Magic Ponies: Riding Rescue Page 4

  She hurried over to where Comet was waiting and told him the news. ‘Isn’t that fantastic? But I couldn’t have done it without your help.’

  Comet nudged her arm affectionately. ‘I did not do very much. You helped Willow overcome her fear by staying calm and letting her come to you.’

  ‘Yeah, I guess I did!’ Gina said. ‘It was really weird. I completely forgot to be nervous or scared, because I was too busy thinking about Willow.’

  Comet nodded wisely. ‘Sometimes we are braver than we think we are.’

  Over the next few days, Gina arrived early every morning at Horseland. She helped with mucking out stables, leading out and exercising the ponies, cleaning tack and grooming. And there were always visitors to show round, and new ponies and horses arriving. She was making good progress with Willow. The little chestnut mare now pricked her ears and stood calmly when Gina approached her stall.

  The weekend dawned bright and clear when Gina’s mum dropped her at Horseland on her way to the shops. ‘Have fun. And say hi to Comet for me!’

  ‘I will. Thanks for the lift!’ Gina waved as her mum drove away.

  She went straight into the stable to see Comet before she started work, as she always did. Two friendly whinnies rang out and Gina did a double take.

  ‘Did you hear that, Comet? Willow just said hello to me too!’

  Gina slowly reached up to stroke the chestnut mare’s nose. Willow flicked her ears, but didn’t shy away. She gave a long soft contented blow, as if to say ‘this place isn’t too scary after all’.

  ‘She’s so pretty,’ Gina said as she looked into the mare’s big dark eyes. ‘I think Willow and I are going to become good friends.’ Gina beamed at Comet.

  Comet nodded. His violet eyes gleamed with satisfaction.

  Later, Gina was brushing Comet’s deep bay coat until it gleamed, when she heard Angie talking to one of the staff inside the tack room. ‘… such a shame. She was doing so well, until she found out she has to stay in hospital longer. The doctor said she needs something to cheer her up.’

  ‘They’re talking about Fliss!’ Gina realized with a stab of guilt. She remembered that she had planned to visit the sick girl but, with Willow arriving, the thought had gone right out of her mind. She had an idea. ‘Comet! How about if we…’

  The magic pony listened hard as she explained. ‘It is a good plan,’ he said. ‘Lead me to the bush at the bottom of the paddock, Gina.’

  Gina did so. All she could think about was poor lonely unhappy Fliss. Well, she was about to get one huge surprise.

  ‘Ready? Climb on to my back, Gina,’ Comet neighed, his eyes twinkling expectantly.

  Gina took a deep breath. I know I can do this, she silently told herself. Fliss needed her and Comet. Before her courage failed her again, Gina climbed up, sat astride Comet and wrapped her hands in his mane. ‘Let’s go!’ she urged determinedly, kicking him on.

  A familiar prickling sensation flowed down her fingers as violet sparks ignited in Comet’s bay coat and tiny misty rainbows glimmered around him. He leapt forward and sped away.

  Comet gave a neigh of triumph. ‘Well done, Gina. You are riding again!’

  ‘Oh my goodness. So I am!’ Gina gasped in amazement. ‘Wow! I really am! And I’m not a bit scared!’ She could hardly believe it. Riding the magic pony felt like the most natural thing in the world.

  Comet’s tail streamed out behind him as he galloped along invisibly. ‘You were too busy thinking about Fliss to feel scared. Just like with Willow. You did not need magic. Your own kindness has cured you!’

  Gina realized that he was right. She could feel proud of herself for conquering her fear. And her reward was riding the most amazing pony in the universe!

  Chapter

  NINE

  A surge of happiness glowed through Gina from head to toe. She felt as if she was filled with fizzy lemonade. Comet was wonderful to ride, so fast and smooth. His warm magic made her feel safe, no matter how swiftly he weaved past obstacles and dodged past anything in their way.

  She wanted to go on riding her magical friend forever, and never stop!

  Crouching over, Gina moved expertly in time to his powerful strides. She realized how much she had missed riding and knew that River would be glad she had worked through her fear. She promised herself that she’d go to visit the little grey pony in the animal park and tell her all about Comet.

  ‘Wow! I love this so much! Go, Comet, go!’ she cried.

  As the hospital came in sight, Comet leapt into the air and his hooves carried them upwards and over it in a mighty leap. A sprinkle of rainbow dust rained down and, in the centre of it, Gina saw a small pale little girl sitting in bed in a room next to the car park.

  ‘There’s Fliss!’ she said, pointing.

  ‘I see her.’ Comet landed in the car park, next to some bushes. Suddenly, he stopped and looked down at the ground.

  Gina peered over his shoulder to see what he was looking at. Her eyes widened.

  Stretching away across the hospital car park was a faint line of softly glowing, violet hoof-prints.

  ‘Destiny has been here!’ Comet told her.

  Gina gasped. Did that mean he was leaving right now to go after his twin? ‘Is she somewhere nearby?’ she asked anxiously.

  ‘No, the trail is cold. But now I know that Destiny came this way. When I am closer to her, I will hear her hoof-beats.’

  ‘Will I be able to hear them?’ Gina asked.

  ‘Yes, if we are together. But other humans will not hear them. And I may have to leave suddenly, without saying goodbye, to catch up with Destiny,’ he said seriously.

