Dream Pony Read online

  “Look out!” a familiar voice cried.

  At the last minute, Jess gave an almighty tug on Skylark’s reins and swung the surprised pony around to the left, away from the crowd – just in time to avoid a collision.

  “Jess!” the same familiar voice said. “What on earth do you think you’re playing at? You could have killed someone.”

  Tom Buchanan sat looking down at her from Chancey. He shook his head slowly.

  “Tom!” Jess gasped. Of course, it was the 2 o’clock Sandy Lane hack.

  “You obviously didn’t see us riding out of the woods,” Tom continued, and his voice was tight with anger. “This pile of timber is right by the trees. If we’d been a fraction later riding out and hadn’t seen you careering towards us, there could have been a really nasty accident.”

  “I–” Jess began, but she was lost for words. It was Camilla who jumped to her rescue.

  “Oh shut up Grandad,” she sneered at Tom. “This is a fantastic jump and Jess cleared it beautifully.”

  Samantha, Lucy and Allison laughed heartily but Jess reddened at Camilla’s words. Tom went puce with rage and shot Jess a filthy look, but he said nothing. Jess squirmed with embarrassment and stared at the ground. She so desperately wanted to apologize, but that look had said it all. Tom was disgusted with her and Jess was mortified. Tom had always been such a good friend, but now he turned Chancey away in silent fury and rode on without a backward glance.

  Then suddenly there was Rosie riding towards her, on the back of dear old Pepper. At once Jess felt a pang of sadness.

  Rosie trotted Pepper to a halt alongside Skylark and whispered across to Jess.

  “Don’t think much of your new friends, Jess, but you did clear that jump spectacularly. I’d never have had the nerve. So this is Skylark?” she went on. “She’s beautiful.”

  Suddenly Jess missed Sandy Lane very much. Most of all she missed all the fun she’d had with Rosie.

  “Why don’t I bring Skylark over to Sandy Lane this evening, Rosie?” she suggested eagerly. “You could ride her then.”

  “Oh that’s a lovely idea, Jess,” Rosie shrugged apologetically. “But I’m going to the cinema with Izzy tonight.”

  Jess gave a small smile and tried to sound cheerful. She knew she shouldn’t, but she couldn’t help feeling a tiny bit jealous. Swiftly she thrust the thought to the back of her mind. “Well, maybe another time,” she said.

  “I’d like that,” Rosie said, as she followed the Sandy Lane ride out of the woods.

  Jess watched her go, until Camilla’s strident voice rang in her ears. “Come on Jess,” she urged. “Let’s leave these geriatrics to it.”

  “See you soon, Rosie,” Jess called hopefully after her departing friend, and with a sigh she turned Skylark into the woods.

  At the end of the hour, the Rychester ride wound its way back to the stables. They’d had several good gallops and jumped some small logs, but they were still full of the success of clearing the timber pile and chattered eagerly to one another.

  “Just wait till we get to Ash Hill,” Camilla cried. “We’ll be the best showjumpers they’ve ever seen.”

  Only Jess remained silent for most of the time.

  When they reached the yard, Jess swung down from Skylark’s saddle and led her towards the loose boxes. Ahead, she could see Amy with her back to her, talking urgently to someone Jess couldn’t make out.

  “I couldn’t really say,” Amy was shaking her head at the person she was talking to. “It’s just what my cousin Barry tells me really.”

  “Well, let me know if you hear anything else,” a voice was saying. “Keep an eye on Jasper perhaps.”

  But before Jess had time to wonder what they were talking about, Amy had shifted position and Jess saw it was Penny Webster from the Daily Advertiser. At the same time Penny caught sight of Jess too.

  “Jess, there you are,” she said. “I was just asking Amy where I might find you.”

  “Oh.” Jess was hesitant. Surely Penny wasn’t here to organize more publicity photos.

  “I came by to find out how you were getting on with Skylark,” Penny said. “Are you pleased with your prize pony?”

  “Oh yes.” Jess’s hesitance gave way to eager enthusiasm. “She’s just brilliant. Thanks.”

  “Well she looks lovely,” Penny said, walking towards them and giving Skylark a pat.

  “Do you want me to untack and groom her?” Amy asked.

