Then I remembered that Cassie had given me her mom’s cell number, which I’d written on a piece of paper and put in my pony club bag. I went searching for it in my room and as I looked out the window, I was surprised to see that the beautiful blue sky that had been beaming with bright sunshine all morning had suddenly been replaced with threatening dark clouds.
When I raced back downstairs to try the cell number, Mom stated the obvious, “Looks like we’re in for a big storm, Cassie. Perhaps the weather man is right for a change and that electrical storm that was predicted really is going to happen!”
I looked at her with concern as I dialed the number that Cassie had scribbled down for me. Frowning, I tried to decipher her messy writing, and could only guess at the combination of numbers. Did it end with 38 or was it 88? Or perhaps it was 83?
“Mom, what do you think these numbers are?”
I showed her the scrappy piece of paper that had become smudged after an unexpected shower had soaked it through a couple of weeks ago. I remembered my mom finding my pony club bag lying haphazardly by the side of the driveway. She had exclaimed crossly at the time that I should remember to put my things away and not leave them lying all over the place.
“Um, I’m not sure,” she said, reaching for her glasses so that she could recheck the numbers. “No, it’s definitely 38,” she said with some assurance.
I dialed the number, tapping on the bench top impatiently as I waited for someone to answer.
“Hello,” came the response. “Barry speaking.”
“Um,” I replied hesitantly, “Is Mrs. Richardson there?”
“No,” he replied. “I think you must have the wrong number!” and abruptly hung up.
Crossly, I redialed but decided to try 88 as the final two numbers instead. It must be one of those combinations, I thought to myself as I waited anxiously for someone to pick up.
The unfamiliar voice of an older lady, saying that she was unable to answer but would call back as soon as possible, left me frustrated and even more concerned.
One more option, I thought hopefully as I redialed and punched in the numbers 83 at the end.
When that number simply rang out with no reply and no message whatsoever, I slumped down on the nearby chair in despair.
“Don’t worry, Julia. They’ve probably just been held up,” my mom patted my shoulder trying to reassure me. But the feeling of dread that was making my stomach churn was too much to shake off.
“Well, I guess we won’t be riding now anyway,” I said, the disappointment in my voice obvious. “I don’t like the look of those clouds outside, it could start pouring any minute.”
The sound of an unexpected bang suddenly startled both of us and we looked towards the front door that had been slammed shut by a strong blast of wind. The blinds and curtains began flapping furiously and I hurried to help Mom quickly close all the windows just as the rain started to pelt down.
“The horses!” I cried. “I need to get them in the barn. Bella will be freaking out in this storm!”
I flew out the front door, leaving it wide open only to bang shut once more. My dad had taken Matt away for the weekend on a trail bike riding camp and I wondered fleetingly if they were experiencing the same storm that we were.
In the distance, I could see Jasper standing in the far corner of his paddock, taking shelter under a tree. I raced over with his lead rope, deciding I would catch him first. My plan was to take him back to the safety of the barn, before looking for Bella. At that point in time though, I couldn’t see Bella at all. I had left her to graze in the far paddock earlier that morning and it wasn’t within sight of where I was standing.
As I approached Jasper, he looked in my direction and watched as I headed towards him, lead rope in my hand. Then just as I got near, he decided to bolt away.
“Don’t do this now, Jasper!” I pleaded. He was a horse that was difficult to catch, something I hadn’t realized until Cassie had begun agisting with us. And lately it was taking me longer and longer to catch him in the evenings when it was time to put him in his stall.
In my haste, I hadn’t thought to grab some food for him. Usually a handful of hay or a carrot would be enough to finally entice him to stand still so I could get a lead rope around his neck. Then while he chomped on the food that he had greedily taken from my hand, I was able to quickly put his halter on, so I could lead him back to the barn.
Without any treats at all and already soaked to the skin, I looked desperately in his direction. Just then, I glanced back across the paddock and spotted Mom running towards me. She had learnt so much about horses since Bella arrived and although she didn’t ride, was now quite comfortable around them.
Breathing a huge sigh of relief, I looked thankfully at the carrots in her hand. Since Jasper had arrived we kept a plentiful supply and I was so glad that Mom had had the presence of mind to bring a couple with her.
Quickly grabbing one, I headed slowly towards Jasper, trying to calm my impatience, knowing full well that if I ran, he would surely bolt off again.
He seemed pretty edgy and I knew that the storm was beginning to upset him. Then as low growls of thunder started to approach, I looked fearfully towards Bella’s paddock, hoping that she was ok.
Just as I handed Jasper a carrot and quickly but securely put the halter over his head, a bolt of lightning dramatically lit the sky.
Jasper’s nervous whinny as his eyes darted quickly back and forth only increased my own anxiety and taking a deep breath, I desperately tried to calm myself. I knew full well that he’d be picking up on my body language and it was important that I send the right message.
Passing the lead rope to Mom so that she could take him to the safety of the barn and his stall, I headed off towards Bella’s paddock.
By that time, I was drenched, but that was the least of my concerns. The thunder that boomed seemed louder and closer than any I’d ever heard before. Then as I ran across the paddock, lightning struck once more.
I knew how dangerous it was to be out in an electrical storm and I had ignored my mother’s pleas to go back with her to safety. “Not without my baby!” I’d yelled as she had tried to grab my hand. Roughly I’d broken away from her reach and turned into the force of the howling wind, feeling like a matchstick at the mercy of a mighty gale.
