The Perfect Pony

by Michelle Bates

  “And is your father sure about this?” Nick said slowly.

  “Very sure,” Alex said despondently. “When he’s made up his mind over something he doesn’t change it. I was going to ask if you might try and sell her for me. I don’t care so much about the price – I want her to go to a good home.”

  “I’ll see what I can do,” Nick said. “I doubt you’ll get another offer like the one you had at the Benbridge Show, but you have done wonders with her, so it shouldn’t be a problem selling her.”

  “All right.” Alex started towards the door. “Oh, and Nick,” he turned back, “do you think you could keep this quiet for the moment? I don’t want the others knowing and feeling sorry for me.”

  “I understand,” Nick said.

  “Thanks,” Alex replied. “I’m going for a beach ride with Izzy if you want me.”

  “OK,” Nick said.

  Alex closed the door behind him. He took a deep breath and stepped out of the cottage. He could see Izzy’s head just inside Midnight’s stable.

  “Are you ready?” Alex called across to her, trying to sound as normal as possible.

  “Sure,” Izzy called back. “Midnight’s raring to go.”

  “I’ll be right with you.” Alex forced a smile as he made his way over to Puzzle. It was only once he was in the safety of her stable that he stopped for a minute and let down his guard. “Oh Puzzle. If only you knew,” he groaned as he rested his head on the little pony’s chestnut neck.

  Puzzle shook her red-brown mane and impatiently nudged at his chest.

  “All right...all right. I know you’re anxious to go out for a ride,” he said, setting to work with a body brush.

  Soon he had given her a quick clean and set about tacking her up.

  “Come on,” he muttered, leading Puzzle out of the yard and springing up onto her back.

  As he and Izzy started to make their way out of the yard, he heard Kate’s excited voice behind him.

  “Alex...Alex,” she called as she cycled into the yard.

  Izzy was already through the back gate and cantering off across the fields. Alex took a deep breath and quickly followed on after Izzy, pretending he hadn’t heard Kate’s call. He felt a bit guilty, but right now he really didn’t want to talk about Puzzle any more. A decision had been made, and nothing could change that.

  As the wind rushed past him, Alex immersed himself in his riding. They cantered across the fields, and soon they were approaching the scrubland that led to the beach.

  “Race you to the sands,” Izzy cried.

  Izzy had a head start but as Alex nudged Puzzle into a gallop, they soon caught her up. The two riders drew to a halt at the top of the cliffs and looked down onto the beach below. The sea was choppy and white-crested waves crashed down onto the sands.

  “Come on, let’s go down,” Alex cried. He couldn’t wait to get onto the beach and race alongside the sea. If that wouldn’t take his mind off things, he didn’t think anything could.

  As Izzy and Alex returned from the beach, trotting into the yard, Alex found a rather cross-looking Kate ahead of him.

  “I’ll catch you later, Izzy,” he called, riding Puzzle over to where Kate was sitting on the gate. Alex could see from the determined expression on her face that she was fuming.

  “All right?” he asked.

  “No, I’m not all right,” she snapped. “There you go, rushing off at the crack of dawn this morning. And then I get to Sandy Lane and you pretend you don’t even hear me.”

  “OK, OK, I’m sorry,” Alex answered. “It’s just that I didn’t want to talk any more. I spoke to Nick and he’s going to look for a home for Puzzle.”

  “So it’s all going ahead then?” Kate said miserably. “I sort of hoped that Nick might be able to do something about it.”

  Alex frowned. “He’s got a business to run, hasn’t he? Anyway, I don’t want to talk about it any more. I want to keep it to myself for the moment, so don’t go blabbing to the others, will you?”

  “OK, keep you hair on,” Kate answered in a hurt voice as Alex jumped down from Puzzle’s back and led her off, the reins trailing by her side.

  14

  BORROWED TIME

  Time passed quickly over the next couple of days. If Alex hadn’t known better, he could almost have believed he hadn’t had the conversation with his parents and that Puzzle wasn’t really going to be sold.

