Strangers at the Stables

by Michelle Bates

  “Quite sure,” said Rosie. “We’ve got to go to the police, Beth. Now...this is getting out of control.”

  “But what do we tell them, Rosie? What do we say? That you overheard a conversation at the cottage in the middle of the night? They’ll never believe us. We need proof of exactly what Sam and Vanessa are up to. Look, Nick and Sarah are due back tomorrow aren’t they?

  “Yes,” Rosie said slowly.

  “Then we’ll just have to sit tight and keep watch. Whatever Sam and Vanessa have got planned, they’ve got to do it soon. And we must be there to stop them. If we can get firm evidence, then we can go to the police. Listen, you go to school and I’ll think of a plan. Do you think you can get everyone to meet me at eight this evening at the bottom of the drive?” Beth said quickly. “We can’t leave Sandy Lane unguarded for a moment.

  “Yes,” said Rosie. “I’m sure I can slip word to everyone at school.”

  “Good,” Beth said.

  “But Beth,” Rosie said uncertainly. “What if we can’t stop them?”

  There was no answer, as Beth stopped to think.

  “We will, Rosie,” she answered grimly. “We just have to.”

  It was dusk when everyone met up at the bottom of the drive and the twilight cast an eerie haze around the group of figures. Alex and Kate stood huddled up inside their anoraks as Charlie shuffled his feet. Tom held a torch, lighting up Jess’s pinched features. They had been horrified when Rosie had told them what she had overheard.

  “Is everyone here?” Beth asked, looking around her.

  They all nodded.

  “OK,” she went on. “We’ve got to decide on a plan of action. We don’t know exactly what Sam and Vanessa are going to do, but whatever it is, we’ve got to catch them red-handed. We’ll have to keep an eye on them every minute of the day until Nick and Sarah get back...that means we can’t leave Sandy Lane unguarded at any time, starting with tonight.”

  “But what do we tell our parents?” Rosie said, worried.

  Beth bit her lip nervously. “I don’t think we should tell our parents anything – not yet.”

  Rosie looked anxious. “OK then,” she said slowly.

  “I think we should make the tack room, the barn, the cottage, the outdoor school and three separate stables all look-out points,” said Beth. “Is everyone happy with that?”

  “Yes,” they all answered.

  “Well, there are seven of us,” Beth went on. “At the first sign of trouble, we have to hold them and call the police. Is everyone agreed?”

  Everyone nodded in acceptance.

  “Now,” said Beth. “Remember, no one is to raise the alarm until they are absolutely certain Sam and Vanessa are up to something. They should have finished the evening feeds by now. My guess is that they’ll be in the cottage clearing out their stuff, so make sure you get to your positions without being seen.”

  Beth was right. As Rosie crept behind the stables, she could see the silhouetted figures of Sam and Vanessa moving around inside the cottage. Their Range Rover was parked close to the cottage, its boot wide open as they stacked their stuff in for their getaway. Rosie was furious to see Nick’s silver racing trophies piled up with all the other things in the back, but something told her that this wasn’t the worst they could expect. She couldn’t resist pausing by the cottage to listen to Sam and Vanessa’s conversation as she made her way to the barn. They were arguing. Rosie felt pleased when she realized that her handiwork was the cause of their distress.

  “We can’t wait any longer for Pepper to show up,” Sam was saying. “It’s a nuisance. We desperately needed that money. I’m sure those wretched children must have taken him. If only I could think where.” He scratched his head.

  “We can’t worry about that now,” said Vanessa. “It’s more important that we clear out of here quickly. Things are starting to get a little uncomfortable for my liking.”

  As much as she would have liked to have stayed and listened, Rosie dragged herself along to the big barn. As she crept along the path, she heard Feather let out a loud whinny, but apart from that, all was quiet.

  Climbing on top of the hay bales, she settled herself down. She knew she was in for a long wait and she was tired. She hadn’t got to bed until two in the morning and she’d been up at seven for school. She had to stay awake. Desperately, she tried to keep her eyes open, but her head kept lolling back. What had Beth said? No one was to raise the alarm until they were certain...absolutely certain. Rosie yawned. The light wasn’t good in the yard at the moment. She was losing her concentration.

