Snowflakes, Silver and Secrets

by Tracey Corderoy

  ‘Anyway, no,’ continued Mum. ‘She wasn’t nasty to me. Her mother was in the firing line today. Georgina’s school, I think, are going on some ski trip but her parents have said she can’t go.’

  ‘Why?’ asked Josh.

  ‘Because her great-aunt is coming for the holidays,’ replied Mum. ‘And would really like to see her.’

  Bryony raised her eyebrows, completely baffled as to why anyone would want to see Georgina.

  ‘So, what happened next?’ Grandpa grabbed a custard cream. ‘After they said no to the ski trip?’

  ‘Well, from what I could gather,’ said Mum, ‘the morning after they said she couldn’t go, Mrs Brook went out to the garden, and all the winter roses – every single one – had mysteriously lost their heads in the night!’

  ‘That’s no mystery!’ Bryony cried. ‘That was clearly Georgina!’

  Mum nodded. ‘Right. But she’s saying it was an “accident” when she was trying to “snip off the straggly bits”!’

  ‘It was her temper more like,’ Grandpa nodded.

  ‘So today,’ said Mum, ‘as her dad’s away on business, she was targeting her mother, who usually gives in. But Mrs Brook wasn’t having it! So Georgina was horrid.’

  ‘Wow,’ gasped Bryony. ‘Beheading prize roses is bad – even for her! Emma said her dad was buying new roses. Now we know why. Yikes!’

  ‘She’s blown the ski trip then!’ shrugged Josh. But Bryony wasn’t so sure. Georgina usually got her own way in the end.

  It was time to clear up after lunch. While Mum washed the soup bowls and Grandpa dried, Bryony and Josh found the ingredients to make the gingerbread house. They were just laying them out on the table when Emma and Will arrived, wrapped up like Arctic explorers!

  ‘I’m sure it’s going to snow any second,’ said Emma, pulling off her coat and big bobble hat.

  ‘Oooh!’ cried Bryony, crossing her fingers. ‘I hope so!’

  Emma thanked Bryony’s mum for having them round. Then, turning to her little brother, she whispered, ‘Give her the gift then. You remember what they are, right?’

  ‘Yep!’ Will nodded. And stepping forward, he held out a pretty painted flowerpot with some shoots poking out of the soil.

  ‘Sprout flowers!’ said Will. ‘Happy Christmas from us!’

  ‘Not sprout flowers, Will!’ Emma looked horrified. ‘Dad said they are sprouting, not sprouts!’

  ‘Crocuses?’ asked Mum, and Emma nodded back.

  ‘Yellow, purple and white ones.’

  ‘Oh, lovely!’ Mum took them. ‘And so kind of you too! Please say thanks to your dad.’

  ‘Now can we make that gingerbread house?’ asked Will.

  Mum nodded. ‘Of course! And Grandpa will help.’

  Then, armed with some scissors and a big bundle of string, she headed to the lounge to do something she called ‘top secret’.

  ‘Wrapping!’ whispered Josh.

  ‘Presents!’ gasped Bryony excitedly.

  And the excitement just went on and on. Baking the gingerbread house was great. As they weighed and stirred, they sang Christmas songs and kept ‘testing’ the mixture with their fingers. When questioned by Grandpa, Josh called this the dip-and-lick method!

  When all the baked house bits came out of the Aga, they looked, and smelled, really good. Grandpa placed them on a wire rack to cool while the children made some animals from the leftover dough. They had a pony, a pig, a cat, a dog, and a Tyrannosaurus rex. The plan was for the little farmyard pals (and Josh’s killer dinosaur!) to stand in the garden of the gingerbread house looking festive.

  ‘Right,’ said Bryony when the house bits were cool. ‘Time to glue it together.’

  ‘But won’t glue stick our teeth together too?’ asked Will.

  ‘Not glue glue, Will!’ snorted Josh. ‘We use, um . . . something else.’

  ‘Royal icing,’ said Bryony.

  ‘Yeah,’ nodded Josh. ‘I was just about to say that!’

  Bryony mixed some up. Then they each filled an icing bag and piped up the side of the walls. They joined the sides together as they went, Grandpa trying his best to hold them in place until the icing set.

  The roof went on next. Then the chimney pot. It made Bryony think of the little pipe chimney which poked up out of Meredith’s caravan. It looked so cheerful. So friendly!