Further into the paddock I ran, searching frantically in every direction for Bella’s familiar figure.
“Bella!” I screamed. “Bella! Where are you?” My voice was swallowed up in the sound of the pouring rain and bolts of thunder that seemed to be striking almost every minute.
It was quickly becoming darker and I regretted not grabbing a torch to bring with me, although it probably would have been useless in the torrential storm.
Then, as if in answer to my prayer, a lightning strike abruptly drowned the paddock in bright light and it was at that moment that I saw her. Over by the far fence line, I’d managed to glimpse her racing frantically back and forth, clearly wild with distress. Visions of her trying to jump the fence, flashed through my mind and breathlessly, I ran in her direction, trying to prevent her from escaping or even worse, becoming badly injured.
“Bella!” I screamed once more, my voice shrill in my own ears. And as I got closer, another strike of lightning flashed. I was able to see the whites of her eyes and they were filled with fear and desperation.
I ran urgently towards her hoping to be able to calm her down but the sudden rear of her front legs was proof of her terror.
“Bella! Bella!” I cried, as she raced away towards the shelter of a nearby tree.
“Bella!” I called again, frantic with alarm as I watched the horrific scene unfold in front of me.
The loud cracking of the tree branch as it plunged towards the ground could be heard above the pounding rain and as another bolt of lightning stuck, I stood immobilized, realizing that Bella was standing directly beneath it.
Frozen in fear, she seemed unable to move and as I desperate
ly called her name once more, I stood horrified as the heavy tree branch tumbled to the ground.
“Bellllaaaaaa!!!!” The scene I was helpless to prevent, seemed totally surreal and as I stood there in absolute darkness, the rain thundering down around me was the only sound I could hear.
What had happened to my baby? Had the tree branch hit her? Was she hurt? Or worse still, was she dead?
With dread, I raced towards her my stomach clenched in horror at what I would find.
“My darling Bella!” I screamed once more as I stumbled forwards into the blackness of the night.
***
The story of Bella continues in…
Julia Jones’ Diary -
Dream Pony Frenzy
Click on the link above to find out what is store for Julia and her dream pony, Bella.
Announcing a New Series!
Find out what lies ahead for Julia and all her friends in a brand new series…
Mind Reader – Book 1: My New Life
OUT NOW!!
This book introduces Emmie, a girl who unexpectedly arrives in Carindale and meets Millie. But Emmie has a secret, a secret that must remain hidden at all costs.
What happens to Julia, Blake, Sara and all the others and how does Emmie’s sudden appearance impact Julia and her friends?
This fabulous new series continues the story of Julia Jones but has a whole new twist, one that all Julia Jones’ Diary fans are sure to enjoy.
OUT NOW!!
***
Exciting News! Katrina Kahler has continued to tell the story of Julia Jones - 3 years on - yes, the Teenage Years. Julia is older, but is she wiser? Whatever happened to Blake and Sara?
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Out NOW!
Julia Jones – The Teenage Years: Book 1 Falling Apart
***
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If you are a Harry Potter fan, you are sure to absolutely love my new series WITCH SCHOOL.
Imagine being 11 years old and discovering you are a witch! This story is full of suspense and drama. A fabulous book for girls!
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WITCH SCHOOL
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BODY SWAP.
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BODY SWAP
Book 1: Catastrophe
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Here are some other books you may also enjoy reading…
Diary of an Almost Cool Girl Book 1:
Meet Maddi Oops
TWINS – Book 1: SWAPPED!
Another awesome book for girls.
This is the exciting and suspenseful story of twelve-year-old Casey who unexpectedly finds herself face to face with a new girl at school who looks exactly like her. The events that unfold are a bizarre and unexpected mix of drama, school friendships, boy crushes and much more.
This is certain to be a favorite!
Diary of an Almost Cool Boy
Diary of Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome:
My Life Has Changed!
Diary of a Horse Mad Girl Book 1:
My First Pony
If you love horses and would also like to read about Julia’s new life in the country, please click on the link below. It is another Julia Jones’ Diary book that all horse loving girls will enjoy…
Julia Jones’ Diary – Book 7
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About the Author…
Katrina Kahler has spent many years living on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. She lives with her husband, two teenage children, a gorgeous golden retriever and a very affectionate ginger cat.
She has written other books in the Julia Jones’ Diary series including, Julia Jones – My Secret Bully, Julia Jones – My Secret Dream and Julia Jones – My First Boyfriend.
Katrina has also just released two new series of books. The first is ‘Mind Reader’ which continues the story of Julia Jones but has a whole new twist, one that all Julia Jones’ Diary fans are sure to enjoy.
The second new series is ‘Julia Jones – The Teenage Years.’ This series continues Julia’s life as a teenager.
As well, Katrina is the author of the Diary of a Horse Mad Girl series which is based on the real-life adventures of her horse mad daughter.
Learn more here…
More About Katrina Kahler
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Table of Contents
The accident…
Nothing will keep us apart…
My only chance…
The Horse Gentler…
Trust is the key…
The trail ride…
Making my dreams come true…
Making my dreams come true…
Pony Club – is it possible?…
The best day ever…
So lucky…
Best friends already…
Showing off, as always…
My first jumping session…
The rodeo…
So grateful…
Gymkhana Magic
Bella!! Where are you???...
My Dream Pony Page 6
