A New Beginning

by Sue Bentley

  Lily had to concentrate very hard when riding Tinka. The bay pony was less experienced than dear old Bandit had been. Lily dismounted and was opening the field gate, when a wood pigeon fluttered up out of a bush. Startled, Tinka threw up her head and danced sideways.

  “It’s okay, girl.” Lily spoke reassuringly, petting Tinka’s nose to calm her.

  As Tinka backed up, Lily noticed a ditch almost concealed in the long grass by the hedge. Someone had dumped some sharp hawthorn branches in it. Luckily, Tinka had just missed it or she could have been injured. Lily made a mental note to tell Janie about the dangerous ditch when she got back to Greengates.

  Storm sat in her lap as Lily continued her ride. But as she made her way back an hour or so later he ran along beside her again. She saw him run off into the field and start jumping around, barking at butterflies and sticking his nose in molehills. By the time Lily got back to the field gate and dismounted again, Storm was behind her.

  Lily led Tinka through and was closing the gate, when she spotted a familiar pony and rider coming toward her along the edge of the field. “Look, Storm! It’s Adjoa on Pixie!” she cried delightedly.

  A moist brown nose and then two sandy ears appeared as Storm squeezed through a small gap in the hedge. He gave an excited bark and leaped toward the long grass.

  Lily realized that he was heading straight for the concealed ditch. “Storm! Look out!” she cried. But the puppy was so set on reaching his friend Pixie that he didn’t hear her.

  Lily threw herself forward. She missed Storm, but just managed to push him sideways as she lost her balance and slid into the ditch.

  “Ow!” she gasped with pain as her ankle twisted and sharp thorns dug into her leg.

  Storm looked down at her in dismay. “You saved me, Lily. But you are hurt. I will help you,” he whined.

  “I … I think I’m okay,” Lily said shakily, biting back tears at the sharp ache in her leg. Her riding pants were torn and smeared with grass stains.

  Time seemed to stand still. Lily felt a familiar warm tingling down her back as vivid gold sparks ignited in Storm’s fur. His tail stiffened and crackled with power. Raising a velvety front paw Storm sent a whoosh of sparks fizzing toward Lily’s injured leg. For a second the pain increased and then it drained away just as if someone had poured it down a drain.

  When the bright sparks faded, Lily saw that her riding pants were clean and fixed, too. “Thanks, Storm,” she whispered.

  “You are welcome,” Storm woofed as the final gold sparks faded from his thick sandy fur.

  Lily quickly climbed out of the ditch. She stood up as Adjoa pulled Pixie to a halt a couple of feet away. “Watch out for this ditch. You can hardly see it. I … er … nearly just slipped right into …” she blustered. Lily racked her brain for an explanation that didn’t involve Storm, but Adjoa wasn’t listening.

  Her new friend’s eyes were red and puffy. It was obvious that Adjoa had been crying. Lily felt sad for her friend. What could be wrong?

  Lily held Tinka by her reins and listened with growing dismay to what Adjoa had to say.

  “The farmer who we rent Pixie’s field from is selling it and we can’t find another field nearby. Mom and Dad say it would cost too much to put her into stables where she’d be cared for, and so we might have to sell her,” Adjoa said tearfully.

  “Oh no! That’s terrible,” Lily exclaimed, putting one arm around her friend.

  She knew it was expensive to have a pony looked after by a stable. But it was awful to think of Adjoa losing her beloved pony.

  Beside her Pixie gave a friendly blow and dipped her head to nuzzle Storm gently. The tiny puppy was lying on his back in the grass with all four legs in the air, showing his fat pale tummy. For once, Lily felt too upset for Adjoa to smile at his playful antics.

  An idea came to her. She was going to talk to her parents.

  Chapter SEVEN

  “I’m sorry, Lily. But my answer has to be the same,” Mrs. Benson said.

  They were all sitting in the kitchen on Saturday evening. Storm was lying down next to Lily’s chair, invisible to everyone except her, as usual. Lily had just finished explaining about Pixie in the hope that her parents might be willing to buy the pony.

  “I agree with your mom,” Mr. Benson said. “Looking after a pony is a big responsibility. We’re just not sure this is the right time for you to take that on.”

