by Sue Bentley
Gina laid her face against his warm cheek and was surprised to feel her sadness easing a little. ‘That’s true. I think about River every day and Mum says we can go and visit her sometime. I know she would want me to ride again, but the thought of it still scares me stiff,’ she admitted, hanging her head.
Comet was silent for a moment. ‘I have an idea,’ he neighed at last.
‘Really?’ Gina looked up into the magic pony’s beautiful eyes, which glowed with affection and understanding. ‘Are you going to use your magic to make me forget about what happened and stop me being afraid?’ she asked hopefully.
‘No, Gina. That would not be right. Our memories are part of who we are. You must find a way to be strong. I will not always be here to solve problems for you.’
Gina felt a pang as she realized that one day her friend must leave and return to his own world with his twin sister. But she couldn’t bear to think of that right now.
‘Thank you for being so kind, Comet. You’re the best friend ever,’ she said, holding out her hands.
Comet gently pushed his nose into her cupped palms. She felt his warm breath on her fingers as they shared a moment of closeness she knew she would treasure always.
‘Are you going to look for Destiny now?’ she asked eventually.
Comet nodded, a gleam of determination in his eyes. ‘Yes. And you are going to help me!’
‘But… but… how can I?’ Gina’s heart missed a beat. Was he going to insist that she rode him after all?
Chapter
SIX
Gina gasped as she felt a tingling sensation flow right down to the ends of her fingertips. Large violet sparks glowed in the magic pony’s bay coat and a thick mist flowed around them, shimmering and glowing with all the colours of the rainbow.
She felt something soft and springy beneath her feet and looked down to see that she and Comet were standing on a small white fluffy cloud.
‘Hold tight, Gina!’ Comet instructed.
Gina wrapped one hand in his thick chocolate mane. She felt a surge of excitement as they rose into the air and floated across the fields. Suddenly, they shot forward on the cloud, whizzing across hills and valleys and zooming along above forests and woods.
Two surprised-looking wood pigeons fluttered out of a tree as they flew past. A grey squirrel chattered and dived for cover.
‘Wow! This is brilliant!’ Gina exclaimed as they raced along at the speed of light. It was wonderful to be pressed up close against Comet’s warm, strong shoulder and feel his glittery magic enfolding her. She felt safe and secure beside him on the pillowy cloud, however high they floated in the air.
They descended once to check out some ponies in a field, but none of them were Destiny. For the rest of their trip, Gina and Comet saw no other ponies.
As Comet’s ears flattened with disappointment, Gina stroked his satiny neck. ‘We’ll find her. We’ll keep on looking until we do,’ she promised. ‘You never know, she might already have come past this way.’
‘No, she has not, Gina. Or she would have left a trail,’ Comet told her.
Gina was intrigued. ‘What sort of trail?’
‘A line of softly glowing hoof-prints. Not many people in your world can see them.’
‘Will I be able to?’ Gina asked.
Comet nodded. ‘Yes, if you are riding me or we are very close.’ He looked up at the sky, where the sun was now above the trees. ‘We must return to Horseland – they will be wondering where you are.’
Gina clung on tight to his mane as the cloud whooshed back through the clear morning air above the tree-tops. A patchwork of fields rushed past below them, along with miniature villages and roads with toy-town cars and houses. In no time at all they were hovering over the familiar farmhouse and stable yard.
There was a final violet flash and a burst of rainbow sparkles and Gina found herself back on solid ground, standing inside the stable in front of Comet’s stall. It wasn’t a moment too soon.
Angie Blackwell came in, wheeling a barrow. ‘So it’s your bike outside! That solves the mystery,’ she said with a broad grin. ‘You’re an early bird this morning.’
Gina grinned. ‘I know. I just couldn’t keep away.’
‘Come to see Comet again, have you? That’s so sweet.’ Angie looked delighted. ‘You certainly seem to have a way with him. I had a phone call from the children’s centre yesterday afternoon to say that the kids had a great time. Especially Felicity. Apparently, she’s been raving about you and Comet. She’s asked if they can all visit again today.’
