Runaway Pony

by Susannah Leigh

  “Hey what’s going on here?” Sarah said firmly as she rounded the corner of the stables. “I hate to interrupt your fun,” she said, “but someone is asking for you at the tack room, Jess.”

  “It must be the Southdown talent scout!” Charlie couldn’t help saying.

  Before Jess could douse him again, Sarah spoke. “It’s a girl actually, about your age Jess. Says her name’s Belinda. Something about a missing palomino.”

  Jess’s heart skipped a beat. “Did she have a pony with her?” she asked Sarah eagerly.

  “No,” Sarah replied. “She’s on her own. Come on you lot.” Sarah turned to the others. “Let’s get this mess cleaned up now.”

  Jess cast a glance at Rosie. “I wonder if Belinda’s found Goldie yet?” she said.

  “Go and find out,” Rosie urged. “I’ll finish up here, don’t worry.”

  Jess gave her friend a grateful wave and raced towards the tack room. There, waiting outside the door, was a tall, slim girl. She stood staring into the middle distance. She wore soft beige jodhpurs and a white shirt. Jess was suddenly horribly aware of her own rather dishevelled appearance. Her hair lay in wet rats’ tails from the soaking she had been given, and hay stuck to her T-shirt in clumps. Slowly she approached the girl with none of the confidence she had mustered the morning she had caught the palomino.

  “H-Hello,” she stammered. “I’m Jess. Are you Belinda?”

  The girl turned her gaze towards Jess and stared at her for a few moments. Jess shifted from one foot to the other.

  “That’s right,” Belinda said at last. “You said on the phone you’d seen Golddust.”

  On closer inspection, Jess saw that Belinda’s face was pinched and white.

  “Well, I think I must have done. A palomino mare came racing into the stable yard yesterday morning,” Jess explained. “She was about 14 hands. She had the most beautiful white gold mane and a long, flowing tail.”

  “That sounds like Golddust,” Belinda said quickly. “I went to her field at seven yesterday morning, like I always do, and she wasn’t there. So is she here now?” Belinda asked. “Did you catch her?”

  “Yes, I caught her,” Jess began slowly. “But she isn’t here. There was a man chasing her.”

  “A man? What man?” Belinda suddenly looked panic-stricken.

  “Um,” Jess stammered. “This man who was running after Golddust...only he called her Goldie. He said she was a devil to catch...he said Goldie was his daughter’s pony...” Jess’s words came out in staccato breaths.

  Belinda’s face looked in blank amazement at what Jess was saying and she started to stammer. “That’s impossible,” she said. “I don’t have a father...he’s dead.”

  Jess opened her mouth to say something, but before she could get the words out, Belinda had spoken first.

  “It’s obvious,” she cried, and in that moment Jess realized the awful truth. “Golddust hasn’t run away at all,” Belinda wailed. “She’s been stolen!”

  4

  JESS IS SORRY

  Jess sat at the desk in the tack room, her head in her hands. “It all makes sense now. That man must have been actually stealing Golddust! And I helped him. What an idiot I am. Oh Belinda, I’m so sorry.” Belinda stood, fiddling with Storm Cloud’s bridle, which was hanging from a peg on the wall. Now she turned to Jess and shrugged sadly.

  “Look, you weren’t to know,” she began. “You didn’t do it on purpose.”

  Jess looked up and managed a smile. “You’re being very nice about all this,” she said. “It’s making me feel even worse. I’d be furious, if I were you.”

  Belinda sighed. “What’s the point?” she reasoned. “Golddust is gone, and there’s nothing we can do about it.”

  At that moment Sarah appeared at the door of the tack room, followed closely by Rosie. Sarah smiled encouragingly at Jess.

  “Rosie’s just been telling me about yesterday morning and the palomino pony,” she said.

  Jess’s heart sank. Of course, Sarah didn’t know yet that Golddust was stolen. And nor did Rosie. Quickly Jess explained what had happened. When she had finished, Rosie gasped in dismay. “Oh, Jess, that man must have been a thief! But how did he know the pony’s name?”

  “I suppose Goldie is just as obvious a name for a palomino as Golddust,” said Belinda. “Not a very imaginative choice, I know, but it does describe her exactly.”

