Stormchaser and the Silver Mist

by Belinda Rapley

  “No, we shouldn’t dress up,” Mia said firmly. “We don’t want to draw attention to ourselves, in case we need to go off the strict route. Turning up with bridles covered in sleigh bells or pink tinsel isn’t going to help us creep about on any secret missions, is it?”

  The girls looked at each other and broke into excited grins. The case may be the most complicated they’d taken on so far, but suddenly it felt like they’d just been given a key to a huge, locked door.

  As they left the barn to move to the warmth of the kitchen, Phantom walked over to the field gate. He whickered silently to Charlie, who walked over to give him a pat. She felt his ears, which were chilly.

  “I think I’m going to bring Phantom in,” she decided, looking round. “And anyway, I don’t think we should leave our ponies out while all this is going on, not while we’re not here to keep an eye on them.”

  “I’m going to talk to Dad about putting a padlock on the yard gates, too,” Rosie said, as they all picked up their headcollars and called their ponies over. “Especially after what that creepy groom said.”

  On the way back up to the stables, Mia, Charlie and Alice called their parents, to ask if they could stay over at Blackberry Farm until they could be sure that their ponies were safe. But they all got a flat no.

  “My mum says there’s too much still to do at home before Christmas Day,” Alice sighed.

  “And my dad said I already spend so much time at the yard that he’s almost forgotten what I look like,” Charlie grumbled. She knew where she’d rather be – sleeping in Phantom’s stable and keeping her precious horse safe. But she also knew that this was one battle she wouldn’t be able to win.

  “Well, I’ll make sure the yard gate is locked tonight, and I can put Beanie on patrol,” Rosie said, trying to make them feel better. They all looked at Beanie, who immediately rolled over, hoping he was about to get some fuss. Rosie shook her head.

  The girls tried to encourage each other with smiles as they led their ponies back into the relative warmth of their stables. But they all knew that until the case was solved their ponies would never be one hundred percent safe.

  THE Pony Detectives hadn’t had time to make a plan for what they’d do at the Charity Ride the next morning, because they’d been too busy getting their ponies ready As they were finishing off getting tacked up, Will wandered out to the yard.

  “There’s a bit in this morning’s Easily Daily Press about the Charity Ride today,” he said, walking over to show the girls as they stood, ready to mount. Dancer immediately lunged for the paper, grabbing one corner with her long teeth and wagging her head up and down, shaking it all over the floor.

  “Dancer, that is so not helpful!” Rosie puffed, yanking on her reins to get her mare’s attention.

  The page that Will had wanted them to see floated near to Scout’s feet, and the grey pony lowered his muzzle enquiringly, while Phantom jinked sideways, away from it. Alice bent down to pick the paper up, then scanned the article quickly.

  “Fran Hope must have contacted the Daily Press…” Alice said. “It’s a reminder to everyone about the ride, and that it’ll be meeting at the Abbey after all, just like previous years. It talks about not having to worry about any road work, because Nick Webb has set out a six mile route through the Abbey estate. It goes on to say that ‘although relations between Nick Webb and the local equestrian community have been strained recently, Nick has gone out of his way to make sure that the Charity Ride goes ahead as planned. He’ll even be working through the night to get a safe route marked out, because he said it was even more important now to raise funds for Hope Farm in memory of Cracker. The horse had been chosen by Nick as a new ride for some of the chukkas in the upcoming Winter Cup for his professional player, Estoni. This would take the pressure off the team’s star polo pony, Stormchaser, who wouldn’t be able to play in every chukka.’ Then it says that Fran Hope’s really grateful, and hopes that the horsey community can put recent events behind them and pull together to support a really good cause. It’s even got a reply from Mrs Maplethorp, who says that she’ll encourage her Pony Clubbers to go if it leads to paths being reopened in the Abbey.”

  The girls looked at each other. “A safe route,” Mia said slowly, as she tightened Wish’s girth, and hopped into the saddle.

