Loving Spirit

tails waggling, while their mothers grazed. Bright yellow daffodils waved along the grass verge and the leaves on the trees were new and green.
    The months ahead felt as if they were stretchingout in front of her like the golden rays of the sun stretching across the fields. What would they hold? There would be more shows. Maybe she would be able to learn how to talk properly to other horses. That was such an amazing idea. Then there would be Spirit, of course. She would do more with him, ride him with a saddle and bridle, learn more from him, love him and be loved by him.
    A picture of the first time she had seen him flashed into her mind, and she remembered the feeling she’d had that day, as if she’d always known him.
    You’re mine , she had promised him. Forever .
    She had meant it then. She knew it now. Their eyes met and she lost herself again in his gaze, feeling a wonderful sense of security. Whatever the future held, she would meet it with him.
    The winter had passed; spring was here.

Special Thanks …
    There are so many people to thank for Ellie and Spirit’s story. My agent, the wonderful Philippa Milnes-Smith, who encouraged me to write it from the very first moment we met, and her fabulous assistant, Holly Vitow. My editor, Lindsey Heaven, for her passion, skill and general loveliness even when we have been arguing – I know it’s only because you care! To everyone at Puffin who has put time into turning my story into proper books, especially Wendy Tse for her edits and patience and Katy Finch for the perfect covers.
    On the horse front, I owe a massive thank you to Julie Templeton and Fiona Wallace of the Julie Templeton show team. They showed me around their amazing yard and patiently answered so many questions about showing, willingly giving up their busy time – any stretching of showing reality is down to me! The many non-fiction books by Mark Rashid,an incredible horseman, have also been invaluable, as have the books by horse healers Julie Dicker and Magrit Coates.
    And then there are the thanks to everyone else in my life who has been involved with this story. To Peter, Iola, Amany and Spike for putting up with me writing all the time, particularly to Peter for the endless love, support and inspiration – you are my guiding light and I love you for it! To the writing friends who make my day-to-day writing life so much more fun than it would be otherwise: Lee Weatherly, Julie Sykes, Liz Kessler, Dave Gatward and Ann Bryant (particular thanks to Lee, Liz, Ann and Julie for reading various drafts, seeing what I wanted to write and helping me iron out problems). To all the rest of the Scattered Authors, the most wonderful and generous group of writers. To my non-writing friends who keep me sane: Suzanne, Emma, Sarah, Jo, Debs, Sandra, Caroline, Wendy and Elaine. And to DB, wherever you are, for the light and the shadows you brought – this story would not be here without you. Thank you. Most of all, though, I have an immense debt of gratitude to the horses and dogs who are no longer with me, especially Tan, Bramble and Poppy. All animals are special, but some touch your life and heart in a whole different way. Those three taught me so much and I miss them all every day. Finally a huge thank you toeveryone who reads Ellie and Spirit’s story and enjoys it – listen and maybe you will hear an answer one day …