Millie and Magic (7 page)

Well, I asked Mum if I could go and spend some time with Tally and she said yes. She made me a flask of hot chocolate, and I took an apple and carrot for him. He’s stabled again tonight, just to be extra-careful of his leg. It was great to be with him. I gave him loads of hugs and pats, and he nuzzled me back.

Then I started chatting to him about all the fun times we’ve had together. When I said, “Remember that time you dragged me straight through a hedge on that hack?” he gave me a look as if to say, “Which one?” And it’s true, there have been loads! Me and Tally might not have had much style, or patience (or BRAKES!), but we’ve had the most BRILLIANT time together.

As I ruffled his mane, I tried to explain about getting too big for him and how I’d love to ride him for ever but I just can’t. “I bet you’ll have a great time as a Pony Camp pony,” I told him. “It means we can still hang out together, and I know now that the Pony Camp girls really will care about you, like Kasia does. You’ll make lots of new friends…” I had to stop for a second to wipe my nose on my sleeve – OK, so I was crying a tiny bit by then. “And none of your new riders will know you’re going to cart them through the bushes. Think how much fun that will be!” I giggled and Tally snorted and leaned into me. “And if any Pony Camp girl
is
mean to you, she’ll be getting a dose of slugs in the bed!” I promised him. 

Amy and Zoe appeared then, with their pyjamas tucked into their riding boots. “Your mum sent us to get you,” said Amy. “Do you like our new fashion?” They both started doing model-ish poses and giggling. But then, “Oh,” said Zoe, peering at me, “You’ve been crying.”

“A bit,” I admitted. “I’ve just been telling Tally how much fun he’s going to have as a Pony Camper. I think he’s OK about it now.”

Zoe put her arm round me. “Are you?” she asked, as Amy gave Tally a pat.

“Yes, I really think I am now,” I told them. “I mean, it’ll take time to get used to, but I know it’s for the best. Thanks for being such good friends and helping me to see that.”

“No worries,” said Amy. They both suddenly hugged me at once, and I hugged them back. Then I gave Tally an extra big hug.

As we wandered back to the house, linking arms, I said, “Now I’ve got to somehow pull off a miracle and win the Chase Me Charlie on Friday or it’s bye-bye Magic, too.”

They just looked awkward and didn’t say, “You’ll be fine,” or anything. They know as well as I do that it’s a near-impossible challenge.

We came back inside just as Mum was making hot chocolate for everyone. As we all sat round the table I tried to join in with the laughing and chatting, but I couldn’t stop thinking about the challenge ahead.

No time to think about that now, though. I can hear Mum on the stairs. Night, night! 

I just realized I didn’t even
notice
my ankle when I got up this morning, so it must be better.

Irenka and her friends are still being a bit off with me on the yard, but I’ve got something far more important to worry about – keeping Magic!

Luckily, we did jumping in our lesson – some fairly high uprights and a couple of spreads, so me and Magic got another chance to try and improve before the Chase Me Charlie. Although he refused the first couple of times, I kept encouraging him and got my leg on strongly to urge him forward. That gave him the confidence to be a bit braver and we got going after that.

But we won’t have time to do that tomorrow – two refusals and we’re out of the competition, and I lose Magic. Still, we’re doing OK, and Zoe and Amy have been trying to help me think positive. They really are fab mates!

This afternoon we had a talk on road safety and first aid, and then we went out for a hack. Zoe and Amy were so excited, it made me excited too. But then when we were all walking up the lane, I found myself next to Irenka. It was a bit awkward at first, with everyone chatting and us two just going along in silence. Finally I got up the courage to say, “I really am sorry about taking Tally out. And I never meant to upset Kasia.”

Irenka didn’t reply and I thought she was still ignoring me, but finally she said, “OK, let’s forget about it.”

Well, phew! What a relief!

We turned on to a track and Sally started her talk about having a gentle canter up the hill if we wanted to. Irenka grinned at me. “Come on, race you!” she whispered. She kicked Flame
on and, of course, one tiny touch is all it takes to get
her
going, so they absolutely bolted off.

Usually I would have taken off too, but with all the trouble I’ve been in, I decided I’d better not. But then
Magic
went galloping after them! And well, once we’d started there was no point pulling him up, so I leaned forward and really encouraged him to go for it. In seconds we were neck and neck with Flame. “Yee-ha!” Irenka shouted, making us both laugh.

Then, eeeeekkk! We really had to put the brakes on hard at the top of the hill or the ponies would have been over the hedge and trampling the uncut barley in the next field … and I would have been on poo-picking punishment for the rest of the summer!

When the others caught us up, we were both gasping and giggling. There was no point in Irenka even trying to pretend she’d gone off accidentally. But luckily Sally didn’t give us too much of a telling-off!

So maybe Magic does have a bit of 
after all. Perhaps we suit each other even better than I thought! And speaking of 
Kasia did the canter too, and she and Tally were one of the first pairs to catch us up! And she managed to stop him pretty well – as well as
anyone
can, that is!

On the way back we had a couple of goes at jumping this log in a field. That started a friendly row between Irenka, Zuzanna and Angelika about which of them was going to win the Chase Me Charlie tomorrow. None of them even
considered
that Amy or I or one of the Group A girls could win. And to be honest, they’re probably right. What am I going to do?! I can’t lose Magic now.

Gotta go, Evie and Elizabeth have finished their clearing-up duty, and they want me to set up the karaoke machine. I can’t believe it’s the girls’ last night already!