Sea Horses: the Talisman

by Louise Cooper

  Tamzin was surprised and hurt by that remark. It seemed to her that Marga was deliberately putting her down, and she expected Joel to jump to her defence. But Joel didn’t seem to notice. He only said, ‘OK, then. The earlier the better. Nine o’clock all right with you two?’

  ‘Sure,’ said Marga, and Tamzin added, ‘Yes,’ in a tight, frozen voice. Privately, she decided that she would be there by half-past eight – as, she suspected, would Marga.

  ‘Great,’ said Joel. He still seemed completely unaware that anything was wrong. ‘Bye then, Marga; see you tomorrow. Come on, Tam – let’s get back before Mum starts worrying!’

  ‘Lie flat on your ponies’ necks… that’s the way. And stretch down, hands pointed, until you touch your toes… keep Sally-Ann walking, Lisa! Now: all straighten up together on the count of three. One… two… three! Very good! And – trot on!’

  Tamzin gathered up her reins as Moonlight broke into his light, lively trot, and they followed the leading riders on around the field. Outside the circle they formed, Mrs Richards watched with an expert eye. As Tamzin passed her she beamed and said, ‘Well done, Tamzin! You’re as good as anyone now.’

  Joel, ahead of Tamzin on Jester, looked over his shoulder and winked, and Tamzin felt a glow of happy pride. Only a week ago she had been quite convinced that she would make a mess of the musical ride. However, Mrs Richards’ encouragement had worked wonders – and so had the fact that Marga wasn’t in the team. They needed to rehearse every day if they were to be ready in time. But Marga’s mother would not always allow her to come. So, reluctantly, Marga had dropped out. She would still take part in the Fun Day but she would concentrate on the events for which she could practise with Lossie at home.

  Joel had been disappointed. But though she pretended to be sorry too, Tamzin was secretly glad. Marga was so good at everything that she made Tamzin feel awkward and amateurish; without her around, Tamzin had more confidence in herself. She was even beginning to think that she had a chance of winning at least one of the competitions; either the bending race, or the walk, trot, mount and gallop, which was a kind of obedience test for ponies. Moonlight was so gentle and willing; he seemed to understand everything that she wanted of him, almost as if there were a telepathic link between them.

  They were coming to the end of the routine now, and Mrs Richards declared that that was enough for one morning. They would rest the ponies, then this afternoon anyone who wanted to stay could practise for the jumping competition. Tamzin was not taking part in that (though Joel and Marga were both entering the junior section) but it was fun to watch.

  The day was blustery but quite bright, with occasional breaks in the cloud that let the sun show through. In fact, Tamzin thought as she led Moonlight to the stable to rub him down, the weather had improved extraordinarily since the awful time over Christmas. There had been no more gales, and the world seemed to have cheered up. The news stories of Christmas Day had both had happy endings too. The fishermen on the missing boat had been able to restart their faulty engine and struggle back to port, and the lifeboat had reached the stricken cargo ship on the second attempt and had brought all the crew safely ashore. It was a huge relief to Tamzin. For a while she had truly believed that the terrible events were linked to the Grey Horse; that it was gaining strength and power, and that the ancient prophecy was coming true. Now though, it seemed that her fears had been groundless.

  She went home for lunch, partly because she was too hungry for sandwiches and partly to tell Nan all about her morning, and was back at the stables by two o’clock. Lossie was in the yard, and Tamzin found Marga with Joel in the tack room.

  Marga was wearing a very smart new riding jacket. Tamzin admired it and Marga said airily, ‘Oh well, I want to look my best on the big day. What are you going to wear? Blue? You always seem to wear blue.’

  ‘I like blue,’ said Tamzin a little defensively.

  ‘No reason why you shouldn’t.’ Marga smiled. ‘It suits you, anyway.’

  She also had on a new brooch, Tamzin noticed, pinned to her jacket lapel. It was in the shape of a horse’s head surrounded by a horseshoe, and it looked very expensive. However strict Marga’s mother might be, she obviously didn’t mind spending money.

  ‘The jumps are up in the field now,’ Joel was saying. ‘How about you and me riding round the course and trying them out?’

  ‘I’d love to,’ Marga enthused. ‘You won’t be too bored just watching us, will you, Tamzin?’

  ‘Of course not,’ Tamzin said. ‘Anyway, I’ve got plenty of other things to do.’