‘Isn’t that great?’ Gina was delighted that Fliss had enjoyed herself so much. Helping someone discover a love for ponies was the best feeling in the world.
‘Yes, it is,’ Angie agreed. ‘I love to see the kids and ponies together. But with an extra visit, it means we have rather a frantic day. There’s a new pony arriving later. By all accounts it’s in rather a bad state, so I’d prefer any visitors to be out of the way when it arrives.’
‘Oh, what a shame,’ Gina said, already worried for the poor pony.
‘Do you know if your mum’s planning on coming over?’ Angie asked. ‘We really could do with some extra help today.’
‘She has to take the car into the garage this morning – that’s why I cycled over earlier. Maybe you could phone her and ask if she’s coming here later?’ Gina suggested. ‘But I can stay and help. What do you want me to do?’
‘You’re a star. Thanks, Gina. Could you turn out the ponies into the paddock for me and then help with mucking out?’
‘No problem!’ Gina said, already crossing the stable.
She led Minky and Dancer out first, watching as the little black-and-white pony and the sturdy roan kicked up their heels and cantered to the bottom of the field. She then came back for Porter, the beautiful ex-showjumper, before finally leading Comet out.
‘I’ll see you later,’ she said to him as she closed the paddock gate. ‘I loved floating on that cloud with you. It was fun, wasn’t it?’ she said fondly.
The magic pony’s deep violet eyes gleamed affectionately. ‘Yes, it was. It reminded me of cloud-racing with Destiny.’
Gina noticed a flicker of sadness cross his face. ‘We’ll go out looking again really soon.’
Comet brightened. ‘Thank you, Gina.’ He turned and trotted towards Minky, who was already cropping the sweet grass.
*
Gina thought about Comet’s kindness to her as she finished mucking out. ‘He’s the best friend anyone could have,’ she said to herself.
She was determined to ride him properly the next time they went out searching for Destiny. Comet had been really good about them using the cloud, but it would be much quicker and they could do a better ground search if she rode him. Besides, she owed it to her special friend.
Gina was putting away the fork and skip when Angie called across the yard to say that hot chocolate and food were ready in the farmhouse.
‘I’ve spoken to your mum and she’s popping over later. She also said it looked as if you’d missed breakfast. So you’re to get yourself over here, young lady. Pronto!’ Angie ordered, smiling.
‘Yes, ma-am!’ Gina called back, grinning.
Her tummy was rumbling like a freight train and she realized she was starving. She pushed a strand of hair off her sweaty face and went to wash her hands. In the farmhouse kitchen, Angie and a couple of her staff were seated at a huge wooden table, tucking into huge plates of cooked breakfast. Gina joined them. Her toasted bacon sandwiches and mug of hot chocolate were delicious.
‘Hot chocolate in the middle of summer?’ Angie teased with a grin.
‘Any time of year is hot chocolate time!’ Gina insisted, draining her mug.
The second she finished eating, she excused herself and went back outside to Comet. The minibus had just pulled up in the yard and the carers and kids were getting out.
‘Fliss is first off the bus,’ Gina told Comet. ‘She must be really keen to see
you again.’
‘I am glad to see her too!’ Comet neighed, and twitched his tail as Fliss whirred towards him in her colourful wheelchair. Her carer, Jane, walked beside her.
‘Hiya, Gina! Hiya, Comet!’ Fliss wore a lemon tracksuit today and there were purple bangles on her thin wrists.
‘Hello, Gina,’ said Jane, smiling.
Gina greeted them warmly. ‘Hi, Jane. Hi, Fliss. Good to see you again.’ She thought the little girl looked even paler than the previous day. There were dark shadows beneath her eyes. But the moment she saw Comet, Fliss’s face lit up. She reached up to pat his cheek, and Comet bent his head so Fliss could put her arms round his neck and give him a hug.
‘You remember me, don’t you, boy?’ Fliss crooned, giving him a big wet kiss on his nose. She glanced at Gina, a look of determination on her small pinched face. ‘OK. I’ve made my mind up! I want to ride him now – right now!’
Gina looked at Jane, who nodded. ‘No problem. I’ll help.’
