But as she stranded Comet’s thick mane through her fingers, Alex felt herself calming down. She thought she could probably put up with anything, even Zoe’s pushy cousin, as long as she had Comet. He was her own wonderful special secret, never to be shared with anyone.

‘I think you deserve a treat, Comet!’ Dismounting, she fished in her pocket for a packet of mints and held them up to him on the flat of her hand. She smiled as the palomino’s soft lips nuzzled her hand as he snuffled them up.

‘Delicious!’ He crunched them, spraying bits everywhere and making Alex laugh.

Chapter
FIVE

Alex fought back tears the following day. She and her mum stood in the yard, watching the horse ambulance disappearing down the winding lane.

The vet had just been to check on Pasha’s leg again. He suspected there might be complications and the pony was being taken to a special treatment centre.

‘Pasha won’t like being away from her own stable. She’s going to miss having her cuddle when I settle her for the night,’ Alex gulped.

‘Try not to worry about her, love,’ Mrs Judd said gently. ‘Pasha’s in very good hands.’

‘I know, but I can’t help it. I’m really going to miss her.’

‘Course you will. That’s natural. So will I.’ Her mum gave her a hug. After a while she said, ‘Are you meeting up with Zoe and Saffron today?’

Alex shook her head. ‘They’re going out for the day with Zoe’s aunt and uncle. But we’re meeting up here the day after tomorrow so we can do some more jumping. I thought I might go out for a ride up on the moors by myself,’ Alex told her.

‘Good idea. That’ll take your mind off things.’

Mrs Judd stood by as Alex tacked up Comet and then mounted. As she rode out into the yard, her mum reached up and patted the palomino pony’s neck.

‘Look after her, won’t you, boy? She’s my special girl.’

Comet whickered softly and pricked his ears.

‘I could swear he understands everything you say to him,’ her mum said, smiling.

Alex smiled back. ‘He does!’ If only her mum knew.

‘See you later!’ called Mrs Judd over her shoulder as she went towards the farmhouse.

‘Will do!’ Alex answered.

As they trotted out of the yard, she spoke to Comet. ‘Destiny might be hiding among the rocks and crags. We can search for her.’

His sandy tail flicked up. ‘Thank you, Alex.’

At the end of the winding lane, Alex pointed him towards one of the stony tracks that led up to the high moors. Soon they found themselves in a stark landscape, under huge open skies.

Alex loved it up here. Drystone walls snaked across the hillside, where sheep and their lambs grazed on the scrubby grass. Here and there enormous jagged grey stones thrust upwards from the bare soil like sleeping giants of old. Some of them were grouped together, forming natural shelters and hiding places.