Samphire Song by Jill Hucklesby Read Free Book Online Page B

he’s out of the way of the returning three o’clock ride. Mum joins me and gives me a sandwich she bought at a garage on the way back from the auction. I hadn’t realised how hungry I was until now.
    ‘I’ll be off, then,’ she says, giving me a hug. ‘See you later.’ We’ve planned a girls’ night in, with face packs and nail painting.
    ‘This is the best day of my life, thanks to you,’ I tellher. Mum looks quite emotional and puts her hand on Samphire’s neck. He quivers under her touch, unsure.
    ‘I think he’s a great addition to our family,’ she says. I’m thinking that’s not quite how she really feels, but I’m sure she’ll love him too, in time.
    ‘Here, give him this,’ I suggest, handing Mum another carrot from my pocket. I show her how to keep it flat on her hand so that his mouth can take it easily. Samphire buttons his lips and turns his head away. Mum shrugs, disappointed, and hands the treat back to me. She’s not really a horsey person, but she’s trying hard, for my sake.
    Samphire is sniffing the air, trying to work out where he is. His neck is arched and he flicks his tail, even though there are no flies.
    Mum walks away down the yard, her easy stride making her hair swing from right to left. There’s a spring in her step that I haven’t noticed before. Her new job is already bringing changes for us all. I feel so lucky. I know Ed does too. Mum is always thinkingabout us and trying to make our lives full and happy. As happy as they can be without Dad.
    If there was a school for mums, she would definitely be top of it.
    Samphire is stamping his front right foot now, letting me know he’s agitated. Cautiously, I lift it to check his shoe and see that the metal is worn and slightly loose. After skittering left and right, he lets me look at the other three in turn. They are in a similar condition.
    ‘That’s the first job, then. New shoes,’ I say, making a mental note to speak to Sue and arrange for the farrier to visit Samphire when he next comes to the stables. It feels good, and grown up, to be making these decisions, like I’ve entered a new world. I’m not a kid any more. I have real responsibilities in the shape of one big, beautiful, crazy horse.

Chapter Twelve
    ‘Whoaaaah!’ says Ed, almost toppling off his bike. ‘It’s really hard pedalling backwards.’
    ‘Well get off and walk then,’ I tell him.
    ‘Nah,’ responds Ed. ‘’S’OK. I’m good.’
    Samphire doesn’t agree. He finds Ed’s antics quite alarming and is sidestepping down the lane. I thought a gentle walk to break in his new shoes would be a great idea, but I didn’t expect two-wheeled company. It was a surprise that Ed got up early to come with us, but I’m glad he wants to get to know Samphire.
    ‘And now, it’s Edward J. Palmer, going for the world record . . .’ Ed yells, taking off down the lane at speed and disappearing round a corner. Samphire stops dead in his tracks and snorts loudly, flaring his nostrils.
    ‘I know, he’s a pain, but you’ll get used to him,’ Itell my nervous horse. ‘Walk on.’ It’s two weeks since the auction but my new, wonderful horse hasn’t calmed down.
    Samphire’s feet are planted firmly on the tarmac. It takes me about five minutes and a bribe involving peppermints to persuade him to move forwards. When we reach the bend, Ed’s bike is lying on the verge, by a gate, but Ed is nowhere to be seen.
    ‘Ed!’ I call.
    ‘Over here, Stick,’ he replies, from a distance. He’s waving from the cabin of a tractor, half way across a field. There’s no sign of the driver. Ed is bouncing up and down on the seat, pretending to drive. I motion for him to get out.
    ‘It’s a John Deere 8120,’ he shouts as he jumps down and runs towards me. ‘Two hundred horse power. Imagine two hundred Samphires pulling at once.’
    ‘Amazing, Teddy.’ I actually can’t imagine that. I’m having trouble coping with just one Samphire. He’s decided he would