  Gina bit back a new surge of dismay. ‘Couldn’t you and Destiny stay at Horseland; then we could all be friends?’ she asked hopefully in a wobbly voice.

  Comet shook his head. ‘I am afraid that is not possible. We must return to Rainbow Mist Island and our family. I hope you understand, Gina?’

  Gina nodded sadly. She swallowed hard and tried not to think about Comet leaving.

  ‘Let’s go and see Fliss now,’ she suggested, changing the subject.

  She dismounted and they walked down a path at the side of the hospital building. Fliss lay on a bed in her room. She looked very tired and pale.

  The window was open and Gina tapped on it to get her attention.

  Fliss frowned. As she turned and saw them, she did a double take. A huge smile spread over her face. ‘Comet? Gina? What are you doing here?’

  ‘We came to see you,’ Gina said, smiling back. She opened the window a bit more, so that Comet could put his head inside the room.

  Fliss laughed with delight. ‘Way to go, Comet! I bet that’s the first time a pony’s been inside this hospital.’ She looked at Gina, puzzled. ‘Did you get here in a horsebox or something?’

  ‘Um… yeah, kind of,’ Gina said evasively, only just realizing that she hadn’t thought about explanations. ‘But I… er, borrowed Comet without Angie knowing, so don’t tell anyone. Or I’ll be in big trouble. OK?’

  ‘Cross my heart!’ Fliss exclaimed. ‘I can’t believe this. It’s mega-cool!’

  ‘So – how are you?’ Gina asked.

  Fliss’s cheeks were flushed as pink as her tracksuit. ‘I was dead bored. But I’m not now. Tell me what’s happening at Horseland and don’t miss anything out!’

  ‘Well, a new pony arrived. She’s called Willow. You’re going to love her…’

  *

  Gina held tight as Comet galloped back towards Horseland. They swept along past houses, shops and roads until they came to open countryside. Moments later, the old farmhouse came into view.

  ‘That was brilliant, Comet. We really cheered Fliss up, didn’t we?’

  Comet snorted agreement. With a final surge and a sprinkle of violet glitter, he bounded into the paddock. Minky, Dancer and Porter were already in there, nibbling the sweet grass and enjoying the sunshine.

  And so was a little chestnut mare with a flaxen mane and tai
l and four white socks.

  ‘Willow!’ Gina cried.

  She was delighted to see the little mare with the other ponies. Even after a few days the change in Willow was amazing. She had begun to put on weight and her coat was starting to shine. When Willow saw Gina and Comet, she trotted over to the fence.

  Gina dismounted and she and Comet walked over to her. Willow huffed out a warm breath and rubbed her chestnut nose against his silky neck. Comet gently nibbled her mane.

  Gina smiled at them. They were so sweet.

  She looked at the stables, imagining all the ponies to come who would need her help. And she knew what she wanted to do for the rest of her life.

  As she smiled at Comet, she felt like the luckiest girl in the world.

  It was unusually quiet, with no one around. Gina guessed they were all in the farmhouse having a tea break. Suddenly, she heard a sound she’d been hoping for and dreading at the same time.

  The hollow sound of galloping hooves overhead.

  She froze. Destiny was here! There was no mistake.

  Comet flicked his tail and raced down to the bottom of the paddock. Gina ran after him and reached him just as there was a bright flash and rainbow mist swirled around him.

  In the middle of it Comet stood there in his true form, a dark bay Dartmoor pony no longer. Sunshine gleamed on his noble arched neck, cream coat and flowing golden mane and tail. Magnificent wings, covered with gold feathers, spread upwards from his shoulder.

  ‘Comet!’ Gina gasped. She had almost forgotten how beautiful he was. ‘Are… are you leaving right now?’

  His glowing violet eyes softened, and sadness flickered across them for a moment. ‘I must. If I am to catch Destiny and take her home safely.’

  Gina’s eyes stung with tears. She swallowed hard as she knew she must find the courage to let her friend go. She ran forward, threw her arms around his neck and laid her cheek against his silken warmth.

  ‘I’ll never forget you,’ she whispered brokenly.

  ‘You have been a good friend, Gina. I will not forget you either.’ Comet allowed her to hug him one last time, then gently backed away. ‘Farewell. Ride well and true,’ he said in a deep musical neigh.

  There was a final flash of violet light and a silent explosion of rainbow sparks that tinkled like fairy laughter as they touched the grass.

  Comet spread his golden wings and soared upwards. He faded and was gone.

  Gina stood there, stunned by how fast everything had happened. Her throat ached with unshed tears. Something lay in the grass. It was a single glittering gold wing feather. Bending down, she picked it up.

  The feather tingled against her hand as it faded to a cream colour. As Gina slipped it into her pocket she knew she would always keep it to remind herself of the magic pony and the amazing adventure they had shared.

  She turned sadly, about to walk back up the paddock, and saw Willow waiting at the fence for her. The little chestnut pony reached out and very gently touched her arm. ‘I’m still here. We’ll look after each other,’ she seemed to be saying.

  Gina’s heart swelled and a smile rose up from deep within her as she knew that Comet had made sure she had a new pony friend for when he left her forever. And with the magic pony’s help, she had rediscovered her love of riding.

  ‘Thank you for being my friend, Comet,’ she whispered. ‘I hope you find Destiny and get back safely to Rainbow Mist Island.’