by Sue Bentley
‘Hurry, Comet!’ Jess urged. ‘Lana’s only just hanging on!’
Comet opened his mouth and breathed out a whoosh of violet sparkles, which sprinkled around the other pony like fine rain. For a moment, Pie seemed to grow calmer. The pony stopped plunging about and stood waiting for Comet to reach it – until a particularly large wave washed the sparkles away.
Without Comet’s calming magical influence, Pie kicked out strongly again. The current caught the pony and brought it surging straight at Comet and Jess. Jess gasped as Pie’s flailing hooves seemed about to slam into Comet.
She didn’t think twice. Leaning forward, she stretched out her arm.
Almost… almost. Yes!
‘Got you!’ Jess’s fingers closed on Pie’s wet mane and she managed to hold the pony at arm’s length, but then gasped in pain as her arm was twisted at an angle. Gritting her teeth, she held on tight. ‘It’s OK, Lana. You’re safe now!’ she called to the shivering little girl.
Lana didn’t answer. She had her eyes tightly closed and kept them shut, while Comet towed her and Pie to shore. As Comet splashed through the shallows with Pie and Lana, every last bright spark faded from his spotted coat. The thick mist dissolved into strands and instantly disappeared.
The moment they all reached firm sand, Comet came to a halt. Jess finally let go of Pie’s wet mane, relieved to be able to ease her aching arm.
Ellen had dismounted. She rushed forward, grabbed the pony’s bridle and then put her jacket round Lana’s shoulders.
The other young riders cheered and clapped. ‘Way to go, Comet!’ Ross yelled.
‘Are you OK?’ Ellen asked Lana worriedly.
Lana nodded. Her cheeks were now flushed and she seemed to be enjoying being the centre of attention. ‘It was really exciting! I wasn’t scared a bit!’
Ellen gave her a rather wobbly smile and then turned to Jess. ‘Thanks so much, Jess. And thanks to you too, Comet,’ she said, patting his neck.
‘You are welcome,’ Comet neighed, but of course Ellen heard only normal pony noises.
‘I feel awful. I should have kept a closer eye on everyone,’ Ellen said guiltily. ‘You couldn’t have known that dinghy would blow across the beach and scare Pie,’ Jess comforted. ‘Anyway, no one’s been hurt.’
Ellen nodded. ‘I guess not. Hopefully Mum will be able to smooth things over with Lana’s parents. We can’t afford to lose any more customers.’ She paused and looked thoughtful. ‘That freaky mist was odd, wasn’t it? It seemed to come out of nowhere.’
‘Um… yeah. Strange. Anyway, glad we could help,’ Jess said. She suddenly realized how late it must be. She needed to get back to the circus before she was missed. The last thing she wanted was for someone to mount a full-scale search party! ‘I’ve gotta go now! Maybe I’ll see you here again?’
‘Definitely. And come by and say hello, if you’re ever passing Bridgemore Stables,’ Ellen said. ‘You can’t miss us. We’re the first place you come to in the village.’
‘Thanks. I will,’ Jess said, meaning it. She’d love to meet up with Ellen sometime.
She and Comet made their way back along the beach. Now that the excitement was over, Jess’s injured arm began throbbing. She winced at its soreness.
‘You hurt yourself when you stopped Lana’s pony kicking me,’ Comet neighed in concern. ‘Let me make you better. Get down for moment, please.’
Jess dismounted awkwardly, trying not to jar her bad arm. The magic pony turned his head and blew out a big warm breath that twinkled with thousands of tiny sparkling violet stars. There was a faint crackling sound as the glittery mist surrounded her arm and then sank into it and disappeared. The pain increased for a second and then melted away, just as if it was sand pouring out of a bucket.
‘I feel fine again now. Thanks, Comet.’
He bent his head and gently nuzzled her shoulder. She reached up and leaned against his warm cheek. ‘We didn’t get a chance to go and look along the cliff path, did we? Next time we go out looking for Destiny, we’ll do that. And maybe we’ll look in at Bridgemore Stables?’
Comet tossed his head in agreement.
Chapter
SIX
As evening fell, the fairground came to life. Coloured lights flashed cheerfully, jaunty organ music rang out, and the delicious smells of toffee apples, candyfloss and hamburgers rose on the air.
