Runaway Pony

by Susannah Leigh

  “You stupid girl,” Jess cried in dismay and disbelief.

  For a moment Jess watched helplessly as the fragile grey careered across the fields at breakneck speed. Swerving round to the left, she pounded on towards Larkfield Copse. Jess gasped as the pony gathered pace. She was headed straight for the trees and Petronella couldn’t turn her. Jess went cold as she thought of the low-hanging branches.

  Now Jess urged Minstrel on into a gallop. The little pony didn’t need much encouragement and he raced off, mane and tail flying in the breeze.

  Ahead, Petronella screamed loudly and shut her eyes tight with terror. Minstrel’s pounding hooves rang in Jess’s ears and her eyes streamed with water as the wind bit into her face. Faster and faster Minstrel raced. Storm Cloud was well in front, but she was weaving from side to side. Jess concentrated on keeping Minstrel on a straight line, and soon they were gaining on them. All the time the low-hanging branches of Larkfield Copse loomed nearer.

  The sweat rose on Minstrel’s neck, and still Jess urged him on. Now at last they were galloping alongside Storm Cloud. They were only feet away from the trees. Petronella had dropped Storm Cloud’s reins, and they were hanging loosely as she clung to his mane. Minstrel and Storm Cloud were neck and neck. With a supreme effort, Jess leant over as far as she dared and grabbed Storm Cloud’s reins. It seemed the only thing to do. She pulled hard and brought Storm Cloud’s head round to the left, turning Minstrel at just the same time.

  Storm Cloud seemed surprised that someone had taken charge and followed immediately. But Petronella stayed where she was and, as Storm Cloud and Minstrel changed direction, Petronella went flying forwards, sailing over Storm Cloud’s neck. She landed with a thump in a patch of mud at the edge of the trees.

  Jess brought Minstrel to a stop alongside the field and Storm Cloud followed obediently. As she gathered up Storm Cloud’s reins, the little grey sprang back nervously. Her nostrils quivered and her heaving flanks were covered in foam and sweat.

  “Whoa there, Stormy,” Jess cooed softly as she jumped out of the saddle. “You’re all right now.”

  Slowly, Storm Cloud calmed down. She listened intently to Jess and nuzzled her nose wearily into Jess’s shoulder. Positioning herself between the two ponies, Jess looked over to Petronella.

  “Are you all right?” she called.

  “No, of course I’m not all right,” Petronella howled, brushing the dirt from the seat of her pants. “That animal is dangerous. She shouldn’t be allowed out.”

  Jess was furious. “You insisted on riding her,” she couldn’t help saying. “Couldn’t you see that she was worked up already? The last thing she needed was a beating from a crop to get her going.”

  “How...how dare you,” Petronella retorted. “You’re the one to blame. You and this stupid horse. I wasn’t properly supervised! I’m going to report you to...to Nick Brooks.”

  “What’s going on here?” a familiar voice interrupted.

  Jess spun around. Nick! The Land Rover was parked at an angle in the field and Nick was striding towards them. Jess’s relief at his reassuring presence soon gave way to trepidation at the thought of what he might say.

  “I was worried when I got back to the stables and found that Storm Cloud was missing and Chancey was still in his stable. What’s happened? Where’s Tom?”

  Quickly Jess explained everything – Tom’s illness, Petronella’s insistence on riding Storm Cloud and Jess’s own part in it all too.

  Nick looked sternly at her and took a deep breath. “Well, we’ll talk about this later, Jess,” he said. “Are you OK?” he asked, turning to face Petronella. “Can you stand up?”

  Petronella got shakily to her feet. She swayed a little as she stood up and put a hand to her head. Nick held out a steadying hand. “Take it slowly now,” he said.

  “I’m all right,” Petronella said fiercely. Her face was determined, but Jess saw tears in her eyes.

  “I’ll take you back in the Land Rover,” Nick said gently. “Jess can lead Minstrel and Storm Cloud.”

  “No!” Petronella cried. Then, seeing Nick’s startled face she tried to explain. “I mean...I can’t let my father see me like this. You won’t tell him?” She looked at Nick despairingly.

  “Well, I don’t know...” Nick began. Petronella pleaded again.

  “If he hears about this he’ll never let me have my own pony,” she continued. “Not a really good one, anyway. He’ll get me some safe, plodding old thing.”

