

  Alice knew Fergus was only teasing her. All the ponies in her mum’s showing yard were in at night, even the hardy breeds like Porridge the Shetland and Lachlan the Highland. The winter had already been long and hard and summer seemed like a lifetime ago.

  “I’ll tell you who must be finding it tough…” Fergus leaned on the door. “Finn and Sasha’s new mare. Poor thing, coming from Spain to a harsh British winter. Finn probably has got her inside the house, knowing him.”

  Alice’s tummy flipped at the mention of Finn. “I wouldn’t know what Finn is up to nowadays,” she muttered, concentrating hard on her pony.

  Fourteen-year-old Finn Cutler and his older sister, Sasha, had spent lots of time with Alice and her family over the summer. Finn had ridden the yard’s show ponies alongside performing in the Flying Fillies, his family’s amazing pony display team. Alice and Finn had become really close, and she’d thought they had a special bond.

  But then Finn’s dad had arrived back after more than a year working away and Alice had barely seen Finn since. It turned out that Finn’s dad, Angus, and Alice’s mum, Josephine, knew each other from way back, and they really didn’t like each other. Alice knew their disagreement was connected to her mum’s old horse, Master Blue, and after finding the scrapbook she knew that her mum held Angus responsible for Blue’s accident. Alice longed to know exactly what had happened but her mum refused to talk about it. And since Angus’s return they’d barely seen or heard from Finn. He’d even pulled out of riding at the Horse of the Year Show with Alice, choosing instead to go to Spain with his dad to rescue a pony.

  Playing with Secret’s forelock, Alice thought back to the summer. Finn had been the first person she had confided in about her problems with Secret. The little red pony had been a challenge from the start, wilful and hot-headed. Although he and Alice adored each other, and Alice was a great rider, she struggled with him at times. Since she had stopped showing him things had improved, but Alice missed Finn’s help and advice. He had an amazing way with horses and was an incredible rider.

  Trying to shake Finn from her thoughts, Alice sighed. Anyway, she’d be seeing him soon enough. She had finally joined the pony club, and most of the winter programme was to be held at Hilltops, an equestrian centre just four miles away. Tomorrow, on New Year’s Day, Alice was going to her first event. And the Flying Fillies, Finn and Sasha’s pony display team, were going to be putting on a show.

  On the one hand, Alice couldn’t wait; it was a chance to get to know everyone and have her first taste of pony club life. But it would be the first time she had seen Finn in months, and she couldn’t stop the butterflies in her stomach from fluttering. Well, not so much fluttering as banging and crashing into each other! Alice felt sick. Would Finn still look the same and act the same towards her?

  Later that night, as the clock crept closer to midnight, Alice decided to go and say a final goodnight to Secret. Her mum and dad were watching the New Year’s Eve celebrations on the TV in the living room. Pulling a bobble hat on over her pale hair, Alice slipped and slid down the garden path. There was no need for a torch as the moon was incredibly bright, bathing the garden and yard in a silvery light. There were a thousand stars overhead and everything was frozen solid and still. A few of the ponies were lying down, blinking sleepily at Alice as she passed the stables. And there, at the end of the line, was Secret. He was resting a leg, his eyes shut, but on hearing Alice’s footsteps he gave a whicker.

  Opening the stable door, Alice smiled. “Nearly the new year, my boy. A big year for us.”

  It seemed amazing to think that a year ago Alice had ridden Secret for the first time. It hadn’t been an easy few months. Despite Alice’s mum being a very well-known showing producer, it became clear after several disastrous events that the young and feisty Secret wasn’t cut out for the show ring. Alice had finally decided that he – and she – would be better suited to jumping.

  But things weren’t straightforward with the jumping either. Secret had raw talent, but Alice didn’t know how to move forward with him.

  As Secret sank down into his bed, Alice put her arms round him. Over the still night air, she could just hear the church bells chime midnight, the deep tones floating up to Park Farm, along with the faintest sounds of cheering and ‘Auld Lang Syne’. Alice hadn’t had any party invites, never having enough time to see friends from school. But it was much better being here with Secret. Giving him a final hug, she stretched her long legs, now stiff with cold, as she got up. Who knew what the new year had in store for her and her mischievous pony!

  Chapter 2r />
  “You must be Alice Smalley!”

  No sooner had Alice and her mum entered the equestrian centre than Alice found her hand grasped in a firm handshake by June Darby, the district commissioner of Hilltops pony club. Alice had heard June was kind but didn’t take any nonsense. With her steely blue eyes and brisk voice, Alice could well believe that. She hid a smile, wondering what June would think of Secret and his naughty ways!

