Loving Spirit

unhappiness, Ellie couldn’t help but catch her breath. The pony reminded her slightly of Abbey, who had been a dark bay with a white star too. ‘That pony’s gorgeous,’ she murmured.
    Her uncle nodded briefly as he parked the car. ‘That’s Picasso. He’s only six but he took every novice 143-centimetre working hunter pony class he entered last year and went Champion at the BSPS Summer Champs. Got his Horse of the Year show ticket first time out and took third place there in October.’ His eyes narrowed appreciatively. ‘Not bad for a pony picked up for £500 as a four-year-old.’
    Ellie didn’t know what half of what her uncle had just said meant, but she didn’t really care. She wasn’t interested in what the pony had won; she was just captivated by its beauty and grace.
    Her uncle got out and Ellie opened her door. The cold wind whipped her tangled hair away from her face. The boy cantered to the fence and slowed the pony to an easy halt. Pushing her hands into the pockets of her fleece jacket, Ellie followed her uncle over.
    ‘He’s going all right.’ Her uncle gave a satisfied nod.
    The boy looked relieved.
    ‘This is your cousin, Ellie,’ Len told him.
    ‘Hi, Ellie.’ The boy’s hair was sandy brown, his eyes dark greeny-grey. ‘I’m Joe.’
    His smile was warm and Ellie felt a rush of relief. ‘Hi,’ she said.
    ‘How long was your flight then?’ Joe asked her.
    ‘Twenty-four hours.’
    ‘You must be whacked.’
    ‘She wasn’t flying the plane herself, Joe,’ Len said abruptly. ‘She was probably asleep most of it. Go on now, get working that pony again. Where’s Luke?’
    ‘He’s in the wash-barn, clipping.’ Joe smiled at Ellie. ‘I’ll catch you later,’ he said, moving the pony on.
    ‘Right, lass, come and see round.’ Len strode back up the car park and on to the large rectangular courtyard, which had ten spacious loose boxes, arranged on two sides. The third side had a tackroom, a rug room and a wash-stall, and the fourth side was the wall of a large airy barn. Everywhere was immaculate. Ellie gazed round at the horses who were looking out over their doors. They were all beautiful – greys, bays, chestnuts.
    ‘The main show horses have stables here,’ said Len, pointing around the courtyard. ‘The barn at the side there has the livery and younger horses, and the barn further up towards the ring is for the ponies.There’re three foaling boxes round the back too.’ A man in his forties with a bald head pushed a wheelbarrow across the yard. ‘That’s Stuart, ex-jockey,’ Len went on. ‘He’s been my yard manager now for ten years. You’ll meet the other grooms later – Helen and Sasha – and you’ll mind you do what they say.’
    Ellie bristled slightly at his tone, but just then a tall boy who looked about eighteen came to the open door of the wash-stall. He had a pair of electric clippers in one hand and his jeans were covered with horsehair. A sandy terrier-type dog bounced around his heels, chewing at his boots.
    ‘That’s Luke,’ said Len, walking towards him.
    Ellie wondered who Luke was. Maybe he was another groom? His dark hair was slightly long and there was a swagger to his step. As she and Len reached him, Luke’s deep-blue eyes swept over Ellie assessingly and she felt something tighten inside her. Though he hadn’t even spoken yet, she felt a prickle of dislike. The dog came trotting over to her and Ellie bent down to pat it.
    ‘Luke, this is Ellie,’ Len said.
    Ellie glanced up and met Luke’s appraising gaze.
    ‘I thought she was supposed to be fourteen,’ he said to Len.
    ‘Just small for her age,’ Len replied. ‘Useful, though. Means she can ride the fourteen-handers – and exercise the smaller ponies.’
    ‘Yeah, guess there’s that,’ agreed Luke. ‘Now Joe’s not such a midget we need someone else. So she can ride then?’
    Ellie stared at both of them. They were talking about her as if she wasn’t there! ‘Yes, actually, I can ride,’ she put in before Len could speak. She could feel her temper rising, breaking through her numbness. ‘I’ve ridden since I was three. I had my own pony, you know.’
    ‘Oh.’ Luke raised his eyebrows. ‘So you’re the expert then? I’ll know who to come to if I want any advice.’ His eyes mocked her.
    Ellie glared at him.
    ‘Did you see to the kittens then?’ Len asked him.
    ‘Not yet. They’re in here still,’ Luke said, breaking eye contact with Ellie and