  “But it is, Dad! I’d be the best pony owner ever!” Lily said in her best pleading voice. “And if we bought Pixie, Adjoa could still see her whenever she wanted.”

  Her dad smiled and reached out to ruffle her hair. “I’m sorry, honey. I feel bad for Adjoa, too, but the subject’s closed.”

  “That’s what I thought you’d say,” Lily said, sighing heavily.

  All that evening and throughout Sunday, Adjoa and Pixie were on Lily’s mind. On Monday, when she and Storm walked to school, they met up with Katy and Freema, but Adjoa wasn’t with them.

  “Where’s Adjoa?” Lily asked.

  “She’s not coming in today. My aunt says she’s got an upset tummy,” Freema explained.

  “I know why Adjoa’s tummy is upset. It’s because she’s so worried about what’s going to happen to Pixie,” Lily said sadly.

  Freema and Katy nodded.

  When they reached the coatroom, Lily hung back and let her friends go into school ahead of her. “I wish I could think of a way to help Adjoa keep Pixie,” she whispered to Storm. “But I’ve already tried Mom and Dad. I don’t know what else I can do.”

  Storm whined softly in sympathy and then his big midnight-blue eyes lit up. “You could talk to the lady who runs the riding stables,” he suggested.

  “Janie? I can’t see what good that would do,” Lily said, frowning.

  Storm barked encouragingly, wagging his tail and dancing around her feet in circles. Lily smiled. “Well, okay then, if you’re that sure it’ll help. We’ll stop over there tonight after school. Uh-oh! Watch out! Mr. Poke just came in. We’d better go into class!” she hissed out of the side of her mouth.

  Back home after school, Lily quickly changed into her jeans and T-shirt, before running downstairs. She found her mom in the kitchen. “Could you give me a ride over to Greengates, please?” she asked.

  Her mom looked surprised. “Don’t you get enough of that place on the weekends? Why do you want to go over there now?”

  Lily thought quickly. “Tinka was sick on Saturday. I wanted to check and see if she’s any better,” she lied.

  Mrs. Benson smiled. “That’s nice of you. You’re a sweet person, Lily Benson.”

  Lily blushed, feeling a little guilty. But there was no way she could tell her mom that it was Storm’s suggestion to go and talk to Janie. Anyway, it was true that she was always happy to see Tinka and all the other ponies. “So can I have a ride?” she asked.

  Her mom nodded. “We’ll go now. I have to go to the supermarket, so I can drop you off at Greengates and then pick you up on my way back.”

  Lily sat in the back of the car, with Storm on her lap as they drove there. She got out of the car at Greengates’s main entrance. “Thanks for the ride, Mom. I’ll see you later.”

  As soon as her mom had driven away, Lily went into the yard. Storm trotted purposefully at her heels, invisible as usual.

  She could see Janie sitting at her computer through the office window.

  Lily paused, feeling uncertain. “Well, here I am. But I’m still not sure why! What am I supposed to say to her?” she whispered to Storm.

  The puppy’s luminous midnight-blue eyes looked even brighter than usual. “I think you should tell Janie about how Pixie needs a home,” he woofed.

  Lily frowned. “But there’s no point. Greengates isn’t a stable. It’s a riding school. And anyway, Janie doesn’t have room for any extra ponies. All the loose boxes are full.”

  Storm pricked his ears. “Not all of them.”

  Lily blinked as she realized what Storm was
hinting at. “You’re right! Bandit’s not here anymore.”

  Storm nodded, looking very pleased with himself.

  Before Lily could ask him anything else, Janie came out into the yard. “Lily? This is a nice surprise. What can I do for you?” she said.

  “I … um …” Lily bit her lip, feeling herself blushing as she struggled to find the right words to say. Now that she was here, her mind seemed to have gone completely blank.

  Chapter EIGHT

  Storm gave a gentle woof and as Lily looked down into his sparkling midnight-blue eyes, she felt herself starting to calm down.

  Lily took a deep breath and suddenly it all came pouring out. “I … um … wanted to ask you something. I’ve got a friend named Adjoa who’s got a pony named Pixie. She’s very sweet-natured, but the farmer who owns her field is selling it. And I thought, well, I was hoping—”

  Janie smiled. “Whoa! Slow down a bit. Let’s go into my office, Lily. I could use a break from working on my accounts. We’ll have a cold drink and you can tell me all about it.”

