Hopes (3 page)

Ellie pushed Luke to the back of her mind and quickly turned her thoughts to the show. Milly had been really naughty in the ring the week before, fidgeting and spinning around whenever she was supposed to stand still. Ellie had been told off by her uncle and had since been working hard with Milly—she hoped the practice was going to pay off.

Sighing, she pulled the blanket closer. She was getting sleepy. Shutting her eyes, she lost herself in her music and drifted off.

They arrived at the show ring at 6 a.m. Len had four horses at the show that day—Milly, who was in the 14 hands-high show hunter pony class; Zak, who Luke was riding in the intermediate show hunter class; and Fizz and Bill, owned by a client called Veronica Armstrong. Her children came for lessons with Len and he prepared their ponies for the show ring. Ellie couldn’t imagine having a pony and not looking after it, only seeing it at a show or when having lessons. Privately she thought the Armstrongs were very annoying: Emmie had just turned five and was always whining, and Oliver was ten and just wanted to play on his portable PlayStation, while their mother was constantly fussing around them. But they were Len’s clients and Ellie knew she had to be polite and helpful. She helped Helen prepare Fizz and then escaped to work Milly in, just as she heard Emmie Armstrong’s shrill voice coming towards the horsebox. “But why can’t I have an ice cream? I
want
one!”

Ellie thankfully rode Milly away to the outskirts of the show ground. The sky was cornflower-blue, and white cow parsley billowed at the sides of the field like drifts of snow. Milly pulled excitedly at the reins, every muscle in her body tense with excitement, her nostrils flaring.

“Steady, girl,” Ellie murmured soothingly. Happiness welled up deep inside her—she loved this time at a show ground, when everything was just starting and the whole day stretched ahead, full of possibilities.

She moved Milly into a trot, circling her and riding through the different paces, asking her to back up and stand. When she was happy that Milly had settled down and was listening to her, she rode her back to the horsebox to start preparing her for the ring. The Armstrongs had left to take part in the lead-rein class with Fizz.

Ellie plaited Milly’s mane in the peace and quiet, then groomed her thoroughly. It was hot work and Ellie stripped down to her jodhpurs and blue vest top. She had almost finished and was running a cloth over Milly’s shining chestnut-brown coat, when Luke rode up on Zak.

“Looking good!” Luke said. He was in his work clothes, gray jodhpurs, and T-shirt, showing off his tanned, muscular arms. He dismounted effortlessly, throwing a leg over the front of the saddle.

“Thanks,” Ellie said, pleased.

Luke grinned. “Milly looks all right too.”

Ellie blushed and turned away, hearing Luke chuckle. She knew he was just teasing her and she cursed herself for reacting. The last thing he needed was someone boosting his ego even more!

“So, are you looking forward to your class?” Luke asked as he started removing Zak’s tack.

Glad to be on safer ground, talking about the ponies, Ellie nodded. “I’m just hoping Milly behaves herself.”

“Len’ll murder you if she doesn’t,” Luke said cheerfully. “He was so mad last week.”

“Thanks. I do remember!”

Luke grinned. “You’ll be OK. Just remember ‘positive mental attitude.’ That’s what you have to start off with.”

“Positive mental attitude,” Ellie repeated.

“You got it!” Luke’s blue gaze met Ellie’s. “It’ll be fine!”

Realizing it was nearly time for her class, Ellie went to change in the horsebox, swapping her old riding clothes for spotless yellow jodhpurs and a deep-brown tweed jacket. She coiled her blonde hair into a neat bun and tied her number around her waist. When she was done, she took a deep breath. This was it!

She returned to find Luke putting the finishing touches to Milly for her, so she didn’t dirty her show clothes. He was smoothing down the stray hairs around Milly’s plaits and making sure her noseband was straight. “She’s ready. I’ll be along to watch you when you go in,” he said, holding the stirrup as Ellie mounted. “And remember, you
can
win this.”

“Thanks!” Ellie said gratefully. It was at moments like this when she liked Luke best—when he dropped the teasing act and was just like a normal person. No, not just a normal person, she realized, but someone who understood her love of competing. Taking a deep breath, she squeezed her heels against Milly’s sides and headed over to the rings.

