‘Anyone would have done the same,’ she said, cupping his velvety nose.

‘No, they would not. You are a very special friend, Alex.’

A soft cloud of his warm hay-scented breath enveloped her and Alex’s heart swelled with love for her magic pony. She reached up and put her arms round Comet’s neck. Closing her eyes, she pressed her cheek to his silky warmth. After a few moments of wonderful closeness that she would never forget, she drew back.

‘Mum will have lunch ready. We’d better go… oh!’ She winced. Now that the excitement was over, her injured leg began to throb horribly.

Comet’s eyes widened with concern. ‘You are hurt! I will help you!’

Alex felt another tingling sensation flowing down to her fingertips as violet sparks bloomed in Comet’s caramel coat and a glittering mist filled with hundreds of tiny stars rose into the air. It floated down and surrounded her leg, where it swirled briefly before sinking into her torn jeans and disappearing.

The sharp pain seemed to melt away like the morning mist on the moors. As Alex watched, the edges of her ripped jeans drew together and mended themselves.

‘Thanks, Comet! I feel much better now.’

Comet swivelled his ears. ‘You are welcome. Climb back on my back, Alex. Let us return.’

Alex did so. Thorn bushes and drystone walls sped past and soon they were approaching the winding lane that led to Scarp Hill Farm. Comet gave an excited neigh as he slowed to a halt. Stretching out his neck, he looked at the ground.

Alex peered over his shoulder to see what he was looking at.

She did a double take.

Stretching ahead of them and curving away out of sight behind a nearby farmyard was a faint line of softly glowing violet hoof-prints.

‘What’s that?’ Alex asked in wonder.

‘It’s Destiny’s trail! She has been here!’ Comet told her.

Alex gasped. Did that mean that the magic pony was leaving – right now – to go after his twin? ‘Is… is she somewhere close?’ she asked him anxiously.

‘No. This trail is cold. But at least I know that Destiny came this way. When I am closer to her I will sense her presence and I will also hear her hoof-beats.’

‘Will I be able to hear them too?’ she asked, starting to relax a bit.

‘Yes, if you are riding me or we are close together. But other humans will not be able to hear them.’ His glowing eyes grew serious. ‘I may have to leave suddenly, without saying goodbye, to catch up with Destiny.’

Alex fought against a new feeling of dismay. She didn’t think she would ever be ready to lose her friend. ‘Once… once you find her, you could both stay here with me, couldn’t you?’ she asked hopefully in a wobbly voice.

Comet shook his head. ‘I am afraid that is not possible. We must return to our family on Rainbow Mist Island. I hope you understand, Alex?’