  Then suddenly Bryony had a worrying thought. She’d told Mrs Cooper that Brook Dale was friendly, but what with beheaded flowers, and strops, and icy stares – it didn’t feel that welcoming right now.

  But the Brooks weren’t the only family here, she thought. Other people would surely welcome the Coopers and their adorable menagerie of little wooden animals. Wouldn’t they . . .?

  ‘I love piping!’ cried Will, and Bryony’s attention swiftly returned to the gingerbread house. They piped on a door and windows, then rows of little loops for roof tiles. Into the centre of each loop they did a dot of icing then stuck on the special Christmas jelly sweets. The sugar twinkled like frost and the smell of spiced apple and cherry filled the air.

  ‘Mmm . . .’ said everyone. It was glorious!

  They finished the house with some icicles hanging down. Then Josh went and found some old toy fences which they iced into place around the tray it was on.

  Will arranged their biscuit animals in a friendly cluster, finally wedging the T. rex in the chimney pot.

  ‘So he won’t eat the others,’ Will explained. ‘Because that’s not friendly at Christmas.’

  And then, as they showed their house off to Mum, Bryony gave a squeal and pointed to the window.

  ‘It’s snowing!’

  Forgetting all about hats and scarves, the children raced outside to see the snow. Little flakes were tumbling out of the sky, twirling like dainty ballerinas.

  ‘Wheee!’ Bryony started to twirl too, round and round, just like Meredith. ‘At last!’ she cried. Snow made everything magical!

  ‘I really hope it’ll stick,’ said Josh.

  ‘If it does,’ said Emma, ‘tomorrow we could make a snowman.’

  ‘Or a snow pony?’ Bryony suggested.

  ‘I’ll help!’ cried Will.

  ‘And,’ grinned Josh, ‘we can all have a snowball fight!’

  But they had to wait for enough snow to do that. For now, they dashed about catching the snowflakes, or spun around, their faces to the sky, until they fell down dizzy in fits of laughter.

  Soon the snow started to ice Plum Cottage so it looked just like their gingerbread house! Then Grandpa appeared, carrying a tray.

  ‘Hot chocolate!’ he called.

  ‘Hooray!’ everyone cheered, and they huddled on the bench beside the shed to drink it.

  As Bryony swallowed the last glorious mouthful, she noticed it was starting to get dark. She checked her watch. It was almost five o’clock.

  ‘I have to go,’ she said. ‘Red needs his supper.’

  ‘Oh, and Piggy!’ Emma cried.

  ‘Come on then,’ said Bryony. ‘Before it’s pitch black.’ Emma had to trek all the way to White Mouse Farm, up the steepest hill in Brook Dale.

  ‘You stay here, Will,’ Emma told her brother. ‘Dad’s coming to fetch you later.’

  ‘Okay!’ Will looked delighted to be staying with Josh. He loved Josh’s technical Lego and his comics.

  The girls nipped inside to say they were off, then walked together as far as Seaview. It was still snowing, but only very lightly.

  They stopped by the big four-bar gate leading into the stables. ‘See you in the morning,’ Bryony said. Emma was heading straight home after seeing Piggy.

  ‘Meet here at eight?’ Emma asked, tiny snowflakes clinging to her hair.

  ‘Sounds good to me,’ Bryony nodded. Tomorrow was going to be a very busy day so best start it nice and early.

  With a wave, Emma carried on up Lighthouse Lane and Bryony opened the gate. Coming down the path from the main stable block was Lavender Jones, the kind old lady who ran the tearoo
m in the Stormy Point Lighthouse. She often delivered cakes and sandwiches to the Seaview staff.

  Bryony held open the gate for her.

  ‘Oh, thank you, Bryony,’ Lavender said. ‘How are you, my dear?’

  ‘Very well, thanks. How are you?’ asked Bryony.

  Lavender smiled. ‘Really busy today but that’s how I like it! I’ve just brought Abi a batch of my Christmas cupcakes.’

  ‘Ooo! I love those!’ Bryony smiled. They came in chocolate and vanilla flavours and Lavender iced ponies and dainty little snowflakes on top.

  ‘I wish I could bake like you,’ said Bryony.

  ‘I’ll teach you,’ Lavender replied.

  Bryony’s eyes lit up at once. ‘Oh, thank you! When can we start?’

  ‘January?’

  ‘Brilliant!’ Bryony cried. Something to look forward to after all the fun of Christmas!