  Jess looked on in amazement and Nick shook his head slowly. “You can’t fool him that you’re a better rider than you are, Petronella,” he said. “Look, why don’t you continue to have a few lessons at Sandy Lane before you get your pony? I think you’d find it a big help. Even the best riders still have lessons,” he added hastily as Petronella tried to speak. “And the more experience you have, the more you’ll enjoy having your own pony.”

  “Well...” Petronella hesitated. “If I come and ride at Sandy Lane, will you promise not to tell my father what’s happened today?”

  Jess let out a gasp of astonishment. What a cheek! Fancy talking to Nick like that! Even Nick seemed a little taken aback, for it was a while before he spoke. When he did, his voice was serious.

  “I don’t make bargains, Petronella,” he said sternly. “And I do think you need some more practice. Now, do you think you’re up to riding Minstrel back, under Jess’s supervision?” Petronella nodded quickly.

  “OK. Good girl,” said Nick. “Jess.” He turned to her. “I think it’s best if you ride Storm Cloud back to the yard, and I’d like a word with you once you’ve untacked the ponies.”

  He turned on his heel and walked back to the Land Rover. Jess looked on in astonishment and it was a moment before she came to her senses. Nick had told her to ride Storm Cloud. Not in the school, not around the yard, but out in the open – and after Storm Cloud had bolted too. For a moment, she wasn’t even bothered about Nick’s parting shot I’d like a word with you. Right now all that mattered was Storm Cloud.

  She gathered up the reins and mounted. “Walk on,” she said softly, and Storm Cloud moved forward.

  Jess glanced back. Petronella followed on behind. She was calmer now, and Jess noted that she really wasn’t such a bad rider when she wasn’t showing off.

  Jess turned to look ahead again. Storm Cloud’s step was quick and eager as Jess kept a light but steadying control on the rein. She longed to have a gallop. She knew Storm Cloud would go like the wind, but she stopped herself.

  “I’d better not try anything risky, or Nick will never trust me again. Come on Stormy,” she murmured. “Let’s go home.”

  6

  A TURN OF EVENTS

  “What exactly was wrong with Tom then?” Nick asked, in a stern voice. “You said he was ill.”

  “Yes, he felt sick,” Jess answered quietly. “So I said I’d take Petronella out.”

  Jess stood in the kitchen of Nick and Sarah’s cottage. She traced a small circle in the cracked red lino with the toe of her boot and stared at her feet. Nick stood with his back to the sink, leaning against it, his arms folded. He looked down at Jess and continued.

  “I’ve given you permission to take hacks before Jess, but in this instance I knew Tom was the best person for the job. He’s much more experienced than you are, I’m afraid.”

  Jess swallowed hard and tried to hold back the tears.

  “And I think you know Storm Cloud wasn’t a good choice for Petronella, too,” Nick went on.

  Jess nodded miserably. “I’m sorry Nick. I just thought I was doing the right thing. And I did try to warn Petronella, but Mr. Slater said he knew you and that it would be all right.”

  “I don’t know him that well,” Nick continued. “But I appreciate how difficult it must be to go against an adult’s wishes.”

  “I’m sorry,” Jess croaked again.

  “Anyway, I was impressed with the way you handled Storm Cloud, Jess. You remained calm and collected in th
e face of a potentially dangerous situation. Well done.” Jess blushed furiously.

  “Right, that’s the lecture over with. Back to the yard.” Nick gestured with a nod towards the door. “It must be lunch time.”

  Jess gave a grateful wave and hurried to the tack room but there was no one there. She settled down by herself to eat her sandwiches. As she munched, Jess replayed the ride on Storm Cloud over and over in her mind.

  Sandwich in one hand, she spread the local paper out on her lap and hunched over the crumpled page, scanning the list of open air markets.

  “I’ll show everybody I can do something right,” she said aloud. “Now where are we? Benbridge Women’s Institute Floral Display...April 14th-21st. St. Olaf’s Parish Church.” She ran her finger down the small black lettering, brushing aside crumbs. “Livestock day at Bucknell Pig Farm.”

  And then she found what she was looking for – “The Ash Hill Horse Sale. 2nd Thursday of every month. Horses and ponies for sale at auction. 10 am at Ash Hill Showground.”

  Jess did some rapid calculating. It was Monday the 7th today – the second Monday of the month – so the sale was in three days’ time.