  “Look, I think it would be a good idea to go to the police about all this,” said Sarah. Her voice was reassuring and capable. “You must give a statement Jess. And a description of the man you saw, if you can. It might help them find Belinda’s pony sooner.”

  The police! Jess swallowed hard.

  “Do you want me to come with you for moral support?” Sarah asked. “I could drive you in the Land Rover if you like. I’ve got some spare time now.”

  Jess nodded gratefully. If she had to go to the police, she would rather Sarah came with her.

  “Yes please,” she replied.

  “What about you, Belinda?” Sarah said gently. “Would you like to come with us?”

  Belinda shook her head. “They already know Golddust is missing,” she explained. “I went to the police station earlier today. My mum took me. They had no news of course. There’s no point in me going back there again.”

  “Well, if you’d rather stay here and wait until we come back, I understand,” said Sarah.

  Jess didn’t understand at all. If Golddust was her pony she imagined she’d be wanting to check the police station every five minutes for news.

  “I’ll stay with you if you like, Belinda,” Rosie looked hesitantly at Belinda. “I think there’s some lemonade in the fridge. Would you like some?”

  Belinda shrugged her shoulders. “All right,” she said.

  Jess shot Rosie a look of thanks and followed Sarah to the Land Rover.

  When they arrived, Jess found that giving a statement to the police wasn’t actually too difficult. She had to go over the whole morning in tiny detail.

  “You will find Golddust won’t you?” Jess asked, concerned. “You will catch the thief.”

  “Well, we’ll do our best,” the friendly desk sergeant assured her. “But it’s not always that easy.”

  “What do you think he might have done with Golddust?” Jess asked.

  The sergeant shrugged. “Well, he could be planning to sell her at auction. He could have a private buyer...”

  Jess sat hunched miserably in the Land Rover on the short drive back to Sandy Lane

  “These things happen, Jess,” Sarah said to her. “It’s why we have to be extra-cautious about security. I’m afraid ponies are easy targets.”

  The Land Rover crunched into the stable yard and Jess got out. While Sarah parked outside the cottage, Jess walked back to the tack room. Rosie was waiting eagerly for her, but there was no sign of Belinda.

  “How did it go?” Rosie asked.

  “Oh, all right I suppose,” Jess replied, sinking down into the old basket chair in the corner of the room. “The police aren’t exactly rushing around looking for clues with sniffer dogs and magnifying glasses though.”

  Rosie laughed. “Well I guess they know what they’re doing,” she said.

  “Where’s Belinda?” Jess asked abruptly.

  “She’s gone home,” Rosie replied.

  “Gone home?” Jess was incredulous. “Why? If my pony was missing I’d be out there looking for it, not sitting at home. Honestly, she hardly seemed angry or upset. I feel really worried and nervous for Golddust and she isn’t even my pony!”

  “I think Belinda is upset.” Rosie paused as she tried to explain. “She’s just not showing it the way you would. Listen to this – she told me her dad died six months ago and she’s just moved to Colcott where she doesn’t know anybody and now her pony’s been stolen. If that had happened to me I’d probably lock myself in my bedroom and bawl my head off for months.”

  Jess thought about what Rosie had said and
was silent for a moment. She hadn’t thought of it like that.

  “Maybe, Rosie,” Jess sighed. Then she perked up. “So it’s a good job she’s met us!” she cried.

  “Uh oh, why’s that?” Rosie said slowly.

  “Well, it’s obvious really,” Jess replied. “Golddust is out there somewhere, Rosie, and we’re going to find her.”

  “We?” Rosie croaked.

  “Yes! It’s partly my fault Golddust is missing anyway. So it’s the least I can do,” Jess continued. “Just you wait, Rosie. Belinda won’t be miserable for much longer. Not with Jess Adams and Rosie Edwards on Golddust’s trail!”

  5

  NEAR DISASTER

  The next day was Monday and Jess was at the stables again. She was keen to make a start on searching for Golddust right away. The local paper had been lying around in the tack room and Jess wanted to check it for details of horse sales. She passed Storm Cloud’s stable on the way. The beautiful grey was looking out over the top of the half door. Jess gave her an affectionate pat.

  “Hello Stormy,” she said. “You’re looking lovely today.”

