Sea Horses by Louise Cooper Read Free Book Online Page B

there was a connection between him and the Blue Horse.
    On an impulse she switched on the lamp, got out of bed and fetched her notebook and pencil from a drawer. She had been trying to keep a diary this year but kept forgetting, so most of the book was blank. Taking the pencil, Tamzin started to sketch a horse. She didn't think she was much good at drawing but she tried to copy, as best she could remember it, the standing horse in Nan's troublesome picture. Strangely, the lines came easily to her and within minutes she had finished. On the whole it wasn't too bad. Encouraged, she turned the page and began on another. This time, in her mind's eye, it was Moonlight, trotting. She couldn't get the legs right, and hooves were very difficult, so in the end she drew some long grass to cover them. But it did look a little bit like Moonlight.
    Tamzin yawned. She had a pack of coloured pencils; she ought to use them to add some life to the picture. But she really was tired now. The sounds from the studio had stopped, so Nan would probably go to bed soon. She, too, should try to sleep.
    She put the notebook down and switched her light off. This time she fell asleep, and she dreamed of horses and the sea and, strangely, ringing bells.
    She slept right through until morning. When she woke up, the first thing she saw was the open notebook beside her bed. There was her drawing of Moonlight – but something was different. She stared, then realized what it was.
    The trotting pony in her picture had been coloured in blue.
    Tamzin frowned. She had been going to colour the picture last night, but she had only meant to do the sky and the grass. This, though… Had Nan tiptoed in while she was asleep and coloured it for her? She was sure Nan wouldn't do that. So had she done it herself but been too sleepy to remember? It was the only likely explanation, wasn't it?
    She didn't know the answer to the question, and wasn't sure that she wanted to. Carefully she closed the notebook and put it back in the drawer. Then she started to get ready for breakfast.
    Sunday was a memorable and exciting day. Tamzin arrived at the stables early, to find Joel and his parents mucking out the ponies’ stalls. Mrs Richards welcomed Tamzin like an old friend. Mr Richards, whom she hadn't met before, was big and jovial with a booming voice; he told awful jokes that made her laugh. Barney, the hairy dog, followed her around, slobbering happily, and by the time the mucking out was finished Tamzin felt almost like one of the family.
    The stable had lots of Sunday bookings and they were kept busy all morning, grooming and saddling ponies and helping the people who came for their rides. Tamzin felt a funny little pang as she saw Moonlight trot out of the yard with a small boy on his back, but she pushed the feeling away and threw herself into the work.
    She was invited to lunch, and when they had finished and she couldn't manage another mouthful, Joel said, ‘Moonlight and Sally-Ann aren't booked this afternoon, Dad. Can I give Tamzin another lesson?’
    ‘Good idea,’ said Mr Richards. ‘Don't go on the beach, though; the tide will be coming in. Why not ride to the village?’ He smiled at Tamzin. ‘It's good practice, and I don't suppose you've had much chance to see it yet.’
    ‘I haven't seen it at all,’ Tamzin admitted. ‘But am I good enough yet, with traffic and everything?’
    Mrs Richards laughed. ‘Don't worry, it's not like the city! Anyway, Joel will look after you. And you can get me some shopping at the minimart. I'll give you a list.’
    After what had happened yesterday, Tamzin was privately relieved that they wouldn't be going to the beach again. She made a better job of putting Moonlight's bridle on, and soon she and Joel were setting off.
    The village was a mile away, and was bigger than she remembered from when she had driven through it with Dad. As well as the mini-supermarket there was a butcher, a baker, a greengrocer, a newsagent, a