  “Caught you!” A voice shouted in her ear. Jess jumped up, startled and the paper slid to the floor.

  “Looking for Golddust already I see,” Rosie grinned.

  “Yes, but something else has happened, Rosie. I’ve just had the most awful morning,” Jess began, thinking back over the hack with Petronella.

  “Another one?” Rosie grinned. “What was it this time? More runaway ponies? International horse thieves?”

  Jess laughed and began to tell Rosie about the hack.

  “Petronella Slater?” Rosie wrinkled up her nose as Jess finished her explanation. “I’ve never heard of her...she’s not at our school, that’s for sure.”

  “Thank goodness,” Jess said heartily. She picked up the paper and stabbed at it with her forefinger. “Anyway, we’ve got more important things to think about, Rosie. There’s a sale at Ash Hill in three days. It only happens once a month so the man who stole Golddust can’t have been there yet.”

  “That’s where Nick bought Storm Cloud,” said Rosie.

  “Exactly,” Jess replied. “So that’s a good omen.” She smiled cheerfully and if she had been about to say more, her words were halted by the arrival of Alex and Kate. They came bounding into the tack room arguing with each other as usual. Charlie followed close behind and greeted everyone with a casual wave. Now all the regulars were here.

  “Has anyone seen Tom?” she asked.

  They all shook their heads.

  “Not yet,” Alex said. “We’ve got a jumping lesson though, so he should be here soon.”

  “I’m sorry, but I’m afraid he won’t be.” Sarah appeared on the step of the tack room, a hand held up for silence. Her face was solemn. “I’ve got some bad news. Tom’s mother rang a little while ago. He’s been taken into hospital,” she went on.

  “Hospital?” Alex gasped. “What’s wrong?”

  “They’re not sure at the moment, which is why he’s been taken in,” Sarah replied. “His mother said he had stomach pains this morning, but he seemed well enough to cycle into Sandy Lane, though. You saw him, didn’t you Jess?”

  Jess nodded quickly. “He looked awful.”

  “Well he managed to cycle home again, but he was in a lot of pain,” Sarah explained. “He insisted his mother phone us. He was afraid Chancey might be neglected if he didn’t show up for his lesson.”

  “Typical Tom.” Alex tried to laugh, but Jess could see he was worried.

  “Now, look, he wouldn’t want you to worry,” said Sarah. “And he’s in the best place. As soon as I have any more news I’ll let you know. Anyway, I’m going to exercise Chancey now. And you’ve all got a jumping lesson, haven’t you?”

  Everyone stood around dumbstruck, until Sarah snapped them out of their trances.

  “Get a move on then,” she called. “Nick’s waiting.”

  “Yes, come on everyone,” said Charlie. “Buck up. Worrying isn’t going to win us any Southdown trophies,” he said gruffly. “I’m off to tack up Napoleon.”

  “I wish we knew what was wrong with Tom,” Alex groaned as the lesson came to an end. It had been a subdued hour. They had all jumped well, but without enthusiasm. Jess had cleared the course, but unspectacularly and with all her thoughts on Tom.

  “Perhaps we should all go to the hospital, now,” Kate said. “And not leave until we find out if Tom’s going to be OK.”

  “Don’t be silly, Kate,” said Charlie. “Tom’s mother is bound to ring again when there’s any more news.”

  “Let’s hang around the stables for a while then,” Rosie said when they had finished the ponies. “We should wait for news.”

  “OK,” Jess agreed as they flopped down on some hay bales behind the big barn. “And to take our minds off things, we can make plans for finding Golddust. Apart from going to Ash Hill, I thought we should put posters up. We could try farriers and vets, local gymkhanas, that kind of thing. I know Belinda’s already made a start on asking at riding stables – not that there are many around here. But there’s much more we can do...”

  Rosie stopped Jess with a laugh. “Whoa, slow down Jess,” she cried. “Aren’t you forgetting something?”

  “What?” Jess asked eagerly. “Horse sales, posters...what should I have remembered?”

  “Belinda!” Rosie reminded her. “Shouldn’t she be involved as well? After all, Golddust is her pony. Maybe she’s had the same ideas as you.”

  “Oh yes,” Jess paused. “Maybe Belinda would start to feel happier if she really started to search for Golddust too.”