There were people everywhere—trainers talking to riders on horses, parents in tweed jackets, grooms carrying wicker baskets overflowing with brushes and cloths, lead-rein riders having their boots polished and red hair ribbons adjusted, and ponies being jumped over practice fences.

Ellie spotted her uncle, holding Fizz, with Veronica Armstrong standing beside him, dressed smartly in navy-blue with a matching hat. Emmie was with them, contentedly eating an ice cream. A red rosette hung on the string around Emmie’s waist, the tails tucked neatly into her jacket pocket. She must have won her class and, judging by the 13 hands-high class that they were watching, Oliver was doing well too. He and Bill were standing third in the preliminary line-up. Len was smiling, his face approving for once.

“We’d better keep up the good work,” Ellie muttered to Milly.

She didn’t feel like talking to the Armstrongs and so she warmed the pony up, keeping an eye on the ring. When the placings were announced, Oliver was moved up a place and presented with the blue second-place rosette. He looked very smug.

“Could have gone one better, but it’s not bad,” Ellie heard her uncle say.

She walked Milly on. “Hey, you!” Luke came striding over. Ellie saw how the girls riding in the working-in area all looked at him as he passed. “How’s it going?” he asked.

“OK, but I’d better keep her moving.”

Luke nodded. “Just remember to get a killer gallop in—and don’t go into the ring and follow the best pony like you did last week. Pick a donkey and follow that.”

Despite the jokey tone of his voice, Ellie knew it was good advice. “OK.”

“You can win this class,” he told her. “What have you got to remember?”

“Positive mental attitude?” Ellie said.

He grinned. “Actually, I was going to say kick some ass!”

Ellie giggled, which instantly made her relax. A second later, the steward was calling her class in. “Here we go,” she breathed to the pony, and clicking her tongue, she headed into the ring.

As Milly walked through the entrance, Ellie’s shoulders moved back and she sat up straight. She loved being in the ring and she knew Milly did too. The chestnut pony walked energetically, her ears pricked, neck softly arched. Remembering Luke’s advice from earlier, Ellie circled around to fit in behind a plain bay with a slightly coarse head. When all the competitors were in the ring, the steward asked them to trot, then canter on both reins, before they took it in turns to gallop down the long side of the ring. Ellie knew some riders worried about pushing on too hard in case they couldn’t stop their pony at the end, but starting with a good gallop could really impress the judge, which was important in a class with as many good ponies as this one. She felt Milly’s excitement as they cantered around in preparation; the pony knew what was coming. Ellie wondered whether to play safe and just let her go for a few strides before slowing down. But as she passed Luke at the ringside and saw him raise his eyebrows questioningly, she made up her mind. Playing safe wouldn’t win the class. She’d rather risk getting into trouble than be careful.

Reaching the corner, she loosened her reins slightly, giving Milly her head and pushing on as hard as she could. The pony responded, thundering down the long side. Ellie had a worrying moment as they reached the corner and wondered if she would be able to stop, but she kept smiling and managed to bring Milly back to a canter, hoping it looked as if she was in perfect control.

Nailed it!
she thought to herself with a leap of delight.

She glanced across at Luke. He clapped his hands loudly in approval and gave her a broad grin. She only just stopped herself from grinning back.

The judge also seemed impressed. Ellie was called in first. Each of the ponies would now do an individual show, so the judge could have a good look at them. After that, they would all untack and the judge would watch them walk and trot in-hand before making the final decisions on placing.

Ellie rode out and halted, smiling at the judge. All her practicing that week paid off and Milly stood perfectly, four square, ears pricked. Ellie rode her away and began to trot in a figure of eight. The time flew by, Ellie finished with another thundering gallop and then brought the pony back to the judge, halted and bowed, before patting Milly hard and walking her back into her place. It had gone brilliantly! She watched the other ponies go and then it was time for the first ponies in the line to be untacked. Ellie’s uncle came into the ring with a basket of grooming tools.

“Good work, lass,” he said as he started taking Milly’s saddle off. Ellie just gave a brief nod. Since Merlin’s death, her uncle’s praise had meant nothing to her. But glancing across to the ringside, she saw Luke give her a big thumbs-up. That made her smile.

She stood by Milly’s head, stroking her and talking as her uncle brushed her over, and then it was time to lead her out. Milly behaved perfectly.