  He’d gone back and told his parents that Nick was looking for a buyer for Puzzle and that, it seemed, was that. The subject was closed. His parents said nothing more and Alex didn’t want to talk about it. By blocking it out of his mind, he could at least enjoy the last few days of the summer holidays with Puzzle.

  When Nick called Alex to the cottage on Thursday morning, he knew exactly what Nick was going to say.

  “You’ve found her a home, haven’t you?” Alex pre-empted Nick’s words.

  “Well, yes. Yes I have,” Nick said. “It’s a good one. She can go almost immediately.”

  “When’s immediately?” Alex burst out.

  “Sunday,” Nick answered. “I know you’re back at school on Monday, so I thought it would probably be all right, but I said I’d check with you first.”

  Alex nodded gloomily.

  “The buyers came over to the yard last night,” Nick went on. “I thought it might be best if you weren’t here while they inspected her in case it came to nothing, but they liked her. Actually, they saw you ride at the Benbridge Show, and that was what did it for them.”

  Alex’s heart tightened in his chest. “Well, I guess that’s it then. Time to say goodbye.”

  “Good lad,” Nick said. “They’re offering £850 for her as well which should be a bit of a sweetener.”

  Alex shrugged. It was exactly the amount he’d needed for the cricket tour.

  “So that’s all right?” Nick questioned.

  “I guess so,” Alex answered.

  “OK then, I’ll give these people a ring and let them know that you’ve agreed,” Nick said.

  “Thanks Nick,” Alex said, a lump rising in his throat. “It really is a good home, is it?”

  “It’s the best,” Nick answered him. “They live over by Walbrook. They’ve got acres of fields, and the girl who wants her is keen to compete on the show circuit too. I’ve already spoken to your parents about this, by the way. I gave them a ring last night.”

  “My parents?” Alex was speechless. He’d been out at the cinema, but he would have thought they’d have mentioned it when he got in. “But why? Why did you call them?”

  “Well,” Nick hesitated. “I wanted to tell them that I’d found a buyer, but I also thought they should know what a good job you’d done on getting Puzzle fit and healthy. Your dad did say he knew you were having a hard time right now and that he was proud of the way you’d seen sense and agreed to let Puzzle go.”

  “I suppose that’s something,” Alex reflected. “Thanks Nick.”

  Now that Alex knew for certain that Puzzle was going, he decided it was only fair to let everyone else know at the yard. All the regulars had become pretty attached to Puzzle and Alex found it hard to cope with all their sympathy. But if Alex was going to get through these last few days at Sandy Lane, he knew there was only one way to do it. He had to put Sunday out of his mind and concentrate on the present. He had to enjoy being with Puzzle and block everything else from his mind.

  When he and Puzzle cantered around the outdoor school that morning, he tried hard to ignore the sadness that felt like a real pain in his chest. As they rode around the course of jumps, clearing them with ease, Alex shut everything out of his mind. As he settled down to bring Puzzle to a halt, he heard someone clapping from the side of the rails. Tom was standing there, holding Chancey by the reins.

  “Pretty good,” he called. “You should be proud of her.”

  “I am.” Alex adjusted his riding hat.

  “Mind if Chancey and I join you?” Tom asked. “We could do with the pract
ice.”

  “Sure,” Alex replied.

  Quickly Tom loosened Chancey up over a couple of practice jumps, and then they were ready to take the course.

  Alex waited for Tom to jump the first two jumps and then he followed him, matching him stride for stride. They soared over the brush and cantered towards the sharks’ teeth. Puzzle jumped her heart out and, as they sailed over the wall and cantered a circuit around the school, Alex could almost believe the light-headed feeling would go on and on forever.

  15

  GOODBYE PUZZLE

  Before Alex knew it, the sun was waking him through the curtains on Sunday morning. The awful day that he’d been trying to pretend would never come, was here.

  Kate didn’t say much to him when he came down the stairs for breakfast that morning. She looked as gloomy as Alex felt, but Alex knew he couldn’t show it. He had already decided that the only way he could get through today was to treat it as if everything was normal. He intended to muck Puzzle out, feed her, groom her, take her for a ride – just as he had done every day of the summer holidays.