  A few minutes later, Lily sat sipping her apple juice as Janie tapped her fingers on the desk thoughtfully.

  “So what you’re really asking is for me to put Pixie into the stable?” she said to Lily.

  Lily nodded, feeling encouraged by Janie’s calmness and willingness to listen. Everything seemed to have slotted into place and become clear in her mind. Now Lily knew exactly what to say.

  “What about if Pixie lives here and works as one of the riding school ponies? Adjoa would have to agree, but I think she’d do anything if it meant she could keep Pixie. She’d still own her, so she’d help look after her and pay for Pixie’s food and bedding and stuff. But it probably wouldn’t cost anywhere near as much as a normal stable.”

  “You seem to have this all worked out,” Janie said.

  “I do!” Lily said firmly.

  “Hmm. It could work. We’ve had arrangements like this in the past and we are a pony short now that Bandit’s gone. But I’d have to try Pixie out before I decided that she was right for Greengates. She’d have to be gentle, friendly, and dependable.”

  “Oh, she is! She’s perfect. Should I ask Adjoa’s parents to call you and set up a meeting?” Lily asked eagerly.

  Janie nodded, smiling. “Yes. You’re one determined young lady, Lily Benson.”

  “That’s what my dad says!” Lily beamed at Janie as she got up. “Thanks so much, Janie. Is it okay if I go and see Tinka and the other ponies? I have just enough time before Mom picks me up.”

  “Of course it is. I’ll leave you to it. I’d better get back to these accounts.”

  Lily and Storm spent twenty minutes with the ponies before going back to the riding stable’s entrance. Mrs. Benson had just arrived and was waiting to pick her up.

  On the way home in the back of the car, Lily stroked Storm’s floppy sandy ears. “You had this all worked out, didn’t you,” she said softly.

  Storm nodded. “But I could not have done it all by myself. It was you who spoke to Janie. You did it, Lily.”

  Lily felt a warm glow of pride. It felt good to have helped her friend. “I can’t wait to tell Adjoa all about it. I’m going to call her as soon as I get home.”

  The moment her mom stopped on the driveway, Lily shot out of the car and dashed toward the house.

  “Er, excuse me, young lady! I could use some help with the groceries,” her mom called after her.

  “Sorry,” Lily said sheepishly.

  She rushed back, grabbed some bags, and dumped them on the kitchen table.

  As she was coming out of the kitchen, the phone rang.

  It was Adjoa’s mom. “Hello, Lily. Is Adjoa with you? Can I have a word with her, please?” she asked.

  “She isn’t here,” Lily replied, puzzled.

  “Oh my, I was hoping she’d ridden Pixie over to see you,” Mrs. Hardiker said, sounding worried. “Could I talk to your mom?”

  Lily passed the phone over. “It’s Adjoa’s mom.”

  Lily waited impatiently while the two moms spoke. “What’s going on?” she asked as her mom hung up the phone.

  “Adjoa left a note saying she couldn’t handle giving up Pixie, and some of her clothes are missing. Mrs. Hardiker was hoping she’d come over here. But it’s beginning to look like Adjoa has run away with Pixie.”

  “Oh no!” Lily gasped.

  Chapter NINE

  “It’ll be dark soon. Adjoa must be so scared. We have to find her and tell her the news about Greengates!” Lily said to Storm as soon as they were alone in her bedroom.

  Storm nodded. “I will take us to Adjoa’s house and see if I can pick up a fresh trail.”

  Lily felt a familiar warm tingling down her back as gold sparks crackled in Storm’s sandy fur and a fountain of golden glitter streamed out of his tail. There was a bright flash and a whooshing sensation and suddenly Lily found herself standing with Storm outside Pixie’s field at the back of Adjoa’s house.

  Storm sniffed around, picking up Pixie’s scent. Moments later, he stiffened. Lily saw that his moist brown nose was glowing like a gold nugget. “This way!” he barked, setting off at a run.

  Lily followed Storm away from the field and through the streets. They hurried along the main road and then toward the edge of town. The street lights had already come on. Overhead the first stars had begun twinkling in the sky.