  “How furious do you think Mr Perryvale’s going to be, though?” Charlie asked, patting a prancing Phantom on his neck to calm him. She knew he wasn’t being naughty, just keen to get going to keep warm. Charlie sat glued to her saddle. “Everything he’s done recently has been with the aim of turning everyone against the Abbey polo club. Now that Nick’s reopened the rides, do you think all the horsey people will have a change of heart?”

  Rosie and Alice shrugged.

  Mia folded the article and tucked it inside her coat pocket, next to Cracker’s soft hair. Then the four girls and their ponies set off up the track to Duck Lane. As they walked, a fine, silver mist began to wend its way slowly through the trees and spill onto the lanes. The girls looked at each other, knowing what the mist had brought with it before. They rode on, with a growing sense of nervous anticipation.

  As the Pony Detectives approached the Abbey they saw big banners painted with ‘Hope Farm Charity Ride’ hung high across the entrance gates. They had wondered how many people were going to turn up, if any. Not only was the change of plan last minute, but they weren’t sure how many riders still wanted to boycott the Abbey. But as they rode closer along the lane, they saw a large crowd already there and ambling about the arena. The girls looked around and heard Fran Hope’s enormous infectious laugh before they saw her, which made them all smile. They stood in their stirrups and waved to Neve, who was on an excited Pirate.

  Among the crowd was Mrs Maplethorp, sitting on one of her ancient Highland ponies, and Mrs Greenfield, who was mounted on one of the riding school horses. Sophie was nearby, on Molly, with a bunch of the riding school regulars, plus Gracie and Debbie from Long Lane Livery.

  The Pony Detectives were relieved, but not surprised. No matter what had happened at the polo club, everyone always turned out in force to support Fran Hope and the animals of Hope Farm. And this year the crowd looked bigger than ever. The girls were sure that was because news about what had happened to Cracker had spread.

  As they walked through the main Abbey gates, towards the arena entrance, Alice caught a glimpse of the stables beyond. They weren’t impressive and flashy, like Mr Perryvale’s had once been, but they were neat and functional. Most of the doors were open and the polo ponies out, apart from a few, including the injured Thimble and Rumour, who were standing with their heads over the stable doors, watching the activity.

  Alice could hear, even from where Scout was standing, the odd grumpy squeal, and then a wallop, as if back hooves were slamming against stable walls. She craned her neck round to see, and noticed a bay with a broad white face running his teeth up and down the metal bars of his stable. Stormchaser. Just his name made her spine tingle. The presence of so many horses was clearly winding him up to the point where he could almost explode. The way he was with other horses, let alone people, meant there was no way Estoni could take him on the Charity Ride, in among the crowd. Instead, Stormchaser was securely bolted within the confines of his stable, out of reach of everyone else.

  The chatter of riders and the whinnies and shrill neighs of an assortment of horses and ponies soon filled the air. As everyone was ushered into the large arena, it turned into a riot of bright colours, with lots of riders in Christmassy dress. As they busily greeted each other, they were handed drinks of hot ginger punch from Nick and his grooms, in their distinctive bright red Abbey Polo Club jackets. The hot, spicy drink burnt lines down the girls’ throats, warming them up from the inside out.

  Mia noticed that although Nick was smiling at everyone, he wasn’t relaxed. Instead, his eyes were darting in every direction, like he was watching for something, only Mia had no idea what. The Pony Detectives looked rou
nd at the growing crowd. Then, they almost fell out of their saddles as they spotted India, grinning from ear to ear. She was sitting on top of Frostie, just outside the arena. He looked at ease in full polo tack, like he’d worn it hundreds of times before.

  As India directed all the latest arrivals into the huge arena, Alice felt a lump in her throat, seeing Frostie’s pricked ears and bright eyes. He looked excited to see the other ponies, and was clearly trusting of India’s light touch. As the girls followed the other ponies and horses into the arena, Estoni, at the far end, on a rich chestnut, called over to India. India lightly touched her legs to Frostie’s side and he moved smoothly from walk to canter. He cantered the length of the sand surface, and India turned him by gentle pressure of the reins on one side of his neck. She sat up in the saddle and Frostie immediately sank back onto his haunches and pulled himself up right next to Estoni.