  As Alex cycled along the roads that morning, his heart felt heavy. It was quiet when he turned up the drive to Sandy Lane and cycled into the yard. Puzzle was being picked up at eleven, so there would just be enough time for a quick ride out to Larkfield Copse and back.

  Vaguely, Alex wondered why Nick wasn’t up and about. He was normally in the yard at the crack of dawn, and this was Puzzle’s last day after all. Still...Nick had seen lots of horses come and go. This was probably just business as usual for him.

  Despondently, Alex brushed Puzzle’s coat. He hadn’t waited for Kate that morning. He hadn’t known how to explain to her that he just wanted to be on his own with Puzzle. Somehow it sounded silly.

  Alex wiped Puzzle’s coat with a soft cloth, polishing her until her red-brown coat gleamed. Then he turned and made his way to the tack room to collect her saddle and bridle. It was going to be a lovely day and, as he tacked Puzzle up and led her out of her stable, he tried to cheer up. He wanted to make the most of this last ride. Opening the back gate, he sprang up into the saddle and rode across the first field in the direction of Larkfield Copse.

  Gradually, Alex forgot himself in his riding as they cantered across the grass. Lightly he touched Puzzle with his heels and she stretched out into a gallop. Alex’s face felt taut as the wind whistled past and he fed the reins up Puzzle’s neck, stretching out her stride. He’d never forget the time he’d had with Puzzle...never, he told himself. She’d taught him such a lot – without her he’d never have realized what he was missing out on by not riding. From now on he was going to appreciate being down at Sandy Lane a whole lot more.

  Alex looked at his watch. It was ten thirty. He’d have to get a move on if he was going to be back at the yard in time. And so Alex turned Puzzle and made his way across the fields. As he rode through the surrounding countryside, he tried to get a grip of himself. This was for the best...the best for everyone.

  Now there was only one more field to cross. Desperately, Alex hoped he’d be able to keep his cool in front of everyone.

  As he trotted down the lane between the fields and rounded the corner to the yard, Alex prepared himself for the mass of faces that would be there to greet him. He dismounted and unlatched the back gate, leading Puzzle forward.

  He’d been right – the yard was busy – there stood Izzy, Tom, Rosie, Jess, Kate and...his dad! What on earth was he doing at Sandy Lane? Slowly, Alex led Puzzle over to where his father stood.

  “What are you doing here?” He stumbled over the words and then, realizing that his tone sounded rather rude, he started again. “I mean, you do know this is Puzzle’s last day here, don’t you?”

  And now Nick appeared behind his father, smiling broadly. Had everyone gone mad?

  “I don’t know what you’re all staring at, but I’ve got a pony to get ready,” Alex said crossly, leading Puzzle off.

  “Alex...just wait a minute.” Nick grabbed hold of his shoulder. “I think you should listen to what your father has to say.”

  Alex stood quite still, looking bemused.

  “Puzzle’s not going today,” Nick stepped in.

  “What?” Alex looked from Nick to his dad and now everyone had gathered around, petting Puzzle. What was going on?

  “I phoned the people who wanted to buy her,” Nick explained. “I’ve told them she’s not for sale after all. Actually I’ve found a nice little black Arab for them on the other side of Walbrook, so they’re quite happy.”

  “Are you mad?” Alex tied Puzzle to a ring in the wall and stepped over, looking from Nick to his father “I’m back at school on Monday and you said it was a good home.”

  “And so it would have been,” Nick said. “Only I think Puzzle will be better off at Sandy Lane. Shall I continue – or would you like to fill him in on the details?” He turned to Mr. Hardy.

  “Well Alex,” his father started. “We’ve decided you can keep the pony. She’s yours. I’ll pay a livery fee.”

  “What? What do you mean?” Alex could hardly contain his excitement. “You were so adamant that you wouldn’t help.”

  “I know, but I’ve changed my mind and – well, she’s not going to be all yours anyway,” his father started before Alex could interrupt. “There is a condition attached.”

  Alex looked wary but his father was quick to go on. “I want you to share her with your sister.”

