Charlie and Charm (4 page)

I'm snuggled up in bed with Frieda
- writing this by the light of my torch!

Swimming was really fun and so was running back through the house in our towels, doing giant leaps so as not to make too many wet footprints. Then we had showers and Jody helped us dry our hair and made us all hot chocolate in the kitchen.

Millie and Skye are both asleep now, but we were all whispering for ages after lights out. Skye is still worried about doing the cross country and Millie was trying to tell her how great she did in the lesson this afternoon. I said something about how Skye shouldn't worry because she'll easily manage the course, and suddenly everything seemed to go wrong.

“Well, I'm sorry I'm not as confident as you, Charlie!” she said in a grumbly voice, and then got up and marched off to the loo.

“Well done, Charlie,” Millie whispered.

“What did I say?” I hissed. “I only meant she's a really good rider.”

“Well, you said, ‘don't be so silly, it's
easy-peasy
!' like she's stupid for worrying.”

My stomach flipped over and I felt my face go burning hot. Had I really said that? “I didn't mean it that way,” I insisted.

When Skye came back I said sorry about my words coming out wrong, and how I'd only meant it like she's a really good rider.

Luckily, she was OK about it – phew! She's still not sure about doing the cross country, but she's going to think about it at least.

Goodnight!

Well, now I know for sure that Charm doesn't like me.

In our lesson we were working on the skills we'll need for the cross country. Me and Charm started off OK-ish, but when we were all practising our jumping position down the long side he took advantage of me not having as much control as usual and kept veering off the track on purpose. I was trying really hard, but he just wouldn't listen to me.

Sally didn't see it like that, though. I wish she didn't think Charm was so perfect, then she might stop blaming me for his mistakes. She called out, “Charlie, the more annoyed you get the less Charm is going to co-operate with you
because he senses your tension. Breathe out, sit deep in the saddle and relax your arms and shoulders.”

I did it, but I felt embarrassed with everyone watching.

“That's better,” she said. “Now, start again.” I tried to stay relaxed, but I still felt upset after the lesson. Maybe that's why an awful thing happened in the Pony Care lecture. Something else came out of my mouth all wrong, like it did to Skye last night. Only this time it was to Jemima.

I wasn't going to write this down, but I can't seem to get it out of my head. We were learning about grooming, standing in the barn with our ponies, copying what Lydia was showing us on Shine. As we were doing circles with our rubber curry combs, she said something like, “A good partnership in the manège or on
the cross-country course starts right here, girls. Spending time with your pony, talking to him or her, grooming and caring, all lay the foundations for your partnership while riding.”

Before she said that I'd thought I was just brushing a pony, but then suddenly it felt like I was being disloyal to Apple. Jemima was next to me and she was cooing all over Mischief, telling him how gorgeous he was while she gently wiped his eyes with the special blue sponges in his grooming kit. I tried to ignore it, but she kept going on and on and on.

Then I started imagining Apple having her eyes wiped by Laura, her new owner, and I wondered if she's completely forgotten about me already. That made me feel really upset and that's when Jemima said, “Charlie, can I borrow your curry comb when you've finished? Mischief's seems to be missing from his kit.”

Before I could stop myself, I snapped, “No, you can't!”

Jemima just blinked at me in shock, her usual cheeky grin gone. I could feel my cheeks burning with embarrassment. I still can't believe I said that!

I didn't know what to do then, so I went round the other side of Charm where Jemima couldn't see me. After the lecture, I wanted to say sorry to her, but she walked off really fast, arm in arm with Skye, and now she won't catch my eye.

Oh dear! Things just don't seem to be going very well for me at all.

At least I've got the cross country to look forward to. We're walking the course tomorrow, and then going out on our ponies for a practice. I'm really keen to see what jumps we'll be doing and how high they are.

Gotta go – Jody's calling that lunch is ready.

My hand's shaking so much I can hardly write. Sally hasn't chosen me to do the cross country!

And worse still, everyone else in our group is doing it!

I feel so silly. I just assumed I'd be taking part, and instead I'll have to go in with the beginners tomorrow. I don't understand. I'm about the most experienced rider here, with Millie and Jemima, anyway. I can easily manage a few cross-country fences!

Sally came in just when we were finishing lunch and made the announcement. I was sure there'd been a mistake, so I hurried out after her. “Did you just say I'm not doing the cross country?” I asked.

“Yes,” she said, and carried on walking.

“But why?” I gasped.

“Because I'm the instructor, and I don't think you're ready,” she told me, still walking.

But I wouldn't give up. “Skye's allowed, and she's not that experienced, or confident!”

Sally sighed and said, “You haven't been putting the effort in, Charlie. You're not focused enough.”

“But I'm one of the best riders here,” I argued.

“It's not just about technical ability,” she said. “Riding's about being a team with your pony. Cross country can be dangerous, and you need to have a good partnership.”

Huh! How unfair is that?!

“But that's
Charm's
fault,” I insisted. “He doesn't listen to me. He'd be better in a flash or drop noseband and a stronger bit…”

Sally stopped in her tracks and looked me straight in the eye. I suddenly realized I was
talking back to an instructor and I felt a bit scared. “Charlie, the problem is not your pony,” she said sharply. “I know Charm. He's got a lovely nature and he's very well mannered.”

“But…” I began.

“Charlie,” she said again, cutting me off. “The problem is you.”

I stood there feeling stunned as she marched into the office. Why doesn't she understand? Can't she see what Charm is really like?

So that's why I've been hiding round the back of the feed barn ever since, writing this and trying not to cry.

I wish I could just go home.

Oh no, Millie's calling me. I suppose I'd better get back to the yard.