Jess loved this time of day, just before night fell. The place had a fairy-tale atmosphere.
From where she stood at the centre of the merry-go-round, she could see the queue building up outside the big top. Inside, the performers would be ready for the show. The troop of horses was perfectly groomed and the clowns were in their gaudy costumes.
Her dad was busily helping people get on to the steps up to the merry-go-round and mount the painted horses. Once all the customers were ready, Mr Starkling gave Jess the signal to start and she pulled the lever.
The merry-go-round began to move, slowly at first and then turning faster and faster, its shiny gilt carvings and small mirrors flashing in the bright lights. Jess smiled at the carousel horses prancing up and down on their poles as they whirled past in time to the jaunty organ music.
A mother and her small child sat astride Comet. The child was laughing and clapping his pudgy little hands with glee. The magic pony tossed his head and whinnied with enjoyment.
‘This is fun!’ he neighed.
Jess smiled to herself. It had taken her a while to get used to the fact that she was the only person who could see that Comet was a real living, breathing pony. She wished she could talk properly to him, but there was barely time between customers to whisper a quick word.
It was a busy couple of hours and Jess was glad when Mai came to lend a hand. ‘How’s it going?’ her cousin asked, expertly leaping aboard the spinning ride and weaving her way towards Jess.
‘Good. It’s been non-stop so far,’ Jess replied.
‘I noticed,’ Mai said, reaching out and patting Comet’s smooth spotted wooden back. ‘This horse is suddenly very popular. Everyone seems to want to ride on it.’
‘Really?’ Jess said innocently. ‘I wonder why?’ It looks like people somehow sense that Comet’s special, without knowing why, she thought.
‘I’m going to grab a coffee, now that you’re here, Mai. I’ll be back in twenty minutes. Do you girls want anything?’ Mr Starkling asked.
‘Not for me, thanks,’ Mai said brightly.
‘I’m OK. I’ll get a drink later,’ Jess said.
Both girls watched Jess’s dad walk away. Mai turned back to Jess. ‘Where did you disappear to this morning? I looked for you after I finished litter-picking.’
‘I went to the beach,’ Jess said truthfully.
Mai raised her eyebrows. ‘By yourself?’
‘Yeah. I… um, fancied a walk.’
Mai wrinkled her nose in amusement. ‘Walk? You’re weird.’
Jess laughed. ‘I met a girl called Ellen. She was leading some kids on ponies. Her mum owns a riding stable in Lower Treen. She was really nice. You’d like her. Maybe you’ll meet her sometime.’
Mai shrugged. ‘It hardly seems worth it,’ she commented. ‘We’ll soon be packing up and leaving and we’ll probably never come back here.’
Jess felt a stab of sadness as she realized that her cousin was right. It didn’t seem possible that their way of life may have to change forever. She was sure that a perfect summer site must be somewhere – it was just a matter of finding it.
Mai operated the merry-go-round controls as the ride came to an end. The carousel horses slid to a halt and Jess helped a small boy and girl and their grandma climb down. The rest of the customers drifted away.
Comet turned his head and gave a friendly blow that ruffled her dark hair. His deep violet eyes were glowing.
‘You’re doing great,’ she whispered to him, patting his silky neck.
When she looked up, she saw Mai watching. Her cousin shook her head slowly. ‘Now
you’re talking to that spotted horse! What is it with you?’ Mai came over and peered closely at Comet.
Jess had to try really hard not to burst out laughing as her cousin waggled her fingers and pulled silly faces, while Comet blinked at her calmly and swished his silky tail.
Finally Mai got bored and wandered down to sit on the wooden steps that led up to the carousel horses. Jess sat next to her.
There was no one waiting for the next ride. They could take it easy while another queue gradually built up.
A group of four tough-looking teenage boys appeared between the stalls, kicking cans and laughing and nudging each other. They narrowly missed jostling a man with a toddler. The man spoke sharply to them and got a mouthful of cheek in reply.
‘Uh-oh,’ Jess groaned, sensing trouble brewing.
‘Oh, great,’ Mai echoed, rolling her eyes. ‘I saw those pests messing about earlier. They would turn up here, just when Uncle Kit’s gone for a break.’
