Dreams

by Linda Chapman

  “I don’t know what I’d do without you,” she whispered to him. “You’re more important than anything. I love you so much, Spirit.”

  Spirit lifted his muzzle to her face. She smiled. She didn’t need their minds to be connected to know that he was saying it back.

  Buckling on Spirit’s headcollar, she took him back to his stable. Her thoughts turned to Luke and Joe. Time after time, when she was irritated with Luke, Joe would step in and defend him. She shook her head. Joe was too nice at times. By rights, he should thoroughly dislike Luke. After all, his dad had never made any secret of the fact that he wished Joe was more like Luke. Joe had been small for ages and slightly built, no good at sports and far quieter than Len. Not at all competitive, he would never willingly have gone in shows, but it had turned out he was very successful in the ring and won a lot. He was a brilliant and gentle rider and the more sensitive horses really responded to him. And despite having so many reasons to dislike Luke, Joe didn’t. They weren’t best friends or anything but they always got on just fine.

  Ellie put Spirit in his stable and went back on the yard. Joe was just coming down from the muck heap with the two brooms. “It’s all done up there. You OK?” he asked.

  She nodded, not wanting to talk about it. “Thanks for doing the sweeping. Do you still want to go out for a ride?”

  “Definitely. Though I can’t stay out for long. Helen’s just asked me if I can help her this lunchtime. She wants to leave an hour early today, so she’s going to work through her lunch break and she needs someone to hold Pericles and Hereward while she trims them. There’s no one else around—Stu’s with Dad planning the show schedule, and Luke and Sasha are having lunch together. So is it OK if we just have a quick ride? It’ll be difficult for Helen to do the horses on her own.”

  “Sure.” Ellie said. It was typical of Joe to cut his lunch break short to help someone out.

  They headed out as soon as they could, riding into the woods that clustered on the slopes behind the stables.

  Spirit and Merlin walked side by side, ears pricked. Although Merlin was almost twenty, he was very sprightly. He was a sweet-natured pony, always eager to please.

  “How many years have you had Merlin?” Ellie asked curiously.

  “Ten. I got him when I was six,” Joe replied. “I was just coming out of the lead-rein classes. I’d had a mad little pony called Pepper—he was good on the lead rein but crazy off.”

  “I didn’t know you’d done lead-rein classes.” Ellie giggled. She had seen the lead-rein ponies at the show she’d been to. Their riders had looked very cute in their tiny polished jodhpur boots and the large velvet hats that made their heads look too large for their bodies. The girls had all worn red ribbons in their hair. She looked at Joe teasingly. “Bet you looked lovely in red hair ribbons.”

  “Ha ha.” Joe grinned. “I looked very smart in my show outfit I’ll have you know.”

  “Did your dad used to lead you?” Ellie couldn’t imagine it.

  “No, Mom did.” Joe rarely talked about his mom. She and Len had divorced when Joe was eight and she lived in Devon now. It was a long drive so Joe only visited occasionally. Ellie had seen pictures of her in Joe’s room. She had the same sandy-brown hair as him and a wide, friendly smile. It was hard to imagine her being married to Len. But then Ellie found it hard to imagine anyone being married to her uncle.

  Joe changed the subject back to the pony. “Anyway, I got Merlin when I was six. He always looked after me in the show ring. I swear he used to watch the other ponies jump the course and then he’d simply take me around. He’s brilliant, aren’t you, boy? Best pony ever.”

  Merlin tossed his head as if aware he was being praised.

  They rode on for a few minutes in a companionable silence. Ellie thought back to that morning. She’d loved watching Joe work with Solo. He was so good at things like that—so patient and keen to try things out. She glanced at him curiously.

  “Do you still think about working on a different yard when you leave school?” Joe was due to leave in a few months after his GCSEs and he had once told her he would love to work on a yard specializing in natural horsemanship, a yard that helped problem horses. Ellie’s stomach clenched. She hated the thought of him leaving but if it was what he really wanted, then maybe he should do it…

  “I’d love to,” Joe replied. “But Dad would never agree to it. He expects me to work here.”

  Ellie shrugged. “So?”

