Loving Spirit

by Linda Chapman

  ‘Well, three hundred pounds might be enough,’ said Joe, considering it. ‘They’re not going for much to the meat man these days.’ He frowned in concern. ‘But you can’t just buy a horse, Ellie. Where are you going to keep it? You couldn’t take one home, particularly not from a sale. Dad thinks anyone who buys from a sale is a complete halfwit. He’d flip.’

  ‘I don’t care!’ Ellie declared. ‘I’ll find somewhere else to keep him. All he needs is a field and a shelter. I’ve got money I inherited. I bet I’d be allowed to have some of it to keep a horse. In fact, I know I would,’ she lied. ‘I’m going to do it, Joe. Just tell me how.’

  Joe looked very worried. ‘Ellie, you can’t.’

  Ellie glared at him. ‘Why not?’ She hadn’t felt as strongly about anything since her mum and dad … No! She stopped herself. Don’t think about them. Not now.

  ‘You can’t just buy a horse,’ Joe protested. ‘It’s mental. It’s –’ He saw her expression and broke off helplessly. ‘I’m not going to change your mind, am I?’

  She shook her head. ‘Nope.’

  Joe took a deep breath. ‘OK. So which horse is it?’

  Ellie set off through the crowd. ‘There!’ She pointed at the horse’s pen. The horse pricked his ears and looked at her with recognition. ‘I told you I’d come back,’ Ellie murmured, going over and stroking his cheek. She looked round at Joe to see what he thought.

  His jaw had dropped open. ‘Ellie! You can’t buy that. He’s a wreck!’

  The horse put his ears back.

  Ellie glared at Joe. ‘He’s not! Well, maybe a bit,’ she admitted. ‘But that’s why he needs my help. I’ll make him better.’

  ‘But he’s being sold unsound and unwarranted,’ Joe said, checking the card. ‘That means he’s lame and there’s probably all sorts of stuff wrong with him, which will mean even if you cure his lameness you won’t be able to ride him.’

  ‘I don’t care,’ Ellie said. This horse was alone in the world, like she was. If she bought him at least they’d have each other. ‘I want him.’ She turned back to Joe. ‘And I’m not going home without him.’

  He looked at her stubborn face and groaned.

  ‘And here we have lot 178. A grey gelding, seventeen years old. Sold unwarranted and unsound,’ the auctioneer announced as the grey was led into the ring by the man in the brown overalls. The horse walked slowly, his head hanging low, his hooves stumbling on the ground.

  The crowd around the ring gave the horse quick dismissive glances and then looked away, chatting among themselves.

  The auctioneer glanced over to where a burly man in a hat was standing near the entrance. Joe had told Ellie that was the meat man, buying horses to ship overseas or to go for pet food. He had also warned her that horses were sold in guineas and not pounds, and that he knew she would have to pay taxes and extra things like that on top. ‘The highest you can go is two hundred and twenty-five pounds,’ he’d warned her.

  Ellie clutched her purse in her pocket.

  ‘So what am I bid for this horse?’ The auctioneer sounded as if he wanted to get it over and done with as quickly as possible. ‘Let’s start at two hundred.’

  There was no movement in the crowd. Ellie went to stick her hand up, but Joe grabbed it. ‘You might get him for less,’ he hissed.

  ‘One hundred and fifty then?’

  The meat man touched his hat in a bored way. ‘One hundred and fifty I’m bid,’ said the auctioneer. ‘One hundred and fifty. Going …’

  Joe nudged Ellie and she quickly stuck her hand up.

  ‘We have a bid to the left,’ the auctioneer said, clearly surprised. ‘That’s one hundred and seventy-five to my left.’ The meat man touched his hat again. ‘Two hundred pounds.’

  Ellie raised her hand. ‘Two hundred and twenty-five to my left …’

  Ellie’s heart pounded. Please, please, please don’t bid any more, she silently begged the meat man.

  Her heart plummeted as he bid again.

  ‘That’s two hundred and fifty.’

  ‘No!’ Ellie whispered in despair. ‘Joe …’

  ‘Bid again,’ he told her quickly. ‘I’ve got some money with me.’

  She raised her hand.

  ‘That’s two hundred and seventy-five to my left …’

  Ellie looked at the meat man. Relief rushed through her as she saw him give a brief shake of his head.

  ‘Are all bids done? Going, going … gone!’ The auctioneer struck his hammer down.