  She waited until Joel and Marga had gone to get their ponies, then went into Moonlight’s box and put her arms around his neck. ‘I can’t help it, Moonlight,’ she said. ‘I just don’t like Marga any more.’

  Moonlight whickered and blew warm, hay-smelling breath in her face.

  ‘I suppose I’m a bit jealous,’ Tamzin went on. ‘I mean, Joel was my friend until she came along, but now she seems to have… well, sort of taken him over.’ She pressed her face into Moonlight’s rough mane, liking the tickly feel of it. ‘At least she can’t take you away from me, as well. No one could ever do that.’

  Moonlight whickered again and rubbed his face against her shoulder. Maybe he was only trying to get rid of an itch, but Tamzin didn’t think so. He did understand. She was absolutely sure of it.

  ‘Come on,’ she said to him. ‘Let’s go and practise for the bending race again. We’re getting good at that, aren’t we? You never know; we might even beat Marga!’

  Though she told herself she didn’t really want to, Tamzin did stop for a while to watch Joel and Marga in the jumping field. Jester jumped well – but Lossie was altogether in another class. Tamzin had to admit to herself that she had never seen such a superb display: the chestnut horse seemed to fly over every jump as though he had wings. Marga, on his back, was poised and graceful, never making a mistake. They went round the course twice without knocking down a single pole, and when they finished Marga came trotting across to where Tamzin sat on Moonlight near the gate.

  ‘Whew!’ she said, breathless and with her hair escaping from its plait. ‘That was terrific! I think we’ll have a chance of winning!’

  ‘Much more than a chance,’ said Tamzin, as honesty got the better of envy. ‘You were brilliant! And Lossie’s an amazing jumper.’

  ‘He’s pretty amazing all round,’ Marga said, smiling. ‘Aren’t you, boy?’ She patted Lossie’s neck and the chestnut snorted, flicking his tail.

  ‘He looks like a wonderful ride,’ Tamzin went on.

  ‘Oh, he is. And really obedient too.’ Suddenly Marga looked intently at Tamzin. ‘Tell you what, why don’t we swap ponies for a bit? Not over the jumps, of course; I know you haven’t learned yet – but just round the field. You’ll love riding Lossie and I’d really like to try Moonlight.’

  Tamzin was taken aback. She didn’t really want to swap. She loved riding Moonlight and was not happy about the idea of giving him up to someone else. ‘I don’t know,’ she said dubiously.

  ‘Oh, come on, let’s!’ Marga urged. ‘Here’s Joel. We’ll see what he thinks.’

  As Joel arrived on Jester, Marga told him her idea. Joel knew how much Tamzin loved Moonlight, and she hoped that he would back her up as she tried to explain that she really would rather not change horses. But Joel did not back her up. Instead, to her dismay he said, ‘I think it’s a great idea. Come on, Tam. It’s good to try riding a different horse once in a while. And it isn’t fair to hog Moonlight the whole time and never let anyone else have a go on him.’

  Tamzin stared at him, feeling betrayed. Not only was he taking Marga’s side, he was even implying that Tamzin was being selfish. She opened her mouth to protest – then shut it again as she realized that there was no point. It was two to one. And Moonlight didn’t belong to her. If Joel said Marga could ride him, she couldn’t argue.

  She gave in, nodding and not letting the others see the expression on her
face. Reluctantly she slipped from Moonlight’s back, and Marga took the reins from her, saying, ‘You have a go on Lossie first, and I’ll watch and see how you get on.’

  Joel held Lossie while Tamzin mounted. It wasn’t easy. Lossie was so much taller than Moonlight and in the end Tamzin had to be given a leg-up, which made her feel small. She was also very nervous at the prospect of riding such a big horse. But Lossie stood quietly until she was settled in the saddle.

  ‘Don’t use your heels too much. He doesn’t like it,’ Marga advised. ‘And you’ll only need to keep him on a light rein. He’s very responsive.’

  Tamzin nodded, and Joel said with a grin, ‘All right up there?’

  ‘Yes.’ The ground looked a very long way away but Tamzin told herself firmly that it was just a matter of getting used to it. She gathered the reins, touched her heels – lightly – to Lossie’s flanks and said, ‘Walk on.’

  They started off round the field, first at a walk and then, as Tamzin’s confidence grew, at a trot and finally a canter. To her surprise, she found she was thoroughly enjoying the ride. Marga was right. Lossie was very obedient and because he was bigger he had a smooth, flowing movement that was very comfortable. After three circuits she came back to the gate where Marga was now mounted on Moonlight.

