Sea Horses by Louise Cooper Read Free Book Online

it. It's only a story, after all.’
    Tamzin said, ‘Yes,’ because she didn't want to argue, then shivered.
    ‘You're cold,’ said Joel, ‘and your back's all damp where you fell on the sand. We'd better go back, before you catch a chill.’
    She nodded. She did feel cold, and dispirited. Moonlight was subdued, too, and as they mounted and set off, his head hung low as if in defeat.
    They rode slowly back along the beach and on to the valley path. Joel tried to cheer Tamzin up by talking. He asked about her family, her home, her school, then said, ‘I suppose you'll be going to the local school next week, when half term finishes.’
    ‘Yes, I suppose I will,’ Tamzin said reluctantly. The prospect of having to face a new school, new people, new ways of doing things, had been worrying her anyway, but after what had happened in the last few days, she simply hadn't wanted to think about it at all. ‘What's it like?’ she asked uneasily.
    ‘Oh, it's pretty good, as schools go,’ Joel reassured her. ‘I won't be there, though. I go to school in Truro now. You'll probably be in Mrs Beck's class. You'll like her. She's interested in legends, too.’ He grinned. ‘She might even know about the Grey Horse story and if she doesn't, you can tell her.’
    ‘No!’ said Tamzin, so sharply that Moonlight tossed his head in surprise.
    ‘Steady, Moonlight!’ Joel put out a hand to the white pony's nose, then looked curiously at Tamzin. ‘OK. Sorry if I said the wrong thing!’
    ‘No, I'm sorry too,’ she said. ‘I didn't mean to snap. It's just that I promised Nan I wouldn't talk about it. I shouldn't even have told you.’
    ‘Oh, right. Well, don't worry, I won't say anything to anyone else.’
    ‘Promise?’ Tamzin had to be sure.
    Joel nodded. ‘Promise. If you don't want me to.’
    They rode on, trotting again where the path was level and wide enough, and soon Chapel Cottage was in sight. Tamzin dismounted the way Joel had shown her. She still felt shaky as she patted Moonlight's neck.
    ‘Do you want another lesson soon?’ Joel asked.
    Tamzin nodded, trying to push thoughts of the Grey Horse from her mind. ‘Yes, please,’ she said. ‘Except… I ought to pay for them. And I don't suppose I can afford it.’
    He smiled. ‘What about helping at the stables, in exchange for lessons?’
    ‘Could I? Really?’
    ‘I should think so. I'll ask Mum about it and phone you later.’
    ‘All right.’ Tamzin said her goodbyes, then gave Moonlight a final hug. ‘See you again soon, Moonlight,’ she whispered. ‘And… thank you.’
    She was thanking him for more than the ride, and the pony snuffed her hair softly, as though he understood. Then he, Joel and Dandy were gone, trotting on up the valley as Tamzin turned in at the gate of Chapel Cottage.

N an was in the studio. She was sitting at her easel, working on the half-finished sky-and-sea scene that Tamzin had seen before. She said ‘Hello,’ but vaguely; she was concentrating hard on the picture.
    Tamzin moved round until she could see the canvas. It was going to be another horse picture. Nan was sketching in the horse's outline; it stood facing out to sea with its head high and one forehoof raised.
    Suddenly Nan gave a sigh and put her brush down.
    ‘It's no good,’ she said in a strange, tense voice. ‘It just won't come right.’ She blinked, and seemed to see Tamzin properly for the first time. ‘Oh! Sorry, Tamzin, love. I was miles away. Did you have fun at the stable?’
    ‘Yes thanks, Nan.’ Tamzin hesitated. ‘What's wrong with the picture?’
    ‘It's the horse. I can't get the outline right. That isn't like me; I usually… oh, never mind. Perhaps I'll try again later. Only…’
    ‘Only what?’ Tamzin prompted.
    Nan paused, then shook her head. ‘It doesn't matter.’ Abruptly she gave Tamzin a bright, artificial smile. ‘I expect you're hungry, aren't you? I'd better think about lunch.’
    She got up from the easel and hurried out of