  Ellie swung round. ‘Oh, thank you, Joe! Thank you!’ She flung her arms round him.

  ‘I can’t believe you’ve actually just bought a horse,’ he said, looking at her, almost in awe.

  ‘Neither can I!’ she said dazedly.

  Just then, one of the officials came over to take Ellie’s name and details.

  The man told her where to go and pay. Joe gave her some money from his wallet. ‘That should be enough. I’ve got enough left to go and buy him a headcollar and leadrope while you pay.’

  Ellie threw him a grateful smile and hurried to the little hut where people paid for the horses. As she waited, the realization of what she had just done began to sink in. What was her uncle going to say? Where was she going to keep the horse? What if the horse needed loads of vet treatment? What if her grandma and the people in charge of her inheritance wouldn’t let her have any money to pay for his keep? The adrenaline pumping inside faded and she began to feel sick.

  She paid the money over the counter and, holding the receipt in her hands, she walked slowly back to the pen. Oh God, she thought over and over again as the reality hit her. What have I done?

  Joe was standing there. Despite his words from earlier he was stroking the horse’s neck and talking quietly to him. The horse’s eyes were half closed and he looked as if there was hardly any strength left in him, but as Ellie approached he put his head up and let out a low whinny.

  In that instant, Ellie pushed aside all her worries. She broke into a run. ‘Hi, boy,’ she said as she reached the pen. He nuzzled her hands.

  ‘So what are you going to call him then?’ Joe asked.

  Ellie thought for a moment. A word came to her. She tried it out in her head.

  ‘You can always name him later, I guess,’ Joe went on when she didn’t say anything. ‘You don’t need to name him now and –’

  ‘No, I know what he’s called,’ Ellie interrupted. She looked at the horse and spoke softly. ‘His name’s Spirit.’

  The horse’s eyes met hers.

  Ellie opened the gate and went inside the pen. Spirit. Her horse. She put her arms round his neck and had the strangest sensation that she had come home.

  You’re mine, she promised the grey horse silently. Forever. She meant it with her whole heart. Whatever the problems, whatever she had to face, Spirit was hers now and she was never ever going to let him go.

  Chapter Five

  Ellie walked slowly along the country road, with Spirit beside her and Joe on the other side of him.

  When Stuart had come to meet them and found out about the horse, his eyebrows had risen almost to the top of his bald head. ‘I don’t like to think what the boss’ll say about this,’ he’d said, drawing in a whistling breath through his teeth. But he’d put out his hand and stroked Spirit’s muzzle. ‘Poor old devil. You’ve had a hard life by the look of it. What’ve they done to you?’ He glanced at Ellie and she saw the sympathy in his eyes. ‘You two hang on here with him and I’ll go back and fetch the trailer.’

  But when Stuart had returned, Spirit had refused to go anywhere near the trailer. Every time Ellie tried to lead him up the ramp he pulled back violently. When tempting him with food didn’t work, Joe and Stuart got behind him to urge him in but he swung his head up, ears flattened, and lashed out with his back feet.

  A few jokers from Joe’s year who were also bunking off school were standing nearby watching. ‘That your new show horse then, Joe?’

  ‘Will you be takin�
�� him in the Horse of the Year show?’

  ‘Bet he’ll win all the prizes!’

  Joe took no notice.

  ‘Maybe it’s a present for his new girlfriend.’

  ‘I’d chuck him, love, if that’s the best he can do.’ They burst out laughing.

  ‘He’s my cousin, not my boyfriend!’ Ellie retaliated, unable to keep quiet any longer.

  ‘Well then, I’m available!’ one of them yelled. ‘Why don’t you come on over here?’

  ‘Just ignore them,’ Joe told her with a sigh. ‘They’re morons.’ He turned to Stuart. ‘He’s not going in, is he?’

  ‘Let’s try the lunge ropes,’ Stuart said. He fetched two lunge reins from the front and explained to Ellie what he was going to do. ‘We’ll fasten them on to the box, Joe’ll take one and I’ll have the other, we’ll bring them round behind him and see if that gets him going forward into the trailer.’

  Ellie shot a doubtful look at Spirit. His head was up and he was looking at Stuart and the ropes suspiciously. ‘Isn’t there anything else we can do?’ She had a very strong feeling this wasn’t going to work.

  ‘Let’s give it a go.’ Stuart laid a hand on Spirit’s neck, his voice gentle. ‘Come on, lad. Let’s get you in the box and take you home.’

