Dream Pony Read online

  “Here we are,” she said, turning the handle and Jess followed her in.

  Camilla’s room was decorated in pink. The walls were painted with hundreds of tiny stars and a four poster bed was swathed in pink muslin in the middle of the room. Pink and white curtains draped the windows and the floor was covered with a thick pink carpet. Shelves around the room were lined with bottles of creams and lotions, all with the distinctive green Vrai Vert logo.

  “I’ve got hundreds of bottles of the stuff,” Camilla laughed, seeing Jess looking at the bottles. “Here, take some home.” And before Jess could protest, Camilla had thrust a wicker basket of Vrai Vert goodies into her hands.

  “Um, thanks,” Jess mumbled and then thought that perhaps she should have sounded more grateful. After all, her mother would be pleased.

  “What do you think?” Camilla said, indicating the room.

  “It must have cost a fortune,” Jess said, impressed. “Is pink your favourite colour?”

  “What? Oh, not especially,” Camilla replied in an off-hand way. “Mummy chose it all and then had it photographed by some design magazine.”

  This all sounded rather glamorous to Jess, but Camilla didn’t seem impressed. “This is all boring,” Camilla said. “Come and look at these.”

  Camilla darted across the room to a small alcove, stepping carelessly on a discarded sweater on the way. Inside the alcove was a glass cabinet and inside that were cups, trophies and rosettes, all lined up on display. Camilla Carlisle, First, New Benningdon Horse Trials, one trophy inscription read. Dressage First Place, Southdown Show, read another. First Prize, Colcott Cross Country Team Chase, another was engraved.

  “Wow.” Jess was suitably impressed as she inspected the gleaming trophies.

  “The Ash Hill Team Event will soon be joining them,” Camilla announced. “You’re very lucky – not many girls would be able to join the team just like that, you know. These are only some of the trophies,” Camilla went on. “Daddy’s got the main ones displayed downstairs.”

  “Did you win all these with Apollo?” Jess asked, picturing Camilla and her beautiful palomino pony jumping effortlessly clear at show after show.

  “Some of them,” Camilla said. “But I’ve won on other horses too. Daddy’s horses, Jess. That’s why I’m showing you these. Daddy only has the best horses and now we’ve got Skylark. She’s going to win loads of prizes for Rychester, Jess. She’s a very special pony.”

  “I know she’s special,” Jess said. “But remember she is my pony, Camilla, not Rychester’s.”

  “Of course she is, silly.” Camilla flashed her a quick smile, and after the briefest of pauses spoke again. “Look Jess,” she said. “I hope you don’t think me rude, but those jods you’re wearing must have seen better days.”

  Jess felt embarrassed as she looked down at her scruffy, old jodphurs. She couldn’t even remember how long she’d had them.

  “I’m sure you’ll be getting some new clothes, but I’m only mentioning it because Mummy’s just bought me two new pairs of jods,” Camilla continued lightly. “Would you like my old ones?”

  She fished around in the bottom of a wardrobe and produced what to Jess looked like a brand new pair of beige jodhpurs.

  “They’re just about your size I think,” Camilla said now. “Take them. I was only going to throw them out.”

  “Well, if you’re sure…” Jess was hesitant but she wasn’t proud either. It was obvious that Camilla’s parents could well afford to buy her new clothes and that Camilla would have no hesitation in discarding anything she’d lost interest in. Jess accepted the jodhpurs graciously and Camilla smiled broadly.

  “You can wear them when you ride Skylark again,” she said. “It won’t be long now. And then we’ll really have fun. We’re going to have some brilliant hacks together. Just see if we don’t.”

  Her enthusiasm made Jess grin excitedly. “We will have fun,” she said to herself. “And I’ve got my very own pony to ride. Brilliant!”

  9

  JESS MOVES ON

  Jess sat at the kitchen table, chatting to her mother who was making supper. From time to time a strand of hair would fall over her mother’s face and she would push it back wearily with a damp hand. Jess thought her mum looked tired and dowdy in her ancient leggings and baggy old sweater.

  For what must have been the fifteenth time that day, Jess began to talk about Rychester again.

  “Mrs. Carlisle had Camilla’s room photographed for a magazine,” she said. “And Camilla’s dad set up Rychester Riding Stables just for Camilla. Isn’t that amazing?”