‘Maybe they’ll just go past,’ Jess said hopefully.
‘Fat chance!’ Mai sighed. ‘Look out!’
Jess just had time to duck as one of the boys booted the can at the merry-go-round. It missed her by a couple of centimetres and clanged loudly against the carousel horse beside her.
‘You idiot! You almost hit me!’ she cried hotly.
The boys nudged each other and swaggered over. One of them, with short hair and a thin mean face under a navy-blue baseball cap, glared up at her. ‘Who are you calling an idiot?’ he sneered, putting his hands on his hips.
Jess swallowed. ‘Who do you think?’ she said, hoping she sounded braver than she felt.
One of the other boys called out. ‘Are you going to let her speak to you like that, Liam?’
‘Nah! Course not. She’s going to make it up to me!’ Liam turned to Jess with a challenging grin. ‘Give us a free ride then!’
Mai stepped forward. She squared her shoulders. ‘You wish! Push off, you lot. Before I lose my temper!’
‘Who’s rattled your cage?’ Liam mocked.
The other boys sniggered. They exchanged glances and then all four of them rushed forward and clambered on to a horse each.
‘Go on then. Start up this heap of old rust!’ Liam ordered.
Mai folded her arms, the colour rising into her cheeks. Jess watched helplessly as the boys stood up and began leaping from horse to horse and swinging round the poles. Jess saw Liam preparing to jump on to Comet.
Her lips twitched. Big mistake, she thought. Huge!
Chapter
SEVEN
Jess watched as the tough boy landed on Comet’s back and began jumping up and down. His trainers made a slapping sound against the painted wooden saddle.
Comet gave an angry neigh and slowly turned his head to look at the boy, but, of course, only Jess could see this.
Suddenly Comet’s deep violet eyes flashed with mischief, and rainbow sparkles twinkled in his mane. He bunched his hindquarters, kicked out strongly and gave a mighty buck.
‘Argh!’ Liam appeared to shoot high into the air. He whizzed towards a waste bin about five metres away and landed backside first, getting jammed in the bin with his legs and arms sticking up and waggling helplessly. ‘Help! I’m stuck!’ he wailed.
His friends jumped down and ran over. Grabbing his arms and legs, they heaved him out.
‘Are you OK, bro?’ asked one of them.
‘What did you do that for?’ another asked.
Liam scrambled to his feet, looking red-faced and shaken. ‘I just felt like it, didn’t I?’ he bluffed, eyeing the carousel horses warily. ‘That dumb merry-go-round’s kids’ stuff, anyway. I’m going on the dodgem cars,’ he decided, slouching away.
‘Hey! Wait for us!’ The others hurried to catch up with him.
Mai scratched her head as she watched them go. ‘I don’t get it! What just happened?’
‘Beats me,’ Jess said innocently, grinning at Comet. ‘I’m just glad they’ve cleared off. Oh, good. Here’s Dad coming back. I’ll go and get us a cold drink.’ She scooted off, before Mai could ask her any more awkward questions.
A few days later, Jess and Comet were exploring the cliff path. Below them, the sandy bay was visible in a wide curve. Seagulls wheeled overhead.
There had been no sign of Destiny or any other ponies and Comet was becoming more downcast.
Jess halted Comet near an area where the path widened. She took in the wide sky, the deep folds and grassy slopes and the headland with the Needle stretching out to sea. The cliff path snaked across the hills, leading into the valley and the village of Lower Treen.
‘I hoped we might bump into Ellen again,’ she said. ‘Maybe she’s taken the riders somewhere else today after that scare in the sea. I hope she didn’t get into trouble with her mum or Lana’s parents.’
Comet’s long white mane lifted in the fresh sea breeze. ‘I would like to see her and Bliss again,’ he whinnied.
‘Me too,’ Jess said eagerly. ‘We’re not far from Bridgemore Stables. Shall we go there? We can keep a lookout for Destiny on the way.’
Comet snorted eagerly, pulling at his bit and springing forward.
Jess moved in time to his powerful strides, taking in big breaths of the clean salty air. She didn’t think she’d ever get used to the wonderful sensation of riding the magic pony. There was no one about and she loved the feeling of freedom. It was as if she and Comet were totally alone in the whole wide world.