  Joe smiled at her reaction. “So…I just know I couldn’t enjoy myself if I felt I’d let him down. Anyway, it’s OK here. Well, it has been since you arrived…” He stopped himself.

  Ellie looked up, surprised. She could see a hint of pink on his cheekbones.

  “Should we…should we jump some logs?” Joe said hastily. “There’s a whole load of them through the trees over there.”

  Not waiting for her reply, he turned down a narrow path and trotted on. Spirit pulled after Merlin and Ellie let him follow. Her thoughts were suddenly whirling. Joe liked her. She’d seen him blush just now! She’d thought he had forgotten that moment in the horsebox a couple of weeks ago when they’d almost kissed. But now she wondered, had he been thinking about it too?

  Ellie’s heart flipped in her chest at the idea that, maybe, they could be more than just friends. Joe was so kind and thoughtful. Cute too. They liked the same things, got on so well. It would be perfect!

  But no. Not perfect, she quickly realized. There would be problems. He was her cousin and they lived in the same house. Her uncle would definitely freak at the idea. Still…could they keep it secret?

  “Here we go!” Joe slowed Merlin down and pointed ahead to some fallen logs scattered across a clearing. “Shall I go first?”

  Ellie nodded, trying to sound normal. She wanted time to think about everything. “I’ve never jumped Spirit before.”

  “Do you want to or would you rather leave it?”

  “No, no, I’ll try it.”

  Joe grinned. “I’d have been really surprised if you’d said you were going to leave it!” He cantered over the first log on Merlin.

  Spirit pulled at the bit and Ellie gave him his head. They approached the log and Spirit flew over it. She grinned as they landed.

  “Brilliant!” called Joe.

  Spirit was already tossing his head as he looked at the next log.

  “Come on then, Spirit!” Ellie said. He plunged forward, and everything else vanished from her mind as she laughed and lost herself in the swift beat of his hooves.

  Chapter Four

  WHEN THEY RETURNED to the yard, Troy was looking out of his stable. Keeping well out of the reach of Lucifer next door, Ellie went over.

  “Hey there, fella.”

  The bay nuzzled at her hands in a friendly way. He was a loving horse, always seeking out fuss and company. “Why didn’t you jump today, Troy?” she murmured, stroking him. “It’s not like you. Is something the matter?”

  Troy stared at her. Ellie wished she could talk to him like she did to Spirit and find out if there really was something wrong.

  Why not?

  She thought about it. She’d been meaning to talk to other horses. There was no harm in trying with Troy, was there? Opening the stable door, she slipped inside.

  Troy pushed at her with his nose. Ellie wondered what to do now. When she was with Spirit she simply shut her eyes and they would connect, but Spirit was her horse—her special horse. There’d always been a bond between them. She hesitated and waited for an answer to come to her.

  Just let him know you care, she thought.

  Stroking his neck, she let the feelings of love that she felt for every horse build inside her and then sent them out to him.

  Troy? What’s wrong? You can talk to me.

  Nothing happened.

  I just want to help you, she said in her mind. Still nothing changed.

  Ellie felt a prickle of impatience but made herself breathe calmly. Stroking his face and
neck, she focused on sending him even more love. The air around them seemed to shift slightly. It’s working! Ellie thought, recognizing the feeling. Oh wow!

  Almost instantly the connection faded.

  She quickly focused back on him, pushing her emotions down. It’s OK. I’m listening. Can you hear me still, Troy?

  Yes.

  He’d replied! Distracted, she managed to stop herself being carried away and forced herself to concentrate.

  What’s wrong, Troy? Why didn’t you want to jump today?

  A grainy picture came into her mind. It was blurry at first and she couldn’t make it out, but gradually she began to see that it was a saddle. Feeling a stabbing pain across her shoulders, she flinched. What do you mean? she asked. What are you trying to tell me?

  The pain came again.

  Is it your saddle that’s hurting you?

  Yes.

  Why?

  Another image—this time of Troy a few months ago when he had just been brought back into work after his winter rest—filled her mind. He was skinnier, less muscular, she could see. In the last two months, with solid feed and daily exercise, his muscles had filled out, his back had broadened and his neck thickened. But why was he showing her this?