Looking back at Fliss, Gina grinned. ‘You’re on!’
Chapter
SEVEN
‘Feel OK up there?’ Gina asked Fliss. ‘Tell me if you want Comet to stop, so you can have a rest, won’t you?’
‘No chance!’ Fliss cried.
Gina led Comet slowly round the yard, with Fliss sitting in the bulky western-style saddle, which supported her small frame better than an English one.
‘I’m so loving this!’ Fliss said, beaming from ear to ear as she clung tightly to the pommel at the front of the saddle. ‘I’m actually riding a pony! Yay!’
Comet was enjoying himself too. He moved at a smooth gentle pace and kept his head up high, so the little girl wouldn’t fall if she slipped forward. But nothing happened and Fliss rode around the yard with a big grin on her face. ‘Look at me!’ she called, waving to everyone she passed.
After the session, Jane helped Fliss dismount and get back in her wheelchair. As she settled down, Fliss seemed to sink with tiredness. But she still insisted on giving Comet a goodbye hug before she left. ‘See you again soon, Comet!’ she said in a faint voice. ‘Bye, Gina. And thanks a bunch. I had a mega-fab time.’
‘Me too. I’m glad you enjoyed it,’ Gina said, a bit worried that Fliss seemed so tired after such a short ride. She stood beside Comet, waving as the minibus drove away.
Angie came over as Gina was unbuckling Comet’s saddle. ‘I’m glad Fliss had fun. She’s got some good memories to take with her into hospital.’
‘Hospital?’ Gina exclaimed.
Angie nodded. ‘Jane told me she has to have regular treatment for her condition. Apparently Fliss is used to it, but she gets very fed up with having to stay in hospital for a week at a time.’
‘Oh, what a shame,’ Gina said sympathetically. That explained why Fliss had looked unwell, although she had been trying to hide it.
‘Fliss is a brave girl. I like her,’ Comet neighed as she removed his bridle.
‘Me too,’ Gina agreed. ‘I hope she’ll be OK.’ She wished she could do something to help. Maybe she’d ask her mum if they could visit her in hospital.
She unbuckled the western-style saddle and put it away before coming out of the tack room. ‘Time for some yummy oats for you,’ she said to Comet.
Just then a jeep with a trailer pulled into the yard. Shrill squeals and neighs came from inside. There was a clang of hooves against the metal sides.
‘That new pony doesn’t sound good,’ Gina said. She was dying to go and peer over the trailer’s back door and see what was making such a noise. ‘Do you mind waiting for your oats for a minute?’ she asked Comet.
Comet shook his head, his ears swivelling towards the trailer. ‘I would like to wait here and see the new pony too.’
Gina watched anxiously as Angie and the jeep’s driver unbolted and then let down the trailer’s ramp. Cowering inside, her eyes rolling in fear, was the thinnest pony Gina had ever seen. The little mare was a lovely deep chestnut colour, with a flaxen mane and tail and four white socks. Her mane and tail were tangled and her coat and feet were caked in mud.
‘Oh, the poor thing,’ Gina said breathlessly. ‘You can see all her ribs. She’s going to need lots of feeding up.’
The rescued pony whinnied and kicked out again, pulling against the frayed rope that tethered her, her ears twitching madly. Gina was frightened she’d hurt herself against the trailer’s sides.
Comet neighed softly and the other pony froze in shock. Pricking up her ears, she turned her head towards Comet and listened to him with surprise. After a moment, she gave a rather nervous nicker of reply.
Comet nodded and then snorted reassuringly. ‘She says her name is Willow,’ he told Gina. ‘She doesn’t trust humans. She thinks they are all mean and cruel.’
‘Oh, that’s awful!’ Gina’s soft heart went out to Willow, who was now shivering and trembling with fear.
Gina immediately wanted to show the pretty chestnut pony that not all humans were horrible. But how did you persuade such a scared pony that you didn’t mean her any harm?
Comet neighed again and Willow listened more calmly. This time, when the magic pony finished, Willow turned to look at Gina. Her large dark eyes were calmer now and her ears were pricking forward in curiosity.
