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

“I’ve spoken to your mum,” she said. “She’s not best pleased about it but she eventually said yes.”
    “That’s great!” Georgia grinned through a strand of hair.
    “On one condition,” said Melanie. “That you eat all of your supper. She’s on her way up with it now.”
    “I think I might manage that,” said Georgia. It had been the last thing on her mind, but now that she came to think about it, she was actually feeling rather hungry.
    “I’m sure Lily will be very grateful to have you here,” said Melanie. “But remember, you must let me know if you need me to take over. Just shout if you need me.”
    “Thanks, Melanie, I will,” said Georgia, settling back down into the straw.

    When Georgia’s mother appeared ten minutes later, she was carrying a flask of soup, a crusty roll and some home-made cake.
    Cautiously, she pulled back the door to the stable. “She’s an angel,” she breathed quietly as she stood in the doorway.
     “I know, Mum,” Georgia said proudly. “She’s beautiful, isn’t she? There’s something so special about her. I just love her already!”
    “What am I going to do with you, Georgia Black?” Her mother put the supper down on the blue blanket and leaned over to give her a hug. “Are you sure you’re going to be OK here overnight, sweetheart?” she asked.
    “Definitely,” said Georgia determinedly. “I have to stay.”
    Her mum smiled. “I thought you might say that!”
    She sat with Georgia while she ate her food,asking her questions about the summer school, which Georgia answered as best she could, only blushing slightly when Dan’s name came up. Then, when the last remnants had been devoured, her mum got to her feet and ruffled her daughter’s hair affectionately. “Be sure to get Melanie if you need her,” her mum said, letting herself out of the stable. She paused and looked in over the half-door. “And try to get some sleep, darling.”
    “I will. Thanks, Mum.” Georgia smiled appreciatively.
    After her mother had left, Georgia snuggled down into the straw and pulled the blanket over her. She couldn’t believe how still the night was now after the drama of earlier. Lily was standing quietly at the back of the stable, resting a leg. She didn’t come any closer, but she didn’t look scared either.
    Georgia was exhausted after the trauma of the last twenty-four hours and although she tried to fight to stay awake to watch the pony, her eyelids grew heavier and heavier. Eventually when, with a small sigh, Lily finally closed her eyes, Georgia allowed herself to drift off to sleep. And later, comforted by the presence of the girl who had shown her such kindness, the palomino pony lay down for the first time in months and slept.

C HAPTER T HIRTEEN
    W hen dawn broke, girl and pony were still fast asleep. That was how Melanie found them as the first few rays of sunshine bounced off Lily’s coat, turning it a deep pink. Georgia’s golden hair, which was spread out in a tangled wave, was full of straw.
    “Georgia … Georgia … it’s time to wake up,” Melanie whispered.
    Lily started at the sound of her voice and hastily got to her feet. Georgia rubbed her eyes and gazed sleepily around her.
    “The vet’s popping over before his surgery opens,” Melanie said. “If I make you a bacon sandwich, can you feed the ponies?”
    “Sure.” Georgia nodded, the thought of a bacon sandwich making her mouth water. She was starving, despite the soup and cake Mum had brought her last night.
    Leaving Lily’s stable, Georgia set to work. She fed Wilson a competition mix and Callie a small handful of pony nuts, before making up a small bran mash for Lily. Then she turned Wilson and Callie out into the paddock, smiling as they rolled together in the dusty earth.
    Lily tucked eagerly into her bran mash, keeping an eye on Georgia as she ate. Georgia watched her for a few minutes before setting about muckingout the stables. She skipped out the beds, fluffed up