  Rosie looked at her watch. Eight thirty. She shifted her body as she cast her mind back to all that had happened. There was something bothering her. If only she could think straight...

  Rosie leant back, the words from last night ringing in her ears. Ralph...Ralph...Ralph.

  She must have dozed off because, when she awoke, there was a loud commotion going on in the yard. A strong acrid smell permeated the air. She drew her breath in sharply. What was it? It smelt like a garage... It was petrol, that’s what it was! Peering over the top of the hay bales, she saw Sam and Vanessa carrying large cans across the yard. Rosie started to panic as she scrambled out of the hay. Fire! They had meant exactly what they had said. They did mean to destroy Sandy Lane once and for all – Sam and Vanessa planned to raze the stables to the ground. Rosie’s heart sank. Had she and her friends arrived too late?

  Rosie felt sickened. What did Sam and Vanessa think would happen to all of the horses? Did they plan to let them go up in smoke? Rosie went hot and cold at the thought. She was rooted to the spot. Her feet felt like leaden weights.

  “What can I do?” she croaked.

  But before she had time to do anything at all, she saw Tom step out from the shadows and shout across the yard.

  “Just stop right there.” His voice echoed around the stables.

  Sam seemed startled for a moment and then he saw who it was and started to laugh.

  “So you think you’re going to stop me do you, Tom?” he jeered.

  Rosie grimaced as beams of light bounced off the silver object in Sam’s hand. It was the cigarette lighter she had seen him playing with before. One flick of the wrist was all that was needed to destroy Sandy Lane. With all the petrol Sam and Vanessa had used to lace the stables, Sandy Lane wouldn’t stand a chance. Sam smiled sneeringly, flicking the lid of the lighter up and down whilst he waited for Tom’s next move.

  Rosie held her breath. If Tom didn’t act quickly, Sandy Lane would go up in smoke. She had to do something herself.

  “Yes, we can put a stop to you,” Rosie called from her hiding place. “We know what your game is. Deliberate sabotage...isn’t that what it’s called? I think the police will be very interested in what we have to say.”

  Sam laughed a low, menacing laugh.

  “So you think the police will believe you lot do you? By the time they’ve heard your version of events, Sandy Lane will be history and we’ll be out of here without trace.”

  “You may be out of here, but we’ll know where to find you, Ralph...Ralph Winterson,” Rosie said bravely.

  Sam looked startled.

  “Isn’t that your real name, Sam?” Rosie went on, stronger now. “You’re nothing but an imposter – Ralph Winterson of the Clarendon Equestrian Centre, although you never do any work there either. Been had up for cruelty to horses as well, haven’t you?”

  Tom let out a loud gasp. For a moment there was silence. And then the stillness of the yard was broken by a loud clapping sound.

  “Very good, my dear.”

  Sneeringly, Sam clapped his hands together in mock applause.

  “You’ve certainly done your homework. But you can’t prove a word of it. Can you?” he challenged.

  “Can’t I?” Rosie said calmly. “But I can. You see, I have evidence to prove it – a taped conversation between you and Vanessa about twelve thirty last night, talking about the double bookings and cancelled rides. D
oes it ring any bells?” she demanded. “I think the police will believe us then.”

  “You’re bluffing,” said Sam. But from the look on his face, Rosie knew that he wasn’t sure.

  “OK,” he said, changing his tactics. “What do you want? Money?”

  Rosie looked at him disgusted.

  “The only thing we want is to get you away from here before Nick and Sarah come back. Did you really think you could ruin Sandy Lane’s reputation so easily? Did you really think everyone would flock to your lousy stables?”

  “Well, if we do as you say, what will you do with the tape?” Sam’s voice reverberated around the yard.

  “Nothing,” said Rosie calmly, “on one condition...”

  The others all looked at her in amazement.