Gina couldn’t believe the change in the little chestnut. ‘What did you say to her?’ she whispered to Comet.
‘She asked who you were. I told her that you are a kind person, who she can trust.’ His violet eyes softened. ‘Willow needs you, Gina.’
Gina gulped as Comet’s words sank deeply into her. It seemed like an impossible task, but she knew that she had to help this little chestnut mare. Looking up at Comet, she gave him a smile of total trust.
Angie took charge. ‘Right. Stand back, everyone. Time to get this pony into a nice clean stable.’ She moved towards the ramp and had barely put her foot on the bottom of it when Willow reared up in alarm and the frayed rope she was tied with snapped.
‘Oh no! Steady there, girl,’ Angie said softly. ‘No one’s going to hurt you.’
But Willow wasn’t listening. She snorted, squealed and stamped and tried to wheel round in the small space.
‘OK. I get the message,’ Angie said, backing away and stepping down. She drew a hand through her fair hair. ‘Poor little thing. She’s terrified. We need to get her out of there before she really hurts herself. But I can’t see her letting anyone near her.’
Gina found herself walking over to the trailer. ‘She’ll let me,’ she said confidently. ‘I’ll try, Angie.’
Angie shook her head. ‘No, Gina. Absolutely not. It’s much too dangerous…’
Chapter
EIGHT
Gina felt a stir of dismay. She looked at the terrified chestnut pony, cowering in the corner of the trailer and knew she couldn’t take no for an answer.
‘Ple-ase, Angie. I’ll be very careful,’ she said in her most persuasive voice.
Angie frowned doubtfully. ‘I still don’t think it’s a good idea –’
‘You can watch me the whole time!’ Gina rushed on. ‘And I promise I won’t go too close, until you tell me it’s safe. Please, Angie,’ she said again. ‘I have to do this!’
‘This means a lot to you, doesn’t it?’
‘Yes, it does.’
Angie nodded slowly. ‘Well, all right. But go very slowly and don’t take your eyes off her. And high-tail it backwards right away if I tell you to. OK?’
‘Deal,’ Gina agreed.
Despite her earlier confidence, her tummy clenched with nerves as she went over to stand beside Angie and looked up the ramp.
‘Hello, girl,’ she said softly. ‘Don’t be scared. I’m Gina and I want to be your friend. You’re going to love it here.’ She kept her voice low. ‘This is a great place and everyone wants to make you better. Just give us a chance…’
Willow stood still, watching with wide eyes.
‘So far, so good,’ Angie said approvingly. ‘You�
��re doing fine.’
Some instinct told Gina not to move up the ramp. ‘That’s good. See? I’m not mean or scary,’ she said gently. ‘I’m just going to stand here.’
Willow twitched her ears, as if to say, Why are you waiting there? Ducking her head, she lifted one dainty front leg. She took a small step forward. Twitching her matted tail, she took another step.
Now she had her front hooves on the ramp. She stood there calmly, a bit surprised at herself and then looked up at Gina expectantly.
‘Oh, so now you want me to show you your smart new stable, huh?’ Gina waited patiently as Willow came slowly down the ramp. Gina resisted the urge to reach out, and stood with her hands behind her back.
Willow came close and sniffed her T-shirt and jeans, getting used to her scent.
After a few moments, Gina spoke gently again. ‘Ready now? Come on, then.’ She crossed her fingers, slowly turned and took a few steps.
Willow stepped off the ramp and followed her.
Gina stopped, reached smoothly behind her and took hold of the broken rope. ‘Here we go. Brave girl. You did really well,’ she crooned as she led the little mare into the stable, put her in her stall and bolted the door.
‘Good job, Gina,’ Angie congratulated Gina as she came back into the yard. ‘That was very impressive. You’ve got a real instinct for this work. How do you fancy working with Willow? It will be a slow process and you’ll need a lot of patience. But she seems to trust you and that’s a big first step for a pony that’s been treated so badly. What do you say?’
‘I say yes. Yes, please!’ Gina said, proud that Angie trusted her with such an important job. ‘Wait until I tell Com–I mean, er… Mum,’ she corrected herself quickly. ‘She won’t believe it!’