At the same time, Princess lowered her head and began pawing at the water. Saffron was still looking at where the whip had landed and didn’t seem to have noticed, but Zoe read the telltale signs.

‘Oh no! Princess is going to roll! Watch out, Saffron!’ she warned her cousin.

It was too late. The grey pony sank to her knees as she lowered herself into the puddle.

‘Oo-er!’ Saffron lost her balance. She slipped forward, did an impressive somersault and landed on her bottom. As Princess rolled over, a wave of muddy water sloshed all over Saffron, soaking her from head to foot.

Princess stood up, shook herself and calmly trotted to dry land.

Alex clapped her hands over her mouth. ‘Oh dear,’ she said in a muffled voice, trying without success to stem the laughter that was bubbling up inside her. ‘I didn’t expect that to happen.’

Her magical friend blinked at her with surprised long-lashed eyes. ‘I thought that was what you wanted.’

Zoe dismounted and ran to help her cousin. ‘Are you OK?’

‘Does it look like it?’ Saffron burst into tears. ‘My clothes are ruined! They were a birthday present.’ Dripping, she lumbered through the mud and squelched up the field.

Seeing that Saffron was really upset, Alex abruptly stopped laughing. She felt an uncomfortable stirring of guilt.

Comet had only used his magic because she had grumbled to him about Saffron. Alex chewed at her lip, wondering what she could do to set things right. Saffron had caught up with Princess. She grasped her bridle in a muddy hand. ‘Dad’s going to go ballistic if I take her back looking like this. She’s filthy!’ she wailed.

‘Don’t worry. I’ll tell Uncle Tim it was an accident,’ Zoe said.

‘It won’t make any difference. He’ll still blame me. You know how strict he can be. He’s got this saying. “It’s always the rider’s fault.”’

‘But that’s not fair!’ Alex exclaimed.

Unexpectedly, she felt herself starting to feel sorry for the older girl. It couldn’t be much fun having a dad who was so strict. She thought hard and a plan began to form in her mind.

‘Hang on! I know what to do. Let’s go to my house…’

Chapter
SEVEN

‘Oh my goodness!’ Mrs Judd exclaimed when she saw Saffron standing miserably in the utility room, dripping mud and water everywhere.

To Alex’s relief, her mum didn’t waste time asking for explanations.

Mrs Judd rolled up her sleeves. ‘Right. Let’s get you out of those wet clothes and into a shower. Alex can you fetch me –’

‘Sorry, Mum. I’ve got something mega-important to do,’ Alex interrupted swiftly. ‘Zoe will help; won’t you, Zoe?’

‘Um… sure.’ Zoe frowned, puzzled.

‘Towels are in the bathroom. And help yourself to any dry clothes from my bedroom,’ Alex called over her shoulder, dashing outside before anyone could protest.

She zoomed over to the stables, where all three ponies were tethered. Comet whinnied a greeting when he saw her.