  “We’ve been looking forward to meeting you both,” June continued. “We’ve got plenty planned for this coming year. What is it you really like doing?”

  Alice felt put on the spot. “Um, I like showjumping. We’ve been jumping some small courses.” It sounded a bit silly when she said it like that; she and Secret had only recently been jumping in their school at home.

  “Wonderful!” June clapped her hands together. “We’re putting together a junior showjumping team. It’s the one team that is a little thin on the ground but I’m hoping that will change this year. We’ve got big plans for it: regular training, area competitions, that sort of thing.”

  Alice smiled at the older woman. She felt a bubble of excitement rise at the thought of a possible place on the team. She’d love for her and Secret to make friends and receive regular feedback, as well as have the chance to compete against other teams.

  There were plenty of people milling around, and tables laden with party food. Everyone seemed to know each other, and talked confidently about ponies and their Christmas holidays. Alice’s mum was soon chatting to someone, while Alice hovered next to the food, hoping to find someone she could talk to. She couldn’t help but look around for Finn, but there was no sign of him.

  “Hi!”

  Alice jumped as a girl appeared next to her, a friendly smile on her face. She was incredibly pretty, with dark glossy hair tied in a ponytail and huge green eyes framed by long dark eyelashes. She reminded Alice of a well-groomed cat.

  “I’m Hannah,” the girl said.

  “Hi, Hannah,” Alice said a little shyly. “I’m Alice. I’m new.”

  “I guessed,” Hannah said, raising an eyebrow. “Or you’d have helped yourself to all the best food!”

  Alice laughed, feeling herself relax.

  “So you’re local?” Hannah questioned. “I heard we had a new member. Why didn’t you join until now?”

  Alice thought about her answer. She had been about to join the pony club just before her old pony Honey’s accident. But she didn’t want to go into that now. Without thinking she touched the scar on her cheek, a reminder of that awful day, and wondered if Hannah had noticed it. The scar had faded, but Alice was very conscious of it. “I’m really busy normally, helping my mum; she’s over there.” She gestured at Josephine, who was deep in conversation. “She runs a showing yard but I’ve got my own pony now, a Welsh Section B, and we’re going to do our own thing.”

  “Cool,” Hannah said. “I love Section Bs.”

  “Are you local too?” Alice asked, grabbing a handful of crisps.

  “You could say that!” Hannah laughed. “I live here.”

  “What, here?” Alice looked round her.

  “Well, obviously not in the stables!” Hannah looked at her in amusement. “But, yeah, we live here. My dad runs the livery yard and most of the group lessons are held here. It means I get to know everyone horsey.”

  Alice smiled. Hannah seemed very confident. Alice wished she could be more like that!

  A group of people came into the room and Hannah waved them over.

  “Alice, this is Lola, Rosie, Jordan, Amy and Sam. They’ll be in your ride with me. How old are you?”

  “Thirteen,” Alice said, smiling and trying to remember their names as they gathered around her. Everyone seemed to gravitate towards Hannah, asking her about her Christmas and New Year’s Eve. It seemed Hannah had been to some glamorous party in London and all the girls listened intently as Hannah filled them in on the night’s events. Alice thought about her own New Year’s Eve, sitting in the straw in Secret’s stable.

  “Hi, Alice.” Jordan, one of two boys, gave her a wave. He was nice-looking with light brown hair and hazel eyes. “We’re the most popular boys in the pony club.”

  “That’s because you’re the only boys in the branch,” Hannah said, arching one beautifully shaped eyebrow.

  Jordan laughed. “Ah, you spoil all the fun, Hannah.”

  Hannah linked arms with Alice. “Come and sit with us,” she said, pulling Alice away.

  Alice glanced over at her mum, who was still talking, and gave her a wave to let her know she was going to go and sit with her new friends. She thought it was unlikely her mum was going to watch the display.

  “So, this display is exciting, isn’t it? How gorgeous is Finn?”

  Alice looked up sharply. How did Hannah know Finn?

  “Oooh, Hannah, has he been in touch?” Lola giggled and Hannah smiled a confident, knowing smile.

  “Texted me this morning.” she said in a smug voice.

  “How do you know Finn?” Alice was finally able to get her words out.

  Hannah turned to her as they took their seats. “Oh, do you know him as well?”