The cliff path gradually led downwards and slopes of green hillside rose up on either side of them. Comet’s hooves clattered as he stepped out on to the track that led into the village.
Almost opposite, Jess spotted a large red-brick building set back from the road. Beside the gatepost there was a sign with a rearing horse and the words ‘Bridgemore Riding Stables’.
Jess turned Comet in through the gates and they went towards the yard. She could see Pie, Bliss and some other ponies tethered outside. As they rode up, Ellen came out. She was holding a body brush and a curry comb.
The moment Ellen saw that the visitors were Jess and Comet, her face lit up. ‘Hi, you two! I’m so glad you called in.’
‘We’ve been exploring the cliffs,’ Jess told her, dismounting and holding Comet’s bridle. ‘We thought we might see you leading another ride.’
Ellen shook her head. ‘I wish,’ she sighed. ‘We’ve had more cancellations. In fact, we’ve only got four bookings for the whole day. I said I’d groom the spare ponies, while Mum took the customers out. I thought it might take her mind off things. She’s worried sick about trying to keep the riding school going.’
‘Oh, that’s awful,’ Jess sympathized. She remembered Ellen telling her that a posh new riding stable had opened up further along the coast. It looked as if things could only get worse for Ellen and her mum. ‘Do you want a hand?’ she offered. ‘I’m used to grooming the circus ponies.’
Ellen nodded, cheering up a bit. ‘OK. Thanks. It’ll be more fun if we do it together.’
Jess tied Comet up next to Bliss. The chestnut pony gave a neigh of welcome and snuffled Comet’s spotted neck.
‘Aw, look at those two. Aren’t they sweet!’ Ellen crooned. ‘Bliss’s really taken with your spotted pony!’
Jess grinned. Comet’s irresistible all right! she thought adoringly.
She filled a bucket of water so Comet could have a drink, before starting work. And for the next hour it was pony pamper time. Jess picked out hooves, brushed ponies’ coats and combed out manes and tails. Soon all the ponies looked spick and span.
‘Phew!’ Jess swept a strand of dark hair back from her sweaty forehead.
‘Time for a drink and a snack! I think we’ve earned it,’ Ellen announced. She led Jess into the large farmhouse-style kitchen.
They sat at the wooden table with their cold drinks and bags of crisps. Munching, Jess looked out of the kitchen window. She could see the village road that curved past open fields and then back to the coast
. Sunlight glittered off the nearby sea. ‘What a brilliant view,’ she said admiringly.
Ellen nodded. ‘I love it here and I’d hate to move, but Mum says we might have to. She wants to improve the stables, so we can offer indoor schooling and stuff. So she’s been trying to sell a field she owns just outside the village to get more money to be able to do it. But no one wants to buy, because it’s no good for building houses on.’
‘What a shame,’ Jess said. ‘Is it a big field?’
‘Yeah, pretty big. You can see for yourself if you go back to the beach by road, instead of across the cliffs. It’s got a “for sale” notice. Why?’
‘Oh, just wondering,’ Jess said. She was starting to tingle with excitement, as an idea began forming in her mind.
Chapter
EIGHT
The house phone rang as Jess was leaving Ellen’s kitchen for the stable yard.
‘I’d better get that,’ Ellen decided. ‘It might be a booking. Won’t be a mo! I’ll catch you up.’
Comet gave a whicker of welcome when he saw Jess. His intelligent eyes twinkled at her as she untied him. Jess felt her heart lift in response. Having the magic pony for her friend was the best thing in the world.
Holding his bridle, Jess patted his silky spotted neck. ‘Ellen’s just told me that her mum owns a large field. It’s got me thinking. We need somewhere for the circus for next year and she needs to make some money. Maybe we could help each other. What do you think?’ she asked.
‘Perhaps we should go and look at the field,’ Comet snorted.
Jess nodded. ‘Just what I thought. We can check it out on our way back!’
She glanced at her wristwatch, surprised to see that it was quite late in the afternoon. It wouldn’t be long before the circus people began getting ready for the evening session. But there was just time to look at the field if they hurried.