by Sue Bentley
Comet nuzzled Alex’s shoulder in gratitude for not giving away his special secret. “Thank you, Alex.”
Alex gasped. Comet had just spoken—in front of Zoe! What could he be thinking?
But her friend appeared not to have noticed anything odd. It was very strange.
Alex tried to get ahold of herself. She told Zoe that she had found him loose in the woods. “I managed to catch him and calm him down. The owner’s probably going crazy looking for him,” she said, hoping that she sounded convincing.
“How awful to lose your pony!” Zoe exclaimed. “I’d be so upset if Maxi got loose and ran off. Comet? That’s a cool name. How do you know that’s what he’s called?”
“I don’t,” Alex said. “I . . . just thought I’d call him that. He looks like a comet, with his pale mane and tail.”
“It’s a great name. It really suits him,” Zoe said. “I’ll come with you and help find his owner. Hold on—I’ll go get a halter and lead rope.”
As Zoe dashed off to the horse truck, Alex looked at Comet. “I almost lost it when you spoke in front of her! How come she didn’t seem to hear you?”
Comet’s eyes gleamed. “I used my magic so that only you will be able to hear me. To anyone else I will seem like a normal pony.”
Alex grinned at her special new friend. Comet was anything but normal!
As the horse truck trundled up the steep road that led to the fields, Alex glanced into the back happily. Three sets of pricked ponies’ ears were visible: Pasha’s, Maxi’s—and Comet’s.
Alex hadn’t even needed to beg her mom and dad to let Comet come home with them. One look at the handsome palomino, and Mrs. Judd had fallen in love with him—just as Alex had—and practically insisted they take care of Comet until his owner showed up.
Despite her injury, Pasha stood quietly munching hay in the partition next to Comet. It was as if the magic pony’s presence had a calming influence on the chestnut pony.
Mr. Judd stopped the truck in front of Zoe’s house, a rambling stone cottage called Gray Lag House.
Zoe’s dad came out and greeted them cheerily. He helped Alex’s dad let down the ramp and lead Maxi into the yard. Zoe carried her brown-and-white gelding’s equipment to the stable.
“Thanks very much for taking us with you,” she called to Alex’s parents. She turned to Alex. “I’ll ride over tomorrow morning for some jumping practice. Oh, I forgot—there’s no point now, with poor Pasha being hurt, right?”
“I guess not.” Alex’s spirits sank as she thought how boring school break would be without riding with her best friend. She brightened as a thought came to her. “Wait a minute! I’ll need to exercise Comet, so I may as well ride him while Pasha’s getting better.”
Comet nickered agreement from inside the truck.
“That sounds like the perfect arrangement,” Alex’s mom said. “Finding Comet running loose like that seems to have turned out to be a stroke of luck.”
“Definitely! I’m going to take the best care of him!” Alex said with a wide grin. “I’ll see you tomorrow then!” She waved to her friend as they drove down the track and headed home to Scarp Hill Farm.
Alex was so eager to ride the magic pony that it made her pulse race. She hoped Pasha wouldn’t be jealous.
Early the following morning, Alex went to check that her chestnut pony was comfortable. “Hello there, brave girl,” she crooned, sliding open the door to Pasha’s stall. When she’d settled her in last night, she’d been careful to pile up clean straw extra high around the walls to make a deep and comfortable bed.
Pasha was lying down. She lifted her head and looked at Alex with mild eyes. Alex sat down and gently rubbed her soft brown nose. “That’s right. You just relax and let that bad old leg get better. The vet’s coming to check on you again later.”
From the next stall, Comet gave a soft whicker of encouragement. Pasha nickered back softly and then lay down with a contented sigh. Alex gave her a final pat and made sure she had food and water. Then she fed Comet and started her usual stable chores.
She suddenly felt a strange warm tingling sensation in her fingertips as bright violet sparks ignited in Comet’s caramel coat. His ears crackled with tiny rainbow bolts of magical power. Her eyes widened. What was going on?