  “With Kate? Is that it?” Alex couldn’t believe his ears. “Of course I’ll share Puzzle with her. But why didn’t you tell me any of this before? Why did you make me think I was going to lose her?”

  “I suppose seeing how you looked when you thought you would lose her made me realize you should keep her,” his father said. “Nick phoned and told us how awful you felt that you’d disappointed us and how you hoped that by selling her it would make things better. Well I suppose that was when I realized that enough was enough. You’ve learned your lesson, Alex.”

  “Phew,” Alex said. It was a lot to take in. And then Alex’s face fell.

  “What is it?” his father asked. “You do still want the pony, don’t you?”

  “Of course I want her!” Alex laughed. “It’s just that I’d got it into my head that I’d be able to pay off all my debts. I still owe Kate a tenner from the sale and then I had to borrow £50 for the vet’s bills.”

  “Well, you can take that out of your savings account now,” his father said.

  Alex looked blankly at him. Didn’t his father know he’d spent all of his money on Puzzle?

  “I’ve told your mother I’ll put half of the money back into your savings account,” his father explained. “It’s only fair if you’re sharing the pony with Kate. Of course this does mean you won’t have the money to go on this cricket tour.”

  “I don’t care about that now. There’ll be other tours. I can’t believe it! I just don’t know what to say. Except, that’s absolutely brilliant, and thank you.”

  “Great! So it looks like you might be spending more time at Sandy Lane after all,” Izzy stepped in.

  “Yeah, I guess so,” Alex muttered, turning red.

  And at that moment, there was a loud whinny that broke up the awkward conversation. It was Puzzle. In all of the excitement, Alex had forgotten that he’d left her tied to a ring on the wall.

  “All right...all right, I’m coming,” he said, running over and leading her over. “I think you’d better come and meet Dad.”

  And as the riders stood there, talking away, Alex stood back from the group. Who’d have thought he’d ever have felt so at one with a pony? He and Puzzle really were the perfect team. Alex looked at his pony – her coat was shiny, her eyes gleamed and her ears were pricked. She looked just as good as any other pony...better than any other pony, for she was just right for him. She was better than just right. She was perfect.

  More Sandy Lane Stables books

  There are nine Sandy Lane Stables stories
, you can collect them all! Click on the titles to read a short extract from each story.

  1. A Horse for the Summer

  2. The Runaway Pony

  3. Strangers at the Stables

  4. The Midnight Horse

  5. Dream Pony

  6. Ride by Moonlight

  7. Horse in Danger

  8. The Perfect Pony

  9. Riding Holiday

  1. A Horse for the Summer

  by Michelle Bates

  There was a frantic whinny and the sound of drumming hooves reverberated around the yard as Chancey pranced down the ramp. He was certainly on his toes, but he didn’t look like the sleek, well turned-out horse that Tom remembered seeing last season. He was still unclipped and his shabby winter coat was flecked with foam as feverishly he pawed the ground. No one knew what to say...

  Tom’s cousin has agreed to lend him Chancey, her stunning chestnut gelding, for the summer. But Tom’s elation turns to dismay when he sees the state Chancey is in. It will take a lot of hard work to get the horse ready for the summer shows, but Tom is determined...until Nick decides Chancey is too dangerous to ride. What is Tom going to do?

  2. The Runaway Pony

  by Susannah Leigh

  Angry shouting and the crunch of hooves on gravel made Jess spin around sharply. Careering towards her, wild-eyed with fear and long tail flying behind, was a palomino pony. It was completely out of control. Jess’s heart began to pound and her breath came in sharp gasps, but almost without thinking she held out her arms...

  When a runaway pony gallops into Sandy Lane, Jess doesn’t flinch. Thanks to her quick reactions, the beautiful palomino pony is caught. But the man chasing her isn’t all he seems. Soon, Jess is bitterly regretting her moment of heroism...

  3. Strangers at the Stables

  by Michelle Bates

  Thoughts jostled around in Rosie’s mind as she crossed the yard. She couldn’t believe how many things had gone wrong in the couple of weeks Nick and Sarah had been gone. She needed time to think. There was something worrying her, right at the back of her mind... something that held the key to it all. But what was it?