The Palomino Pony Comes Home by Olivia Tuffin Read Free Book Online Page A

there.”
    Her mum looked at her as she put down the phone. “Georgia, you are not going out again at this time of night! You need to go to bed.”
    “But it’s Lily!” Georgia wailed. “She’s sick! Melanie’s had to call the vet back! Oh, Mum, I
have
to see her!”

C HAPTER T WELVE
    A fter persuading her mum to let her go, Georgia pulled on some clothes and sprinted out of the cottage, grabbing her bike. Quickly, she cycled down the roads and up the lane until she arrived at the yard. There she found Melanie leading Lily round. Lily’s sides were slick with sweat.
    “She’s colicking, Georgia.” Melanie sounded worried. “I didn’t want to call you after the dayyou’ve had but I thought you’d want to know. The vet should be back any minute.”
    Georgia’s whole body felt cold. She knew that colic, although fairly common in horses, could be fatal in some cases. Not this, not after everything that Lily had already been through!
    “She must have swallowed some river water,” said Melanie. “Or perhaps it’s delayed shock. Carry on leading her round. I’m going to see where he is. Don’t let her roll, whatever you do.”
    Georgia took the lead rope that Melanie offered and continued to walk Lily round. The little pony’s tummy gave an ominous rumble. She was obviously in serious pain and kept trying to paw at her stomach. She looked at Georgia with enormous frightened eyes and began to sink to her knees.
    “No!” Georgia begged the palomino, pulling on her with all her strength. She was afraid that Lilywas trying to roll, which was the most dangerous thing that a horse with colic could do.
    “Please, Lily. Don’t give up!” Georgia sobbed, pushing against her shoulder and nudging her to continue around the yard. Just when she thought her legs were going to buckle, the vet appeared, running through the wrought-iron gates. Taking one look at Lily, he snapped open his briefcase and produced a syringe.
    “Keep her moving!” he instructed as he measured up a dose of painkillers.
    After quickly administering the drug, the vet grabbed the lead rope and took over from Georgia. Lily’s eyes were wild now, her ears pinned back with pain and fear. Georgia felt a sob rising in her throat, choking her. The vet was much stronger and managed to keep the little pony walking and, after what seemed like a lifetime, Lily started to calm.
    “I’m going to give her some charcoal to soak up whatever’s still lurking in her tummy,” he explained to Georgia as he listened to Lily’s stomach with his stethoscope. “I think she’s going to be OK. Luckily Melanie noticed in time before she could roll and twist her guts.”
    Relief flooded through Georgia.
    “She’s not completely out of the woods,” the vet warned, “but she’s a strong pony, and young and fit. Now, put her back in her stable and I’ll get going.”

    One long hour later, Lily was starting to show some signs of improvement. Georgia kept her warm with a wool rug. Although it was the middle of summer, the night still had a slight chill and Lily had been sweating heavily. Melanie raked over the floor as Georgia stroked Lily’s golden neck, gazing at her white eyelashes and tiny ears.
    “You’re so perfect,” she whispered, and the pony made a quiet nickering sound.
    “She’s been through a rough time, the poor girl,” said Melanie as she filled up Lily’s water bucket.
    “Let me stay with her tonight!” Georgia begged. “I can keep an eye on her!” She looked at Melanie pleadingly.
    Melanie hesitated. “I’m not sure about that, Georgia. We’d need to see what your mother thinks.”
    “OK, but if she agrees, will you let me?” Georgia persevered.
    “OK.” Melanie smiled. “Let me phone her now. I guess I could leave the house unlocked in case you needed me.”
    Quietly, Melanie closed the half-door behind her and made her way over to the house to make the call. She returned a few moments later, carryinga dark-blue blanket.