  He clipped the ropes on to rings at the side of the entrance to the ramp. Ellie then led Spirit forward, while Joe and Stuart went behind the horse and brought the lunge reins up so they crossed over and touched his tail. Ellie felt Spirit stiffen and his ears flicked backwards.

  ‘This isn’t going to –’

  Spirit reared straight up as the lunge reins tightened against him. His front hooves lashed in the air, narrowly missing Ellie’s head. His eyes, which had been so empty, suddenly flashed with a long-lost defiance. As he came down, he leapt forwards, almost pulling Ellie off her feet. The new leadrope burnt through her hands, but she hung on tightly as he plunged around her.

  ‘Steady, boy, steady!’ she cried.

  The boys watching jeered.

  ‘Whoa! Rodeo horse!’

  ‘Hold him, cowgirl!’

  Spirit came to a stop and she stroked his neck, trying to block out the calls. ‘It’s OK,’ she soothed the horse. ‘It’s OK.’

  ‘Are you all right?’ Joe demanded, reaching her.

  She nodded.

  ‘Let’s try again,’ Stuart said, coming over.

  But Ellie shook her head. ‘It isn’t going to work,’ she said, her hand on the horse’s neck, her eyes on his. She knew, as clearly as if she could read his mind, that there was no way he would go into the trailer that day. ‘I’ll walk him home.’

  Stuart and Joe had tried to argue with her, but in the end they had finally agreed it might be the most sensible thing to do. Now Ellie and Joe walked Spirit along the road that led up from the town in the valley. The empty fields stretched out on either side of them, rising up to the high peaks. A bitter wind blew down the mountainsides, shaking the strands of barbed wire above the stone walls. Everywhere looked so desolate. Ellie shivered, wishing she had some gloves with her. Her fingers were freezing. She put one hand on Spirit’s neck, tucking it under his mane and feeling the warmth from his skin seep into her. The horse’s head was stretched out low and he was stumbling every few steps as he walked. ‘Looks like he’s lame in his near shoulder,’ said Joe, breaking the silence.

  Ellie nodded. She’d noticed that, and also the scars on his shoulder and legs. How had he got those? His mane and tail were matted and full of burrs, and his coat was thick with grease and dirt, standing out dully from his skin. He was skinny, and his neck was weak and un-muscled. He was a far cry from her uncle’s glossy, fit animals.

  As she thought about her uncle, she felt slightly ill again. She’d been full of bravado at the sale, but now they were getting close her nerves were starting to build. What if he wouldn’t let her keep Spirit at the stables? He wasn’t the type of man who would be persuaded into anything and he certainly wouldn’t let her keep Spirit out of the kindness of his heart. Then I’ll keep him somewhere else, she told herself firmly. Gran said I’ve got lots of money in trust. I’ll just use some of that. Gran and the other people have to let me.

  But what if they didn’t?

  But Ellie knew she couldn’t let herself think like that. She stroked Spirit’s neck. Whatever happened she wasn’t going to let him go. As if he sensed her thoughts, Spirit raised his head and looked at her. Ellie smiled. You’re mine, she told him in her head. I’ll find a way to keep you. I promise.

  Just then, there was the sound of an engine. ‘It’s Luke,’ Joe said as a motorbike came down the hill from the direction of the stables.

  Ellie felt her insides tighten. Luke stopped a little way off and cut the engine. Getting off his bike and tucking his helmet under his arm, he walked down the road towards them in his black leather motorcycling gear, his dark hair falling across his forehead.

  ‘Oh my God!’ He shook his head in disbelief as he reached them. ‘Stuart told me what you’d done but … oh my God! Len’s seriously going to freak.’ His eyes swept to Ellie, an amused, incredulous smile twitching at his lips. ‘Have you got a death wish or something? I mean, buying any horse without his say would make him mad, but to get a knackered horse like that –’

  ‘He’s not knackered!’ Ellie responded, stroking Spirit’s neck protectively. ‘He’s been ill-treated. He’ll be fine. He just needs love and care.’

  ‘So will you after Len’s finished with you!’ Luke turned to Joe. ‘I can’t believe you let her do it.’

  ‘Yeah, well, she’s not that easy to stop,’ Joe said glumly.

  Ellie was too busy stroking Spirit to bother getting cross with them for talking about her. Luke’s gaze flicked back to her face, a new assessing look in his eyes. ‘You know something, you’re turning into good value to have around, Ellie. I’ll give you that.’