  She hazarded a guess. Are you trying to tell me the saddle used to fit you but it doesn’t any more?

  Yes.

  So that’s why you refused today?

  He blew on her hands. Yes, he repeated. He looked at her, eyes full of hope that she could help.

  Ellie stroked him. So there was a problem. She’d been right. But more importantly it was a problem that could be cured. Don’t worry, she told the big hunter. I’ll sort it out. I’ll make it better. Determination swept through her. You’re going to be OK.

  Thinking hard about what to do, Ellie left the stable. She was sure her uncle would just dismiss it if she told him she knew Troy’s saddle was hurting him. Stuart however, tended to listen more. She waited until the yard manager came out of the farmhouse and then went over.

  “Stuart? I’ve been thinking about Troy. You know he was refusing today?”

  Stuart paused and nodded.

  “Well, when I was in New Zealand,” she invented, “Mom had a horse who started refusing. It turned out his saddle wasn’t fitting him properly. He had put on some weight and the saddle was pinching him. Could it be the same thing with Troy maybe?”

  Stuart considered it. “Perhaps. He’s certainly muscled-up well these last two months. Tell you what, why don’t you get his saddle and I’ll take a look at it?”

  Ellie fetched Troy’s saddle and met Stuart at the stable. As soon as Troy saw the saddle he backed away. He gave Ellie a look.

  “It’s OK,” she soothed him. “We’re going to sort this out.” She wasn’t sure if he could understand her without them being connected, but her voice seemed to settle him and he stood still.

  Stuart unbuckled Troy’s rug and the bay threw his head up apprehensively. A frown creased Stuart’s brow. “Well, he’s not looking too happy, I’ll give you that.”

  He placed the saddle carefully on Troy’s back and fastened the girth. As the saddle was pulled snugly into place, Troy swished his tail. Stuart started feeling around the front of the saddle, seeing how it fitted against Troy’s withers and shoulders. “It is pinching him,” he said, glancing at Ellie in surprise. “You’re right. Poor lad.” He patted Troy’s neck and unfastened the girth, then heaved off the saddle and ran a hand lightly over the horse’s back. Troy flinched. “He must be bruised. We’ll get the saddler to sort this out and give Troy a few days off, then hopefully he’ll be back to his usual self. Well done for figuring it out.”

  Ellie grinned at him. “Thanks!”

  While Stuart went to tell Len, Ellie raced to the field to tell Spirit what had happened. He was grazing by the fence. When he heard her calling him, he lifted his head and trotted over. Ellie was buzzing with excitement. She checked no one was near and tried to calm herself enough to talk to him. At first nothing happened, but as she breathed in and out slowly, the connection between them opened.

  She told him all about speaking with Troy. Does it mean I can talk with any horse, Spirit?

  Yes.

  Ellie caught her breath, thinking about the possibilities. The different horses she knew ran through her head: Picasso, Gem, Milly, Merlin…What would they say to her? It would be amazing! Pictures of a future where she talked to any horse she wanted to filled her mind.

  A new feeling of caution came from Spirit.

  She looked at him, wondering what he meant.

  Try and listen. Don’t rush. Be patient.

  She nodded. I will. Of course I will.

  Trying to calm her excitement, she rested her head against his neck. As she did so, she became aware that something didn’t feel quite right about him. She focused on the sensation and began to feel a slight ache in her bones, particularly lower down her legs. It was exactly the same feeling she’d had that morning.

  She wondered if the feelings came from him. To check, she sent the sensation of pain gently back. Spirit, are you feeling like this?

  Yes, he replied.

  Ellie felt worried. Is it because of the jumping? Did we do too much today?

  No. It’s just how I feel sometimes.

  What can I do?

  Nothing. I’ll be fine. Spirit sent her waves of reassurance.

  She stroked him. Are you sure?

  Yes, he answered.

  Smoothing down his mane, she tried to trust him and not to worry.

  “That was good thinking about Troy today, lass,” Len said that evening. He was putting a tray of chips into the oven, while Ellie and Joe were setting the table and Luke was getting a ham out of the fridge to carve. The kitchen had a quarry-tiled floor and piles of magazines on the surfaces. “Very good thinking indeed.”