  “And if she knew we wanted to help she might feel a bit better,” Rosie pointed out.

  “You’re right, Rosie,” Jess said. “I’ll ring her now and tell her we’ll help.”

  “Take it slowly, Jess,” said Rosie. “You don’t want to frighten her off. You can be a bit overwhelming sometimes.”

  “I know,” Jess smiled as Kate raced towards them.

  “Come quickly!” Kate cried. “Sarah’s got news about Tom. She’s going to tell us all in the tack room.”

  Jess and Rosie raced with Kate to the tack room. Charlie and Alex were already there and Sarah began to speak.

  “It’s appendicitis,” she announced. “Tom’s going to have an operation this afternoon. He’ll be in hospital for several days,” she went on. “But it will take quite a lot longer than that before he is completely better.”

  “When will he be able to ride again?” Alex asked.

  “Not for a while I guess,” said Sarah. “A month or so, maybe more.”

  “So he’ll miss Southdown?” Charlie said.

  “It looks like it,” Sarah replied.

  “Poor Tom,” said Rosie.

  “Poor Chancey,” said Jess.

  Jess was still thinking about Tom later that evening as she cycled through Colcott and on to the new houses at the edge of town. She was going to see Belinda.

  Jess had rung her earlier and arranged to come over. Belinda had been hesitant on the phone, but Jess sensed a hint of curiosity in her voice. Jess was quite excited.

  In her mind, she had already found Golddust and was receiving Belinda’s heart-felt thanks. This thought pleased Jess so much that it carried her swiftly along the road and right past Belinda’s house. Turning her bike sharply she pedalled back and checked the house number. 34 Archway Avenue. This was it. The grassy front garden was encircled by a low privet hedge, and a small stone statue of a dancing horse stood guard on the front step.

  “You must be Jess,” Belinda’s mother said as she opened the door. “Come in.” She called up the stairs. “Belinda...you have a visitor!”

  Belinda appeared on the top step. She was wearing jeans and a dark blue guernsey and her hair was pulled back in a ponytail. She gave Jess a half smile. “I suppose the police didn’t have any news about Golddust?” she said.r />
  “No, sorry,” Jess shook her head.

  Belinda shrugged. “Oh well, you can come up to my room, if you like.” She disappeared through a door at the top of the stairs.

  “See you later, Jess,” Belinda’s mother smiled as Jess followed Belinda to her bedroom a little doubtfully.

  When Jess stepped into the room, she relaxed immediately. Belinda’s bedroom walls were plastered with posters and pictures. Horses and ponies of all shapes and sizes stared down at Jess. There were rosettes of all colours, but mainly red, Jess noticed enviously.

  “I won those with Golddust,” Belinda said, following Jess’s eye to the rosettes. “She’s quite a good showjumper.”

  “Lucky you,” Jess said.

  “Do you ride at Sandy Lane regularly then?” Belinda said.

  “Yes,” Jess replied eagerly. “I don’t have my own pony or anything, but the Sandy Lane ponies are lovely. Especially Storm Cloud. She’s my favourite.”

  “Is that the little grey one?” Belinda asked, Jess’s enthusiasm igniting a flicker of curiosity.

  “Yes,” Jess said in surprise. “How did you know?”

  Belinda smiled again. “Just a guess. I noticed her when I came to the stables yesterday...” She stopped suddenly and looked sad again.

  “Belinda,” Jess said quickly. “I’ve got something to tell you. Rosie and I want to help you look for Golddust. We thought we could put up stolen notices and look around horse sales. There’s one on Thursday...” She stopped and thought for a moment. “If you want our help, that is,” she finished.

  Belinda was quiet but her eyes were shining.

  “Would you really help me?” she cried at last. “Oh thank you!” And then she was off. She started telling Jess what had happened and didn’t stop for ages. Jess sat and listened and didn’t interrupt. She heard how Belinda’s mother had had to look for a job after Belinda’s father died. She had finally found one in Colcott and they’d had to move. And how Belinda was going to be starting at a new school after Easter.

  Belinda told Jess how she had been keeping Golddust in a field on the edge of town for the time being until her mother earned enough to pay for stabling. She told her how she had made a start on looking for Golddust. And finally Belinda told Jess how upset she had felt when she had gone to Sandy Lane Stables and seen how friendly everyone was, and how she had felt very alone.