  Bryony was really fond of Lavender. Last spring Bryony had solved a very tricky mystery which meant Lavender could stay in Brook Dale for good – and get back the old lighthouse, which was once her family home.

  Lavender had been so grateful for this that she now kept the room at the top of the lighthouse just for Bryony and her friends. It was circular with windows all around, and because the lighthouse jutted into the sea, being in it made you feel like you were right in the middle of the ocean.

  The Super Six had named it ‘Lookout Towers’ and it had become their HQ. Every Wednesday after school they met there to play games, or in the absence of real-life mysteries to solve, to write their own Whodunnits. Bryony had also set up a Cluedo tournament, which currently she was winning!

  ‘See you on Wednesday then,’ Lavender nodded. ‘Any new mysteries to solve?’

  Bryony shook her head. ‘Sadly not, so we might make our Friendship Jars instead.’ It was only four days until Christmas Eve, which was when the postman delivered them.

  ‘Oh!’ said Bryony. She’d just had a thought. ‘I might do two jars this year!’

  She’d drawn Cabbage Patch Charlie from the hat, who had lived by himself since his wife had died. But why not do a jar for Meredith’s family too? To help welcome them to Brook Dale for Christmas, since this was the place they’d chosen to spend their holidays.

  ‘Good for you!’ said Lavender. ‘But no saying who they’re for, or . . .’

  ‘. . . I’ll turn into a toad!’ Bryony giggled. ‘I know!’

  With a laugh, Lavender set off through the snow, and Bryony headed in through the gate.

  The fence and gate had fairy lights on now. Abi must have hung them up that afternoon. This was all getting more and more festive and exciting!

  Bryony hurried up the path and round into the yard, where she almost bumped into Abi who was up a stepladder, looping lights around the office door.

  ‘They’re lovely!’ Bryony called up to her.

  ‘Thanks, Bry,’ Abi smiled back. ‘I was meaning to do it all of last week, and I finally pick the day it snows. Red’s out in the field. He hasn’t been out long as he’s just done a lesson but he can probably come in now.’

  ‘I’ll fetch him,’ Bryony said.

  The yard was busy as riders came and went. People were pushing wheelbarrows, cleaning tack and mucking out. And a boy called Arthur Dobbs, who wore long shorts in all weathers, was red-faced and puffing as he brushed the snowy yard.

  Bryony waited as a group led their ponies past, bringing them in from the paddock and field.

  ‘Hey, Bry!’ said a girl with a glossy chestnut mare.

  ‘Oh, hi, Jess,’ replied Bryony. ‘Destiny okay?’

  ‘Yeah, she’s loving the snow!’ Jess patted her pony. ‘Time for supper now though.’

  ‘I’m just getting Red in too,’ said Bryony. ‘See you!’

  She headed off to the field, where Red was playfully snorting into the snow.

  ‘Having fun?’ laughed Bryony. She patted his side and he turned and nuzzled her arm. She loved how he was always so pleased to see her!

  ‘Ahhh . . .’ She stroked the white star between his eyes as his kiss curl twinkled with snowflakes.

  ‘I wish I had a camera, Red,’ Bryony said. ‘This would make a gorgeous Christmas card!’

  When Bryony had first met Red his big brown eyes had looked sad. Not any more! Now they were shining with happiness!

  ‘Come on, then,’ she said. ‘Let’s get you inside and we’ll play in the snow tomorrow.’ She clipped on his lead rein and led him out of the field, her boots squeaking in the freshly fallen snow.

  Back in the yard Finn wobbled past with a wheelbarrow piled high with dirty straw.

  ‘Mind the floor, Bry. It’s really slippery,’ he said.

  ‘Huh! It shouldn’t be!’ puffed Arthur, still sweeping. ‘I’m on it, don’t you worry. And the mounting block is spotless – look!’

  He pointed across the yard. Arthur loved cleaning – even though he’d swear blind he didn’t.

  ‘You’re doing a great job,’ Bryony called, and Arthur beamed.

  ‘But it’s a horrible job,’ he added as an afterthought. ‘Really grim!’

  Finn and Bryony exchanged grins, then Bryony led Red into his stable. ‘Now let’s check your hooves and brush you down,’ she said.

  Bryony always started with his front hooves and followed the same routine so Red knew what was coming.