  “Jess,” Nick called, walking across the yard. “I’ve got a job for you. Sarah’s at the saddler’s and I have to go to the fodder merchant’s. Someone’s coming for a hack in twenty minutes. Could you tack up Minstrel?”

  “Yes, of course,” said Jess. “Who’s riding?”

  “A new girl, called Petronella Slater.”

  “Has she ridden before?” Jess asked.

  “Yes, but not here,” Nick replied. “She’s trying out Sandy Lane for the first time, and if she likes it, I hope she’ll come back. We need the business,” he muttered, almost to himself. “Anyway, I spoke to her father on the phone. Actually I know him vaguely. He seems to think Petronella’s quite a good rider. He’s going to buy her a pony of her own quite soon.”

  “Lucky her,” Jess sighed.

  Nick laughed sympathetically. “Well, he wants Petronella to ride for a while at Sandy Lane before she takes on that responsibility anyway.”

  “Who’ll be taking her out?” Jess asked.

  “Tom,” Nick answered. “He should be here any minute.” Nick climbed into his Land Rover and drove away.

  “See you later,” Jess called as she headed for the tack room. No one else had arrived for the day. Jess reached up to get Minstrel’s saddle from its hook. Glancing to the left, she realized that Chancey’s tack was still in its place. Tom was running late. That wasn’t like him. He was normally very reliable and always on time. For a fleeting moment Jess was concerned. But at that moment the tack room door swung open and Tom stumbled inside.

  “There you are,” Jess said. “I was beginning to worry. Did you know you’ve got a hack in about ten minutes’ time? I was just about to tack up Minstrel. You’re taking out someone called Petronella Slater. What a name!”

  Jess stopped abruptly as she caught sight of Tom’s face. He was ghostly white and could hardly stand straight.

  “Are you all right Tom?” she asked. “You look awful.”

  “I’m not sure.” Tom collapsed heavily into the wicker chair. “I feel terrible. I was a bit sick when I woke up this morning. I’ve just cycled here and my stomach’s killing me. I feel all hot and shaky.”

  “Oh poor you,” Jess sympathised. “Perhaps you’ve got flu.”

  “Ow ow ow,” Tom groaned. “No, it feels worse than that. I don’t think I can take that hack, Jess. I can hardly stand straight. Where’s Nick?”

  “He’s gone to get some feed. And Sarah’s at the saddler’s. What are we going to do Tom? It’s too late to cancel this girl.”

  “Well, we’ll just have to explain and ask her to come back another day,” Tom said.

  “Or I could take her out!” Jess cried impulsively. “I could ride another horse. Hector perhaps. He’s really reliable. It’d be miles better than having to turn her away. It would be bad for business. That’s what Nick would say.”

  Tom managed a half smile, despite his obvious pain. “Well,” he began. “Nick has let you take a hack before, hasn’t he?”

  “Yes, I’ve done it twice,” Jess replied proudly.

  Tom seemed to make up his mind quickly. “Go on then,” he said. “You’ve got two ponies to tack up in under ten minutes!”

  “OK,” Jess smiled happily. She wanted a chance to prove she was capable. Everyone had heard the story of Golddust by now and how she had practically handed the pony over to a thief. She had been expecting some teasing about it, especially from Charlie. But no one had said anything. Still, she was determined to make everyone, especially Tom and Nick, see she wasn’t a complete idiot. She would take the hack and show them how responsible and competent she really was.

  “I’ll come back for Hector’s things in a moment,” she called to Tom. But Tom was silent, his face pinched with pain.

  Jess raced to the stable. She had just finished Minstrel and was on her way back for Hector’s tack when a shiny white Range Rover pulled into the yard. A haughty looking girl in immaculate fawn jodhpurs stepped out. In her hand she held a black riding crop. She was about Jess’s age. A tall man got out from the driver’s side. The girl gave the stable yard an imperious once over as the man turned a questioning gaze towards Jess.

  “I booked a ride for my daughter,” he began.

  “It’s a hack Daddy,” the girl hissed loudly. “You booked a hack.”

  “Ah yes, I did indeed,” the man agreed.

  What a fright this girl is, Jess thought. Aloud she said “Are you Petronella Slater?”

  “Yes I am,” the girl replied.

