Alex smiled, glad that her magical friend understood and that she hadn’t hurt his feelings. ‘Zoe will be here soon. Dad said we could practise jumping in the field. It’s going to be fun. Maxi’s pretty good. But I’ve got a feeling that you’re going to be even better.’

Comet snorted happily as she led him out of the stable into the yard. ‘I like Zoe and Maxi.’

Alex had just finished tacking him up and was tightening the girth round his tummy when she heard hoof-beats. She whirled round with an eager smile, and saw two riders coming up the winding lane towards the farm.

She frowned. ‘That’s strange. Who’s that with Zoe? Oh, it’s her cousin, Saffron,’ she said, her spirits sinking.

Comet’s ears twitched. ‘You do not sound pleased.’

‘It’s just that I was looking forward to having fun today with you, Zoe and Maxi,’ Alex admitted. ‘It won’t be the same with Saffron. Oh well, she’s here now. I guess it will be OK. It won’t be for that long.’

Comet looked up curiously as the two girls trotted through the farm gate.

Zoe stood up in her stirrups and waved. ‘Hi, Alex! Guess what? My aunt and uncle and Saffron have come to stay with me for the school holidays. She can practise jumping with us.’

‘Oh, OK.’ Alex tried not to sound too churlish but still felt a prickle of dismay at the thought of having to share her best friend for two whole weeks. Saffron was older than both of them. Alex had only met her once before and so she didn’t know her all that well.

‘Hi, Alex.’ Zoe’s twelve-year-old cousin sat on a flashy pony. She wore pink-and-black gloves that matched her stylish riding hat cover. Her saddle cloth had her name on it in glittery writing.

‘Hi, Saffron.’ Alex forced a smile, making an effort to be friendly. ‘Your pony’s really pretty. What’s her name?’

‘Sparkly Fairy Princess,’ Saffron said.

‘Er… right. Cool.’ But despite the fussy name, the grey pony was truly beautiful, with an elegant head and large dark eyes. Her silvery mane flopped prettily over her forehead.

‘Zoe told me what happened at the horse trials. It’s rotten luck about Pasha.’

‘Yeah. It was pretty awful. The vet says she’ll be OK, though,’ Alex told her.

‘That’s good. It’s horrible when your pony’s lame.’ Saffron ran her eyes over Comet. ‘That palomino you’re looking after seems friendly. What’s he like to ride?’

‘I haven’t had a chance to find out yet. He’s called Comet, by the way,’ Alex told her. ‘I’ll be riding him for the first time today.’

Saffron nodded. ‘It’s always exciting to ride a new pony, isn’t it?’

‘Yes.’ Alex thought Saffron seemed very confident, but also quite friendly. Maybe having her around wouldn’t be so bad, after all.

‘Saffron’s going to give us some hot jumping tips. She really knows her stuff. Uncle Tim’s won loads of competitions,’ Zoe enthused, smiling.