Poppy and the Perfect Pony Read online

  “Well,” Izzy said in a satisfied voice. “Aren’t you beautiful?”

  He was – Poppy knew that – but Silver Shadow wasn’t just beautiful, he was her friend. For one moment she thought about phoning her mum and getting her to pick her up, not sure if she could bear watching someone else ride and care for her pony. Her dream of cantering the beautiful grey pony on the beach had been torn into a million pieces.

  And as Henry nudged her, Poppy couldn’t stop the tears from spilling over as she leaned into him. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Henry was lovely, but he wasn’t Silver Shadow.

  CHAPTER 3

  “Right, everyone!”

  Lainey strode into the yard, and Poppy hastily wiped her eyes as she peered out over the stable door.

  “Let’s start with a getting-to-know-your-pony session,” Lainey continued. “They all love a good groom!”

  There was a flurry of activity as head collars were fastened on and the ponies were led into the yard and tied to the rings outside each stable.

  Poppy noticed Sophie’s pony, a lovely bay with rich dapples, start to nibble at his lead rope, an innocent expression on his face as he pulled the rope loose. On the other side, Gracie was looking a little worried as her pony flattened his ears back and bobbed his head up and down. Poppy gave Henry’s lead rope a gentle tug and with a loud groan the dark bay shuffled behind her out into the sunlight.

  As Poppy brushed his coat with a rubber curry comb, Henry rested a leg and closed his eyes. Poppy looked over his back and across the yard to where Silver Shadow, or Misty as everyone else knew him, stood. Misty was tied up outside his stable, his head held high as he surveyed the comings and goings. Unlike Henry, whose bottom lip was now drooping heavily, Misty was almost buzzing with energy, the muscles rippling under his spotless white coat. Poppy wondered if he was looking for her as he danced around. She sighed, turning back to Henry and starting on the tangles in the pony’s coarse mane.

  “That’s the wrong one,” Poppy heard a voice say. “That’s the wrong brush for doing manes.” Izzy stepped forward, sounding as if she was explaining the most obvious thing in the world. Poppy looked at the green rubber curry comb in her hand. She’d been so distracted by Misty that she’d forgotten to switch brushes.

  “I know … I just…” But her words were drowned out by Izzy rooting noisily through Henry’s grooming kit.

  “You need something like this,” Izzy instructed bossily, pulling out a round-headed brush quite similar to Poppy’s own hairbrush. She ran it over the end section of Henry’s mane and grimaced. “Ugh,” she said. “It’s really tough, isn’t it? Not like Misty’s.”

  Poppy wanted to shout, to tell her she knew exactly what Misty’s mane felt like, because she knew him way better than Izzy did. She knew how soft his curved ears were and how velvety his pink muzzle was, and how, up close, his grey flecks looked like stars. But instead she just nodded glumly. Part of her felt a bit bad for Henry. It wasn’t his fault he had such a bristly mane and she knew she ought to stick up for him. But she’d been so looking forward to grooming her dream grey pony, and now Izzy had made her feel like a total beginner as well. Of course Poppy knew about grooming kits. She knew exactly which brush was used for what – she always scored top marks in the pony-magazine quizzes. She bit her lip, annoyed at herself.

  “So, how long have you been riding?” Izzy asked.

  Poppy shuffled her feet. She’d been dreading this question. She’d loved ponies all her life, she’d read every single book the local library had to offer, and treasured every copy of Pony magazine, memorising the hints-and-tips page. But she didn’t actually have that much riding experience.

  “Oh, quite a long time. I had my first lesson when I was six,” she said airily. Izzy didn’t need to know that Poppy had only ridden once or twice a year since that first amazing birthday present.

  “Well, I’ve been riding since before I could walk,” said Izzy. “Lessons every week at Hardwick Manor. Have you heard of it?”

  “Yes, of course,” Poppy lied. She had no idea what Izzy was talking about, but she didn’t want to let Izzy know that.

  “So Lainey spoke to my instructor at Hardwick,” Izzy continued breezily, “and she agreed I could ride Misty. Lainey knew I’d be OK with him. He’s not a typical riding-school pony at all.” With this, Izzy glanced at Henry, her lip curling just slightly as the bay pony shifted his weight, lifted his tail and let out an enormous fart, then gave a contented sigh as he resumed resting his leg.

