Pony Surprise Read Free Page B

in a huddle together, like they’re plotting something. They’ve been acting like that since last week.
    Oh, let them get on with it – if they don’t want to include me in their tittle-tattle, then so be it. What do I care?

Chapter Seven

    W ahey! The fields and hedges are a blur as Ben and I go flying through the countryside. Kate’s letting us having a canter today because there are plenty of volunteers around to keep an eye on us.
    â€˜You take care now, Skippy,’ she told me before we left. ‘No funny business. Ben’s only eight years old, remember.’
    It’s cold and dry today, but Ben and I can barely feel a thing except the wind in our hair. This is the life! The lane is hard with frost and the trees are bare and still. Ben is screaming with delight, and Mrs Corrigan had a big smile on her face when she waved him off. We won’t go too far, of course. Kate says we have to wait for the slowcoaches at the bottom of the lane before we turn onto the road. She’s always really careful when the riders are on the road, even though there are so few cars.
    â€˜Yee hah!’ Ben shouts. ‘It’s like the Wild West!’

    Well not exactly , Ben – but hey, if you want to be a cowboy you go right ahead. He’s in such a good mood today. He says his dad is back in touch again and might even come home to see him soon.
    â€˜Ben! Skippy! Wait up!’ Kate shouts.
    â€˜Woah, girl. We have to slow down now, but what a ride.’
    Ben pulls at my reins and I can hear him panting with enjoyment.
    â€˜Hiya, Ben.’ Jamie says, pulling up on Rupert. Sophie and Parsley follow close behind. Rupert eyes me with disdain and snorts. He can be such a grump! Sometimes I wonder why we’re all making such a big effort to plan his TOP SECRET surprise.
    â€˜Looks like you had a great ride,’ Jamie says.
    â€˜It was brilliant! I feel so happy and free when I ride like that. Everything else just disappears.’
    â€˜I know what you mean,’ Jamie smiles. ‘How about you, Sophie?’
    â€˜I prefer to go a little slower than Ben,’ she says shyly, smiling at Jamie but looking warily at Ben. ‘But I do know what it feels like to leave the world behind and just be with your favourite horse.’
    Ben nods in agreement and I’m glad. I think it’s about time those two made up.

    The three of us trot along the bridle path; me and Rupert side-by-side and Parsley trailing at the back as usual. Sophie talks less than the boys, but I can tell that she’s enjoying herself. It’s nice to see them all starting to get along and putting their differences aside – and of course, they talk mainly about us, which makes Parsley, Rupert and I swell with pride. Yes, even Rupert!

Chapter Eight

    I just love winter! All that extra haylage and glittery frost – what’s not to like? And it’s only a week or so until I get to wear sparkling bows and colourful ribbons (for Rupert’s big day, of course!) which will really set off my shiny chestnut coat.
    We’re stopped at the lake now and the kids are talking about their plans for mid-term break. Sophie tells them she’s going skiing and I Ben rolls his eyes. How rude! Rupert seems bored and is staring into the distance and Skippy’s skipping around as usual wanting to get going again. Honestly – doesn’t that pony understand what having a rest means?

    â€˜Here you go, Parsley. You didn’t think we’d forgotten the carrots, did you?’ Sophie holds her hand out flat and I munch on the crunchy carrots she offers. Delicious! She shares them around the other ponies.
    â€˜My granddad’s gone back into hospital,’ Jamie tells Sophie and Ben while breaking the carrots in half.
    â€˜The doctors say he should get out soon if he’s feeling better after his treatment, though.’

    â€˜Imagine being in hospital for days on end. He must