She watched in total amazement as there was a whooshing noise and thousands of tiny fireflies shot into the air. Swoosh! Rustle! Shine! They rushed about swiftly scooping up soiled straw and dropping it into a wheelbarrow, and busily cleaning and polishing the bridles hanging on a nearby hook.
Alex stood by, her hands at her sides, feeling a bit uncomfortable as there was nothing for her to do. Soon all the work was done. The glittery helpers dissolved into sparkly dust and disappeared. Alex took a deep breath as she realized there was something she had to get straight.
“Thanks so much for helping me, Comet. But I really don’t mind doing this work,” she said tactfully. “Actually, I enjoy it. It’s all part of looking after a pony.”
“I did not think of that. Thank you for explaining. I will ask if you need help next time,” Comet neighed.
Alex smiled, glad that her magical friend understood and she hadn’t hurt his feelings. “Zoe will be here soon. Dad said we could practice jumping in the field. It’s going to be fun. Maxi’s pretty good. But I’ve got a feeling that you’re going to be even better.”
Comet snorted happily as she led him out of the stable into the yard. “I like Zoe and Maxi.”
Alex had just finished tacking him up and was tightening the girth around his tummy when she heard hoofbeats. She whirled around with an eager smile and saw two riders coming up the winding lane toward the farm.
She frowned. “That’s strange. Who’s that with Zoe? Oh, it’s her cousin Saffron,” she said, her spirits sinking.
“You do not sound pleased,” said Comet.
“It’s just that I was looking forward to having fun today with you, Zoe, and Maxi,” Alex admitted. “It won’t be the same with Saffron. Oh well, she’s here now. I guess it will be okay. It won’t be for that long.”
Comet looked up curiously as the two girls trotted through the farm gate.
Zoe stood up in her stirrups and waved. “Hi, Alex! Guess what? My aunt and uncle and Saffron have come to stay with me for the school break. She can practice jumping with us.”
“Oh, okay.” Alex tried not to sound too rude but still felt a prickle of dismay at the thought of having to share her best friend for two whole weeks. Saffron was older than both of them. Alex had only met her once before, and she didn’t know her all that well.
“Hi, Alex.” Zoe’s twelve-year-old cousin sat on a flashy pony. She wore pink-and-black gloves that matched her stylish riding helmet. Her saddle cloth had her name on it in glittery writing.
“Hi, Saffron.” Alex forced a smile, making an effort to be friendly. “Your pony’s really pretty. What’s her name?”
“Sparkly Fairy Princess,” Saffron said.
“Oh . . . okay. Cool.” But despite the fussy name, the gray pony was really beautiful, with an elegant head and large dark eyes. Her silvery mane flopped prettily over her forehead.
“Zoe told me what happened at the horse show. That’s too bad about Pasha.”
“Yeah. It was pretty awful. The vet says she’ll be okay, though,” Alex told her.“That’s good. It’s horrible when your pony’s hurt.” Saffron ran her eyes over Comet. “That palomino you’re taking care of seems friendly. What’s he like to ride?”
“I haven’t had a chance to find out yet. His name is Comet, by the way,” Alex told her. “I’ll be riding him for the first time today.”
Saffron nodded. “It’s always exciting to ride a new pony, isn’t it?”
“Yes.” Alex thought Saffron seemed confident, but also quite friendly. Maybe having her around wouldn’t be so bad, after all.
“Saffron’s going to give us some neat jumping tips. She really knows her stuff. Uncle Tim’s won tons of competit
ions,” Zoe said, smiling.
Alex remembered that Saffron’s dad was Tim Hall-Chapman, a top show jumper.
“Yeah! Trust me, by the time I’ve finished putting you two through your paces, you’ll be jumping like professionals,” Saffron said, with a determined glint in her eye.
“Um . . . good.” Alex’s smile wavered a bit. She wasn’t sure whether Zoe’s cousin meant that as a promise or a threat.
“No, not like that! Do it like this!” Saffron instructed bossily, waving her arms as Alex assembled the last jump. “Hurry up!”
Alex sighed. It had taken the three girls over an hour to set up the course of jumps in the field. And Saffron had found fault with every one of them.
Alex bit back a rude comment as she repositioned the poles for the third time. Finally, the last fence was in place and Saffron gave her a thumbs-up.