  Before Poppy could even think of a reply, Izzy had sauntered off. Poppy turned back to Henry’s mane, this time using the right brush. It was going from bad to worse. Not only did she have to watch someone else with Silver Shadow, but that someone was Izzy. Taking her dream jacket was one thing, but her dream pony was quite another!

  Poppy sniffed. She was grateful for Henry’s sturdy neck that hid her face so that no one could see how upset she was. She wished Evie, her friend from school, was around. Amina and Sophie had been really nice, but without Silver Shadow to ride and care for, she felt so alone.

  A few minutes later Lainey strolled by, just as Poppy was applying a slick of polish to Henry’s big feet. Lainey paused, leaning on the stable door. She had lovely riding clothes on – neat breeches and brown boots, the sort that spoke of years and years in the saddle.

  “Is everything OK, Poppy?” she asked gently, and Poppy straightened up, hanging her head. She didn’t know how to tell Lainey why she was feeling so sad.

  “I thought…” she said in a croaky voice. “I thought when I came here I’d ride Silver Shadow…” It all came out in a rush. “Because you knew how much I loved him.”

  Lainey looked a little confused for a second before she smiled kindly.

  “Ah,” she said. “Silver Shadow. Is that what you call Misty?”

  “Yes,” Poppy mumbled. “That’s what he comes to when I call him.”

  “Well, he certainly likes you!” said Lainey “He doesn’t go to just anyone for a pat. And that name really suits him.” Poppy felt a shiver of happiness. Lainey had noticed their bond. But then why had she paired her with another pony instead?

  As if reading her thoughts, Lainey reached forward and patted Henry.

  “But, Poppy,” she said gently. “A pony on the ground can be very different to ride. Misty can be highly strung and does need a more experienced rider. I wanted you to have a good time at camp, which is why I thought Henry would be the perfect choice.”

  Poppy nodded, once again feeling a little guilty. Lainey must think she only wanted to ride Misty because he was flashier, but it wasn’t that, although of course he was the most beautiful pony in the yard. It was because he was the pony who listened to all her chatter, let her plait his silken mane, nuzzled her gently when she’d had a bad day at school. As Henry nudged her, she automatically patted him back, thinking about Lainey’s words. She’d try and have the best week she could at camp, but it wasn’t going to be the same.

  CHAPTER 4

  Once the ponies were groomed and the stables tidied, there was a break before lunch for the camp members to check out the barn they would be sleeping in and unpack their bags. Poppy’s mum had been worried about it being draughty, but the barn walls were a warm honey-coloured stone, which made it feel surprisingly cosy.

  For a few minutes the children milled around. The boys were in a little alcove at the end of the barn, and Sophie and Amina were chatting to some of the other girls Poppy recognised from the pony pairing. Feeling brave, she went and joined them.

  “We need to choose our beds. Bagsy this one!” Sophie grinned, making a leap for a camp bed. “Amina, Poppy, Gracie, Jess, Willow, over here!”

  “Good one, Sophie.” Amina hauled her bag over, dumping it on the next bed. “Let’s stick together.”

  To Poppy’s relief, Izzy and her friend Daisy, the girl Poppy had tried to say hello to earlier, were nowhere to be seen. She started to unpack, slowly pulling out her riding clo
thes but keeping them folded so as not to draw attention to them. She couldn’t bear it if the other girls teased her about how bright they were.

  But Gracie, the girl with the grumpy-looking piebald pony, turned to Poppy with a smile.

  “I love your jodhs!” she exclaimed as Poppy looked at the bright-pink pair. “My mum wouldn’t let me have anything fun.” Gracie pulled out her own riding gear. “Boring old beige for me.”

  That had been exactly what Poppy wanted, but she smiled, feeling much better. She no longer felt as though she wanted to call her mum. Even though she didn’t have her dream pony to ride, at least the other girls seemed really nice, and loved horses as much as she did!

  “Is everyone pleased with their ponies?” Willow, cross-legged on her bed, threw her pillow at Sophie, who caught it with a chuckle.

  “Couldn’t be better,” she replied. “Gorse is the best.”