  “Fascinating Jess,” her mother said brightly. “I’ll have to see what I can do to make your life just that little bit more glamorous. Now, what can I do for your supper tonight? I know you won’t want spaghetti bolognese like the rest of us, will you?”

  “Not really Mum, sorry,” Jess said, guiltily. She knew that not eating meat caused her mother extra work. But no matter how many times she said she’d just have the vegetables, or make herself a sandwich while the rest of her family tucked into chicken or bacon, her mother would always go out of her way to make her something else.

  “You’re a growing girl, Jess,” she would say. “You can’t survive on sandwiches. I’ll just have to cook you something different.”

  Guiltily, Jess turned away and let her thoughts go back to Rychester. She had spent every evening that week at the stables, and she couldn’t help talking about it. Skylark and she were getting better and better and the more time she spent at Rychester, the more she liked it. Amy was encouraging and Camilla had really taken her under her wing. And Skylark – well, Skylark was the most wonderful pony in the world, and her very own too.

  Of course, Jess still wished that the accident hadn’t happened, but Skylark was better now. Jasper had been right, there was no point in telling people what had gone on. Certainly it would only worry Jess’s mum and dad.

  Most of all, Jess didn’t want to tell Rosie about it. It was embarrassment and pride that stopped her. Rosie had already voiced her doubts about Rychester and Jess had decided that there was no point in fuelling them. Indeed, she had tried to avoid talking about Skylark to Rosie. Guiltily she realized she’d hardly spoken to her all week. They had both been busy, so it had been rather difficult. Rosie was involved in netball trials after school, and Jess had been at Rychester for the past few evenings. So when the phone rang a few moments later, Jess was pleased to hear Rosie’s voice at the other end.

  “I just wondered if you were around at the weekend,” Rosie said. “There’s a beach ride going out from Sandy Lane. Do you want to bring Skylark along?”

  “Um–” Jess hesitated, not knowing what to say. It would be a week after Skylark’s accident. Several days after the vet had said she’d be OK to ride, but Jess didn’t want to push the pony and she had been planning to ride her quietly in the indoor school, under Amy’s supervision.

  “I don’t think I can, Rosie,” she said. “You see, I’m not really used to Skylark yet,” she tried. “I think I should get to know her a bit first before I take her out on a hack.”

  “Fair enough.” Rosie’s voice was quiet but understanding at the end of the line. “I saw another picture of you in the paper by the way. Lovely cheesy grin!”

  “What, me or Skylark?” Jess laughed now.

  “You of course,” Rosie chortled. “Skylark looks beautiful. In black and white anyway.”

  “She is beautiful, Rosie,” Jess said quickly now. “And you will see her soon, I promise.”

  “I can’t wait,” Rosie replied eagerly. “I was beginning to think you’d forgotten all about your old Sandy Lane mates. Are you a Rychester girl now? Posh clothes, daring riding style, that kind of thing?”

  “Oh Rychester’s not so bad,” Jess said quickly. “In fact, it’s better than I expected…you should see it Rosie.” Jess’s voice rose with excitement. “The loose boxes are huge, and really smart. That girl we saw on the cliff top ride
, the one with the palomino pony, remember? Well, she’s Camilla Carlisle, the daughter of Rychester’s owner, Jasper…she seemed really snooty at first, but she’s all right underneath it all. And the horses at Rychester are wonderful. There’s Apollo, and Dido and Skylark of course–” Jess paused for breath. “And I’m riding at Ash Hill too, for Rychester. Jasper Carlisle and everyone at Rychester reckon Skylark’s going to be brilliant at jumping. She’s really responsive to ride.”

  “Well it all sounds perfect,” Rosie said brightly. Suddenly Jess realized that she hadn’t asked Rosie about Sandy Lane at all. How could she have been so selfish?

  “What’s the news at Sandy Lane?” she asked quickly, twisting the telephone cord around her fingers. “Am I missing anything?”

  “Not really,” Rosie said. “Nick’s been in a bad mood because his flu’s come back and lots of people seem to be cancelling rides. I’m definitely jumping Pepper at the Ash Hill Show in the Open Jumping.”

  As Rosie chattered on, Jess’s mind drifted back to Skylark. She couldn’t wait to ride her pony again. She wondered what Skylark was doing now. Was she was all right? Had Amy checked her for the night? Suddenly Jess realized that Rosie was asking her something.