“I’m surprised she didn’t want me to get a ruler to measure the jumps, too,” she complained to Comet in a whisper. “Anyone would think this was a perfectly fine show-jumping arena!”
Comet’s sandy mane stirred in the cool breeze. “Saffron seems to want everything just right.”
“Tell me about it!” Alex grumbled as she mounted the magic pony.
On the ride back down the field to Zoe and Saffron, Alex’s mood lightened. Comet was wonderful to ride. She loved the way he moved with a smooth stride, arching his supple neck and holding his head high.
When she stopped next to Zoe and Maxi, the big brown-and-white pony turned his head toward Comet and gave a friendly blow. The two ponies were already getting along well.
Alex took a deep breath. “Okay. We’re finally ready. Who wants to go—” she began.
“Me first!” Saffron was already urging the gray pony forward. She and Princess streaked toward the first fence.
“She’s pretty eager, isn’t she?” Zoe said admiringly, gazing at her cousin.
“That’s one way of putting it,” Alex murmured.
They watched as Saffron handled Princess expertly and sailed over all the fences. The gray pony trotted back to them with her ears pricked.
“Way to go!” Zoe cried. “That was great!”
“Well done, Saffron!” Alex added. She had to admit that Saffron was an amazing rider.
Saffron made a face. “Those little jumps are easy-peasy! Princess could almost step over them. We’re used to much more challenging ones,” she boasted.
They might be little but they’re the best we’ve got! Alex thought, a bit annoyed, especially after all the fuss Saffron had made about getting them just right. Besides, her dad had gone to a lot of trouble to gather together the poles and other props so they could have fun jumping.
Zoe went next. Alex and Saffron sat side by side, watching and calling out encouragement from where they sat on their ponies.
As Maxi cantered toward a fence, Alex noticed that Zoe was leaning a little too far forward.
Saffron saw it as well. Her voice suddenly boomed out. “For goodness’ sake, sit up straight. And keep your hands and heels down!”
Zoe jerked on the reins and almost jumped out of her skin. Maxi stepped sideways and crashed into the fence, knocking down a pole.
Alex rode toward her. “Is Maxi okay?” she asked worriedly. “I hope he didn’t hurt himself.”
Zoe dismounted and checked her pony’s knees and legs. “He seems fine,” she said.
Saffron looked down from Princess. “Why didn’t you do what I told you?” she demanded.
Alex began helping Zoe rebuild the fence. “You’d probably have been all right if Saffron hadn’t yelled at you like that,” she sympathized. “It put you off your stride.”
Saffron’s brows dipped in a fierce frown. “What’s the big deal? I was only trying to help! It’s not my fault if she didn’t listen!”
“Well, maybe if you didn’t shout like a foghorn—” Alex began.
“It doesn’t matter now,” Zoe cut in hastily. “I’ll do better next time. Your turn, Alex.” She mounted Maxi and then she and Saffron trotted away together to watch.
Alex clicked her tongue at Comet, and he sprang toward the first fence. He cleared it easily, arching his neck and proudly tossing his mane. Alex could tell he was enjoying himself.
Comet soared over all the fences in turn, until there was just one left. They were approaching the final fence when Alex had a sudden flashback to the recent horse show where Pasha was injured.
As the chestnut’s frightened whinny seemed to ring in her head, Alex felt her confidence waver. Maybe she was doing something wrong when she jumped, despite what Zoe thought. Could it have been her fault that Pasha had hurt herself?
She gulped. What if Comet lands wrong and hurts himself, too?
The magic pony slowed down. Alex’s mouth dried as she tried to force down her fear and work through it. Comet got slower still. He was going to refuse!
“Stop hesitating!” Saffron shouted loudly. “Kick him on. Show him who’s boss!”
Alex flushed with annoyance, but managed to get her focus back. She swallowed hard. “Come on, Comet!” she whispered, pressing him on.
Comet sped up again. He eyed the fence carefully and bounded over it easily.
“Good job!” Alex gasped as they landed safely.