  Alice nodded. Suddenly she felt the need to prove to Hannah that she and Finn were friends.

  “Yes,” she said in what she hoped was a confident voice. “I know him well actually. He rode ponies for my mum last summer.”

  “I see.” Hannah narrowed her green eyes a little as she looked at Alice. “So, do you see him loads?”

  Alice hesitated. “Well, not recently.”

  “He came around with his dad last week,” Hannah said, a small smile on her lips. “He’s so nice, isn’t he? Funny and cheerful.”

  Alice frowned. That didn’t sound like the Finn she knew. He was funny, but he kept his guard up, and she certainly wouldn’t describe him as cheerful.

  “So, do you think he has a girlfriend?” Hannah said, looking straight at Alice. “I mean, look at him!”

  Alice wavered for a moment. “Er, no. No, I don’t think he does.”

  “But how do you know?” Hannah pressed. “You said you hadn’t seen him recently.”

  Alice opened her mouth, and then closed it again, unable to think of a reply. Her mind was whirring. Why had Finn and Angus been visiting the equestrian centre?

  “Hannah, you HAVE to invite Finn to your party!” Lola squealed. “How’s the planning coming along?”

  “I already did, and it’s going to be amazing,” Hannah said. “Dad’s managed to get a DJ to come up from a London club. Normally he wouldn’t do fourteenth birthday parties, but he said he would, for me.”

  Alice sat awkwardly as Hannah talked across her, telling everyone about the Winter Wonderland party that would be held in February for her birthday.

  “Soooo many people are coming,” she continued. “Loads of people from pony club and school.”

  Amy nudged Hannah and glanced quickly at Alice. Hannah followed her gaze. “Oh, Alice, you must come along too!” she added. ‘“I’ll get an invite to you.”

  Alice smiled and nodded, although she couldn’t help thinking that Hannah didn’t sound very sincere. Perhaps she was just imagining things.

  Soon any further chatting was halted as the lights dimmed and a spotlight fell on the arena. An excited buzz filled the seating area, which was completely full. The first bars of the music Alice knew so well rang out, and she felt the hairs on her arms stand up. The last time she had heard this music had been at a party held by Samantha, a client of Josephine’s. Alice and Secret had performed with the team, and it had been a real turning point in their relationship. Inexplicably her eyes filled with tears and she quickly brushed them away.

  The spotlight fell on Sasha, Finn’s older sister, and her beautiful grey, Robin. Alice had got to know the horses at Finn’s yard over the summer and she missed them so much.

  The crowd were cheering now, as Robin reared higher and higher in the spotlight, Sasha never moving from her side sa
ddle. Then in came Molly standing astride the back of the two Dales ponies, Jack and Jill. Alice had ridden Jill at the party in the summer. She felt a stab of jealousy. It wasn’t that she wanted to ride in the team like Molly; she just wanted to be involved somehow.

  Next a rider galloped in on the chestnut ex racehorse Marcus used to ride. Marcus was Sasha’s horrible ex-boyfriend. He used to ride for the team before he was fired. The new boy was a brilliant rider, throwing himself off the side of his horse in the blink of an eye. The pony club members, nearly all of whom were girls, gasped and cheered as the fourth rider rode in on the most beautiful snow white Highland. It was Finn on his pony Horatio, and Alice felt her stomach turn over.

  “Oh Hannah!” Lola gasped. “He’s sooooo gorgeous! He’d better accept your party invitation.”

  “Oh, I’m sure he will,” Hannah grinned, never taking her eyes away from him.

  Alice bit her cheek and said nothing, trying to concentrate on the performance. She knew practically every move in the Flying Fillies’ routine. As Finn cantered past, waving to the crowd, Alice wondered if he’d seen her. It was as if the whole previous summer had never happened, and she was back to watching the Flying Fillies after her show classes, wondering if the dark-haired boy ever noticed her watching.

  Chapter 3

  “Amazing!” Hannah cried as the Flying Fillies cantered around the arena one final time, waving and laughing. “Can you imagine June’s face if we all wanted to try that instead of boring dressage. Hilarious! Maybe Angus will teach us some moves in his lessons.”

  “So Angus is definitely the new instructor?” Jordan asked Hannah, who nodded.

  “Angus is coming to teach here?” Alice gasped before she could stop herself, as Hannah raised a surprised eyebrow.

  “Yep,” she explained. “He’ll be concentrating on getting the showjumping team back off the ground again. My dad put a word in for him.”