  “Jess,” Rosie called, “Jess are you there?”

  “Yes,” Jess said quickly. And then because Rosie’s hurt silence hung in the air, Jess added. “It sounds like things are pretty busy then.”

  “I guess so.” Rosie’s voice was quiet and Jess felt wretched and embarrassed for not paying her more attention. “I have to go,” she lied miserably. “My mum’s calling me for supper.”

  10

  OLD FRIENDS, NEW FRIENDS

  It was a Saturday afternoon. Jess adjusted Skylark’s saddle and did up the girth.

  “Are you ready for a hack, Skylark?” she whispered into the pony’s ear. “Because I am.”

  The last two weeks had been busy. There was school and homework and after school jobs around the house to fit in as well. Every evening, as soon as she was able, Jess would cycle the twenty minutes to Rychester to spend time with Skylark. At the end of the first week, she had ridden her pony at last.

  “You’ve been wise to wait,” Amy told her encouragingly as she had watched Jess ride in the warmth of the indoor school. Skylark had been perfectly sound and to Jess’s delight, there seemed to be no lasting damage to the pony’s knees. One evening there was another publicity photo session with the Daily Advertiser, the Rychester Stables sign prominently displayed in the background.

  “Let’s show them a fit and eager pony, and a healthy and happy rider,” Jasper had urged Jess, shoving a bottle of New Improved Mango Miracle Shampoo into her hand as she smiled broadly for the camera.

  Camilla was often at the stables in the evening too. She would ride Apollo in the indoor school, training him for the Ash Hill show, and Jess watched them jump with admiration. Apollo cleared the jumps effortlessly, with a proud flick of his tail. Jess noticed that Camilla kept him on a very tight rein which caused the palomino pony to skip and toss his head. But the more Apollo pirouetted, the tighter Camilla sat to the saddle. She didn’t flinch or move a muscle.

  After all the lessons in the indoor school during the week, Jess was looking forward to a relaxing hack in the open air. She swung herself up into Skylark’s saddle and gathered up the reins. Just as she was preparing to walk on, a voice at her shoulder stopped her.

  “Give Skylark a good run now.” Jasper’s voice was brisk and efficient. “She needs the exercise.”

  “Yes,” Jess replied eagerly, “But I’m not going to take any risks.”

  “Absolutely,” Jasper said. “You need to save yourself and that pony for the Ash Hill Show. After all it’s not only Rychester you’ll be jumping for. The Daily Advertiser will be following your progress with interest too. So you’d better come back with a rosette. Now go on, enjoy the hack.”

  He gave Skylark a smart slap on the rump and the little pony lurched forward. Jess, temporarily unseated, put a steadying hand on the front of the saddle and thought about what Jasper had said…you’d better come back with a rosette. Jess felt vaguely uneasy, bullied almost. But Jasper was relying on her and that made her feel important.

  “We’ll have to train really hard Skylark,” she whispered to her pony. “But we can do it.”

  “We can do it,” she repeated silently to herself and her heart began to beat faster as she thought about the competition. She was a part of this place now, and she would do well for Rychester. She couldn’t wait to talk more about Ash Hill with Camilla, and as she walked on towards where Camilla and Apollo were waiting, a thought occurred to her.

  “Camilla, do you want to do some training for Rychester tonight?” she asked her new friend as she drew nearer. “Apollo’s quite fearless around the ring, it might be good for Skylark to follow him and see what kind of a team we’d really make.”

  Camilla glanced at her impatiently. “Tonight? Sorry, Jess, I’m busy. Lucy and Samantha are coming round for supper. Now come on, slow coach, we’ve been waiting ages for you. Let’s get going!”

  Jess felt strangely deflated that she hadn’t been included in Camilla’s plans as she followed on out of the stables and down the lane. Still, she couldn’t think about that now. The ride was winding its way out of the yard.

  Samantha rode her brown pony, Amber, Lucy was on Dido, and Allison was riding Rychester’s Jackdaw. These were the same girls who had ridden with Camilla that day on the cliff tops. But like Camilla, they had shown no sign of having recognized Jess.

  Well, why should they? Jess thought. I look completely different. Now I’m riding a beautifully turned-out pony and wearing Camilla’s smart jods and I’ve even brushed my hair.