  “Right. Well, hello,” Jess continued. “I’m Jess Adams, and I’ll be taking you out today. And this,” she said turning to Minstrel, “is the pony you’ll be riding, Minstrel.”

  Petronella looked scornfully at the pony.

  “Bit of a nag, isn’t she? She doesn’t look very fast.”

  “She’s a he, actually.” Jess flushed angrily. Did this girl really know anything about riding? How dare she call Minstrel a nag? Jess bit her tongue. It wouldn’t be a good idea to upset a new rider.

  “He loves galloping,” she said through gritted teeth. But Petronella wasn’t impressed.

  “No, he won’t do at all,” she said, waving her riding crop dismissively. “Far too ordinary. Ah, now that’s the kind of thing I should be riding.”

  Jess turned to where Petronella was pointing – right at Storm Cloud, who was hanging her head over her stable door as usual.

  “Oh I’m sorry,” Jess said quickly, jumping to defend the grey pony. “That’s Storm Cloud. No one’s allowed to take her out unless they’ve been riding here a while. She’s part-Arab and really precious. She’s also quite flighty and a bit unpredictable.”

  “Exactly what I’m looking for,” said Petronella. “I am an experienced rider you know. Obviously no one explained that to you.” She turned to the man with her. “Daddy, tell the girl I can ride her.”

  “Well,” Mr. Slater began, turning to Jess. “That horse...”

  “Pony,” Jess muttered.

  “Ah, yes, pony. She does look rather nice. So what’s the problem?” he asked. “Is Nick Brooks about? I spoke to him on the phone.”

  “No, he’s not.” Jess shifted uncomfortably. The situation was slipping away from her and she wasn’t sure what to do.

  “Daddy, if you’re going to make me ride at this stables before I’m allowed my own pony I should jolly well be allowed to ride who I want,” Petronella interrupted peevishly.

  “All right my Pet,” Mr. Slater soothed, and Jess began to feel sick.

  “Now look here young lady,” he said, addressing himself firmly to Jess. “Why don’t you let Petronella ride that Storm Cloud creature? Don’t worry, I’ll square it with Nick when he comes back. We’re old friends, you know, so it will be all right. And I am paying for this after all.”

  Jess was furious, but managed to bite her tongue. Well, if Petronella and her dad w
ouldn’t listen to her advice, that was their problem. Handing Minstrel’s reins to Petronella, she ran to the tack room to get Storm Cloud’s things. For a fleeting moment Jess wondered if what she was doing was such a good idea. But Jess was determined to prove she could manage this hack and Mr. Slater had been so insistent, she couldn’t back down now.

  Hurrying back to Storm Cloud’s stable, she tacked her up and led the little pony out. Storm Cloud was excited to be going out and Petronella had a job to mount the pony, who skipped and pirouetted around the yard.

  “See you later, Daddy,” Petronella called and then she was off down the lane at a brisk walk. Jess winced as Petronella sawed furiously on the reins and waved her crop dangerously high around the pony’s eyes. Storm Cloud tossed her neck as she fought for control of her head. Jess urged Minstrel into a lively trot and followed them out of the yard.

  “She’s raring to go,” Petronella called over her shoulder.

  Jess nudged Minstrel on and overtook Petronella, leading them along the bumpy coastal track towards the lighthouse where Sarah had taken them only a few days before.

  “There are some good places for a gallop around here,” she called back to Petronella.

  To the right of them the grass stretched away invitingly, and Jess could feel that Minstrel was eager for a race. Storm Cloud was positively foaming at the mouth and the more she pulled, the tighter Petronella tugged at the reins, until poor Stormy’s ears were almost touching the girl’s scornfully turned up nose. Jess winced.

  “Perhaps you should give her a little more rein,” she said. “And stop waving that crop. She’d probably calm down a bit then.”

  “Rubbish,” Petronella sneered. “You have to show them who’s boss. Besides, who wants to ride a calm pony? This is far more exciting. I’m off!”

  And with that, she gave Storm Cloud a terrific whack with the crop. For a fraction of a second Storm Cloud seemed to hover in midair, almost stunned by the pain. And then she shot off and bolted across the field. Petronella pulled desperately on the reins, but it was too late. She had lost control.