  “Frostie looks amazing!” Alice breathed, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

  “And he’s one hundred percent done that before,” Charlie said, looking confused. She turned to the others. “In fact, he looks like a ready-made polo pony.”

  “You know, I reckon Billy and India must have known that from the moment they first saw Frostie and Cracker,” Mia said, almost to herself.

  Alice nodded, as she leant forward to hug Scout, trying to keep herself warm. “And they must have told Nick as soon as they got back. I bet he called Fran right there and then.”

  The girls didn’t have another chance to think about how Billy and India were able to tell Cracker and Frostie’s polo potential, because at that moment Fran Hope’s voice hollered down a megaphone, rising above all the noise.

  “Welcome, everybody, to our annual Hope Farm Charity Ride!” Fran smiled around at the huge, animated crowd, who cheered in reply. “Now, we’re about to set off and I just have one thing to ask you all. The route we’re riding today takes us along most of the pretty paths we all know and love so well, but I urge you to stay between the red markers at all times.”

  A murmur rippled around the crowd. Alice felt her stomach start to tighten with anxiety, hoping that Scout didn’t get too overexcited amongst so many horses.

  Fran cleared her throat and continued. “Nick Webb and his team have worked extra hard to painstakingly plan this route, and it is very important that you all stick to it, with no exceptions. Everybody clear?”

  There were lots of cheers and general agreement.

  “Then let’s begin!” Fran cried above the noise. “Everybody follow India!”

  The riders in the arena began to part, for India to ride her horse to the front. As she neared the Pony Detectives, Frostie looked over and whinnied. The girls called out hello to him, and India grinned, before patting him lightly on the neck.

  “Good boy, Misty,” Rosie overheard India tell him.

  Rosie frowned. “Misty?”

  India looked up sharply, bit her lip, then rode on quickly, disappearing into the crowd.

  “Let’s stay near the back,” Mia suggested. “That way we can break away when we get the chance.”

  The Pony Detectives let the bustling ponies and horses walk or trot on past them. Rosie leant forward along Dancer’s neck and pretended to fiddle with her mare’s bridle. Alice and Charlie struggled slightly with their ponies, who wanted to follow the crowd at once, while Wish stood placidly, taking everything in with her huge, soft eyes. Then they set off, too, and headed between the clearly marked starter flags. There were lots of different paths through the Abbey estate, and Charlie was excited to see which ones had been set up for the ride. She was hoping they’d be heading for the wide woodchip gallops, or the grass gallops, that were always watered and perfectly manicured. But instead, they were heading towards one of the winding paths that led through the woods. Charlie stood up in her stirrups and peered ahead at the red arrows that would keep them travelling in a strict direction. She would have loved to have been able to give Phantom a canter, but she knew that on this path they’d have to keep pretty much to a walk. Even so, right now the girls didn’t really care. It was the first time they’d ridden off road and on a soft surface for ages, and their ponies had definitely perked up.

  In the distance they could hear laughter and groups of riders breaking out into spirited Christmas carols. Normally Rosie would be the first to join in, singing tunelessly at the top of her voice. But today her mind was firmly focused on what lay ahead.

  “Do you think Fran will still hand out mince pies at the end of the ride?” she asked.

  “Rosie!” Mia cried. As Charlie and Alice giggled, they heard a patter of hoof beats behind them. They turned in their saddles and saw Archie trotting his little grey, Rascal, to catch up with the ride. Archie gave them a small, shy smile. But he jogged his pony past them without pausing for any conversation. As Archie went, the girls heard Billy call out from the crowd of riders ahead.

  “Make sure everyone stays on course, Archie.”

  The girls caught sight of Billy’s expression under his helmet, before he turned back round. He looked as anxious as Nick had done in the arena. Archie nodded, then caught up with the group of riders on the path ahead.

  Suddenly, an echoing shot cracked out in the far distance. Phantom jumped forward, ears back and Charlie felt his heart skip, beneath her legs. She sat quietly and kept her reins soft until her horse calmed again.