  ‘No racing,’ Marga said with a grin. ‘You’d win!’

  Tamzin laughed, feeling more relaxed. ‘OK,’ she said.

  Marga urged Moonlight forwards, and within seconds she had him at a spirited canter around the field. Lossie wanted to follow and Tamzin let him, keeping him at a distance and watching Marga. Moonlight was going well but she thought that Marga was handling him too roughly. Despite what she had said to Tamzin she used her heels a lot, and Tamzin could see Moonlight’s ears going back whenever she pressed him on faster. She wanted to call out, ‘Be gentle with him!’ but didn’t like to. Marga was an experienced rider; she knew what she was doing.

  By the time Marga started on her second circuit of the field she had Moonlight galloping, his hooves throwing up mud. Then suddenly she pulled him up, so sharply that Moonlight almost slipped.

  ‘Can I take him over the jumps?’ she shouted to Joel.

  ‘Sure,’ Joel called back. ‘He’ll enjoy it!’

  It was obvious to Tamzin that Moonlight wasn’t enjoying this one bit, but in the face of Joel’s attitude she didn’t feel she could say anything. Suddenly she didn’t want to ride Lossie any more, so she walked him to the gate and dismounted.

  ‘He’s great, isn’t he?’ Joel said. ‘I had a go on him the other day.’

  Tamzin wasn’t listening. She was watching as Marga rode Moonlight to the far end of the field, turned, and set him at the first jump. She was still handling him much too harshly and now Moonlight was starting to show his resentment. As he cantered towards the jump he kept shaking his head, as if the reins were too tight and the metal bit was dragging at his mouth. Approaching the jump he faltered, but Marga kicked him hard and he took off, clearing the jump with just centimetres to spare.

  ‘Hmm,’ said Joel. ‘Moonlight’s feeling lazy.’ And he called to Marga, ‘He can do much better than that. Don’t let him fool you!’

  ‘It isn’t his fault!’ Tamzin said angrily. ‘She’s too rough with him. Did you see the way she kicked him just now?’

  ‘Don’t be silly; she’s a good rider.’ Joel watched as Marga and Moonlight approached the second jump. This time Marga was even harder on the pony. Tamzin heard her voice cry harshly, ‘Get on!’ and Moonlight was so startled by it that he jumped too early and knocked down the pole.

  ‘Stupid animal!’ Marga shouted. ‘Come on! Come on!’

  She was starting to lose her temper and Moonlight was upset by it. He began to circle in confusion. He didn’t know what his rider wanted and he was not used to being treated in this way. Marga forced him towards the third jump – then as they approached it, Tamzin saw her left hand reach out and, apparently, slap Moonlight’s neck.

  Moonlight whinnied shrilly, swerved aside from the jump, and reared. Marga slipped backwards in the saddle but kept her seat. Then as Moonlight’s forehooves came down, she slapped his neck again – and he bucked, his hind legs lashing out and his back humping. Marga lost her grip, and fell with a thud to the ground as the pony cantered away.

  ‘Marga!’ Joel ran to where Marga was picking herself up. She wasn’t hurt; just muddy and winded – and furious.

  ‘Did you see what he did?’ she exploded. ‘He threw me, for no reason! That animal’s a menace. He’s got a filthy temper!’

  ‘He hasn’t!’ Tamzin shouted at her. ‘It was all your fault – I saw the way you handled him. You were hurting him and he was frightened!’

  ‘Me, hurting him?’ Marga echoed. ‘Excuse me, Miss Riding Expert, but I don’t think you know what you’re talking about!’

  ‘I know what I saw!’ cried Tamzin. ‘You don’t ride Lossie like that. Why were you cruel to Moonlight?’

  ‘Tamzin, shut up!’ said Joel. ‘Marga could have been badly hurt. And it was Moonlight’s fault.’

  ‘It was not! Joel, you were watching, you saw what happened! Why are you taking her side?’

  ‘I’m not taking anyone’s side,’ said Joel snappishly. ‘And this isn’t the time or the place to argue about it. Go and catch Moonlight while I take Marga back to the house.’

  He led Marga away with an arm around her shoulders, as if she really was hurt. Tamzin could hear Marga muttering angrily to him, though not what she was saying, and her own eyes filled with tears. What was wrong with Joel? He must know the truth so why wouldn’t he admit it?