Ellie held her breath as the steward was finally given the list of winners and started walking towards the line of ponies. Who would it be?

“Number one hundred and forty-two,” the judge called, pointing straight at her and Milly. Triumph swept through Ellie. They’d won!

The rosettes were given out and Ellie led the lap of honor around the ring. She cantered out to be met by Luke and her uncle. Len was smiling. “Not bad riding, lass. Not bad riding at all.”

Luke met her with his hand raised in a high five. “Way to go!”

Ellie smacked his hand with her own, then jumped off and hugged Milly fiercely. “You were brilliant!” she told the mare.

Luke grinned. “Told you, you could do it!”

Ellie glowed.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of activity. Ellie and Oliver Armstrong were both in the Show Hunter Pony Championships and, to Ellie’s utter delight, Milly was chosen as the Champion. It was an amazing feeling to be presented with a massive rosette and have a sash placed around Milly’s neck.

Luke completed the great day for the team by winning the Intermediate Championship on Zak, and then it was time to start the long drive home.

As they headed back on the motorway, Ellie found herself thinking about Spirit more and more. How was he? Had he eaten his feed that day? Joe had promised to make him a bran mash and stay with him while he was eating, to see if that helped.

Deep in the pit of her stomach she felt a gnawing, worried sensation. Horses didn’t usually stop eating for no reason. She wanted to get back, stroke Spirit, talk to him, check he was all right.

By the time they reached the yard, it was almost dark. Joe came out of the house to help them unload and pack away.

“How’s Spirit?” Ellie asked as she jumped down from the horsebox.

“He hasn’t eaten much. I stayed with him while he ate, but it didn’t seem to make much difference. Guess I’m not you.”

“Thanks for trying,” Ellie sighed.

Luke stretched and got out of the trailer. “Get moving, you two. I’m out tonight.”

“You’re going out?” It was nine o’clock, and after the long day with all the driving and the adrenalin of the show, Ellie was looking forward to collapsing on the sofa in front of the TV once the ponies were sorted.

Luke grinned. “Of course. The night’s not even begun yet and I have a hot date.”

Ellie shook her head. “Why not wait until tomorrow to see Sasha?”

Luke grinned again. “Who said anything about Sasha?”

Ellie fixed him with an unimpressed look. “You’re Sasha’s boyfriend. You shouldn’t be making a date with someone else.”

“And
you
really should live a bit more,” he told her. He turned and strode around the trailer to help Len who was starting to walk the ponies out.

She felt a rush of irritation and turned to Joe.

“So you had a good time at the show?” Joe asked as they took Fizz, Bill, and Milly up to the barn.

Ellie nodded. “It was great.” She told him all about her day as they put the ponies away, putting on their lightweight cotton rugs and feeding them.

“So what shall we do tonight?” Joe asked as they finally finished and fastened the stable doors.

“Watch some TV?” said Ellie.

“Sounds good to me,” Joe agreed. “There’s pizza to eat too.”

Ellie smiled. Just what she felt like—pizza and TV with Joe. “Can I just see Spirit first?”

“Sure.”

But as she turned to leave him, Len appeared in the barn door, his figure silhouetted against the darkness outside. “You two are taking your time here. What’s going on?” Ellie blinked as she heard the faint note of accusation in his voice.

“Nothing, we’re just finishing the ponies off,” she said in surprise.

“Are they done?”

“Yes,” Joe replied.

“I was just going to see Spirit,” said Ellie.

Len looked from her to Joe, then back to her again. “Go on then,” he grunted. She felt his eyes watching as she walked past him. Why was he being so weird? Suddenly she remembered how he’d caught her holding Joe’s hands the day before and her eyes widened. Surely he didn’t think there was something going on between them? It would certainly explain why he’d given them such an accusing look just now. But if he was thinking that, he was so wrong. Shaking her head, Ellie felt glad that she and Joe
had
decided they were just friends.

Letting herself into Spirit’s stable, Ellie put her arms around his neck and pushed aside thoughts of her uncle.

Spirit breathed out softly, his muzzle exploring her face.

Ellie shut her eyes. Even though their minds weren’t connected, she could feel the energy that swirled through him. She frowned slightly, something about his energy was different from how it used to be. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but it felt as if the force flowing was jagged somehow, uneven not smooth.