  Placing her hand near his shoulder, she ran it down his side and then down the back of his leg. When she got to the fetlock, she asked Red for his hoof, and when he lifted it, Bryony held it nice and relaxed.

  ‘Well done, Red!’ she said. He was very good at giving her his hooves now.

  As Red was now balanced on three legs, Bryony needed to work carefully but quickly. With the hoof pick, she flicked out the mud around his frog, working from the back to the front. She did the same around the front of his shoe, finishing off with a quick brush all over.

  Red was standing really well, and Bryony praised him lots. She repeated this with the other three hooves. Although she only found mud in them today, if it carried on snowing then tomorrow, she knew, trapped snow and balls of ice might be a problem.

  She quickly checked her Pony Handbook. There might be something she could rub in, hopefully to stop that happening. ‘Ah! Vaseline mixed with cooking oil,’ read Bryony. She was pretty sure she had both these things at home.

  Next she brushed Red, and as she did, she told him all about the Friendship Jar she’d just decided to give the Coopers.

  ‘I hope they’ll like it,’ Bryony said. Meredith especially so wanted to be her friend. And she was so sweet and funny.

  ‘And tomorrow, Red,’ said Bryony, ‘if the snow sticks, we’re going to build a snow pony.’

  Red listened, blowing gently and standing patiently until his coat was as shiny as a toffee apple. ‘But no snow pony,’ smiled Bryony, ‘would ever look as handsome as you!’

  After Bryony had seen to Red’s supper she banked up the stable with lots of extra straw to keep him snug overnight. Then popping out to the tack room, she quickly returned with his blanket. In one of the corners was his name, which Lavender had kindly embroidered. It was super-warm too, which was just as well. The thermometer on the yard wall already said below freezing and it was only going to get colder overnight.

  It was almost time for Seaview to close so, popping on Red’s blanket, Bryony hugged him goodnight and headed across to the door. But instead of leaving, she turned and just watched him for a moment.

  ‘I’m the luckiest girl in the world to have you,’ she said as Red nibbled his hay. He stopped and whinnied, as if to say . . .

  ‘And I’m luckiest pony in the world to have you!’

  A beaming Bryony now stepped outside and closed the door behind her. It was dark and still snowing but lots of stars were out and the moon shone like silver.

  She was just about to head off home when who should she see across the yard but Georgina Brook.

  Georgina was talking to a girl called Amber St
epney, who was bringing her pony, Dash, back in.

  ‘Hmmm,’ said Bryony.

  This was very odd.

  Georgina hardly ever came to Seaview because Beau had a state-of-the-art stable at the Manor. And when she did come, she only had time for her posh school friends. Amber Stepney wasn’t one of those. So why was Georgina here? And what could she want with Amber?

  Bryony watched.

  Georgina and Amber appeared to be arguing. Georgina looked really cross about something and Amber kept nervously playing with her long bright ginger hair.

  Bryony began to quietly edge across the yard, desperate to hear what they were saying. The longer they didn’t see her, the more she’d find out. Already she could feel her heart start to quicken at the thought of a mystery in the making. But any mystery involving Georgina Brook usually spelled trouble!

  When she got close enough to hear, Bryony paused and hung back. She was right – Georgina and Amber were in mid-argument . . .

  ‘He was meant to come back!’ Bryony heard Georgina snap. ‘So where could he be now?’

  ‘How should I know?’ replied Amber. ‘I haven’t seen him all day. But he doesn’t always listen – I do know that. And he gets muddled all the time. Why do you want him anyway?’

  ‘It’s none of your business! Just tell him from—’

  But Georgina stopped mid-flow, having just spotted Bryony.

  ‘Stop earwigging!’ scowled Georgina.

  ‘I wasn’t!’ blushed Bryony, knowing full well she was. ‘I was just . . . walking to the gate.’

  ‘Well then!’ snapped Georgina. ‘What are you waiting for? Walk!’

  Bryony carried on past them, her head in a whirl. There was definitely something fishy going on.

  Who was the he, Georgina was on about? Why was he meant to come back? And from where?

  Bryony knew she wouldn’t rest until she got some answers.

  ‘Curiouser and curiouser . . .’ she said to herself, like Meredith’s Alice in Wonderland.

  And Brook Dale was starting to look like Wonderland too as Bryony set off home, deep in thought – and snow.

  ‘A Winter Wonderland Mystery!’ she grinned.

  ‘What could be more perfect?’