  Jess had taken to washing her hair with Camilla’s shampoo which really did make it smell nice.

  I look completely different from when I was riding shaggy little Minstrel in my scruffy old anorak, Jess thought to herself.

  “So you’re jumping Skylark at Ash Hill?” Samantha interrupted her thoughts as the ride clattered down the lane.

  “Yes.” Jess threw her reply back over her shoulder. “If we’re ready.”

  “You’ll be ready,” Camilla joined in. “Anyway, Apollo’s bound to win tons of stuff. You can watch me and see how it’s done, Jess.”

  “Honestly, Camilla,” Allison retorted. “You’re such a show-off. All five of us are entered for Ash Hill. And there’s a good chance we might win the team medal if our scores are any good.”

  Camilla smiled gleefully. “That’s true, Allison, so of course you might win something,” she conceded. “But it’ll be me and Apollo galloping away with the Open Jumping trophy.”

  “Show us how you’re going to do it then, Cam.” Allison’s voice was excited as they turned the ponies off the lane and into a stubble field. “See those logs over there?”

  She pointed to the edge of the field where a pile of timber was stacked toweringly high. Sharp twigs and coarse brush stuck out from the log pile, and the whole construction looked very precarious. “Bet you can’t jump that.”

  Camilla followed her gaze and laughed scornfully. “What, that tame old pile of wood?” she crowed. “Child’s play. But if I do it, you lot will be too chicken to follow me.”

  “Brilliant, a dare!” Allison cried. “I’m right behind you, Camilla.”

  “Me too!” said Lucy.

  “Count me in then,” Samantha added.

  “What about you, Jess?” Camilla turned Apollo to face Skylark. “Fancy a challenge?”

  Jess looked at the precarious pile of wood. It was very high. One knock from a pony’s hoof and the whole lot would come crashing dangerously down. There was another problem too. The point of take-off for the jump was clear enough, but the timber was placed at the edge of the woods. The landing point wasn’t visible. It would be like jumping blind. It was crazy…mad. Skylark pulled at the reins and sniffed the wind impatiently. Jess shifted uncomfortably in the saddle.
They were all looking at her.

  “Scared?” Allison sneered.

  “It’s just stupid,” Jess said fiercely. “A stupid thing to do.”

  “Yep, she’s scared,” Allison cried triumphantly.

  “No she’s not,” Camilla said, looking directly at Jess. “She’ll follow us. Won’t you Jess?” And before Jess could say anything, Camilla turned Apollo sharply and kicked him into a gallop across the field.

  Jess could hardly watch as they approached the timber pile at break-neck speed. Surely they would crash straight into it. At the very last moment, Camilla must have checked Apollo because he seemed to stop still in mid-gallop. And then, like a harrier jump-jet taking off, he sprang over the logs with inches to spare. On landing, Camilla pulled him up sharply to avoid the trees and the horse turned on the spot before stopping directly at the edge of the forest. Camilla gave a wave and beckoned the rest of the ride to follow.

  “Come on Jess, live a little,” Samantha called over her shoulder as she urged Amber on to meet the jump.

  Jess took a deep breath as she watched them all go. Now Samantha was clear, and Lucy too. Skylark pulled and pulled at the reins, pawing at the ground as she walked in impatient circles. The air was crisp and clear and suddenly Jess felt a surge of confidence. Skylark was just as good as any of those ponies…better even. Suddenly the jump looked exciting and inviting.

  As Allison pushed Jackdaw safely over the timber, Jess’s mind was made up. Skylark didn’t need to be told a second time to gallop, and in an instant the little grey pony was flying across the ground. Jess’s spirits soared with every step the pony took.

  And now the timber pile loomed nearer, even larger than Jess had anticipated. Keeping a firm but light hold of the reins she focused straight ahead, right between Skylark’s alert ears. She could just make out the rest of the ride, waiting for her on the other side of the jump. As she drew near to her point of take-off, they seemed to multiply. Suddenly it looked as if there were lots of ponies and riders. Jess screwed up her eyes to see better. But suddenly here was the jump, and with a swift kick she urged Skylark on. Now they were soaring lightly through the air. When they landed – a little shakily, but clear – Jess’s momentary feeling of elation gave way to blind panic as she saw she was hurtling straight for a group of horses who had emerged from the woods a little way beyond the jump.