  Scout pricked his ears and dodged sideways. Alice, who was looking in the other direction, suddenly found herself ditched out of the saddle. She landed with a thud on her bottom, and rolled backwards while Scout rushed forward and bumped into Dancer.

  Alice picked herself up. Putting a brave face on it, she rubbed her hip quickly and dusted down her brown jods, before collecting Scout. Her pony nudged her apologetically.

  “That’s all right, Scout,” she said, rubbing his forehead, “I don’t blame you for being scared, not after last time.”

  “I cant believe Mr Pyke’s got his gun out again today!” Charlie tutted. “How crazy is that?”

  “Come on, we’d better trot to catch up with the others,” Rosie said.

  “Although,” Mia said, narrowing her eyes, “maybe Alice’s tumble has given us the perfect opportunity to get off this track. We can look for a reason why Nick might have shut off the rides, and why they aren’t safe, while everyone’s preoccupied. Come on, let’s go. And keep your eyes open!”

  The girls had a quick check around them. Ahead, the tail end of the ride was disappearing, and the voices and carols were fading. There was no one behind them. Mr Pyke was miles away, if the gun shot was anything to go by. With hearts beating fast, they turned their ponies away from the red flags.

  THE four ponies stepped quietly along a leaf-strewn path. It was a perfect place for a canter, and at the head of the group, Charlie was about to let Phantom stride forward, when she suddenly pulled him to the left. Phantom snorted, lifting his nose in the air at the unusual, hard yank on the reins.

  “Careful where you walk,” Charlie said over her shoulder to the others, turning Phantom and patting his neck. “It looks like there’s some kind of hole down there.”

  The girls looked down at the ground, where there was a ruffle in the grass, like it had been disturbed. The ground dipped and some of the mossy covering was missing. Mia wrinkled her nose.

  Charlie rode on carefully ahead. “There’s another one here, and up there.”

  Rosie slipped out of the saddle and knelt down next to one of them. Dancer immediately decided to help her check the hole, and shoved her muzzle almost into it. Rosie pushed Dancer’s nose out of the way, then continued to puzzle at the ground. By the side of the path she noticed a small mound of earth.

  “These holes looks like they’ve been dug out on purpose.” Rosie said, standing back up and leaning against Dancer, soaking up some of her warmth.

  “That’s so dangerous,” Alice shook her head. “Why would anyone do that on a path that horses use all the time?”

  A
s the girls stood, the atmosphere around them changed. A chill dampness closed in. An uneasy silence had descended; there was no birdsong, nothing. The silver mist was beginning to drift through the trees again. Rosie half wished she was in the big bunch of other riders, so that if this mist got worse they’d all be in it together, rather than wandering about in a small group

  “We’d better keep moving, come on,” Mia shivered.

  Rosie stayed on the ground as they carried on, walking Dancer at the front and keeping her eyes peeled for any more holes. If one of the ponies put their hooves down it, they could easily sprain a fetlock, if not worse. Rosie stopped dead, her breath coming short as the thought occurred to her that the holes could be significant.

  “Hang on! This is it!” Rosie squeaked. “I bet this was how Thimble and Rumour got injured! Their riders might not have been careless when they were exercising them!”

  Mia nodded. It made sense. “Someone could have tried to injure the Abbey polo ponies on purpose.”

  The girls walked in silence for a second, trying to take in what that meant.

  “This could be why Nick made sure that the Charity Ride sticks so strictly to that red route,” Charlie suggested. “It said in the newspaper that he’d been up all night checking it and putting up the markers, remember?”

  “He knew that parts of the normal rides through the Abbey weren’t safe,” Mia said, starting to feel a tingle of adrenalin as the mysteries suddenly began to crystallise in her mind.

  “Do you reckon that’s what Archie meant,” Rosie gasped, “when he said it wasn’t safe to ride around the Abbey?”

  “He might not have been talking about Mr Pyke and his gun after all,” Alice said, as realisation struck her like a thunderbolt. “He might have meant the paths weren’t safe for any horses, so they couldn’t let anyone in here. Maybe that’s why they blocked up all the entrances!”