Loving Spirit

shoulder. ‘It’s OK. He’s just really jumpy. Something must have happened to him in the past.’
    Joe came into the stable and stood by the door, near enough for Spirit to touch him if he wanted to, but not forcing his presence on the tense horse.
    After a few minutes Spirit relaxed and nuzzled at Joe’s pockets, scenting the Polos that Joe carried at all times. His head lifted warily as Joe went to pat him but he didn’t move back, staying where he was to let Joe stroke his now clean neck and feed him a Polo.
    ‘It’s weird how he’s nervous of everyone but you.’
    Ellie nodded. She couldn’t explain it but she still had that feeling she’d had at the horse sale that she and Spirit somehow belonged together. She’d neverfelt anything like it with any other animal even though she’d loved Abbey to bits. It was the strangest, strongest feeling ever.
    ‘I think you were amazing to buy him and face Dad,’ Joe went on, watching them. ‘I hope Spirit gets over his lameness so you can ride him.’
    ‘He will,’ said Ellie with conviction.
    Joe looked worried. ‘But then Dad will make you sell him.’
    Ellie’s mouth set in a mutinous line, but before she could say anything there was the sound of the grooms coming back on to the yard. They should get on with some work; the last thing she wanted was to get into her uncle’s bad books. ‘We’d better go.’
    Spirit whickered, his eyes watching her as she left the stable.
    The afternoon was filled with grooming and tack cleaning, and Joe and Ellie had to get Barney and two of the other ponies ready for a winter show the next day. Ellie had hardly any time with Spirit, but as soon as supper was finished she went back outside.
    The moon was full overhead, casting a silvery glow over the yard as Ellie hurried to Spirit’s stable. As she pulled back the bolts, he stiffened. Ellie murmured reassuringly, wondering again about his life before she had bought him. What had happened to him? Why was he scared of the stable door opening?Where had his scars come from? If only she knew, then maybe she could help him recover.
    As she patted Spirit, she hoped he could feel how much she loved him and wanted to help. You’re safe now , she told him silently. I promise nothing bad’s ever going to happen to you again .
    She shut her eyes and lost herself in the feeling of being with Spirit. Her mind emptied, everything else fading away. It was a blissful feeling – to think nothing, feel nothing, just to focus on him.
    Both of them jumped when Joe’s voice broke softly through the silence. ‘Ellie?’
    Ellie turned. Joe was at the stable door. She blinked, feeling disorientated, not knowing how long she had been standing there.
    ‘Are you OK? I was worried about you. It’s getting late.’
    ‘I’m coming in now.’ Ellie rubbed Spirit’s nose and he pushed against her. ‘Night, boy.’ He whickered softly, and as she stepped out of the stable the world seemed slightly unreal, as if she had been somewhere else for a while.
    ‘What were you doing?’ Joe asked as they began walking back to the house together, sending the yard cats scattering in the moonlight.
    Ellie shrugged. ‘Just being with him.’
    Joe shot her a sideways look but seemed to understand.
    She sighed. ‘I want to help him so much. I wish I knew what had happened to him – why he’s so nervous. It might help.’
    ‘Pity there wasn’t more information with him at the sale,’ Joe said.
    Ellie nodded.
    They reached the house. ‘So, what are you going to do now?’ he asked. ‘Watch TV or go to your room?’
    ‘Not sure. What about you?’
    ‘I should do some revision, but it’s Friday night and I can’t face it. Do you want to listen to some music?’
    ‘Cool.’ Joe had been lending her CDs and downloading tracks on to her iPod ever since she’d arrived. Educating her , as he put it, telling her about British bands while she introduced him to just as many new bands from New Zealand and Australia.
    For the rest of the evening they sat in his room, Ellie on the bed and Joe sitting on the floor, playing occasionally on his electric guitar but without it plugged in. He was only allowed to play it properly when Len was out of the house.
    ‘Here!’ Joe said, stabbing his finger in the air as they listened to a track he’d downloaded. ‘Just listen to the guitar break – the Black Squares are going to be mega.’
    Ellie laughed and rolled her eyes. ‘They sound like every other new