  Her vision was blurry as she went to fetch Moonlight. The pony had stopped at the far side of the field and was standing with his head down, looking very dejected. But when he saw Tamzin he gave a little neigh – it sounded like relief – and came towards her. She hugged him, murmuring comforting words… then abruptly stopped, staring at her hand where she had been stroking Moonlight’s coat.

  There were spots of blood on her fingers. And when she examined Moonlight’s neck, she found two small red smears. A picture flicked into her mind of Marga in the moments before Moonlight reared and then bucked. She had slapped his neck with her hand, twice.

  And Tamzin remembered the brooch that was fastened to Marga’s jacket with a pin…

  ‘I’m sorry I blew my top.’ Marga stood in the yard holding Lossie’s reins and stroking his nose, and smiled apologetically at Tamzin and Joel. ‘It was just the shock.’ She paused. ‘But Moonlight has got a nasty streak. I’ve seen it with other ponies. They can be absolutely fine for years but then it comes out and, once it does, you’re stuck with it. Honestly, Joel, I don’t think you can trust him. In fact, I think he ought not to be in the Fun Day at all.’

  ‘I’ll talk to Mum and Dad about it,’ said Joel. ‘They’ll have to make the final decision. But if you ask me…’ He looked into Marga’s eyes for a moment then blinked. ‘I don’t like saying it, but you might be right.’

  Tamzin felt as if all her breath had been taken away, and her chest constricted with bottled-up anger. She couldn’t speak. She couldn’t even look at Joel. She felt that she didn’t know him any more.

  ‘Well, I’d better go,’ said Marga. ‘Tam…’

  ‘Don’t call me that!’ Tamzin snapped. ‘Only my friends call me Tam.’

  Joel frowned, and Marga sighed. ‘Tamzin, then. Look, I’m sorry, I really and truly am. But there’s no point pretending, is there? There’s something wrong with Moonlight, and if –’

  ‘The only thing wrong with him,’ Tamzin said ferociously, ‘is what you did to him.’ She swung round. ‘Joel, she hurt him! I saw –’

  Joel interrupted, sounding angrier than she had ever known him. ‘Tamzin, I’ve had enough of this! Marga did not hurt Moonlight – what happened was completely his fault, and you’ve got to grow up and accept it!’

  ‘Don’t be too cross with her, Joel,’ Marga said sweetly. ‘I mean it is upsett
ing when you think a pony’s perfect and he turns out not to be.’ Setting her back to Tamzin she mounted Lossie with her usual easy grace, and slipped her feet into the stirrups. ‘I’ll come tomorrow if Mum’ll let me.’

  She rode out of the yard and as soon as she was out of earshot Tamzin grabbed Joel’s arm.

  ‘Joel, you’ve got to come to the stables! Moonlight’s hurt. There’s blood on his neck and she did it!’

  It was her one last chance to prove the truth to him. But Joel only stared at her and said, ‘Didn’t you hear what I said just now? I’ve had enough. I don’t know why you’ve got it in for Marga, and I don’t really care. Facts are facts and you can’t change them.’

  ‘But if you just come and look –’

  ‘I don’t want to, because there’s nothing to see.’

  ‘Then I’ll ask your mum and dad!’

  ‘They’re both out with riding parties.’

  His tone was cold and final, and Tamzin gave up. Besides, he was probably right: there was nothing to see now. Stupidly, she had wiped the blood spots off Moonlight’s coat, and that was really the only evidence she had. Not that it would have made much difference anyway, she thought miserably. Joel would probably have accused her of deliberately pricking her finger and smearing her own blood on the pony. He just wouldn’t hear a word against Marga. It was almost as if she had hypnotized him.

  She turned away, feeling her eyes filling with tears again and not wanting Joel to see. ‘All right,’ she said in a small, stony voice. ‘I’ll go home now. There’s no point staying, is there?’ Then she glared quickly at him over her shoulder. ‘But if you do what she wants and stop Moonlight from being in the Fun Day, I won’t be in it either.’

  Joel sighed. ‘I don’t suppose it’ll come to that,’ he said. ‘I’ll have to tell Mum and Dad what happened but… well, we’ll see.’

  ‘Yes,’ said Tamzin fiercely. ‘We will.’ She squared her shoulders. ‘Bye, then.’