  “No of course not.” Jess shook her head. “I want to do it myself, but thanks anyway, Amy.”

  “Good for you.” Amy smiled. “I don’t suppose Camilla will be so keen. I’d better go and find out what state she’s left poor Apollo in. See you later.”

  “I’ll be in touch,” Penny called to Amy before turning back to Jess. “Well, I’m glad you’re all right. I’d better be going. See you soon, Jess,” she smiled. And with a quick wave she was gone.

  “Hmm, that was a flying visit,” Jess said to Skylark as she led the pony to her stable. “Come on now, let’s get this saddle off.”

  11

  THE COMPETITION LOOMS

  “So how’s this pony of yours, Jess? Fed up with it yet?” Jess’s father pushed the log around the fire-grate and watched as it caught flames. A warm cosy glow filled the small sitting room.

  “Don’t be silly, Dad,” Jess laughed as she stood by the door, pulling her boots on. “I’ll never get fed up of Skylark.”

  “Well, I must say, you seem to have got it all worked out. You’ve organized everything very well, with the stabling and taking care of the pony, and keeping up your school work too. I admire your dedication.”

  Jess smiled. For a fleeting moment she was tempted to join him by the fireside and read her new pony book. But only for a moment, for Skylark was waiting for her and there was Ash Hill to practise for. She waved goodbye to her dad and braced herself against the March wind as she battled her bicycle down the garden path.

  Ash Hill was now only three weeks away, but Jess had been training hard. Jasper was very excited and had hired Martin Jennings, ex-Olympic riding star, to train the Ash Hill entrants, all at his own expense. “He’ll get you jumping like winners,” Jasper had announced.

  The jumping lessons were gruelling, and the jumps they had to tackle, high. But Jess was jumping well and Martin Jennings seemed pleased with her progress.

  On this Saturday morning, Jasper stood in the middle of the jumping ring next to Martin and watched as Jess set off to the first. Lucy, on Dido, had just knocked two fences down, but Jess, concentrating hard, thundered clear around the course. She should have been elated, but Jasper’s presence was putting a damper on things. When she brought Skylark back to a walk, Jasper called to Jess.

  “That was far too hesitant,” he said. “Push her straight at the jump. You’ve got to show her who’s boss.”

  Jess swallowed hard and patted Skylark, despite Jasper’s harsh words.

  Next it was Allison’s turn for Jasper’s advice as she pushed Jackdaw cautiously over the obstacles. They were going well, but this wasn’t good enough for Jasper. “Too slow, Allison!” he cried. “You’ll lose us vital marks if you don’t step up the pace.”

  Allison went red and trotted Jackdaw to the far side of the ring. Samantha was next to jump on Amber. They did all right until the final wall, which Amber just caught with her rear hoof. The top brick came crashing down and Samantha rode her pony out of the ring, shaking her head.

  Jasper’s reaction was immediate and unforgiving.

  “You lost concentration, Samantha!” he shouted. “You thought Amber was home and dry. You relaxed and it cost you four faults. That’s four faults I don’t want to see at Ash Hill. Understood?”

  Samantha hung her head and mumbled a “yes”.

  Jess winced inwardly and gave her a sympathetic glance. Samantha had jumped a good round. One fence down wasn’t exactly a disaster. But Jasper was a hard taskmaster, as well as interfering. Jess could see it was dif
ficult for Martin Jennings to teach them with Jasper breathing down his neck. Still, Martin was an excellent teacher and all the Ash Hill entrants had really improved. It was obvious that Jasper expected nothing less than a first for Rychester at Ash Hill, and with Martin’s tuition, it was clear they were in with a real chance.

  Still, Jess shivered in her saddle. Jasper demanded perfection from his riders. But perfection wasn’t always realistic, Nick had told her that enough times.

  Jess considered these thoughts silently as she watched Camilla spur Apollo over the first combination. Apollo cleared the jumps spectacularly and swiftly.

  “Wow, that was a brilliant round, Camilla,” Jess called over as Camilla rode clear out of the jumping ring.

  “Well done, Camilla,” Martin smiled quickly.