“Are you all right, Alex?” Comet champed at the bit. “It felt like you didn’t really want me to jump. I didn’t want to go over it if you were frightened.”
She leaned down to rub his silky caramel neck. “I did get scared for a moment when I remembered how Pasha got hurt the last time I was jumping. I thought I might have done something wrong that time, and I didn’t want you to get hurt, too.”
Comet turned his head and blew air out of his flared nostrils. “That was not your fault. Pasha told me on the journey to your home that she had slipped on a patch of mud. It was an accident.”
“Really?” Alex said as relief flowed through her. “Thanks, Comet. It’s great to know that for sure.” She felt a surge of affection for her magic friend as they rode over to Zoe and Saffron.
“That last jump was really messy,” Saffron criticized. “To be a good show jumper, you have to keep your mind on what you’re doing. Otherwise you won’t get anywhere!”
Alex reacted without thinking. “So I lost concentration for a minute. It’s not a crime, is it?” she said sharply.
“I was only saying,” Saffron said huffily. “Some people are so touchy!”
There was an awkward silence.
Alex saw that Zoe’s face had clouded with embarrassment and immediately wished that she’d bitten her tongue. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to snap,” she apologized. “I guess I’m still a bit worried about Pasha’s bad leg.”
Saffron shrugged. “If you say so. My turn again.” She urged her pony forward. “Come on, Princess! Let’s show them how it’s done! Watch and learn, you two amateurs!”
Alex tried to suppress a flicker of irritation. “Why does she have to be so bossy all the time? I thought this was supposed to be fun,” she whispered to Comet.
But she must have spoken more loudly that she’d intended because Zoe heard her.
“Saffron can’t help being competitive,” she said, defending her cousin. “Wouldn’t you be if your dad expected you to follow in his footsteps and be a top show jumper? Uncle Tim’s nice, but he’s really strict. Give her a chance, Alex. She’s okay when you get to know her better.”
Alex wisely kept quiet. She didn’t actually want to get to know Saffron better.
Why can’t it just be me and Comet and Zoe and Maxi for the school break? Like we’d planned, she thought wistfully.
“Anyway, we all need to work extra hard if we’re going to try out for the jumping show at the Pony Club fund-raising event in two weeks,” Zoe was saying.
Alex blinked at her. “The what?”
“I was going to tell you. Saffron entered all three of us. It’s a special surprise.”
Alex was stunned. “She could have asked if we
even wanted to try out for it!”
Zoe started grinning. “Duh! Then it wouldn’t have been a surprise, would it, you silly goose?” she teased.
“I guess not.” Alex felt a smile beginning to surface. It was the first time today that she and Zoe had laughed together. It felt good—like old times, when it was just the two of them.
“Clear around—again—for the marvelously talented Saffron Hall-Chapman on the wonderful Sparkly Fairy Princess!” The over-the-top voice echoed around the field as if it were coming out of a loudspeaker at a horse event.
Zoe was giggling as she rode over to her cousin. “You’re a riot, Saffron!”
It was actually pretty funny. Despite herself, Alex managed a smile. She still thought that Zoe’s cousin was the bossiest girl she’d ever met, though. How was she going to get along with her for two whole weeks?
But as she wound Comet’s thick mane through her fingers, Alex felt herself calming down. She thought she could probably put up with anything, even Zoe’s pushy cousin, as long as she had Comet. He was her own wonderful secret, never to be shared with anyone.
“I think you deserve a treat, Comet!” Dismounting, she fished in her pocket for a packet of mints and held them up to him in the palm of her hand. She smiled as the palomino’s soft lips nuzzled her hand as he snuffled them up.
“Delicious!” He crunched them, spraying bits everywhere and making Alex laugh.
Alex fought back tears the following day. She and her mom stood in the yard, watching the horse ambulance disappear down the winding lane.
A different vet had just come over to check Pasha’s leg. He suspected there might be complications, so the pony was being taken to a special treatment center.
“Pasha won’t like being away from her own stable. She’s going to miss having her cuddle when I settle her for the night.” Alex gulped.
“Try not to worry about her, honey,” Mrs. Judd said gently. “Pasha’s in very good hands.”