Loving Spirit

some gloves with her. Her fingers were freezing. She put one hand on Spirit’s neck, tucking it under his mane and feeling the warmth from his skin seep into her. The horse’s head was stretched out low and he was stumbling every few steps as he walked. ‘Looks like he’s lame in his near shoulder,’ said Joe, breaking the silence.
    Ellie nodded. She’d noticed that, and also the scars on his shoulder and legs. How had he got those? His mane and tail were matted and full of burrs, and his coat was thick with grease and dirt, standing out dully from his skin. He was skinny, and his neck was weak and un-muscled. He was a far cry from her uncle’s glossy, fit animals.
    As she thought about her uncle, she felt slightly ill again. She’d been full of bravado at the sale, but now they were getting close her nerves were starting to build. What if he wouldn’t let her keep Spirit at the stables? He wasn’t the type of man who would be persuaded into anything and he certainly wouldn’t let her keep Spirit out of the kindness of his heart. Then I’ll keep him somewhere else , she told herself firmly. Gran said I’ve got lots of money in trust. I’ll just use some of that. Gran and the other people have to let me .
    But what if they didn’t?
    But Ellie knew she couldn’t let herself think like that. She stroked Spirit’s neck. Whatever happened she wasn’t going to let him go. As if he sensed her thoughts, Spirit raised his head and looked at her. Ellie smiled. You’re mine , she told him in her head. I’ll find a way to keep you. I promise .
    Just then, there was the sound of an engine. ‘It’s Luke,’ Joe said as a motorbike came down the hill from the direction of the stables.
    Ellie felt her insides tighten. Luke stopped a little way off and cut the engine. Getting off his bike and tucking his helmet under his arm, he walked down the road towards them in his black leather motorcycling gear, his dark hair falling across his forehead.
    ‘Oh my God!’ He shook his head in disbelief as he reached them. ‘Stuart told me what you’d donebut … oh my God! Len’s seriously going to freak.’ His eyes swept to Ellie, an amused, incredulous smile twitching at his lips. ‘Have you got a death wish or something? I mean, buying any horse without his say would make him mad, but to get a knackered horse like that –’
    ‘He’s not knackered!’ Ellie responded, stroking Spirit’s neck protectively. ‘He’s been ill-treated. He’ll be fine. He just needs love and care.’
    ‘So will you after Len’s finished with you!’ Luke turned to Joe. ‘I can’t believe you let her do it.’
    ‘Yeah, well, she’s not that easy to stop,’ Joe said glumly.
    Ellie was too busy stroking Spirit to bother getting cross with them for talking about her. Luke’s gaze flicked back to her face, a new assessing look in his eyes. ‘You know something, you’re turning into good value to have around, Ellie. I’ll give you that.’
    Ellie frowned. ‘Oh, shut up. It’s not that big a deal. I’ve got money. I’ll pay for Spirit’s keep or keep him somewhere else if Uncle Len won’t let me keep him at the stables. It’ll be fine.’
    Luke raised his eyebrows. ‘I’ll remind you of that. Good luck with it then. I’ll see you later – if you’re still alive, of course.’ He strode back to his bike. Ellie clicked her tongue and walked Spirit on. The horse stumbled and Luke chuckled as he straddled the bike, blue eyes glinting. ‘Look on the bright side. Maybethe old nag’ll drop dead by the time you get him home and Len will never need to know about him.’
    ‘He’s not an old nag!’ Ellie yelled furiously as she pulled Spirit past. A few minutes later, she heard the roar of the bike as it started up and Luke headed away.
    ‘He is so annoying,’ she complained for about the millionth time to Joe.
    ‘Forget Luke,’ Joe said drily. ‘You should be thinking about what you’ll say to Dad.’
    Len wasn’t due back until feedtime. Ellie tied Spirit up outside and went in to phone her grandma.
    It was very early in the morning in New Zealand and her gran sounded half asleep. ‘What is it, sweetheart? Is everything OK?’ she asked, as in the kitchen Pip jumped around Ellie’s legs, putting her paws up on Ellie’s knees.
    Ellie could heard the alarm in her gran’s voice. ‘It’s fine. It’s just I really need to speak to you, Gran,’ she said, fondling the little dog’s head. She hadn’t wanted to