Pony Surprise Read Free

about a dandy brush. When Sophie comes back in and apologises he says nothing. He doesn’t look at her and he doesn’t speak, and when she leaves, she looks miserable, too. Ben is so upset he doesn’t even stay to finish brushing me. I feel sorry for both of them.
    As soon as the coast is clear and it’s just us ponies, we start planning Rupert’s TOP SECRET big day. Parsley and I neigh about all the treats that will be on offer, and Biscuit and Barney join in, but I have to remind them that Rupert is not to know about any of this. Kate told us about the big event that she’s got planned for Rupert and swore us all to secrecy. Old Rupert can be a bit of a grump sometimes, but we all agree that no one deserves the special day more than he does.

Chapter Five

    S kippy is going on about Rupert’s big day again, but I’m too busy worrying about Sophie to listen. She cried for the rest of the afternoon after her argument with Ben, and I hate to see her like that. Her mum didn’t notice anything was wrong when she picked her up, of course, and as usual Sophie kept it to herself.
    Her movie night didn’t go so well either, the poor thing – only one girl turned up. The girls in her class don’t seem to like her very much. They’re probably just jealous of all her nice things. The truth is that Sophie is the sweetest little girl when you get the chance to know her. She’s just not very good at making friends, and I do wish she’d learn not to frown so much.

    Ben comes in later with the dandy brush. He’s muttering to himself about finding it on the floor in the tack room, and how Sophie shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions. I’m still cross at him for upsetting my Sophie, but he comes over and strokes me, which I must admit I quite like. He tells me how glossy I look, but I know that already – Sophie did a great job on me. She knows I always like to look my best.
    Kate pops in and tells Ben it’s time to go home.
    â€˜Feeling better?’ she asks.
    He nods but doesn’t say anything. The boy has obviously lost his tongue!
    â€˜I just don’t like people looking down at me,’ he says eventually. ‘That’s why I was cross with her.’
    â€˜I understand, Ben, but you know what they say – you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. Maybe you should try getting to know Sophie a bit better. Come along to the hack tomorrow and ride with her. It’s about time you started spending more time with the other riders anyway. Humans can be friendly too, you know, not just horses,’ she laughs.
    â€˜You know Mum can’t afford to send me on the hack tomorrow,’ Ben mutters.
    â€˜Your mum doesn’t have to pay – you do,’ Kate explains. ‘You can help me tack up all the horses for the ride and then put them back in their stables afterwards. There’ll be mucking out too, of course. Do we have a deal?’
    â€˜Deal.’
    He smiles, but when he walks away he has his head down again. He doesn’t even say thank you. Honestly, young people nowadays – where do they get their manners from?
    One thing is for sure, if Kate thinks I’m going to gallop along after Skippy on the hack tomorrow, she can think again. I take a ride at my own pace and I don’t fancy trying to keep up with that flying machine!
    Besides, Sophie and Ben have nothing in common. What on earth will they have to talk about? Kate means well, but if you ask me, sometimes she should just leave well enough alone.
    â€˜Here you go, Parsley. Time for dinner,’ she says, throwing in some haylage. ‘Big ride tomorrow, girl. You’ll need lots of energy.’
    â€˜You think?’ I whinny. Sorry, Kate, but I’ll be right at the back where I like to be, taking my time and riding like the lady I am!
    â€˜Have you and Skippy been whispering about the big day again?’ she asks me.
    â€˜Just a