  Ellie frowned. ‘Oh, shut up. It’s not that big a deal. I’ve got money. I’ll pay for Spirit’s keep or keep him somewhere else if Uncle Len won’t let me keep him at the stables. It’ll be fine.’

  Luke raised his eyebrows. ‘I’ll remind you of that. Good luck with it then. I’ll see you later – if you’re still alive, of course.’ He strode back to his bike. Ellie clicked her tongue and walked Spirit on. The horse stumbled and Luke chuckled as he straddled the bike, blue eyes glinting. ‘Look on the bright side. Maybe the old nag’ll drop dead by the time you get him home and Len will never need to know about him.’

  ‘He’s not an old nag!’ Ellie yelled furiously as she pulled Spirit past. A few minutes later, she heard the roar of the bike as it started up and Luke headed away.

  ‘He is so annoying,’ she complained for about the millionth time to Joe.

  ‘Forget Luke,’ Joe said drily. ‘You should be thinking about what you’ll say to Dad.’

  Len wasn’t due back until feedtime. Ellie tied Spirit up outside and went in to phone her grandma.

  It was very early in the morning in New Zealand and her gran sounded half asleep. ‘What is it, sweetheart? Is everything OK?’ she asked, as in the kitchen Pip jumped around Ellie’s legs, putting her paws up on Ellie’s knees.

  Ellie could heard the alarm in her gran’s voice. ‘It’s fine. It’s just I really need to speak to you, Gran,’ she said, fondling the little dog’s head. She hadn’t wanted to wake her gran up, but she knew she had to talk to her before Len came back. ‘Um, the thing is I … well, I’ve just bought a horse and I was hoping, well, can I have the money to keep him?’

  There was silence. Ellie held her breath and crossed her fingers. Please, please, please, she prayed.

  ‘Oh!’ her gran said. She gave an astonished laugh. ‘Oh, goodness, Ellie. You’re so like your mum at times. So you’ve just bought a horse! What does your uncle think?’

  ‘Um, he’s OK with it,’ Ellie lied.

  ‘Well then, sure, I guess. You can have the money for the horse’s keep. I know your mum and dad would have be
en happy for you to have one. I’ll talk to the executors of the will, but yes, I’m sure it can be arranged.’

  After saying their goodbyes, Ellie clicked the phone off, feeling a massive rush of relief. Phew. One obstacle down. Now there was just her uncle to face – but she didn’t want to think about that. Pushing the thought to the back of her mind, she picked up Pip and gave the little dog a cuddle. ‘Luke’ll be back soon, though it beats me why you like him so much.’

  Pip wriggled and licked her nose.

  Ellie went outside. Stuart suggested she put Spirit in one of the foaling boxes round the back that were not in use. They were large roomy stables, well away from the other horses. Ellie bedded one of the stables down with a thick layer of golden straw, and filled a haynet and a water bucket. Then she fetched Spirit. He hesitated as she tried to lead him in, stopping a few metres away.

  ‘Come on, boy.’ Ellie clicked her tongue and pulled on the leadrope, but looking at his face she could see that he was worried. His ears were flicking back and forward and his head was up.

  ‘OK. Well, there’s no rush,’ she told him. She loosened the leadrope and stood quietly beside him, stroking his neck until the tension left him and he pushed against her with his nose. She fed him a mint from her pocket and then rubbed his forehead. ‘I promise it’ll be all right. Look. I’ll go in.’ Putting the leadrope over his neck, she walked into the stable and came back out. ‘See, it’s all right.’ She patted his neck and then walked into the stable again. This time, Spirit followed her inside, his head stretching out, so his muzzle just touched the small of her back.

  Ellie felt a wave of love as she saw the trust in his eyes. ‘There,’ she said, taking the headcollar off. He walked around, sniffing the straw and snorting, his eyes wide, as if he could hardly believe it. Ravenously, he pulled out a big mouthful of sweet hay from the haynet. Ellie smoothed down his mane and straightened his forelock. She was longing to start grooming him – to get rid of the grass stains and mud, the tangles and burrs – but some part of her sensed that she needed to be patient and give the horse time to adjust and settle in. She wished she knew all about him, where he had come from, why he was in such bad condition. She could guess that bad things must have happened to him from the scars left on him and the fact he was so nervous of horseboxes and stables.