  “Is he an Exmoor?” Poppy asked, thrilled she could use her pony-breed knowledge. She’d spent ages studying the native-breeds-of-Britain poster map on her bedroom wall.

  “Yep,” Sophie said. “And he’s brilliant. So funny. He’s already untied himself three times and knocked his water bucket over!”

  “I’ve got Bobby,” Gracie said with a little frown. “He’s a bit grumpy … I hope he likes me soon.”

  “Luna’s ace,” Willow said. “She’s meant to be super fast at games.”

  “No wonder Lainey partnered her with you,” Gracie said. “Don’t you run for the county?”

  Willow nodded. “Yes,” she replied. “I love them both – running and riding. Ponies more though.”

  “Always.” Jess smiled. “What about Henry, Poppy?”

  Poppy bit her lip. Truthfully, she’d been so busy thinking about Silver Shadow, or Misty, that she’d not really got to know Henry yet.

  “He’s err…” She struggled to think about how to describe Henry. “He’s nice.”

  Jess looked at her thoughtfully, her dark eyes full of questions, and Poppy wondered if she’d picked up on her uncertain tone. Then Jess changed the subject.

  “I wonder how ‘Izz the Whizz’ will get on with Misty?” she said. “He’s meant to be a bit of a handful.”

  “I’d rather stick with Gorse,” Sophie said. “I want to have fun, thanks!”

  “Misty is the most beautiful, gentle pony ever,” Poppy blurted out, and everyone turned to look at her. She felt herself blush but she had to stick up for Misty. Once again, a little voice questioned why she hadn’t stood up for Henry earlier when Izzy had been so mean about his mane.

  “Do you know him?” Jess asked.

  Poppy nodded. “I see him every day,” she explained. “I visit him after school. I love him so much, I…” And to her awful embarrassment, hot tears started to fall. She was upset, but she was annoyed too. Annoyed Izzy had got to ride Misty instead of her, and annoyed she had corrected her about the grooming kits.

  “Hey!” Amina was beside her in a flash. “Don’t be upset! Camp is meant to be fun.” She gave Poppy’s shoulders a squeeze.

  “Did you think Misty was going to be your pony?” Jess said gently.

  Poppy nodded. “Yes,” she said, wiping her eyes. “Lainey always saw me with him. I thought she’d noticed how well we got on together.”

  Willow tilted her head to one side. “But there’s more to it than that, isn’t there?” She shrugged. “If you’re not experienced enough for him, then that’ll be the reason.”

  Poppy knew Willow was right, but she couldn’t help but feel the sting of her words.

  Willow, as if realising she’d been a little harsh, smiled. “But I’m sure Henry’s great. All Lainey’s ponies are lovely,” she said kindly.

  “It’ll work out!” Sophie threw her pillow at Poppy. “You’ll still have a brilliant week with Henry! Come on, let’s go for lunch. We’ve got the riding to look forward to later!”

  Feeling more cheerful, Poppy headed out with her new friends to a trestle table set up under the big oak tree at the far end of the yard. The sheep she’d seen earlier, who Poppy had learned was called Mini, was waiting hopefully next to the table. Every now and again she was shooed away by a kind-looking lady who was putting a paper bag on each plate. Smiling, she beckoned them over.

  “Just a minute, kids! Have a sit down in the shade!”

  Doing as they were told, the girls flopped down underneath the tree, enjoying the cool shade of its branches as Mini rustled and nosed among them.

  Willow frowned, wriggling a bit as though she had sat on something.

  “What’s this?” She moved over and, where the glint of something metal could just be seen, cleared away the dusty earth with her hands. Everyone gathered round, looking at the object she picked up. A horseshoe! Poppy peered at it. The metal was soft and worn and there was a faint inscription in the curve of the shoe.

  “I can’t quite read it,” she said, squinting at the words. “I wonder where it’s from?”

  “Well, wherever it’s from, I reckon it’s a sign! Horseshoes are meant to be lucky, aren’t they?” Amina grinned.

  “We’ll hang it above our camp beds!” Sophie grinned. “Let’s do it now while we’re waiting!”