  Lily grew hot and sweaty as she and Storm followed Pixie’s trail, but she wasn’t tired. Gold sparks flashed past her as Storm’s magic made them travel in double-quick time. Gradually Lily realized where they were heading.

  “Greengates is just over there. Adjoa must have taken the bridle path. I bet she’s planning to hide in the woods overnight. She’ll probably take the short cut across the fields,” she told Storm.

  A few minutes later, Storm barked and wagged his tail. “Over there!”

  In the twilight, Lily could just make out the figure of a pony and rider against the shadowy bushes. The moon came out from behind a cloud and Lily could see more clearly. “It’s them!” she cried.

  Lily saw that Pixie was trotting toward the familiar field gate. “That ditch! Adjoa’s heading straight for it. Those prickly branches have been cleared away since I told Janie about it, but a pony could still break her leg if she stumbles into it. I bet she’s too upset to remember it’s there and Pixie won’t see it in the dark!”

  Storm’s midnight-blue eyes flashed. Another rainbow of sparks shot out ahead of him and he leaped forward into the stream of light. Lily felt herself shooting through the air beside him. She and Storm landed a few feet in front of Adjoa and Pixie.

  Lily walked forward, holding up her arms. “It’s me, Lily! Adjoa, stop!”

  Adjoa reined Pixie in. The pony’s ears swiveled and her head came up, but she halted calmly a few paces away from the ditch.

  “Lily! What are you doing here? How did you find me?” Adjoa cried.

  “Don’t worry about that now,” Lily said. “That ditch I fell into the other day is right in front of you. Pixie could have stumbled into it. Come over here. I have to tell you something.”

  Adjoa urged Pixie over to one side, but she didn’t dismount. She looked shaken, but determined. “Thanks for reminding me about that ditch. But if you’re going to try and persuade me to go back home, don’t bother!” Adjoa said, looking down at Lily.

  “Adjoa, listen! I’ve got some great news,” Lily said quickly before her friend could decide to ride away. “I talked with Janie at Greengates. She’s willing to take Pixie into her stable on the condition that you let her be used for the riding school.”

  “Really?” Adjoa looked stunned, but her hands loosened on the reins. Her shoulders relaxed as she thought about it. “I wouldn’t mind little kids riding Pixie and she’d enjoy the extra exercise. Dad said she was getting a bit fat anyway. But even with Janie using Pixie for rides, it’s still going to cost a lot to keep her stabled at Greengates. I still don’t know if
Mom and Dad will agree.”

  Lily’s face fell. She hadn’t thought of this. It seemed as if there was a flaw in her awesome plan.

  Storm jumped up with his paws on Lily’s leg and woofed for attention. Lily looked down at him. “You could ask your mom and dad to help,” he suggested in a soft bark.

  It was a few seconds before Storm’s words sank in. “That’s it!” she burst out, her eyes widening.

  “What is?” Adjoa said, puzzled.

  “I just had a brilliant idea. Come on, Adjoa. We’re going back to talk to my parents!” She quickly outlined her plan.

  A look of hope came over Adjoa’s face. “Do you think they’ll agree?”

  “They have to. It’s Pixie’s last chance,” Lily said determinedly, turning on her heel, confident that Adjoa would now follow her on Pixie. At her side, Storm gave an encouraging yelp.

  Chapter TEN

  Later that evening, Lily sat at the kitchen table eating a pizza with her mom and dad. Storm was curled up under the table.

  “You did a great job persuading Adjoa to come home,” her dad said. “Her parents were almost out of their minds with worry. They’ve been on the phone saying how great you are. Well done, sweetie.”

  Lily felt herself blushing. “Anyone would have done the same.”

  “I’m not sure that’s true,” her mom said, patting her hand. “What I still can’t figure out is how you found her so quickly and got up to the field near Greengates in record time.”

  “It must be all the exercise I’ve been doing. Mmm. This pizza’s delish!” Lily said, quickly changing the subject. She slipped a small piece under the table for Storm to munch. “Mo-om? Da-ad?” she said in a persuading voice. “I’ve … um … got something to ask you.”

  Her parents exchanged glances. “I hope this isn’t about having your own pony again!” Mrs. Benson said.

  “Of course it’s not,” Lily said brightly.

  “Thank goodness for that!” her dad said.

  Lily paused for effect. “It’s about me having half a pony!”