  “Much better,” Jasper roared. But even this late praise couldn’t raise Jess’s spirits. Jess was glad when at last the lesson was over and, in low spirits, she jumped to the ground and ran the stirrups up.

  “You jumped very well, Skylark,” she whispered as she led the pony back to her stable.

  She slipped the bridle off Skylark’s nose and hung it on the stable door. Skylark lifted her head to her haynet and began to chomp. As Jess lifted the heavy saddle down from her back and made her way with it to the tack room, she whistled softly to herself. She didn’t think she could ever get bored with this familiar routine of untacking and settling her pony – her very own pony! She thought of all the other ponies she had looked after – Minstrel and Pepper and Hector and Storm Cloud. Jess paused. Storm Cloud! Before the pony had gone lame, Jess’s greatest pleasure had been riding the delicate grey Arab. Since Skylark, Jess had hardly given Storm Cloud another thought.

  “Is that what happens when you have your own pony?” Jess said to herself. “Poor Stormy, I wonder if her leg’s any better. Maybe I should ride over to Sandy Lane this afternoon and see her. I should at least see if Rosie wants to ride Skylark after all this time.”

  She paused, considering all this, and thought of Skylark, content in her stable.

  “I’ll ride there now,” she determined. “Before Skylark gets too settled. She’s still fresh enough.”

  She had almost reached the tack room and was about to turn back to Skylark’s stable when she heard shouting and angry voices coming from inside the tack room. Jess hesitated. She didn’t want to eavesdrop, but she couldn’t help hearing snatches of conversation. The voices were so loud it was hard not to. It was definitely Jasper in there, his enraged tones were all too familiar. The other voice sounded like Amy’s. But it was an Amy that Jess hardly recognized. This Amy was shouting angrily. Jess was stunned. Amy was usually so calm and restrained. Perhaps Jasper was really telling her off.

  Jess dithered. Maybe she should go into the tack room and pretend she hadn’t heard what was going on, then Jasper would have to stop his telling-off and Amy would be all right. Jess glanced nervously around the stable yard. There was no one else in sight. From inside the tack room the argument raged.

  “What did you say to the press about me?” Jasper screamed.

  “Nothing,” Amy spat back. “Why? Do you have something to hide Jasper?”

  Zoom! A huge jet roared over head and Amy’s voice was drowned out. Jess turned on her heel and rushed back to Skylark’s stable.

  “Well, it’s a good job we’re going out on another ride after all, girl,” she said to the surprised pony. “Trying to put your saddle back in its proper place would have been like walking into a lion’s den. Come on, let’s go and see some old friends of mine.”

  Half an hour later, Jess and Skylark turned into Sandy Lane. Jess’s heart pounded as she neared the stable buildings. Everything seemed very quiet as she slipped down from the saddle and led Skylark along the row of stables, looking for Storm Cloud.

  Suddenly Jess’s heart leapt. There was dear Stormy now, poking her delicate grey nose out of the last stable door. But Jess hesitated, for Storm Cloud was not alone. Hunched over the door a familiar figure stood talking softly to the pony. Jess stopped silently as she observed Nick Brooks checking on his horses.

  Suddenly Skylark snorted and shuffled her hooves noisily on the stone path. Storm Cloud whinnied in reply and Nick turned his head sharply. He saw Jess at once.

  “Hello,” he said. “We haven’t seen you around here for a while. Everyone’s out on a hack I’m afraid.”

  “Oh.” Jess was almost embarrassed as she tried to explain. “What with one thing and another, I realized I’d almost forgotten about poor old Stormy,” she began.

  “Well, she certainly hasn’t forgotten you,” Nick laughed as Storm Cloud craned her head over the stable door and chewed expectantly at Jess’s coat pocket.

  “Looking for treats I presume?” Nick smiled.

  “Well she’s in luck,” said Jess triumphantly, fishing out a stray sugar lump from the depths of her pocket. “I saved one just for her.”

  “Better not make this other one jealous,” Nick said, indicating Skylark. “Is this your prize pony?”

  “Um, yes.” Jess’s pride in Skylark was tinged with shame at not bringing her to see Nick sooner.

  “She’s lovely,” Nick smiled kindly and rubbed Skylark’s nose. “And how’s Rychester working out?”