  Tom seemed about to say something, but Rosie held up her hand to silence him and swallowed hard.

  “We won’t do anything, so long as you agree to close down the Clarendon Equestrian Centre without any fuss. Pack your bags and disappear out of this neighbourhood for good.”

  Sam opened his mouth to speak and closed it again. Realizing he was beaten, he shut up his lighter with a final snap and turned to go.

  “And one more thing,” Rosie called sharply. “You can put Nick’s racing trophies back in the cottage where you found them.”

  Sam shot her an angry glance and turned to Vanessa.

  “Come on,” he growled. “We’re out of here. We’ve got better things to do.”

  Everything had happened so quickly. One minute, Sam held the future of Sandy Lane in his hand, the next, he and Vanessa had shut up the boot of their Range Rover and were speeding out of the yard.

  “I hope that’s the last we’ll see of them,” said Rosie.

  No one knew what to say and for a moment there was an uncomfortable silence until Jess burst out.

  “Rosie, you were brilliant,” she said. “I can’t believe you worked all that out for yourself.”

  “It wasn’t that hard,” Rosie said blushing graciously. “Just a bit of detective work.”

  “But to get it all on tape,” Tom said admiringly.

  “Well actually, I didn’t.” Rosie reddened and laughed. “I couldn’t possibly have got anything clearly on tape from that distance. That was just a bluff.”

  12

  ALL IS WELL

  “So when Sam, or should I say Ralph, realized that he couldn’t destroy Sandy Lane’s reputation so easily, he turned to more drastic measures.”

  It was Saturday at Sandy Lane and the regulars had spent the morning hard at work, getting rid of all the petrol-soaked straw. Susannah was listening to Rosie’s story.

  “So, that explains the ‘For Sale’ board outside the Clarendon Equestrian Centre,” said Susannah. “Everyone’s been talking about it.”

  Rosie smiled thoughtfully.

  “But there’s one thing I don’t understand,” Susannah went on. “Why didn’t you go straight to the police when you found out what they were up to?”

  “Well,” Rosie hesitated. “First, we didn’t really know what they were up to until the very last minute, and secondly, I didn’t have any evidence anyway. It would have been my word against theirs.”

  “You’re right,” said Susannah.

  “And what’s more,” Rosie said proudly, “I’ve just had some amazing news.”

  Rosie bent down and whispered something in the little girl’s ear.

  “Wow,” said Susannah. “Tentenden! Wait till the others hear.”

  “What are you two gassing about?” asked Jess coming up behind them. “Did I hear the word Tentenden mentioned?”

  “You certainly did,” said Rosie. “Guess what?” she said proudly, as everyone gathered round. “I can’t keep it a secret any longer. We’ll be riding in the Tentenden Team Chase next weekend after all. I phoned them this morning, just in time it appears.” She grinned mischievously. “It seems one of the teams has dropped out, the Clarendon Equestrian Centre, no less.” Her eyes sparkled. “And we can take their place.”

  “What?” shrieked Tom.

  “But that’s fantastic, Rosie,” Jess whooped, throwing her riding hat in the air.

  Rosie beamed as she looked around at the delighted faces of her friends. In her dreams, the Tentenden trophy had long been theirs. She could almost see it now, the silver cup shimmering in the tack room.

  But at that moment, everyone’s excited chatter was silenced as a car rounded the corner and pulled up in the yard. Then there were voices. Voices they all recognized. Nick and Sarah had returned from America! Ebony went quite wild and hurled himself upon them as they stepped out of the taxi and everyone gathered round.

  “Whoa boy, now calm down,” Nick laughed. “Hi everyone,” he said looking around him at the welcoming faces. “Phew. It’s good to be home,” he grinned. “I don’t suppose much has happened here while we’ve been away, but have we got some stories for you.”

  Rosie looked at the others and smiled.

  More Sandy Lane Stables books

  There are nine Sandy Lane Stables stories, you can collect them all! Click on the titles to read a short extract from each story.

