‘I guess not.’ Alex’s spirits sank as she thought how boring the half-term holiday would be, without riding with her best friend. She brightened as a thought came to her. ‘Hang on! I’ll need to exercise Comet so I may as well ride him while Pasha’s getting better.’

Comet nickered agreement from inside the transporter.

‘That sounds like the perfect arrangement,’ Alex’s mum said. ‘Finding Comet running loose like that seems to have turned out to be a stroke of luck.’

‘Definitely! I’m going to take the best care of him!’ Alex said with a wide grin. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow then!’ She waved to her friend as they drew away down the track and headed home to Scarp Hill Farm.

Alex couldn’t help the eagerness that made her pulse race at the thought of riding the magic pony. She hoped Pasha wouldn’t be jealous.

Early the following morning, Alex went to check that her chestnut pony was comfortable. ‘Hello there, brave girl,’ she crooned, sliding open the door to Pasha’s stall. When she’d settled her in last night, she’d been careful to pile clean straw up extra high round the walls to make a deep and comfortable bed.

Pasha was lying down. She lifted her head and looked at Alex with mild eyes. Alex sat down and gently rubbed her soft brown nose. ‘That’s right. You just relax and let that bad old leg get better. The vet’s coming to check on you again later.’

From the next stall, Comet gave a soft whicker of encouragement. Pasha nickered back softly and then lay back down with a contented sigh. Alex gave her a final pat and made sure she had food and water, before feeding Comet and making a start on her usual stable chores.

She suddenly felt a strange warm tingling sensation in her fingertips as bright violet sparks ignited in Comet’s caramel coat. His ears crackled with tiny rainbow bolts of magical power. Her eyes widened. What was going on?

She watched in total amazement as there was a whooshing noise and thousands of tiny fireflies shot into the air. Swoosh! Rustle! Shine! They rushed about swiftly scooping up soiled straw, dropping it into a wheelbarrow, and busily cleaning and polishing the bridles hanging on a nearby hook.

Alex stood by, her hands at her sides, feeling a bit uncomfortable as there was nothing for her to do. Soon all the work was done. The glittery helpers dissolved into sparkly dust and disappeared. Alex took a deep breath as she realized there was something she had to get straight.

‘Thanks ever so much for helping me, Comet. But I really don’t mind doing this work,’ she said tactfully. ‘Actually, I enjoy it. It’s all part of looking after a pony.’

‘I did not think of that. Thank you for explaining. I will ask if you need help next time,’ Comet neighed.