A Magical Friend

With special thanks to Julie Sykes

Contents

 

The Pony Royal Family

Map of Chevalia

 

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

 

Chevalia Now!

 

Early one morning
, just before dawn, two ponies stood in an ancient courtyard, looking sadly at a bare stone wall.

‘In all my life this wall has never been empty. I can't believe that the horseshoes have been taken – and just before Midsummer Day too,' said the stallion.

He was a handsome animal – a copper-coloured pony, with strong legs and bright eyes, dressed in a royal red sash.

 

 

The mare was a dainty yet majestic palomino with a golden coat and a pure white tail that fell to the ground like a waterfall.

She whinnied softly. ‘We have so little time to find them all.'

With growing sadness the two ponies watched the night fade away and the sun rise. When the first ray of sunlight spread into the courtyard it lit up the wall, showing the imprints where the golden horseshoes should have been hanging.

‘Midsummer Day is the longest day of the year,' said the stallion quietly. ‘It's the time when our ancient horseshoes must renew their magical energy. If the horseshoes are still missing in eight days, then by nightfall on the eighth day, their magic will fade and our beautiful island will be no more.'

Sighing heavily, he touched his nose to his Queen's.

‘Only a miracle can save us now,' he said.

The Queen dipped her head regally, the diamonds on her crown sparkling in the early morning light.

‘Have faith,' she said gently. ‘I sense that a miracle is coming.'

 

Chapter 1

 

Pippa MacDonald turned her pony, Snowdrop, towards the last jump, a solid-looking red and white wall. Snowdrop pricked up her ears and, snorting with excitement, she sped up.

‘Steady, girl,' Pippa said, checking her with the reins.

None of the other riders had ridden a clear round. Pippa and Snowdrop were the last to go and if they cleared the wall they would win the competition, taking home a silver cup and a red rosette. As the wall came closer, Pippa forced back the nervous, fluttery feeling growing in her stomach.

‘We can do this,' she whispered to Snowdrop.

She leaned forward, standing up in her stirrups, loosening the reins to give Snowdrop her head as she pushed her pony into the jump. Snowdrop leapt over it eagerly, carrying Pippa upwards. For a magical moment it felt like they were flying. Any fear of heights simply slipped away. Fresh air rushed at Pippa's face, lifting her dark, curly hair that was neatly held in place by a hairnet. Snowdrop cleared the wall, triumphantly flicking her tail as she landed.

 

 

‘Yes!' Pippa shouted, galloping Snowdrop over the finishing line.

The crowd cheered and screamed but one voice shouted louder than the rest.

‘Pippa! Are you awake? It's time to go.'

Pippa jolted out of her dream, nearly falling off her bed as Snowdrop, the showjumping arena and the cheering crowds vanished. She blinked and stared round the small bedroom she shared with her big sister, Miranda.

It was easy to see which side of the room was Pippa's. Her wall was totally covered with pictures of ponies – big ones, small ones, black, brown, chestnut, roan, palomino, grey. Pippa's favourite picture of all was of Snowdrop, a silver-coloured pony with deep brown eyes.

Miranda's side used to have horse pictures too, but was now covered with posters of boys – some were famous film stars but most were in bands. Both sisters thought the other one's decor was silly.

‘Are you ready, sweetheart?' Mum asked from the doorway.

‘Nearly!' Pippa called, hastily jumping off the bed and following her mum downstairs. ‘Did you remember to pack my swimming costume?'

‘Of course,' Mum said, smiling. ‘Now off you go and get ready!'

It was boiling hot and Pippa was glad that she, her mum, Miranda and their little brother, Jack, were going on holiday, swapping their terrace in the city for a cottage by the sea. Pippa was so excited she trotted up and down the pavement, riding an imaginary pony as she waited for Mum to unlock the car so that they could load the luggage into the boot.

‘You're so immature,' Miranda chided, rolling her eyes as she climbed into the passenger seat.

Mum snapped Jack into his car seat and Pippa took her usual seat in the back, beside her brother.