  1. A Horse for the Summer

  2. Runaway Pony

  3. Strangers at the Stables

  4. The Midnight Horse

  5. Dream Pony

  6. Ride by Moonlight

  7. Horse in Danger

  8. The Perfect Pony

  9. Riding Holiday

  1. A Horse for the Summer

  by Michelle Bates

  There was a frantic whinny and the sound of drumming hooves reverberated around the yard as Chancey pranced down the ramp. He was certainly on his toes, but he didn’t look like the sleek, well turned-out horse that Tom remembered seeing last season. He was still unclipped and his shabby winter coat was flecked with foam as feverishly he pawed the ground. No one knew what to say...

  Tom’s cousin has agreed to lend him Chancey, her stunning chestnut gelding, for the summer. But Tom’s elation turns to dismay when he sees the state Chancey is in. It will take a lot of hard work to get the horse ready for the summer shows, but Tom is determined...until Nick decides Chancey is too dangerous to ride. What is Tom going to do?

  2. Runaway Pony

  by Susannah Leigh

  Angry shouting and the crunch of hooves on gravel made Jess spin around sharply. Careering towards her, wild-eyed with fear and long tail flying behind, was a palomino pony. It was completely out of control. Jess’s heart began to pound and her breath came in sharp gasps, but almost without thinking she held out her arms...

  When a runaway pony gallops into Sandy Lane, Jess doesn’t flinch. Thanks to her quick reactions, the beautiful palomino pony is caught. But the man chasing her isn’t all he seems. Soon, Jess is bitterly regretting her moment of heroism...

  3. Strangers at the Stables

  by Michelle Bates

  Thoughts jostled around in Rosie’s mind as she crossed the yard. She couldn’t believe how many things had gone wrong in the couple of weeks Nick and Sarah had been gone. She needed time to think. There was something worrying her, right at the back of her mind... something that held the key to it all. But what was it?

  When the owners of Sandy Lane are called away everyone still expects the stables to run smoothly in their absence. No one is quite prepared for all the things that happen over the next few weeks. There isn’t time to get help, the regulars of Sandy Lane have to act fast, if they want to save their stables...

  4. The Midnight Horse

  by Michelle Bates

  The horse cantered gracefully around the paddock in long easy strides, his tail held high, the crest of his neck arched. His jet-black coat contrasted sharply with the white frost, his hooves hardly seemed to touch the ground as he danced forward...

  Riding at the Hawthorn Horse Trials is all that Kate has dreamed of and this year she’s in with a real chance of winning. As she works hard to prepare for the day, it seems nothing w
ill distract her from her goal. But then the mysterious midnight horse rides into Kate’s life, and suddenly everything changes...

  5. Dream Pony

  by Susannah Leigh

  The palomino was now just about on their tails. Jess could see that the ponies were lathered with sweat. As they passed, a blonde-haired girl shot Jess and Rosie a look which clearly indicated she considered them to be inferior. Then she dug her heels into her horse’s side and galloped away...

  Jess can hardly believe it, but she really is the proud owner of Skylark. There’s only one problem. Skylark must be kept at Rychester, a rival stables. Rychester couldn’t be more different from Sandy Lane, and neither could its riders. Jess’s dream is about to turn into a nightmare...

  6. Ride by Moonlight

  by Michelle Bates

  The ground started spinning. Charlie’s head was reeling. He felt as though he was seeing everything double. He couldn’t think. He couldn’t stop thinking. His mind was in a whirl as everything came flooding back – the high pitched whinny, the thundering hooves, the crashing fall – all echoed around his head...

  When Charlie loses his nerve in a riding accident, no one thinks for a moment it’ll be long before he’s back in the saddle. But as the weeks go by, his friends begin to realize it’s going to take something quite exceptional to get him riding again...

  7. Horse in Danger

  by Michelle Bates

  Rosie couldn’t see anything, yet she could definitely hear something. The stable in the far corner of the yard was shut, both sections of the door bolted tightly to a close. Rosie didn’t know why, but suddenly she felt very nervous.