Charlotte and the Starlet Read Free

though it was just as a
couple of cavalry horses, they seized it. They wanted
the best for you. That's why your dad took on all the
hardest stunts –'
    'And that's what killed him,' snapped Leila.
    'Exactly. So your mom felt it was all up to her.'
    Leila didn't want to listen to any justification. As far
as she was concerned she'd been abandoned. And it
still hurt. Not that she would let anyone see that. She
didn't want to ever be vulnerable again, and if that
meant kicking somebody else before they kicked you,
tough luck. She was going to show her mother that
she didn't need her. She didn't need anybody. She was
the prettiest, richest horse around.
    She tossed her mane.
    'Well, Mom doesn't need to worry about me now.
I'm getting paid twice what she is for that dancing
horse schtick in Vienna. And I have my own trailer.'
    Feathers got back on course to where this had all
started. 'You won't have it for long, the way you're going.'
    Leila didn't believe that for an instant. She
understood human language perfectly. Other horses
might pick up a smattering here or there but Leila
could actually talk human. Not that she'd ever let
humans know. She was way too smart for that. If you
were dumb enough to let them in on that little secret
you'd wind up with electrodes in your head and a
thermometer up your butt. So she kept her mouth
closed and ears open. She would overhear Tommy the
director talking and know exactly what he wanted.
Then she'd give it to him ... at a price. She admired
her shiny bay coat in the mirror.
    'Butter dipped in fur,' she purred.
    'And the way you're going it'll soon look like lard
dipped in vinyl,' Feathers cracked.
    Leila was about to retort when she heard somebody
approaching. As the door opened Leila dropped to the
floor and made herself look ill.
    Tommy Tempest entered. His face fell.
    'Come on, girl, we need you.'
    He squatted beside her and stroked her muzzle.
Leila knew what was required to make him think she
was trying to communicate with him. She threw her
head around and blew through her nostrils.
    What a ham, thought Feathers, watching the
performance from his cage.
    Tommy sighed. 'The vet says there's nothing wrong
with you. I tell you, Leila, if I didn't know better, I'd
think that you were trying to outdo Sarah-Jane. I
know she can be difficult, but she's young and still
learning.'
    Oh, she's going to learn a whole lot more before I've
finished with her, thought Leila.
    Tommy Tempest stood, pulled out his cell phone
and dialled. 'Joel? Tommy.'
    Yes! Leila was pleased. Joel Gold was the producer,
Tommy's boss. It was good that things were going to
the highest level.
    'Leila's very listless. I can't get her out ... No, the
vet says she's fine. He thinks she might be jealous. I
mean, if she were an actress I'd just promise her top
billing over Sarah-Jane.'
    Whoa! Way to go, Tommy. Leila quickly got to her
feet and trotted briskly out of the trailer, leaving
Tommy thunderstruck.
    'She just got up, Joel. Sometimes I swear she can
understand what we're saying. I'll call you later.'
    Tommy bounced back to the set. Things were
looking up.

    Leila quickly made her way to the make-up area and
soon she was draped in her specially embroidered
pink satin horse blanket, having mascara put on her
long lashes by one of the make-up girls. Leila could
never remember their names and why did she need
to? She was the star. All she had to remember was
numero uno. Next to Leila, another make-up artist
worked on Sarah-Jane.
    She saw Tommy jump up onto the flatbed of the
open truck. A camera was mounted on the back. They
were getting ready for the shot. Tommy called over to
the make-up girls, 'Okay, standing by,' and suddenly
everybody scattered, leaving Leila and Sarah-Jane.
Leila felt the freckled brat mount her, but her eyes
remained focused on the clapperboard.
    'And ... action!' commanded Tommy.
    The board operator clapped it shut and Sarah-Jane
dug her heels into Leila's ribs.
    'Yaaaa,' screamed