  Everyone agreed this was a great idea, all jumping up in a rush of giggles and chatter to follow Sophie back to the barn. Poppy felt a ripple of happiness, no longer missing Evie so much. Now she’d made some new friends, the week was definitely looking up – even more so when, as the tallest in the group, she was the one who got to hang the horseshoe up. All the girls clapped as the horseshoe caught a beam of light, making the dull metal sparkle.

  “To the best camp ever!” said Amina.

  Just as in the barn, Sophie took charge once lunch was all set up, pulling out the benches so the six girls could sit together at the end of the table. Izzy and Daisy were at the far end, deep in conversation, with the two boys sitting in the middle.

  “Come on!” Sophie gestured to the seats. “Let’s stick together!”

  Starving hungry, Poppy opened her lunch bag. The sandwiches looked delicious – big chunks of bread with cheese and pickle, a shiny red apple and a homemade cookie. Misty was in his stable on the other side of the yard, watching the lunch with interest, but Poppy felt sure he was watching her most of all. Automatically her eyes moved to Henry’s stable where the little pony was snoozing in the shade. Poppy could only see the tops of his ears and the fluff of his forelock sticking up above the door. It looked so sweet that it brought a smile to her face. Misty might be her dream pony but Henry was hers for the week.

  Ever since she’d chatted with the rest of the girls, a plan had been forming in Poppy’s mind. If she impressed Lainey with Henry this week, then perhaps she could ride Misty eventually, even if it wasn’t until camp next year. Perhaps she could ask her mum and dad for a couple more riding lessons for birthday and Christmas presents so she’d be more experienced. And maybe she could see if her neighbours’ cars needed washing, or their dogs needed walking. That way she could earn enough to pay for her own lessons. Somehow she’d find a way to ride Misty.

  She finished the last of her lunch, excited about the riding that afternoon now she had a plan. She was going to get good enough to ride her Silver Shadow!

  CHAPTER 5

  When Poppy went to tack him up a bit later, Henry was flat out on his side, fast asleep.

  “Henry!” Poppy clicked her tongue. Henry opened one eye and briefly lifted his head before giving a deep sigh, laying his head back down and shutting his eye again.

  “Henry?” Poppy repeated, crouching beside him and giving his shoulder a gentle nudge. “It’s time to ride.”

  Was Henry actually snoring?

  “Come on, boy.” Poppy bit her lip, unsure what to do. “Let’s try your head collar.” With a little difficulty, as Henry’s head was surprisingly heavy, Poppy managed to fasten the head collar on. Tugging gently at the rope, Poppy tried to encourage the little pony to get up, but he gave another loud gr
oan.

  She felt panic rising in her stomach. Something wasn’t right. Henry wasn’t even opening his eyes now, just making the same ominous groaning noises. Kneeling down again, Poppy placed an ear to his tummy and felt her heart stop as it gave a gurgling rumble. Henry must be ill. Her mind raced back to her pony books. Henry was groaning and reluctant to get up. It could only be one thing, the thing every horse person feared. Colic. She needed to find Lainey, and fast!

  Poppy quickly unfastened the head collar with shaking fingers, giving Henry a hug.

  “I’ll get you help, boy. Hold on!” she called, letting herself out of the stable before running smack bang into Izzy.

  “What’s up?” Izzy asked, and Poppy gestured to the stable, hardly able to speak as she choked back a sob.

  “It’s Henry,” she stammered. “He’s ill!”

  Izzy glanced into the stable. “What are you talking about?” She shrugged dismissively. “He’s just asleep.”

  A bubble of anger rose in Poppy. She knew Henry was ill. Izzy might have been right about the brushes but she wasn’t right this time!

  “He’s got colic!” she cried. “I read about it in my stable-management book. It’s obvious!”

  And without waiting for an answer, Poppy sprinted as fast as she could towards Lainey.

  “Lainey!” Poppy yelled, aware everyone was now looking at her. “It’s Henry!” Her voice was high with panic, her breath coming out in short gasps. “Please help!”

  Lainey followed Poppy as she rushed back to Henry’s stable, her heart pounding. What if it was too late? Why hadn’t she gone to say hello to him straight after her lunch instead of staying to chat to Amina and looking through Pony magazine? She would have found him before he lay down, unable to get up again.