  “Oh.” Jess didn’t know what to say. She thought of Jasper Carlisle and his short temper. She couldn’t imagine him taking time to talk to one of his horses. She thought of Camilla and her superior ways, of the gleamingly clinical stable yard at Rychester, of the fierce argument she had heard between Amy and Jasper earlier.

  “Oh, it’s brilliant,” she said finally. “Everybody’s really nice there.”

  “Good.” Nick smiled down at her. “I’m glad it’s working out for you Jess. Although we all miss you at Sandy Lane of course.”

  Jess was silent. She hadn’t known that. Not really. She had hoped it was true, but to hear Nick say it…

  Suddenly she was engulfed by an enormous wave of sorrow and regret. I miss Sandy Lane too! she wanted to cry out. But she couldn’t say that now, not after she had just told Nick how brilliant everything was. Suddenly Jess didn’t want to hang about any more. She didn’t want to smile brightly and answer the inevitable questions about Rychester that her friends would be bound to ask on returning from their ride.

  “I have to go,” she said quickly to Nick. “Will you tell everyone I said hello, and I’ll see them soon?”

  Nick nodded and Jess gave Storm Cloud a pat goodbye. Waving to Nick, she mounted Skylark and began the ride back to Rychester.

  As she walked Skylark along the winding country lanes, she thought about Nick and Stormy, and about Sandy Lane too. Then she thought about Skylark and Rychester.

  “I should be the happiest girl in the world, Skylark,” she said to her pony. “I’ve got you and we’re jumping in a really good competition soon and I’m part of the smartest riding school around. So why do I feel so miserable?” But of course, Skylark didn’t reply.

  As they clattered back into the yard at Rychester, Jess felt strangely empty. Wearily she slipped down from Skylark’s saddle. But suddenly here was Camilla, striding towards her. “It’s a good job you’re always so keen on untacking Skylark yourself,” Camilla said crossly.

  “What do you mean?” Jess asked.

  “Well, Amy’s not around to do it any more,” Camilla announced. “Daddy’s gone and sacked her.”

  12

  JESS HAS DOUBTS

  Jess didn’t feel as comfortable riding at Rychester any more. With Amy gone the stables took on a different feel. Amy’s replacement, a sour-faced girl called Mel, was hard and unhelpful. Amy had always had an encouraging word for Jess or an easy smile. Jess missed her friendly face. No one seemed to know where she had gone to, although Jess had asked.

  One day the postman pulled up at the stables with a registered package addressed to Amy. Jess was the only one around at the time and, as she turned the package over in her hands, she noted the sender�
��s name – Barry Watkins. Why did that sound familiar?

  She shrugged. “I’m sorry, I can’t help you,” she said to the postman. “Amy’s moved on and no one seems to know where she’s gone.”

  “Oh well.” The postman took the package and went off whistling.

  Meanwhile, lessons for Ash Hill continued apace, and Jasper, when he wasn’t at work, made sure he was in attendance to give his opinions. Martin Jennings was still training them once a week, but now Mel was around as well, adding her opinion. She always backed Jasper up so that any criticism felt doubly harsh.

  The Ash Hill team were all capable riders but, anxious to get into Jasper’s good books, an uneasy feeling of competitiveness had crept its way between them. Only Camilla seemed oblivious to it all. She was her father’s daughter when it came to her obsession with success. All her talk was of winning this show, or that show, of how Apollo was bound to jump really well at Ash Hill and bring home a load of rosettes for Rychester. Jess hoped so too, but Skylark’s winning potential wasn’t the only reason she loved her pony.

  “I wish you’d get your act together, Jess,” Camilla snorted after one particularly bad lesson the Saturday before the show. Skylark had refused twice and finally run out at the second to last fence. “I’m beginning to think you’ll be more of a liability than an asset at Ash Hill.”

  Jess was furious. “Skylark and I would be fine if people like you and your dad would lay off us for a while.”

  Camilla shrugged in an off-hand manner. “Fair enough. But if Apollo showed me up like that, I would think about selling him on.”

  “Selling him on?” Jess gasped in disbelief. “But Camilla, you…you couldn’t part with him, he’s perfect.”