  Ellie glowed, not because her uncle was pleased—that didn’t really matter to her—but because it looked as if Troy would get better now. The saddler had been that afternoon and confirmed Troy’s saddle was pinching behind his withers, making it painful to jump. The saddle had been taken away for adjusting and Troy could rest until he was better. Ellie was so pleased she’d been able to help.

  The phone rang and Len answered it, taking it through into the lounge.

  “What made you think it might be Troy’s saddle?” Joe asked her curiously.

  “I just remembered it had happened to a horse Mom once had,” Ellie said. She looked at Luke who was putting the ham on the table. Pip had jumped on a chair and was looking hopefully at the meat. Luke pulled off a bit of the fat and fed it to her, then sat down, and she jumped on to his knee. Ellie still felt angry with him from earlier. “I told you there was something wrong with Troy,” she said.

  “OK.” Luke held up his hands from stroking Pip. “Guilty as charged. You were right. I was wrong. I’ll listen next time.”

  Ellie’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. Was he laughing at her? But for once he didn’t seem to be.

  Len came back in. “That was Jeff Hallett on the phone. He’s coming to see that new horse of his tomorrow—bringing Anna too.”

  “So what’s she like—Anna Hallett?” Luke asked curiously.

  “Don’t even go there.” Len fixed him with a look, half good-humored, half warning. “The Equi-Glow deal’s too important to have you mucking it up by breaking Jeff’s daughter’s heart.”

  Luke raised his hands innocently. “Len, I don’t know what you mean.”

  Len chuckled. “Just you leave Anna Hallett alone, lad. As for the horse, what do you think of him then?”

  “Lucifer’s a stunner,” said Luke. “A devil in the stable, though.”

  “He’ll calm down when he’s been here a day or two. He’s just been spoiled rotten at his old home,” Len shrugged. “His owner only had him and he’d been with her since he was a youngster. She’s been too soft with him. He’s dominant,” he pronounced. “It’s written all over him. Wants to
be the boss. But that isn’t a bad thing in a show horse. Hereward’s the same, and Starlight too. When they go in the ring they look as if they own it. If this one wins half as much as them, then I’ll be a very happy man. And so will Jeff Hallett. What that daughter of his wants she gets, so if she wants to ride in the hack class at HOYS nothing else will do. We have to qualify him or else…” He shot a quick look at Joe before turning back to Luke. “What would you say if I offered you the ride on him?”

  Luke sat up instantly. “Me? Ride him in the small hack classes? Definitely!”

  Len looked at him assessingly. “You’re young to ride professionally in the hacks, but there’s no denying you’ve got the killer instinct in the ring. It’s silly holding you back. I reckon you’ll do a grand job. If you don’t, then you lose the ride and I’ll take over. I can’t afford any screw-ups with this horse.”

  “I won’t let you down, Len,” Luke vowed. Pip sensed his excitement and leaped up to lick his chin.

  Len’s eyes swept back to Joe. “What do you think about that then?” There was an unmistakable challenge in his voice. “Wish it were you riding it, do you?”

  “No,” Joe shrugged. “It’s great, Dad. Luke’ll do a good job on Lucifer.”

  Len’s face darkened. Instantly Ellie knew he had wanted Joe to care more—to be more like him and Luke.

  “It’ll be a long time before you get in the horse ring if Luke does well with that hack,” he said warningly. “He’ll get the rides on the hacks and hunters before you.”

  “Yeah.” Joe nodded. “But that’s fine by me.” He picked up a magazine from the table.

  There was a moment’s pause while Len looked at him. Ellie could almost feel the tension building inside her uncle. Suddenly it exploded. “You flamin’ waste of space! Do you know how hard I worked to get this—all of it? It’s so damned easy for you, isn’t it?” He stabbed his finger towards Luke. “Luke understands. He’s got what it takes. Even she’s got it,” he said, pointing at Ellie. “Not like you,” he said, turning back to Joe. “You useless piece of—” He broke off with a string of swear words and strode out, shaking his head.